Novation Bass Station 2 Review
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Novation's new analogue monosynth is here, more than twenty years since the first time around. We take a look
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BS2 is my work horse. I bring it to the gigs always. It is great for leads, versatile, great UI, it is small but not mini if you know what I mean. Great demo.
Bass Station 2 users should really update to firmware version 2.5. The BS2 changes from monophonic to paraphonic synth and has some other new functions which really add some cool features!!!
I don't even know anymore. This seems like the perfect synth for me as I love heavy bass design like reeses and plucky arp saw basslines. Stuck between this and the Korg Minilogue which has 4 voices for those nice long release pluck sequences but really the sound isn't that great (too thin). This just sounds a LOT more versatile in terms of bass sounds and is 150€ cheaper to boot.
Might just get this.
Enjoyed the Mantronix reference.
Not in the US, they are the exact same price, I have both, and share the same sentiment. I also hate the feel of the MS-20 mini, which is 100 more than the brute, but sound is where it counts, and I'm a fan of all three
I'm pretty sure the MiniBrute is about 20% more expensive though no?
I wish Roland released something like this instead of remakes. But that DOES'NT mean I don't like the TR and BR 3 and 8
14:38 says "Mantronix"...I immediately go off to Spotify.....................................
The cutoff knob should win an award for perfect, silky, tension.
Novation is the underdog of the major synth manufacturers. Both Bass Stations, the Nova and K series’s, the circuit, and now the PEAK, and yet they still get left out of the conversation when people talk about the “big names.”
Interesting. I found out on Thomann's webstore that the Bass Station II is one of most reviewed synth in its category and I think that over 150 reviews is quite reliable user rating if compared to other synths which has only 20 reviews. Also In Thomann there is almost 200 synths in that category and Bass Station II's rank is 23.
Part of the problem is the build quality. Many people have bought their controller keyboards and had them fail, the controllers with the joystick for pitch/mod was well known to fail. I had issues with the SL Zero MK1. I've got the BS2 and a Peak, but the BS2 is definitely built to a cost, I just gave away my first one as the LED display developed a fault and I couldn't find a replacement display.
I have a Novation Mini Synth amongst other Equipment and it's a killer of a Machine. I get great use from it.
i dont think they sound good. there's nothing that makes me really turn my head and pay attention. sequential, moog, nord, etc these names are big for a reason. they have unmistakable sound and character. sure this is great for the money, but theres nothing about it that is truely remarkable.
Novation haven't been around quite long enough to bring out a digital modelling synth which "harks back to our classic synths of yesteryear" lol, like some big names we can mention. Give it another 20 years and we will have a digital version of BS II.
Important! Some functionalities you gain with the firmware updates, the latest version is 4.14:
1. Adjustable filter keytracking. Many settings from zero to the default 100% keytracking
2. Duophonic (paraphonic) mode
3. The sub oscillator can be tuned independently. You now have a real 3 oscillator synthesizer
4. You can loop both of the envelopes. They can loop all the time or you can set how many times they loop. It's like you suddenly got two additional customizable LFOs.
5. You can now enter an "AFX mode" and program a different sound for every 25 keys of the keyboard and then save those settings. Some preset ones that mostly work as drum kits are included
6. You can set a different portamento time for each oscillator
7. You now have tuning tables. There are many preset ones but you could make your own as well
8. "Oscillator error" settings. You can set the oscillators to drift out of tune.
There might have been even more new functionalities but these were the ones off the top of my head.
Nicks' reviews are always the best . He covers all bases ( no pun intended lol ) and addresses questions about MIDI, sequencing and other tech stuff that lesser reviews forget to mention. Concise and always well presented. Thank you.
By far, this is the best (ie: my favorite) mono synth I've ever owned/played. Every time I use it, I'm just completely inspired.
100%
I got my Bass Station new for $325. It is capable of sounding like a Moog or TB303. I love it. The feel of the keyboard is awesome with aftertouch. I am able to emulate everything from Aphex to Boards of Canada. Can't say enough about my love of it and I can't wait for a polyponic version. I will be all over that.
I never paid much attention to this synth. But this is the second time I'm watching this review and it hit me this time that this synth has massive drone/ambience capabilities. (E.g. when Nick is showing off one of the effects at 10:30)
sooperheep I'd love to, perhaps when I have more money. It would be perfect really, as it's also a great midi controller.
+Erik Lauri Kulo yeah, it really is great for that.
