Novation Bass Station 2

[williamh]

the filters ...both the OTA one (roland type) and the ladder one (moogish) are really nice.

That's interesting that you find the ladder (acid) filter Moogish. It shouldn't be, as it's emulating the ladder filter in the TB303. It doesn't self-oscillate just like a 303 (but unlike a Moog) and the design is quite different.

To me, both filters and the overall tone reminds me of Roland / Yamaha monosynths. Not as fat as Moog, not as full as Oberheim or Sequential, but punchy, solid, and tight like the MC202 and the CS10.

[Oden]

the filters ...both the OTA one (roland type) and the ladder one (moogish) are really nice.

That's interesting that you find the ladder (acid) filter Moogish. It shouldn't be, as it's emulating the ladder filter in the TB303. It doesn't self-oscillate just like a 303 (but unlike a Moog) and the design is quite different.

To me, both filters and the overall tone reminds me of Roland / Yamaha monosynths. Not as fat as Moog, not as full as Oberheim or Sequential, but punchy, solid, and tight like the MC202 and the CS10.

Hey!

Just wondering if your review is up yet somewhere?

The acid filter sounds like the resonance is more limited than on a TB303, by the demos at least. I wonder what kind of design they used for it.

[FreqStatus]

The Acid filter definitely misses the mark if trying to emulate the 303. But, it is definitely more "acidic" than the regular. I find it hard to even get a good squelch out of it whereas the 303 it's nearly impossible to get anything but a good squelch with the resonance on.

It's still great to see multiple filter types on a monosynth.

[shalako]

Got my one yesterday, super excited,very cool, everything I was hoping it to be.

[olikana]

loving this synth a lot, but needs an editor imo.
and mostly for visual feedback.
not everything is always on view on the hardware : you have only 1 of the oscillators and only 1 of the envelopes visible at any one time.
I find it sometimes difficult to remember at what settings I had put parameters in the other osc/envelope that become hidden and have to do a lot of back and forth which is frustrating especially as you have to move the knobs to see the values (simply tapping on the knobs does not always show the value...kinda hit and miss situation here)

[sqigls]

+ 1 for an editor, i did find this just now tho...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a124sypggapsj ... el.bpanelz
gonna go try it out now

fat synth, didn't think I'd need another new analog after the Pulse 2, but hey more is more

EDIT: + a thread for it...
http://forum.novationmusic.com/forums/b ... ontrol-bs2

[olikana]

awesome thanks will try it out tonight.

[synnys]

my editor is almost finished

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoP97Jc0UY0

check filthyfilterz.com for more info

- standalone for mac/win
- max/msp for full ableton integration

[HydrogenHuman]

I should be getting my Bass Station 2 in Wednesday.

I'm hoping it won't have any midi sync issues with Studio One since I would like to use it for bass lines.

[T-CM11]

I've got mine since yesterday, and made a quick recording:
https://soundcloud.com/tt_cc/bs3
100% BS2, even the drums.

I also found the easiest way to sync the arp/sequencer with a DAW:
- Set a CC108=1 at the beginning of a project (or somewhere at the start of a bar)
- Turn arp&latch on
- Play a key
- Turn arp off
- Press Play in your DAW

[Redmerkurii]

Got my BS2 at Xmas and only just now over the Easter break have I been able to give it the attention it deserves.
Made about 30 odd presets in past 3 days this machine is so addictive.
In regards to the filter keytracking it turns out that it is fixed at 100% for the Classic filter and 50% for the Acid filter.
My only gripe so far with this machine is that there is no MIDI Soft Thru on the MIDI Out port as far as I can tell and there is no mention of it in the manual.
I found this out when I hooked it up to Ableton via USB and then patched a Korg Volca beats from the MIDI out on the BS2 to MIDI in on the Volca and attempted to sequence them both. I even tried this while both were on the same MIDI channel but to no avail. I did find out though that the Arp/Sequencer on the BS2 will output MIDI note info so that the sequencer itself may be triggered from a DAW using the method as described in the above post to achieve a somewhat resricted workaround. Not a huge issue but maybe a firmware update could implement this.

Hope this extra info helps BS2 users and potential buyers.

[stikygum]

Here's another Novation demo. I used FX this time -- it takes to them quite well.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-synthesis ... station-ii

I have to say, excellent job here! It shows off how pure and powerful the BS2 can sound. I still think the BS2 is nice, mainly because of the extensive Arp/Sequencer it has, but this clip helped me hear how nice it takes outboard fx. Nice and pure DCO sound.

I think Novation was extremely smart in adding 32 'Rhythms' to the Arp. That makes it so much fun to use. And it outputs midi, which makes it really versatile. For that fact, I think I'll get one in a couple months.

[maschinelf]

For people that own or have used both, do you see a lot of overlap between the Pulse 2 and BS2, or do they complement each other well? How would you describe the differences in overall sound and character, and overall strengths and weaknesses?

I already own a Pulse 2, but am seriously tempted by the BS2. What appeals to me most are its design and layout, hands-on useability, convenience of usb power and being fully self-contained, apparently Roland-y sound, variety and character of filters etc. It basically just seems like a really accessible and fun synth, and an efficient and logical compromise in many respects. Imho Novation did a great job with the product design and implementation here, for a fairly typical 2 Osc synth that is. I also really like the Pulse 2 for its full and big, warm sound. I think the oscillator section is what makes it special, and very much at the centre of what it is capable of. The filter section does its job well, but is not the stand out feature or what makes it special, so to speak. With the BS2, I think that apart from the great interface and hands on useability, the filters and their character is what will make it useful in my setup.

[grabme]

For people that own or have used both, do you see a lot of overlap between the Pulse 2 and BS2, or do they complement each other well? How would you describe the differences in overall sound and character, and overall strengths and weaknesses?

I already own a Pulse 2, but am seriously tempted by the BS2. What appeals to me most are its design and layout, hands-on useability, convenience of usb power and being fully self-contained, apparently Roland-y sound, variety and character of filters etc. It basically just seems like a really accessible and fun synth, and an efficient and logical compromise in many respects. Imho Novation did a great job with the product design and implementation here, for a fairly typical 2 Osc synth that is. I also really like the Pulse 2 for its full and big, warm sound. I think the oscillator section is what makes it special, and very much at the centre of what it is capable of. The filter section does its job well, but is not the stand out feature or what makes it special, so to speak. With the BS2, I think that apart from the great interface and hands on useability, the filters and their character is what will make it useful in my setup.

Not really hearing a lot of overlap. The Pulse is far more aggressive to my ears, I'd say the BS2 is more musical and fits into a track better. Couldn't say which is best though, depends on the type of music you like.

[maschinelf]

Thanks for commenting! I like stuff like Biosphere, Autechre etc., mostly 90s and early 2000s ambient and electronica. Its not about which is best, but about if they complement each other well despite the feature overlap. From what I've seen and heard so far, it looks like they should.

EDIT: Bought! I thought of waiting for a possible BS2 rack, but it'll be a while before it hits the local market, and I got a monthly instalment option on this, so it was an easy decision in the end.