novation Bass Station II | Analog Monosynth

novation Bass Station II Analog Monosynth

Bass Station’s signature sound was achieved using flexible, digitally-controlled oscillators (DCO’s), classic waveforms and a warm analogue 12db / 24db filter, combined with a modern twist: real-time MIDI transmission. This was quite a rarity at the time, and allowed for expressive live ‘tweaking’ to be captured and recorded. Parameters could also be automated, making Bass Station perfect for studios and live performance.

The success of Bass Station resulted in a demand for more, leading to the release of Bass Station Rack in 1994. This was much more than just a key-less version of Bass Station and featured several huge improvements, most notable of which was expanded memory and a LCD display that allowed for easier navigation of custom sounds. Sound creation was stepped up: the LFO’s could now sync to MIDI clock and more parameters were now able to transmit MIDI data. Envelopes could be controlled in a variety of ways and the I/O was improved; the rack version featured the addition of switchable CV and Gate in and out, an all important external input to the filter for processing external sound sources and MIDI thru making it easier to integrate into a rack configuration.

Key Features

• Two pure analogue, sync-able and tuneable oscillators with four selectable waveforms, plus a third sub-oscillator, noise and ring modulation.
• Switch the multi-mode Classic Filter between low, hi and band pass with 12 and 24dB slopes
• A 24dB Acid Filter that is even darker, wetter and smoother than the Classic.
• Create crunchy, aggressive sounds with fully analogue distortion, filter-modulation effects and a separate filter overdrive.
• Comes with 64 patches that cover a huge range of styles, but you can create, save, archive and swap 64 of your own too.

Technical Specifications

Hardware & controller assignment
25 note synth-action keyboard
Aftertouch can be assigned to modulate: Filter frequency / LFO 1to Osc pitch / Osc 2 speed / Pitch wheel
Modulation wheel can be assigned to: LFO 2 to filter frequency / LFO 1 to Osc pitch / Osc 2 pitch
Octave up/ down buttons
64 factory presets
64 slots for user patches (and patch dump facility for storing more)
Master volume dial

Inputs and Outputs
USB MIDI (for connecting & powering Bass Station II via host computer)
Mono output on 1/4" TRS jack
Headphone output on 1/4" TRS jack
External input on 1/4" TRS jack
Sustain pedal input on 1/4" TS jack
MIDI IN / MIDI OUT ports on 5 pin din
DC power input
Switch between power off / DC powered / bus powered

Synth Engine
Oscillators
Osc 1
Osc 2
Sub Osc (3)
Noise generator

Osc 1 & 2
Select between waveforms:
sine
triangle
sawtooth
square/variable pulse width

Features
Sync 1 & 2
Detune
Octave range
Pitch bend
Pitch modulation from Mod Envelope and/or LFO 1
Pulse width modulation from Mod Envelope and/or LFO 2

Sub Osc (3) which is tracked to Osc 1
Select independently between waveforms:
Sine
Square
Narrow pulse
Features
All modulation and tuning tracked to Osc 1
Independent octave select

Mixer
Osc 1 level
Osc 2 level
Sub Osc level
Noise generator level
Ring modulation depth
External signal level

Filter
Two filter types
Acid type (diode ladder filter design)
Classic type (derived from original Bass Station)

Features
Cutoff
Resonance
Overdrive
Filter frequency to Mod Envelope depth
Filter frequency to LFO 2 depth

Select 'Classic' filter between:
Low pass
Band pass
High pass
12dB slope
24dB slope

Envelopes
Two ADSR Envelopes (Attack/Decay/Sustain/Release)
Amp Envelope
Mod Envelope
Combined control of both Envelopes

Select triggering mode between:
Single trigger (holds envelope state when new note is played)
Multi trigger (re-triggers with every new note played)
Autoglide (engages portamento)
There is also a VCA limiter

LFO
Two LFOs each selectable between:
Triangle
Sawtooth
Square
Sample and hold
Both LFOs independently adjustable between rate and delay time
Key sync LFO 1 & 2
LFO slew on LFO 1& 2 (low pass filter on the LFO waveform)

Effects
Distortion send
Oscillator filter mod amount (FM effect created by Oscillator 2 modulating filter freq)

Step Sequencer/Arpeggiator
Arpeggiator

Up to 32 different patterns
Select between 1-4 octave range
Swing function
Select direction:
up
down
up / down 1
up / down 2
As played
Random
Latch (hold the arpeggiator)

Step Sequencer
Up to four sequences
Assign one of 32 preset rhythms or create your own
insert rests or legato (slide)
Sequencer re-trigger function

Portamento
Adjust glide time
Single trigger or re-trigger modes
Integrate into step sequencer and arpeggiator

Power Requirements
USB bus powered
9V DC power supply included
Maximum power consumption 9V DC 300mA

Product Dimensions
457mm (18”) width x 273mm (10.75”) depth x 76mm (3”) height