Before the famous Novation Bass Station Rack module came the small and portable Bass Station keyboard! This synthesizer uses digitally synchronized analog oscillators (DCO's) to reproduce the sounds of a monophonic dual-osc analog synthesizer with simple and intuitive controls via 17 knobs, 10 switches and 2 Moog-style pitch/mod wheels. Think EDP Wasp and ARP Odyssey.

The Bass Station can faithfully reproduce analog bass sounds similar to a TB-303, Micromoog or Pro One synthesizer. The small keyboard and monophonic architecture set this keyboard up for strict bassline, lead synth lines, and synth fx. It also transmits MIDI continuous controller data from 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 features. 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, RZA, and Lo Fidelity AllStars.

Mekanoid

February 10, 2009 @ 6:08 pm

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

October 21, 2008 @ 9:41 pm

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

October 21, 2008 @ 9:31 pm

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

October 16, 2008 @ 3:19 pm

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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