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Novation Bass Station II Analog Synthesizer

25-key Analog Synthesizer with Two Analog Filter Types, Two DCOs, One Sub-oscillator, Pattern-based Step Sequencer/Arpeggiator, and Aftertouch
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Eminently Tweakable Modern Analog Synth Classic

The Novation Bass Station II is a fixture in synth-based music, a power-packed digitally controlled analog mono synth that growls and howls and is eminently tweakable — especially given its compact design! When synthesists at Sweetwater are searching for subterranean low end, the Novation Bass Station II is a first choice due to its ultra-fat suboscillator and overdrive-equipped filter section. But the Bass Station II has always been more than what its name implies — it’s capable of producing scorching lead sounds and mesmerizing sonic textures. And, Novation has taken the Bass Station II even further, collaborating with Aphex Twin to develop the groundbreaking AFX mode, which is available through a free firmware update. By allowing users to assign a unique patch to every key, AFX Mode explodes the Bass Station II’s sound design capabilities, transforming it into a powerful drum module, chord organ, and much more. Along with its sequencer and arpeggiator, the Bass Station II is a perfect platform for generative music making and endless sonic exploration!

Note: AFX Mode is available on all Bass Station IIs through a free Firmware v4.14 update. If you have any questions about updating your Bass Station II to include AFX mode, please reach out to your Sweetwater Sales Engineer.

Advanced soundsculpting tools

On top of its patch-per-key functionality, the Bass Station II offers a bevy of advanced soundsculpting features. These include microtuning editing for pushing the boundaries of scale-based music, fixed duration envelopes to tighten drum patches, independent sub-oscillator tuning, and oscillator glide diverge for adding distinct portamento characteristics by slowing down the glide time of oscillator two relative to oscillator one, which creates dramatic divergences. Also included in the latest firmware update, filter tracking opens up the filter cutoff as you move higher on the fretboard, adding brightness and bite; an oscillator error effect peppers in a small and random amount of detuning as you strike the next key, mimicking the sound of an unstable vintage analog synth; and the Bass Station II's new envelope retriggering function is its sound-design secret weapon. By retriggering the envelope after the decay stage, you can develop loping or insistent rhythms to manipulate amplitude, pitch, filter cutoff, and PWM. Additionally, the Bass Station II’s new paraphonic setting allows you to play two notes at a time, with separate pitches for the oscillators — an ideal feature for laying a droning pedal tone under a melodic line or ripping a lead over a repeating bass figure!

The right ingredients for epic, expressive sounds

While the Bass Station II supplies the bread-and-butter synthesis controls to create a wide range of leads, pads, and effects, it's primed for heavy-hitting bass. Two main oscillators can be hard-synced for tighter, punchier tones. And a sub-oscillator is on hand to fill out the bottom end. And because its 25-note keyboard supports aftertouch, you'll find it easy to put some expression in your performances. The Bass Station II packs two discrete filter designs, each with an overdrive circuit for seriously distorted tones. The Classic filter is based on the original Bass Station synth, giving you LPF, HPF, and BPF modes. The Acid filter is a diode ladder design that can get very squelchy — think 303 and you've got the idea.

Get creative with a built-in arpeggiator and step sequencer

When you switch on the Bass Station's arpeggiator you can choose from 32 different rhythmic patterns in different directions, with control over the octave range. You can also play up to four of your own patterns into the step sequencer and play them back using one of the 32 rhythms. The step sequencer also records legato and rests, so you can create more expressive sequences on the fly compared to simple note on-off sequencers found on some synths.

