Monoculture: The Story of the Bass Station

video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the story of the Novation Bass Station, a small synthesizer that's part of a big story.

0:00 Intro
0:49 Electronic Dream Plant
5:47 Oxford Synthesiser Company
12:07 Novation
13:04 The Bass Station
16:25 Rack and Super
17:44 Supernova & Nova
19:26 Software Perils
20:15 Reboot & Ultranova
21:58 Bass Station II
23:55 AFX Station
25:32 Peak & Summit
27:07 Mantis and Tributes
28:36 WARP, Swifty and GForce
29:55 Summary and Patreon Jam

Huge thank you to Focusrite, Novation, PWM, Source Distribution, Paul Wiffen, GForce, Dave Grant, David Hilowitz and my Patrons on Patreon."

Novation Bass Station II analog synth with AFX mode

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"The classic upgraded with AFX OS for advanced multi patch sequencing.

Great condition, Clean. Works perfectly"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Novation Unveils Bass Station II Swifty Edition at Superbooth 2025 | A Fusion of Sound and Design

video upload by Jonathan Knightsnare

"At Superbooth 2025 in Berlin, I had the pleasure of meeting the Novation team and exploring their latest creation: the Bass Station II Swifty Edition. This limited-edition synthesizer is a collaboration between Novation and renowned British graphic designer Ian 'Swifty' Swift, known for his iconic work with labels like Mo’ Wax and Talkin’ Loud .

The Swifty Edition features a striking blue, grey, and orange color scheme, adorned with Swifty's signature typography and graphic motifs inspired by rave flyers, dubplate culture, and DIY zines . While the aesthetics are refreshed, the synth retains its powerful analog sound engine, including:

Dual oscillators with PWM and a sub-oscillator

Two analog filter modes: Classic and Acid

Flexible modulation with two envelopes and two LFOs

Pattern-based arpeggiator with step sequencer

AFX Mode for assigning a different patch to each key

Micro-tuning support for exploring alternative scales

Additionally, the Swifty Edition comes preloaded with over 60 new patches from artists like Legowelt, Pecq, and Maria Chiara Argirò, offering a diverse palette of sounds ranging from techno to jazz fusion .

This collaboration between Novation and Swifty not only celebrates the legacy of the Bass Station II but also bridges the worlds of music technology and graphic design, making it a standout release at this year's Superbooth."

Superbooth 2025 - Novation Bass Station 2 Swifty Edition

video upload by KEYBOARDS

"🎛️ Novation Bass Station II Swifty Limited Edition – The iconic synth with a new look! 🎨 At Superbooth 2025, Novation celebrates the return of a classic – in a brand-new design! The Swifty Limited Edition of the legendary Bass Station II combines analog power with striking retro artwork designed by British graphic designer Ian Swift (aka Swifty)."

Googlish:

"🎛️ Novation Bass Station II Swifty Limited Edition – The iconic synth with a new look! 🎨
At Superbooth 2025, Novation celebrates the return of a classic – in a brand-new design! The Swifty Limited Edition of the legendary Bass Station II combines analog power with striking retro artwork designed by British graphic designer Ian Swift (aka Swifty)."



via Novation

Together with visionary British graphic designer Ian “Swifty” Swift, we’ve reimagined our iconic paraphonic synthesiser in his inimitable DIY style and packed it with fresh, new artist packs from Bass Station II power users Legowelt, Pecq, and Maria Chiara Argirò.

Key Features

Limited-edition colourway
Includes 60 new artist patches
Two analogue oscillators
Two characterful filters
Incudes AFX and Paraphonic modes

Analogue soul.

Since 2013, Bass Station II’s deep capability, raw character, and unbeatable value have made it a modern classic. Now, together with British designer Ian “Swifty” Swift, we’re reimagining it with a fresh, new look, that brings underground attitude to a synth that's long been a driving force in electronic music.

Powerful analogue oscillators

Bass Station II’s true-analogue signal path begins with two tuneable, syncable oscillators with four waveforms each plus, a sub-oscillator for even more low end and adjustable portamento. The two dedicated LFOs allow for modulation of other parameters via four waveforms of their own.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Retro Station for Novation Bass Station II / AFX Station Live Demo ( Howard Smith )

video upload by The Hebephrenic Synths Of Alizay

Ambient jam with Novation AFX Station, Vongon Replay, Empress Zoia

video upload by Jay Hosking

"Please support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jayhosking
A live, semi-improvised synthesizer jam performed entirely on hardware.

I'm on an island taking a bit of time to relax and recharge, and have been spending most of my days doing anything but music: reading, swimming, hiking, and so on. I keep the Novation AFX Station up on the island because it's small and because, well, I have more than one mono synth.

But I think I have to bring this thing home with me. The AFX Station (i.e. the Bass Station II) is just such a remarkable synth, maybe the most underrated synth I can think of. A phenomenal sound with two filters and two drives, it can produce a wider variety of timbres than most mono synths, while also having a fantastic layout for patch design, a pretty unique sequencer/arpeggiator that introduces rhythms, a great portable size, and all the other bells and whistles people love (AFX mode, paraphony, etc.). The only thing I wish it had was a "set sound to panel settings" mode. Otherwise, I am regularly impressed with the AFX Station.

I also brought the Vongon Replay with me because it's quite portable and very immediate in its setup. Yes, I know all its flaws quite well, but a small polysynth that sounds good, has everything I need already on the panel, and has a latchable arpeggiator is quite handy. Once I had a sound on the AFX Station, I played an arp, and the song was basically there.