***** Agreed, I own one now a days. :-)
2020 and these monsters are still in production! No number of accolades is enough to do this synth justice. Let's just leave it at: "No studio, keyboard player, synthesist or marriage is complete without the Novation Bass Station 2" . (Amens are welcome :D )
Yes you can use the MIDI over USB to play notes into your DAW, then either play back and tweak, or record the sound into your DAW too you would need some kind of audio interface though
This is a very good overview of the synth. While it is obviously competing with the Minibrute and Microbrute as far as price, but it is a totally different approach, and they are actually hard to compare to each other. In many respects it is more similar to the Pulse 2, but about half the price. This synth has a lot of nice features for such a small foot print and is worth serious consideration.
I would have liked 37 keys or atleast 32. It helps in performances.
Nihar Savala it has an octave switch. It’s really hard to complain when these are going for $350 brand new and often under $300 in mint condition. That said, I’d pay $600-$700 for an updated BS3 with a 4 octave keyboard, built in fx, a small mod matrix, and ability to tweak both oscillators and envelopes without a switch.
I thought he said he was making sounds from the PlayStation 2
Maybe it's a hidden clue that kids should be given Bass Stations, instead of PlayStations.
16:52 and that ladies and gentlemen is how you make a chemical Brothers track. LOL dude that sounds awesome. love the demo and definitely sold on the bass station 2. Mine arrives tomorrow.
Holding myself for days but it's enough! Ordering one right now!
Thanks, Nick for providing us with the best gear reviews online. Pretty sure you just helped me secure my purchase decision.
The part from 10:30 to 10:50 made me buy this little beast last month. Terrific review, as always :)
Hehe, yeah sounds pretty sick!
When he said he could barely hear that, who here was cringing in pain? 😬
Best demo of this on UA-cam. I did *not* need to hear this one, as it sounds a lot better than I had expected, and my cave is already full of 2 octave synths. There are a lot more possibilities than I had expected from this little guy. That PWM is huge and the FM is pretty nice. Great detailed look.
I can't decide whether to get this or save up a bit more for the Waldorf Pulse 2. Is it actually worth buying one, then the other, or would they be redundant (considering they're both DCO synths)?
Close to ordering one this week
First decent BSII review out there......before this video it was almost impossible to get a good idea on what this little machine can do and how it sounds.
Just got the AFX edition! This is my first synth and I could not be happier with my purchase! 😍
I demoed one the other day, and I'd have to say I liked it better than the minibrute. Not that it sounded so much better, but it pulled me in somehow, more than the mini...I don't what that "something" is, but I wanted to play with it more than the minibrute.
played one of these today - blew me away with how intuitive it was to use - the large filter knob top right should be a mandatory design on all synths - i would of bought it there an then if it were not for the arturia mini brute 2 sitting next to it that i did not have time to listen to as the shop was closing...
neither, I would say something with a bigger keyboard would be more useful to learn the piano
I just got mine today. At first the lightness of the case had me concerned, but once I plugged it in I was blown away by the sound. This is my first analog synth, and I'm very happy with the sound, the keys and the aftertouch is just the right feel.
I'm pretty sure this does not have Audio over USB
Great review as always Nick!
Three things that REALLY stood out to me were the OSC2 Filter Modulation, the 64 values per 128 step scaling and the SPEED of the programme changes - wow!
Novation really should push these features - I didnt know about them until Nick mentioned them and they pushed me over the edge of want to must have!
I know what Im buying myself for Christmas!
Thanks Nick!
Can always count on Nick to do a good review. Check out - Novation Bass Station II - UOVI Space Station to hear the other side of the BS2.
Thank you for this great review!
One question: does this have an active panel mode where it reverts to all of the settings currently on the knobs?
unfortunately: no, but hey that thing has more features and more patch storage capacity than a moog sub phatty at half the price.
Speaking to the build quality, I think it would be very interesting to know how much more it would have costed for them to have built it into a steel body. Personally, if we were only talking about a difference of like 30-50 bucks or so, I'd be more than happy to have paid the difference.
One thing is for sure, the sound is great and Nick is the man to review such a little beast of a synth! Thanks Nick!
These synths out perform every other analog synth in their class. Amazing that you can scrounge these up for less than $300.
Matt Greer Music how would you say it competes with something like the Sub Phatty or KArp Odyssey? I know they all have they’re unique sound but can it do leads/basses/percussive/sound fx as good as them?
Sub Phatty is not in the same class due to price differences. KArp Odyssey is a fine synth, but lacks preset memory, so again this outperforms.
A DCO is just a VCO with the pitch controlled digitally, which doesn't effect the sound. A VCO modified to be a DCO would sound exactly the same, except it might be more stable.
