Novation Bass Station II Analogue Synthesizer

We’re stepping outside the old comfort zone again today, folks, and diving into another fantastic synthesizer. This one is larger and more complex than the Outer Space Sounds MOSTRO we checked out a couple weeks ago, but we’re once again pairing it up with some of our favorite pedals to create some fantastic sounds. The Novation Bass Station II Analogue Synthesizer is a powerful machine, encapsulating everything you know (or don’t know) and love about the synth sound. Measuring 18 x 10.5″, it’s not too big or too small, and is loaded with wonderful sounds and tones to get you started on your synth-ish endeavors. Let’s see what this machine can do, shall we?

The Bass Station II features a 25-note, Velocity-sensitive synth action keyboard, along with your standard Pitch and Modulation wheels. The wide array of other parameters include Master, Oscillator, Pulse Width, LFO, Mixer, Filter, Envelopes, Arpeggiator and Portamento sections, each adding key components to the overall sound. Two Oscillators feature selectable Range and Waveform controls, along with Coarse and Fine knobs to really dial in your pitch settings. You can sync these two oscillators as well, control Octave settings, and adjust LFO Delay/Speed to taste.

The Filter section allows you to choose between Classic and Acid filter types, the latter of which emulates early 80’s analogue synth sounds. Choose from Amplitude and Modulation envelope modes, use the pattern-based arpeggiator and step sequencer to record your own notes, ties, rests and rhythms in real time, then store them, recall them and use them with any patch you like, and even add in post-filter distortion if you see fit. There are 64 presets, 64 slots for user patches, headphone out jack, MIDI capabilities and much, much more. There’s a TON of small details that make up the Bass Station II – the manual/user guide is a key ingredient to figure it all out, trust us!

For the first part of our demo below, we paired the Novation Bass Station II with the Meris Mercury7 Reverb and the new Demedash Effects T-120 Videotape Echo Deluxe; for the second part, we used a Chase Bliss Audio Blooper and the Keeley Electronics ECCOS Delay Looper. Each of these pedals brought a new style and flavor to the tones created with the Bass Station II, accentuating it’s own effects and sonic palette, with wild, innovative results. These were just a couple of our favorite pedals we wanted to test out, but the possibilities when mixing outside effects with this synth are basically endless, with loads of exploration lurking around every corner. An incredible piece of gear on its own, the Novation Bass Station II Analogue Synthesizer feels old-school and modern at the same time, both bring back the past and launching us all into the future….

Use this link to purchase this pedal on Amazon and support us: Novation Bass Station II Monophonic Analog Synthesizer with Sustain Pedal (Piano-Style) & 10′ MIDI Cable Bundle