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The Bass Station II is the kind of analog monosynth that doesn't ask for attention — it just takes it. Built on a pure analog signal path with three oscillators, two discrete filters, and a sound engine that's versatile enough to growl through basslines, spit sharp leads, and rip crispy arpeggios, this is Novation's love letter to anyone who has ever wanted more grit, more character, and more control. And with Firmware v4.14 — co-developed with electronic music legend Aphex Twin — it now does things that most hardware synths wouldn't even dream of trying.
A Sound Engine Built to Bite
Two oscillators and a sub-oscillator walk into a bar. What follows is the kind of low-end that rattles walls. The Bass Station II's analog signal path is the real deal — no shortcuts, no digital shortcuts pretending to be analog, just three pure oscillators and a noise generator working together to produce sounds ranging from warm and round to aggressively filthy.
Three Analog Oscillators: Oscillators One and Two are each switchable between sine, sawtooth, square, and variable pulse width waveforms. The sub-oscillator — the secret weapon behind those enormous bass tones — can be set one or two octaves below Oscillator One in square, sine, or narrow pulse width.
Dual Filter Options ('Classic' & 'Acid'): The 'Classic' Bass Station filter switches between low pass, high pass, and band pass at 12 or 24dB slopes. The 'Acid' filter, built on a diode ladder design, delivers that signature 303-esque squelch — because sometimes you need your synth to sound like it's slightly annoyed.
Fully Analog Effects: Analog distortion drives circuit components to introduce new frequencies, from gentle warmth to full-on granular chaos. The Osc Filter Mod effect uses Oscillator Two to modulate filter frequency, delivering FM-type textures that fatten up bass and lead patches considerably.
AFX Mode: One Synth, Infinite Personalities
This is where things get gloriously weird. Inspired by Aphex Twin himself, AFX Mode lets you assign a unique set of synthesis parameters to each individual key on the Bass Station II. Every note gets its own sound, character, and identity. It’s less like playing a monosynth and more like wrangling a small, opinionated orchestra from a 25-key keyboard.
Per-Key Sound Design: Use AFX Mode to introduce subtle tonal shifts as you move up and down the keyboard, divide the keyboard into multiple zones each playing its own sound, or build entire drum kits into a single preset for live triggering or Arpeggiator playback.
Oscillator Glide Diverge: Slow down the Glide time of Oscillator 2 relative to Oscillator 1 by a variable amount, causing the two to drift apart for thick, characterful portamento effects you won't find on most hardware or software synths.
Extended Sub-Oscillator Control: The sub-oscillator can now be detuned using Coarse and Fine controls for non-octave tracking intervals — subtle or dramatic — adding a new dimension of tonal creativity that was simply unavailable before v4.14.
Performance Tools That Actually Perform
A synth with no performance architecture is like a sports car with no steering wheel — impressive on paper, useless in practice. The Bass Station II arrives with an Arpeggiator, a programmable Step Sequencer, and hands-on panel controls for all major parameters, making it as enjoyable to perform with as it is to program.
Arpeggiator & Step Sequencer: The Arp runs through 32 rhythmic patterns in multiple directions with a switchable octave range. The Step Sequencer lets you record up to four sequences — complete with legato and rests — and play them back across any of those 32 patterns for programming that's fast and genuinely fun.
Flexible Modulation: Two ADSR envelopes handle amp and filter/pitch/pulse width modulation respectively, while two LFOs cover pitch, pulse width, and filter frequency with triangle, sawtooth, square, and sample-and-hold waveforms. The LFO Slew function sculpts these into smoother shapes, multiplying your modulation options considerably.
Fixed Duration Envelopes & Envelope Retrigger Count (v4.14): Fixed duration envelopes let sustain segments run to a set length before triggering release — ideal for programming drum sounds and plucks. The adjustable retrigger count builds on this, giving you tighter, more precise control over drum synthesis and percussive textures.
The Bass Station II Holds Its Own
The Novation Bass Station II is a 25-key analog monosynth that punches well above its weight. Whether you're crafting thunderous sub-bass, squelchy acid lines, snappy arpeggios, or razor-sharp leads, this synth rewards curiosity at every turn — and with AFX Mode now unlocking per-key sound design, there's even more to discover.
Novation Bass Station II Features:
Pure analog audio signal path, including the effects section
Three analog oscillators: two fully independent oscillators plus a sub-oscillator
Dual discrete filters — 'Classic' (LP/HP/BP at 12 & 24dB) and 'Acid' (diode ladder, 303-style)
Analog distortion and Osc Filter Mod effects, plus filter overdrive
AFX Mode for per-key synthesis parameter assignment (Firmware v4.14)
Oscillator Glide Diverge and Extended Sub-Oscillator Coarse/Fine detuning (v4.14)
Fixed Duration Envelopes and adjustable Envelope Retrigger Count (v4.14)
Two ADSR envelopes and two LFOs with LFO Slew shaping
Arpeggiator with 32 patterns and programmable Step Sequencer (up to 4 sequences)
25-key velocity-sensitive synth-action keyboard with assignable aftertouch, MIDI I/O, and USB connectivity
Novation Bass Station II Analog Synthesizer Specifications
Novation Bass Station II Analog Synthesizer Specifications
Product Specifications
Novation Bass Station II Analog Synth Specifications
System Requirements:
MAC: OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and 10.7 Lion
WINDOWS: Windows 8 and Windows 7 (64 and 32 bit)
USB class compliant (no driver necessary for basic use)
Inputs and Outputs:
USB MIDI (for connecting and 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
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bass Station II has a hands-on panel layout with dedicated controls for all major parameters, making it approachable for beginners while offering enough depth to satisfy experienced synth players. Its 64 factory presets are a solid starting point for learning the instrument.
AFX Mode, developed in collaboration with Aphex Twin, allows you to assign unique synthesis parameters to each individual key on the keyboard. This turns a standard monosynth into a multi-zone sound design tool capable of building drum kits, zoned patches, and dynamic keyboard splits within a single preset.
The 'Classic' filter is the original Bass Station filter, switchable between low pass, high pass, and band pass at 12 or 24dB slopes. The 'Acid' filter uses a diode ladder circuit to produce the resonant, squelchy tone associated with classic 303-style basslines.
Yes, the Bass Station II connects to a computer via USB and is fully class compliant, making it compatible with any major DAW without requiring additional drivers. It also features standard 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O for connecting to external hardware.
Yes, Firmware v4.14 is a free update for all Bass Station II owners, available via Novation's Components software for Mac and PC. The update adds AFX Mode, Oscillator Glide Diverge, Extended Sub-Oscillator Control, Fixed Duration Envelopes, and Envelope Retrigger Count all at no extra cost.