Need to update my BSii to latest (brilliant) firmware update. Very creamy filter compared to a lot of new analogue synths filters on the market now ..... 😎🎹👍🏼🎵🍻
Loads of wicked features. Great review Nick
I would say it def has its own sound, it is quite compressed sounding which makes it sit in a mix really easy I have found. It really bites.
Depending on complexity, metal folding and punching can be a significant increase over injection molding, and then you still have to injection mold the sides/end-caps. It's cost of source materials, cost of labor/time (molding is fast) and cost of shipping something weighing 2x as much. Also, performers I've spoken to (presumably producers/djs are target market for this) want light and backpack-sized, not heavy and huge. All the novation keyboards are plastic (some with thin metal panels).
Hi Nick. Another amazing review. I'm synth illiterate and I can understand what you are talking about. I am musicians best friend (bass player) and I'd love a monophonic synth. I am between this one and the microbrute. Could you or anyone else give me an opinion? Thanks.
Bass station 2 is a bit more expensive and a bit better
if you plan on playing it live, microbrute does not save patches which can be a pain between songs, had a brute and this is what made me switch
I'm in the same situation. I'm bass player also, and i've got an old Korg Polysix, but i don't want to use it on the stage, because it1s a little bit "fragile" and too heavy. I'm searching a small good monophonic analog synth. I don't know why, but i think the Microbrute is usuable to me. So Nick, please help us to make decision! :D
As a bass player/synth fanatic I've used both the BSII and the microbrute in a band setting for the past three years. Initially I leaned more towards the microbrute, because of it's very original unconventional sound. However, as years went by I actually ended up using the BSII for everything synthesizer in the band. It has a much broader range of sounds thanks to the two oscillators. It also has a lot of low end and lies really well in the mix, whereas the microbrute could sound too rough and edgy at times for my taste. Sometimes you just want that classic moog-style bass sound. The BSII can mimic it, the microbrute definitely not. Still a great synth too.
My advice, if you have the money get them both and see which one suits you best. If you can only buy one I advise the BSII because of the many features it has extra compared to the microbrute, including patch memory which is a real plus when you perform live.
15:51 that’s afx mode right there!
Oh wow
Hello Nick, could you please get this guy on as a guest in a SonicTalk episode, awesome videos of taking apart and repairing old and new analog synthesizers: ua-cam.com/video/8AUnoibhkAc/v-deo.html
He also mentions you in this video!
4:22 these knobs are not "center dented" as I know. No tactile indentation. Just digital 0 feedback.
WHOA! Nick!....I love ya buddy but please!.....SLOW DOWN! Was this some new Olympic event? Fastest synth review?,....You were literally running out of breath at certain points. Plus you were going so fast that you would be talking about the next feature while giving the sonic example of the last one...so we wouldn't get actually hear it....PLEASE! Slow down!....And one more request...personal favour?.....Please don't do that jumping through the octaves thing while giving an example.....it's really annoying and makes it hard to judge the actual sound...Hey, you're usually the best.....and I get the feeling that this isn't your favorite synth in the world.....(Personally, I think it sounds great.) .but please, slow down so we can enjoy your great reviews!
Also: if Moog would have put those same types of labels above the keyboard instead of completely hiding them, the Sub Phatty would be much nicer.
I honestly mostly need a synth for bass lines and occasional leads, do you guys recommend this or the minibrute?
Had both. This thing rules. I'd say bs2. I've got a sub 37, odyssey, pro 2, ob6, and quite a few other high end synths. This this is still super useful and stands up among the others. It makes great punchy basslines that fit very well in a mix. Minibrute sounds fine, but no patch memory and very limited midi implementation. Also you cannot control the oscillator pitch tuning of the other wave shapes on the minibrute. Bs2 is very versatile. Others experiences will vary of course
don't get the mini brute or any arturia gear. arturia is known for really shitty build quality. I would expect any arturia gear to last only two years
+rorz999 cool, but you're one guy with one microbrute. the quality control on arturia stuff is awful. you could end up with a great model that will last year's or a terrible one that will break in two years. how long have you had your minibrute?
+rorz999 let's hope it doesn't break!
Dude get this or the minitaur if you're need is just bass lines.
Many Thanks for your Walk-Through-Style Review, I am really thankfull not to have to drive the 100 miles to the next store :-)
16:52 I know the loop is getting processed by filter, but are the oscillators being triggered by that loop somehow ?
Very well done , nice to see someone that knows what they are talking about and doesnt annoy the listener
Thank you! Just picked up one of these used and haven't really delved into it. This was a great prep!
