Introducing Novation Bass Station by GForce Software

video upload by GForce Software

"Novation and GForce are proud to announce the release of the GForce Bass Station, a brand-new software version of the original analogue synthesiser.

Bass Station is an iconic mono-synth, celebrated for its raw, punchy bass and distinctive analogue filter. First launched in 1993, it has been a core part of Novation's brand ever since.

The new GForce Bass Station AU / VST is an exact emulation of the original Bass Station, now with a new expanded mode, which includes up to 16-voice polyphony and unison modes, taking its versatility far beyond the monophonic hardware original.

More info at https://www.gforcesoftware.com/produc...

Credits
Reverb Machine - audio demo
Graeme Rawson - video production
Çağatay Çetin - 3D animation"

Novation Bass Station by GForce Walkthrough

video upload by GForce Software

00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Overview
02:22 - LFO
03:15 - Oscillators
06:32 - OSC Modulation
07:30 - Filter
08:30 - Envelopes
09:15 - Modulation
11:22 - XMods
14:15 - FX
17:10 - Controls
20:07 - Macros
21:07 - Sequencer
28:02 - Arpeggiator
29:01 - Settings
30:50 - Browser
33:30 - Collections
34:20 - Saving a Patch
35:25 - CC Mapping
36:15 - Undo / Redo

CLICK FOR MORE »

Superbooth 2023: PWM - Mantis

video upload by sonicstate

"Paul from PWM gave a us preview of Mantis, which is the last synth designed by Chris Huggett [EDP Wasp creator] before he passed away. The Mantis is described as a Wasp Mark II with an Oscar- inspired dual filter, and two analog signal paths that make it duophonic. The oscillators are numerically calculated on power-up using then move into the analog domain, where everything is digitally controlled.

The Mantis mixer allows users to balance between oscillator one and two, add noise, and ring mod. It has a deep, but simple to use modulation section, two envelopes with a unique sustain fall feature and 100 factory patches and 100 user patches. The instrument also includes a few digital effects at the end of the signal path that help sweeten the sounds and make it more of an all-around performance instrument.

While the instrument is still in development, PWM showcased the circuit boards that are provide a preview of the final sound of the Mantis.

PWM Mantis Available: Late Summer 2023

Price 1,599 Euro. 1,349 GBP"

PWM Mantis // released today

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A brand new synth from PWM - a new company with lots of history. Paul has worked extensively in the industry. Most interesting here are his connections from his time at Novation as the BassStaion 2 product lead. You may know that the inventor of the classic WASP and OSCAR, Chris Huggett, was involved there, and before his unfortunately untimely death he was working with Paul on this new synth. Paul has brought it to life with his families blessing.

A great story, and a great little synth. Still has a couple of pre production hoops to jump through but will be available soon."

Duophonic Hybrid-Analogue Synthesiser

• 200 Patches
* All patches in RAM so can be overwritten
* Bank A: 100 Factory presets
* Bank B: 100 User presets (all set to initial patch)
* Compare function
* Initialise patch function

CLICK FOR MORE »

Cobalt8 Vs Minilouge Xd Vs JUPITER-Xm

Starsky Carr

"After reviewign the Jupiter Xm alongside the Cobalt 8 I realised I had the Minilogue XD sitting beside me, which would be interesting to look at as well. One is all digital, one is a bit of a hybrid. A review of the pros and cons of each."

Modal COBALT 8 vs JUPITER Xm: How do these to virtual analog synths compare?
Starsky Carr

"This is really just answering a few comments and questions I've received about the Cobalt 8 and Jupiter Xm... they both offer new takes on Virtual analog, but how have things progressed in the last 20 years? the Access Virus and Novation Supernova, both multitimbral VAs have been around since the late 90s ... so what's new?"

Launchpad Pro MK3 Sequencer.. How did I overlook this?

video upload by Starsky Carr and Novation

"Unlock the true power of the Novation Launchpad Pro MK3 as we dive deep into its sequencer in action — real performance examples, pattern tricks, probability, micro-timing, and creative workflows you can use right now in your studio.