Novation Bass Station II Analog Synthesizer Features:

  • Monophonic hybrid synthesizer keyboard primed for huge bass sounds
  • Access AFX Mode with firmware v4.14 update
  • 2 discrete analog filter designs give you distinct flavors to create your sounds
  • Dual DCOs can be hard-synced for tighter, punchier bass
  • Sub-oscillator with square, sine, and narrow pulse-width waveforms adds rich, full low end
  • Dedicated knobs and faders, and aftertouch allow for very expressive performances
  • Patch-per-key functionality expands Bass Station II’s sound design capabilities
  • Paraphonic mode allows users to play two notes at once
  • Fine-tune drum patches with fixed-duration envelope and retrigger counts
  • Tune the suboscillator to any non-octave-tracking interval
  • Oscillator glide diverge adds distinct portamento characteristics
  • 64 factory presets, 64 user slots
  • Built-in arpeggiator and step sequencer with 32 different rhythmic patterns
  • LFO Slew feature lets you distort the LFO waveforms for more modulation possibilities
  • External input for processing line-level audio signals
  • Powered by AC or USB bus power

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Synthesizer
  • Analog/Digital: Analog
  • Number of Keys: 25
  • Type of Keys: Synth Action
  • Aftertouch: Yes
  • Velocity Sensitive: Yes
  • Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
  • Polyphony: Monophonic, Paraphonic Mode
  • Number of Presets: 64 x Factory, 64 x User
  • Oscillators: 2 x DCO, 1 x Sub-oscillator
  • Waveforms: Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square Pulse Width
  • LFO: 2 x LFO (triangle, sawtooth, square, s&h), Key Sync
  • Filter: 4-pole Lowpass Diode Ladder Filter, 2/4-pole Lowpass/Bandpass/Highpass Filter
  • Envelope Generator: 2 x EG (attack, decay, sustain, release)
  • Number of Effects: 2
  • Effects Types: Distortion, Oscillator FM
  • Arpeggiator: Yes
  • Sequencer: 32-step
  • Audio Inputs: 1 x 1/4" TS (line/instrument)
  • Audio Outputs: 1 x 1/4" TS (mono out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4" TRS
  • USB: 1 x Type B v1.1 (2.0 compatible)
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" TS (sustain)
  • Features: Aphex Twin AFX Mode
  • Software: Novation Components (backup, transfer)
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.9 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 8 or later
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply (included) / USB bus powered
  • Height: 2.5"
  • Width: 18"
  • Depth: 10.62"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AMS-BASS-STATION-II

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Ultra Heavy Beats!

Why buy the Bass Station II after all this time? Even with all of the latest and greatest synths that have come after this was produced, like all the newer products from Behringer, Arturia, MOOG, etc., none of the newer synths seem to be able to compete with all of the features and sound of the Bass Station II at this price point. The keys feel amazing and do not feel cheap. The new updates to the firmware make this synth feel brand new, even after all these years with AFX mode, paraphonic mode, and all of the presets. If I had to choose one synth, the Bass Station II has everything you could ever want and competes with all of the synths with ease. Novation also has software called "Components" that allows you to easily update and customize the Bass Station II like any brand new synth. You can even customize the little red screen with a custom loading message if you would like through the Components software. There is nothing that I don't like about this synth and the presets that come out of the box make you sound like a pro synth artist in seconds! Latch an ARP on one of the first couple presets at 120 bpm and play with the awesome filter cutoff knob and you will see what I mean. Some of my favorite artists have used this synth and also use it on stage to run their whole show like Sasha K. of KMFDM. The sales engineers at Sweetwater are great at working up a deal on these synths for under this price, so just give them a call and see what they can do for you. Brian Lemert had always taken good care of me as my sales engineer, and so has everyone else I have worked with to purchase all of my gear through Sweetwater. I also got the Decksaver dust cover for this synth, and it is worth it as well. In summary, buy this synth, and make Ultra Heavy Beats!
Rated 5/5

Don't let the price fool you

This synth had me a little skeptical at first because of the 25 keys but the octave buttons make-up for all of that. Now, lets talk about the sounds, which are highly programable and useful. If you do find a sound you don't like, chances are you can alter it and keep searching until you find the one parameter that fixes everything. I have mine going through an ElectroHarmonics Big Muff , an Outlaw Quick Draw delay, and a Boss SYB-3 bass synth pedal which does NOT work with bass guitars very well but works like a charm with mono synths . I would say that this and a Hardware Sequencer/Sampler with more drums are all you needs to start making great electronic music.
Music background: High school and college music classes and played in several gigging bands many years ago
Rated 5/5

Great Starter Monosynth

I got the Bass Station II after doing a lot of research into a compact analog synthesizer, and I have zero regrets. This thing is powerful and packed with tons of cool features, and Novation still gives it updates every once in a while. It really helped me learn how analog synthesis works, and I love the polyphonic mode added a couple years back that lets you play two notes at once, it opens up even more creative options for you.