£400 vs £430? Not sure about other places, but that's what Andertons are offering.
Wobbly knobs is often due to the use of circuit-board mounted controls. I agree they're a little disconcerting, but thanks for calling attention to them. At least they don't seem to be rotary encoders, which are notoriously flaky...
The Minibrute does not have patch memory and that is a big deal breaker for me. Arturia also has horrible service (I have been there).
wowww..what a fuckin bass..i got a really good subwoofer an its really shaking my entire room
Can someone who owns one of these, please tell me what is the hightest and lowest frequency range of oscillators 1 and 2 in hz ?. Thanks.
wow the drum pattern changing demo was really cool! snappy program changes!
I really wish they would release a editor for it.great synth,especially for the money.
Can I get sounds out of this similar to a sub fatty? what's the best synth for dead weather vibes/era vulgaris? for the money I should add ..I want the sub fatty but its up there in price
would the mininova or the bass station 2 be best as a synth to learn on.
Finally a review of this unit that actually shows off the lower frequencies.
aub help me! wat is a better synth to buy in july 2021??? Pioneer Toraiz AS-1 or the Bass Station 2?
this sounds good
Hi there, I see you don't have the latch function on when you route an external input in the unit, that is different than my unit since I have to press a key or in that case use the latch function to hear the external input signal. I honestly thought from the beginning the external input function would work independently without the need of pressing any key, but it turned to be not that way, which was a bit of a let down...
hey novation, please listen all your users, bs2 can be one of the best monosynths around if you fixed the sync problems of the arp e sequencer. The problem is not fixed with the second firmware, the arp/seq dont start automactly in slave mode, like all the machines in the world do (roland, korgs). the BS2 should respond to start stop messages (when start or stop is hit the arp or sequence retriggers in time).
seems that novation have a big problem with midi sync stuff
As a noob, does this mean its hard to sequence it basically?
no man, the sequencer is amazing, but dont sync well.
I can confirm it for the Mininova as well, and i`m so glad I read your comment because i was willing to buy the BS2. Well...Minibrute, here I come!
i already have the micro and minibrute.....and i gonna tell that in therms of sound, the bs2 is a lot more musical and versatile.....i personaly dont find the minibrute very musical and easy to mix. the only bad thing is the bs2 sync in the sequencer (and the sequencer is amazing, like the one on the sh101).....go with bs2 and you will not regret.
I was actually just reading off a forum about the sync issues, and some users reported that the problem should have been fixed since the release of the Mininova 1.4b6 firmware. Can`t wait to get home and upgrade it. The BS2 would would like a charm for me, because I`m specifically interested in buying it for creating bass lines.
BTW, thanks for the quick reply.
I have a Minilogue XD, would that mean getting one of these would be a waste of money, or are they both worth having?
Could I use USB to record notes into FL Studio piano roll & have it loop, then use the BSII to play a pattern from Sylenth1 on another FL Studio track? The RME UFX would be my audio interface.
I baught a deepmind 6 and it was not my vibe, this how ever has to be the one for me, i guess i might Just trade it😂
i asked novation if they are releasing a rack/module version like the original ? they said they don't know. Hopefully they will.
i can see why the functionality of the synth for the money is why people talk about it i dont think it sounds any good. there's nothing about this that makes me want one.
You can modulate PWM by LFO AND Env not OR. I missed this at first but both mos sources can my used a simulatiously.
The control surfaces, the parts that count, on the Minibrute feel like complete crap. I'd rather have solid knobs and a cheap case than crap knobs and sliders, but a nice metal case.
Why demo sinewave at all? Come on, if not post processed, that IS really should be the same on all the devices (apart from the freq range).
To be thorough. Especially because it's a great wave to show off the range of the synth, as it sounds great in sub ranges, and really pierces through in the upper registers.
*****
Good point. Accepted.
How do I select and use the internal sounds that built within unit and not the midi sounds from my DAW.
This unit has a USB port to host computer which will not only power this synth but send and receive both audio and controller information. It comes with Ableton Live Lite and a USB cable in the box. Hope this helps.
It would be cool to see this as a polysynth, maybe like DSI did with the Mopho/Tetra/Prophet.
Is it true this only processes one note at a time. That's the difference between mono and polyphonic? You can't play a chord on the keys? I just read that somewhere and it seems so absurdly limiting idk if it's right. I'm a snyth newb and I'd like to compose with tone AND melody. So mininova I guess?
Yes, it's a monosynth. But it has three oscillators and you can set at least two of them to be a fifth apart (like he does at 5:13) you can at least play double stops. I think the latest software lets you play a three note chord.
