Musikmesse 2013: This morning Novation announced the launch of Bass Station II – a new analogue bass synthesizer that they say is equally well adapted to leads.
Based on the classic Novation Bass Station from 20 years ago, the Bass Station II has been “completely re-worked for the 21st Century,” with two filters, two oscillators plus a sub-oscillator, patch save and a fully-analogue effects section.
Plus the Bass Station II boasts a step-sequencer, an arpeggiator, a two octave (25-note) velocity-sensitive keyboard with full-sized keys and a powerful modulation section. There’s also MIDI I/O and USB connectivity.
And the street price is a cool $500. Schwing!
Want to know more? We’ve got the details:
Key Features:
- Analogue synth: brand new version of the classic Bass Station: Bass Station II has a pure analogue audio signal path, reviving the spirit of the original Bass Station with an all-new design optimized for bass
- Two distinct analogue filters: In addition to the original Classic Bass Station filter, there’s a brand new Acid diode ladder filter for squelchy 303-esque bass sounds
- Load and save patches: 64 factory patches on-board with room for 64 more of your own: save more to your computer via USB
- Pattern-based Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator: Bass Station II has an arpeggiator with a programmable step sequencer
- Instant hands-on control: Instant hands-on control of the sound engine via a traditional analogue synth control panel
- Two Oscillators plus an additional Sub Oscillator: Bass Station II has two sync-able, tune-able oscillators with four selectable waveforms, plus a third sub-oscillator for generating enormous bass sounds
- Analogue effects section: Bass Station II includes fully analogue distortion and filter-modulation effects and a separate filter overdrive to add aggression and crunch
- Powerful modulation section featuring two Envelopes and two LFOs: Two ADSR envelopes for amp, filter, pitch and pulse width modulation alongside two LFOs with waveforms including triangle, sawtooth, square and sample & hold
Here’s what Novation has to say about the new Bass Station II:
Twenty years ago, Novation released the ground-breaking Bass Station: a compact, analogue synth designed for fat bass sounds and bubbly leads.
The original Bass Station became a classic; now we present the new Bass Station II: an analogue monophonic synth but with a total re-design that brings it firmly into the 21st century, bigger and bolder than ever. It’s more than a bass synth; it’s versatile enough to kick out sharp leads and crisp arpeggios.
Bass Station II’s signal path is all analogue, including the effects section. It is based on three analogue oscillators (two independent oscillators plus a sub for rich bass sounds) and a noise generator; two discrete filters, Classic and Acid, with built-in overdrive; Distortion and Osc Filter Mod effects; two ADSR envelopes, two LFOs, and an Arpeggiator and programmable Step Sequencer. And that’s just scratching the surface of the synth engine. Bass Station II’s traditional control layout breaks everything into modules with dedicated pots, switches and sliders. Unlike a traditional analogue synth, there’s plenty of storage for your own sounds – there are 64 factory presets plus 64 more slots for your own sounds in the hardware – and you can store more on your computer.
About Bass Station II’s design
The original Bass Station was released in 1993, but its heritage goes back a lot further: to the 1970s, thought of by many as the golden era of synthesis. Synth designer Chris Huggett has remained a constant design force for Novation over the years. Huggett has decades of experience in hardware synth design, having pioneered the development of digitally controlled analogue synths including the OSCar. He also designed such classics as the Wasp, released by Electronic Dream Plant in 1978 – and there is a direct line of descent from the Wasp filter to the awesome ‘Classic’ filter in Bass Station II.
Pricing and Availability:
- The Bass Station II is expected to be available worldwide in June 2013.
- $629.99 MSRP / $499.99 at dealers
See the Novation site for details.
I remember being around 19 years old and lusting after the original bass station. Looking forward to hearing this little beast!
Instabuy!
Well done Novation. This is what Roland should have done with the SH101 format.
I suspect this will be DCO not VCO but either way it’s a potential gem.
Yeesh, just how many new analogs am I going to have to buy this year! This is such a great announcement. My X-Station’s arpeggiator is one of my favorite music making tools. Adding a step sequencer is absolute gravy.
Back to hardware synths again yay! 😛
Lets hope its a start
Fuck Yeah!!!
Only wish it has 3 Octaves… i guess you can’t have everything.
That, or no octaves. This looks like an great synth though!
Sorry I offended some 2 octave keyboard fan out there….
The most detailed info (but still no demos) is at Matrix synth: http://m.matrixsynth.com/2013/04/introducing-novation-bassstation-2-3.html?showComment=1365436283649#c1378374904482479631
This is a *seriously* impressive synth – I had been eyeing a Minibrute but, er…it’s going to have to wait. This thing looks like an absolute must-have.
If you plan to use it for bass you should def try this before getting the minibrute, having lots of troubles getting it to cut through the rest of my 10 piece band.
Time to fire your sound guy, if you can’t get Moog bass to cut through your mix.
Minibrute is Arturia, not Moog….
My bad – the sound guy can keep his job!
Too many Mini______ keyboards to keep straight anymore!
Some sound guy, somewhere, owes me a beer!
and novation for the win!! seriously! both for the bass station and that video.
That video was pretty much nonstop awesome. Great history in sound, too.
Stunned by this. Wow. Very exciting times.
If 499 USD does not magically become 499 (or even more) EUR here in Europe, this is an instant buy!
I have the Original and will be buying this one for sure. Love Novation
let us now give thanks to Arturia
Roland and Yamaha are looking more and more quaint and irrelevant. Time to step it up.
With all the analog monosynths coming out, Im feeling like the balloon might pop.
Just looking at the website about this and im curious how they deal with parameter jumping
because things have dual purposes or loading up patches it could get messy if you wanna load and minipulate in one motion.
Pick up positionings or right now just braing storming it could move exponentialy until it matches the point .
92-95 part of that video should say “korg m1 and akai sampler sold separately! ” Nice breakbeat hardcore track though 🙂
mi KS-rack was full of bugs in the arpeggiator, some artifacts in the waveforms and inestable delay, non usable machine. I hate to see it in that video showed like all the problems with that instrument never happened.
Yeah ks was utter shite. Couldn’t use it has weedy oscillators and weedy filters. nothing like the supernovas etc. This being pure analogue is good. A match for the mopho. What I really like is the mixture of faders and rotary controls like what roland use. I get so fed up with seeing envelope controls with rotary. This is a nice design. I would say its the modern sh101
i found the original 250 euros , should i buy it ,or wait for the new one?
any suggestions?
thanks!
Wait, you will be getting a lot extra for maybe 150 more.
I’ve never been wowed by Novations sound before, hopefully this may change my mind.
err. they forgot the ipad apps…. and the fact that the Launchpad S works with the ipad ..
Nice promo video and I’m looking forward to a Mr.Doty, or Sonic State review. It’s tasty even so.
I know Sonic State, but who’s Mr. Doty?
Never mind, found him. He has the AutomaticGainsay channel on youtube. He’s a cool dude:D
I pay 399.99 for the Minibrute New in Box, and let me tell you, this synt kick ass. VCO not DCO, but if you just looking for a Synt with memori patches and DCO, hey this is your keyboard.