In this video I push the Launchpad Pro MK3 beyond typical clip-launching to show how its onboard sequencer can become the centre of your synth or modular setup. Perfect for electronic musicians, beatmakers and hardware enthusiasts.

Whether you're building evolving patterns, jamming live, or integrating it into a DAWless setup, this walkthrough demonstrates how fast and musical the Launchpad sequencer really is. If you're into hardware sequencing, groovebox workflows, or performance-focused MIDI tools, this one’s for you.

We cover:
• Per-track step lengths for evolving patterns
• Probability per step for generative movement
• Micro-timing & swing for pushing grooves off-grid
• Chord sequencing using Scale Mode & polyphonic steps
• Pattern chaining & Scenes for full arrangements
• Key/Scale locking to avoid wrong notes during performance
• Using the Launchpad as the centre of a DAWless setup"

0:00 Live Electronic Music... DO IT!!
3:20 Sequencer Overview
5:30 Track Settings
6:19 Custom Modes
7:32 Pattern Settings
9:40 Intro Demo Explained
13:38 Micro Steps
16:35 Demo Track #2
19:14 Set-Up Explained
22:51 MIDI Set-ups
24:08 Final Thoughts

Novation Summit + Peak // Recreating Classic Vintage Patches

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Classics Vintage Patches from The Novation SUMMIT and PEAK Just a bit of fun... not meant to be identical, but I attempted to recreate some of my favourite patches on my Juno 60, Minimoog, Prophet 5, DW-8000 and OB-X8 - and it was going so well I ended up creating a soundbank.

These were selected to give a nice wide range of tones - single, dual and triple, VCO, DCO and digital oscillators

It can't do everything, obviously, but it gets really close on loads of tones - I was not expecting them to be identical but it can get close to the characters.

For this I created a few wavetables for the Summit/Peak from the DW-8000 waves and also the stacked waves from the Prophet 5. You can select multiple waves on the Prophet, but you can't on the Novation's so it was simple enough to create a wavetable to give all options.. saw+sq, saw+sq+triangles etc.

Buy the pack here:
https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p..."

Novation SUMMIT // A 2025 Synth from 2019... and beyond!!

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Sonically we're in control iykyk :) .... Coming out of Leftfield - was the market ready for the Novation SUMMIT and PEAK FPGA oscillators back in 2018? Did we really understand what they were? .. digital .. yes, but not as we knew it, not old school tech type of digital.

Get my SUMMIT and Peak Patches here:
Vintage Classics https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p...
Oberheim https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p...

Clocking at 24MHz these were something new. Bringing out a hybrid when everyone was going analog crazy was a brave move, but one that's still paying dividends.

Building on ideas from vintage classics, it seems to have come from the future... well ahead of it's time - it's always been a 2025 synth but was originally released in 2019.

AND - it's packed full of features...

In this I look at some of the more overlooked features, and the flexibility.In my previous demos i've showed how it can emulate the functions of loads of classic synths, so in this i take it a little further. Looking at binaural mode, complex modulation, 3 distortions, dual filter modes and wavetables.

... and a big thanks to ‪@AlexBallMusic‬ for his cameo :)"

Trying the Novation Launch Control XL3 as a Hardware Hub in a Dawless Setup

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Discover the power of the Novation Launch Control XL3 — the ultimate Ableton Live controller and a flexible standalone MIDI controller for the Arturia AudioFuse 16 In this video, I’ll show you how to use the XL3 in a hybrid studio setup including the Dreadbox Nymphes and *Erica Synths LXR02*, giving you full hardware mixer control over up to 24 channels and a synth.

✅ Seamless integration with Ableton – plug it in via USB and Live recognises it instantly.
✅ Control up to 24 channels on the AudioFuse Rig 16 + X8 setup.
✅ Flexible setup options: USB or MIDI DIN for a fully computer-free rig.
✅ Real-world mixing example: faders, pans, sends, and mute/solo control at your fingertips.