I've been using this thing for over a year now on and off, and it even works great when mixed in the background with live instruments like guitar or drums. It's been a real blast. 100% recommend making sure you update this synth via your computer to get all the updated features and newer stuff they've added.

10/10 would recommend.
Rated 5/5

Bass Never Felt So Good

Great tool to create some of the sweetest bass patches.
Rated 5/5

Exactly what I needed

I had the need for an alternative bass instrument. I called Sweetwater and explained what I needed. They recommended the Novation Bass Station II. It is absolutely amazingly versatile and I was able to create the exact sounds I needed for the performances where we will utilize this instrument. The Sweetwater representative listened and provided outstanding feedback and suggestions. Our performances will be greatly enhanced because of their creative solution to our problems.
Music background: Visiting Director of Bands with over 40 years of HS and university band and administrative experience.

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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Shelby Strunk

Having an extensive background in live sound and recording, for me, the sound is the most important part of any instrument, and this synthesizer impressed me right out of the gate. After diving into the Novation Bass Station II's extensive functions, I found the sound-creation possibilities virtually limitless. It's everything I look for in a synth!

Bart Good

I own the Novation Bass Station II, and continue to be amazed by how nice the patches are. I've never encountered such an easy-to-use and amazing-sounding analog synth for so little money! Also, this is not just for bass sounds - there are plenty of sounds that can be used for lead and melody as well. It always triggers my inspiration and creativity, which is such an important attribute for a musical instrument to have.

Matthew Klopfenstein

Within minutes of powering up the Novation Bass Station II, I was creatively hooked. The control setup on this synth is very inviting, and the built-in sound patches are incredible. From gigantic bass to Carpenter-style lead sounds, this is an expansive sonic tool that could live in any studio or creative space.

Kyle Zillioux

This synth is such a blast to use. The patches sound fantastic, and sculpting them from there is extremely easy and effective. The versatility and ease of use this synth provides makes it a must-have for experienced players and newcomers alike.

Tom Phillips

I have been playing synthesizers for the past five years. Most of this has been in the box software, but having recently gotten into hardware I discovered the Novation BassStation2. This thing has all kinds of fat sounds in it and is super easy to use. After an hour or so of getting familiar with the BassStation I was filled with inspiration in how quickly I could dial in killer synth tones. For anyone looking to transition from soft synths to hardware, this is a must have.

Carson McClain

This is a completely different beast than the original Novation Bass Station, having been designed for today's desktop production and live performance. If classic 80s and 90s sounds are what you're looking for, this is a bargain!

Jay Diehl

The Bass Station 2 is great all around monophonic synth and my go-to for the past 5 years. Novation’s Components software makes it easy to swap out patches. It's easy to find Funk, New Wave, and House patches to experiment with, and Aphex Twin made 127 fantastic patches that have a lot fun and 
tweaky parameters. I find the responsive synth-action keybed well suited for leads and for chords. This is the easiest Acid House instrument to play and it pairs well with DJ controllers or drum machines. The plastic chassis is durable, the knobs have a great sweep, and the controls have very tactile operation for Oscilator sweeps, “squelches” and all other filter effects.

Chris Nunley

Having the Bass Station II in my studio is a must! The bass sounds can be modified to fit any genre of music, the lead sounds can tear through any mix, and the arpeggiator is the easiest I have ever used, making live performance a breeze. Just dial in your sound or preset and select record. This synth is a great tool to have, not only for electronic musicians but for any band or songwriter looking to enhance their sound.

Paul LaFemina

I have been a musician for decades but have always been intimidated by synthesizers. The Bass Station II changed all that. I plugged it in at home, put on my headphones, and was making some amazing electronic music within minutes. I found it easy to use despite all the tonal options available. Once I turned on the arpeggiator and a found preset patch, I discovered my inner Radiohead. Good fun!
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