Vintage Synth Explorer

Novation • BassStation Keyboard

Before the famous Novation BassStation Rack module came the small and portable BassStation Keyboard! Basically a 2-octave keyboard with a BassStation rack built-in. This synthesizer uses analog sound emulation to reproduce the sounds of a monophonic 2-VCO analog synthesizer with the same simple and intuitive controls via 17 knobs, 10 switches and 2 Moog-style pitch/mod wheels.

The BassStation can faithfully reproduce analog bass sounds just like a TB-303, Minimoog or Prophet synthesizer. The small keyboard and monophonic architecture set this keyboard up for strict bassline or lead synth lines. It also transmits MIDI continuous controller data for its pitch/mod wheels, frequency cutoff, resonance, filter modulation depth, env1 attack, decay and env2 attack and decay.

Unlike the Rack version, however, the keyboard lacks basic patch storage options. There are only 7 memory patches and 1 manual patch (what the knobs are doing right now). The memory can be stored externally using MIDI SysEx dumps. But for the low price (under $500) this makes a great and compact analog bass synth for any user with simple but tasteful bass needs. It is used by Apollo 440 and Lo Fidelity AllStars.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Mekanoid

Posted 283 days ago

400 dollars seems about right. I payed 350 Euro for mine. Such a cool synth. Great for classic analogue sounds. The sound has a certain analogue magic, like an MS20. Great addition to any studio. Tons of fun and very collectable.

fatcat

Posted 395 days ago

Thats true, it really is analog, I remember when Future Music Magazine opened it up and looked inside and said, "yes, it really is analog in there not a single ROM sample playback chip". The Famous NORD LEAD (I also bought a year later in 96 was the first 'good' virtual synth that used digital rom waveforms with analog style controls (LFO, Envelopes, Filter, Res ADSR). Both are excellent and did start the revolution of remaking true analog, and doing hybrid 'virtual synth' design the right way. Great reveiw though, esp the specs. NOT a advert to sell...I have a basstation I purchased when they first debuted in the states, paid 550.00 serial number 0000859. Purchased in 1995 still working strong. Its the keyboard version which is rarley seen for sale, at least by me. Does anyone know how many were made (of the keyboard basstation)?
Thanks fatcat

fatcat

Posted 395 days ago

Thanks for a great review. NOT a advert to sell...I have a basstation I purchased when they first debuted in the states, paid 550.00 serial number 0000859. The keyboard version which is rarley seen for sale, at least by me. Does anyone know how many were made (of the keyboard basstation)?
Thanks fatcat

delta_waves

Posted 401 days ago

The first ever 'analog modeling' synth, Nord Lead, didn't come out until 1995. The Novation Bass Station came out 2 years before, when there was no such technology.

This analog synth uses DCOs and analog filters! Please check your facts next time, VSE.

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