Whether you’re a producer, live performer, or looking for hands-on hardware control in your hybrid studio, the Launch Control XL3 is a compact powerhouse."

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: What is the Launch Control XL3?
2:23 – Quick Ableton setup demo
5:00 – Intro Demo Hardware Setup Explained
9:05 – Setting up MIDI Control
14:03 – Minor Niggles
15:21 – Hardware Connections
17:38 – Final thoughts

https://us.novationmusic.com/products/launch-control-xl

How to Make Your Synth Sound Like a Roland Jupiter-8 (Summit & Peak Tutorial and patch bank)

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Ever wished your synth could sound like the legendary *Roland Jupiter-8*? In this video, I’ll show you how I built over 80 authentic Jupiter-8 style patches—from lush pads to classic leads and basses —and how you can design your own vintage synth tones step by step.

In this I use the Novation Summit*, and my patches also work on the *Peak
Get the Patches here:
https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p...

*What you’ll learn in this video*:
How to create Jupiter-8 inspired patches on Novation Summit & Peak
Tips for getting authentic vintage analog tones
Tricks to restrict modern features for a true retro sound
Ways to shape oscillators, LFOs & envelopes for classic synth vibes"

0:00 Intro - taking things a little futher
1:23 You don't need a clone clones
4:01 Cross Mod/FM - They're not the same Linear vs Exponential
5:25 PWM - Check the LFO range
7:54 Sync - The SUMMIT & Peak are unique here
9:59 LFO - Don't go too fast!
12:58 Don't worry about the Cross Mod
13:48 Keep the filter within limits and you'll be fine
20:50 A Patch Form Scratch
22:16 A Word on the Envelopes
24:32 Adding Performance Features
30:15 Some Thouhgts
31:54 A QUICK JAM

Modal COBALT 8 vs JUPITER Xm: How do these to virtual analog synths compare?

Starsky Carr

"This is really just answering a few comments and questions I've received about the Cobalt 8 and Jupiter Xm... they both offer new takes on Virtual analog, but how have things progressed in the last 20 years? the Access Virus and Novation Supernova, both multitimbral VAs have been around since the late 90s ... so what's new?"

Novation Launchkey Mk4 // All The Cool Bits

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Novation's Launchkey Mk4 has a few lovely little tricks up its sleeve - great Ableton integration, a cheeky little chord mode for exploration and inspiration and variations on the Arp that can create interesting lines beyond the standard.

Here I run through the main 'special' bits without going into too much detail on the system as a whole... i.e. just the highlights."

0:00 intro
1:02 Independent Controls
2:02 Ableton Integration
3:23 Bundled Software
4:36 Drum Sequencing XOX style
6:25 Recording, Quantisation and Undo
7:29 Chord Modes
12:07 Arps
14:59 Scales
17:10 Show me the money!

Turning the SUMMIT or PEAK into an Oberheim

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Its remarkably easy to do the Oberheim thing on a Novation SUMMIT or PEAK I attempted to recreate a few of my favourite OB-X8 patches and the SUMMIT sounded amazingly close.

So I've looked a bit deeper and come up with some simple rules to stick within the limitations of the Vintage Oberheim to get those classic tones.

.. and it works a treat :)

Get the pack here:
https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p..."

Novation Bass Station AFX Mode Demo and Tutorial

Published on Jul 1, 2019 Starsky Carr

"A quick look at the excellent AFX mode, playing it live and with the arpeggiator and sequencer. Plus how to program an overlay with 25 sounds in one preset using the new overlay function in AFX mode."

Novation Launch Control XL3 demo and review

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Here's the latest in Novations Launch control Series its the Launch Control XL3

A quick demo from the opening day of Superbooth 2025"

Classic Jupiter 8 using the Novation SUMMIT

video upload by Starsky Carr

See How to Make Your Synth Sound Like a Roland Jupiter-8 (Summit & Peak Tutorial and patch bank)