But yes, if you're looking for something to play chords and a melody simultaneously, you'll need a polyphonic synth.
As for "absurdly limiting", most wind instruments are monophonic, but saxophone's are still cool, aren't they? :-)
Monosynths are great fun for solos and weird noises. This synth will teach you a lot about creating sound with analogue circuitry which can be carried over to most analogue synths too.
But there aren't many singer/monosynth artists, that's a fact. Maybe there should be?
What’s the latest firmware update for the BS2 as of today ? Thx in advance
all delivered at 100000000000 mph like all the other know it all who cares, look at me, post and be damned
If they make a BS3 with more keys, Knob per function and sub osc i would HAVE TO SAVE UP! Would go great with my sub 37.
Old video but I hope I get an answer. I'm planning to buy my first analog synth. As a beginner who can afford an Arturia MiniBrute 2S, is there any reason to buy the Bass Station 2 or MicroBrute instead of the larger models? I have been using VSTis for too long, now I want the real deal and I think I will outgrow the budget versions fast.
In germany it isn't. Minibrute - 489 € Bass Station 2 - 469 €
Why demo sinewave at all? Come on, if not post processed, that IS really should be the same on all the devices (apart from the freq range).
no. there are differences in body and fatness of sinewaves.
That means there is no pure sine wave on the instruments? Body and fatness refers to harmonics, or oscillator instability, that is not a property of a pure sine, as the sine is exactly one precise frequency.
Krisztian Sinka Synths are made to make music and sound good not have pure laboratory quality sine waves. If you want that get a function generator.
I had an original MS20. It wasn't my favorite synth because it just wasn't fun to use. I never found the patch panel all that useful and having to do a multiple cable patch just for Sample and Hold (for instance) just seemed silly. My first real synth was a Roland SH-1 and the BS II reminds me of that but with way more features. I bought the full set of Volcas instead of buying either this or the Mini-Brute but I'm still thinking I might get a BS II also.
How long does it take until you can say things like "wobbly knob tops" without snickering?
hahahahahahah
I can't make my mind up, I'm purchasing my first synth this weekend, but cannot decide wether to go Bass station? Minilogue? or Aira System 1.
Does anyone who may have used all 3 have any advice or recommendations? Any Positives and Negative between the 3? I have a Volca Beats for the drums in the meantime, so I know that a Korg synth I can just plig the minijack in, but I love the sounds of the aira, and the basses available on the basstation? This is to be my 1st synth besides the 3 original Volcas, so what are people thinking?
17:45 You jus answered my question I was about to type in... lol. Ive been considering picking this up just to have it as an option, but I don't play keys or anything, so I was gonna ask for your thoughts on this thing for a beginner. ;)
I really like Nick Batt, and I like him even more now that 3:20 proves his hearing is more fucked than mine
Nick - I've been watching your videos from the very start, I loved how you still kept it professional after the pitch shift on your voice with the vocoder I was waiting for you to start laughing, you probably did lol then cut the video as it sounds hilarious :)
Looks great, sounds fantastic, and great value but I got the Minibrute for it's CV/Gate connectivity to my Eurorack system and it's Steiner-Parker filter.
No doubt I'll won't be able to resist the inevitable G.A.S and end up buying it anyway in the end! Oh shit, i forgot the Pulse 2! Damn you analog synth gods!
Nice review. It sounds like a good synth at a good price.
God, does this sound like a bunch of cosmic farts and hiccups.
this or the minibrute?
MIDI out of the inteface into the MIDI IN of the synth, then use the audio outputs of the synth plugged into the 1/4" inputs of the interface to record it.
In my local gearstore there's a MiniBrute, MS-20mini, Sub Phatty and this BS2 lined up right next to each other. Makes for some awesome demo'ing.
Must say though, the MS-20mini would be my very last pick of the bunch. Both in build and sound it just comes off as a inferior quality product compared to all the rest.
Raw sound and build i'd have either the Brute or the Phatty, but the BS2 is close enough behind, and more userfriendly in several areas, making it well worth consideration.
Great review!!
I am thinking of getting the Bass Station as my first synth after having a go on one today. I am new to this field of expertise and am wondering, can't the BS 2 quantize with the tempo of additional instruments, namely Maschine through Ableton Live?
When I had a go on the BS 2 earlier today with the Korg Volca series, I realised early on that the tempo was not synced causing some issue. It would be nice to be able to just lock the synth to a drum machine and change the tempo as i see fit with the other instruments becoming slave to the synth. Thanks
Thanks! Most helpful