Novation Unveils Bass Station II – Analog Synth

Novation have updated their classic bass synthesizer, the Bass Station, in it’s original mini keyboard flavor. Novation is positing the Bass Station II, an analog synth, as a full blown synth and not just a 303 emulator. Based on the classic Novation Bass Station from 20 years ago, Novation’s first product, 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-analog effects section. Plus there’s a step- sequencer, arpeggiator, a two octave (25-note) velocity-sensitive keyboard with full-sized keys and a modulation section.

Novation BassStation II

Bass Station II’s signal path is all analog, including the effects section. It is based on three analog 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. There’s even MIDI I/O and USB connectivity.
Novation BassStation II
Features:
» Analog: Bass Station II has a pure analog audio signal path, reviving the spirit of the original Bass Station with an all-new design optimized for bass.
» Two distinct analog 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 that enables you to store and call up patterns as well as quickly sketch out ideas.
» 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.
» Analog effects section: Bass Station II includes fully analog 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.

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 filter in Bass Station II.


Novation’s BassStation II is slated to be available worldwide sometime in June 2013 for $629.

Novation

Author: FutureMusic

Share This Post On