And for effects on the whole thing, the Empress Zoia came through. I also keep this one on the island because it can be whatever effects I need it to be, and because it's extremely flexible with how you set it up for routing. Here, I've set it to have to mono audio signals coming in, and sending a stereo effected signal out, something that most pedals can't do. Plus, Empress makes great effects, and having their delay and reverb at the same time is awesome.

All in all, a very inspiring setup with great results.

Thanks for listening.

Novation AFX Station - Melody/bass mono synth
Vongon Replay - Latched arpeggio with slow attack
Empress Zoia - Reverb, delay, and special sauce on both synths

Performed and recorded live to a stereo input, with EQ, compression, and limiting on the master.

https://jayhosking.bandcamp.com"

Using the Launchpad Pro as a DAWless workstation | Novation Connects

video upload by Novation

"In our first episode of Novation Connects, we demonstrate how to sequence the Pulsar 23 and Fireball via midi with our Launchpad Pro, in a DAWless approach to music production.

Here's how to sequence external gear with your Launchpad Pro, using a DAWless setup. The Pulsar 23 and Fireball are connected to the Launchpad Pro via midi, allowing the user to send midi notes and cc parameters to both the Fireball and Pulsar 23. This allows you to sequence and control each instrument. The Launchpad Pro is mapped to send midi to each drum track on the Pulsar 23, and another midi channel on the Launchpad Pro is mapped to sequence the Fireball. This DAWless setup is great for both music production and live performance.

Novation Connects Episode 1 - Chapters:
0:00 - Using Launchpad's drum grid to sequence a pattern
0:41 - Creating variation with the Launchpad probability settings
0:52 - Sequencing with the Launchpad note mode and Mutate function
1:21 - Using Launchpad mute buttons to create variation
1:41 - Modifying pattern length to build tension
2:06 - Jamming with Launchpad's Sequence mode"

Novation Connects Episode 2:

We went DAWless with an AFX Station and Endorphin.es Pedals - it sounds BONKERS
video upload by Novation

"Bass Station II: https://novationmusic.com/products/ba...
Circuit Rhythm: https://novationmusic.com/products/ci...

In Novation Connects episode two, we show you how to use our epic AFX Station in a DAWless setup with Circuit Rhythm, the Endorphin.es Ghost pedal and Endorphin.es Golden Master.

This setup brings together the minds of Aphex Twin, who collaborated with us on the AFX Station, and Andrew Huang, who helped design the Endorphin.es Ghost pedal, to create a brilliant DAWless workflow.

Chapters:
0:00 - AFX Station - Endorphin.es Ghost - Circuit Rhythm - Endorphin.es Golden Master
0:37 - Manipulating sounds with the Endorphin.es Ghost
01:02 - Activating AFX Overlays
01:50 - What is AFX Mode?
02:37 - DAWless jam"

Meet Novation's Synth Family: Bass Station II, Circuit Tracks, & Summit

video upload by B&H Photo Video Pro Audio

"There are 100s of synths to choose from, so which do you buy? Gabe discusses 3 synths from Novation--the Bass Station II, Circuit Tracks, and Summit to check out how they sound together and individually!"

0:00 Intro
1:25 Opening Demo
3:30 Bass Station 2 Overview
2:42 Firmware updates & added functionalities
4:49 AFX Mode
5:48 Synth Controls Overview
6:38 Bass Station 2 Demo
8:26 Circuit Tracks Overview
9:26 Creating Patterns
11:04 Sequencing External Gear
11:46 Effects and Sidechain
12:55 Customizing via Components
13:23 Summit Demo
15:48 Summit Overview
17:38 Performance and Modulation Controls
18:08 Front Panel and Synth Controls
19:14 On-board Effects
20:06 Final Thoughts

Breaks and death jam with Elektron Octatrack MkII, Novation AFX Station

video upload by Jay Hosking

"A live, semi-improvised performance of Edvard Grieg's "The Death of Åse" (from Peer Gynt) performed entirely on synths and sampler hardware.

I love this song in all its incarnations, on strings, on piano. So while on the island, I thought I'd try it on synths and samplers. I sequenced the main lines in the box, using Native Instruments' Noire (piano) and Arturia's Prophet V (synth) doubled up. Then I chopped that into segments and imported into the Octatrack.

Once in the Octatrack, I took the Amen break and did some mangling, adding some glitch, pan, and randomization. I also added a second break I created, and a line of weird percussion (from a Patreon community member), both from a community sample pack in my Patreon.

Finally, I wanted some real-time hardware synth, and was smart enough to bring the Novation AFX Station with me to the island. This thing has so much versatility going for it, sounds phenomenal, and has an absolutely stellar layout for creating. It's wild to me that the Bass Station II / AFX Station is both one of the best mono synths out there, while also being so widely available and so affordable.

Once it was all together, it was just a matter of tweaking some scenes for effects and transition, and then capturing the performance. Really happy with this one.

Thanks for listening.

Native Instruments Noire and Arturia Prophet V - piano/synth main line, sampled into the
Elektron Octatrack Mk2 - sample mangling, mixing, performance effects, scenes
Novation AFX Station - synth arpeggio thing"

Bad Gear - Bass Station 2

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about Novation Bass Station 2. Has the immensely popular successor to the original Bass Station from the 90s become a classic in its own right for a reason? Should you get the AFX Station? That's no moog, it's a...

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:10 Overview Novation Bass Station II
01:44 DCO Section
02:13 Filter Section, Acid Mode
02:42 Envelopes, LFOs
02:57 Effects
03:15 Arpeggiator, SH-101 Style Sequencer
03:34 Updates, Additional Features (Paraphony,...)
04:19 AFX Mode (+ Aphex Twin Heresy)
04:48 What else??? (Compontents, UI, Pricing)
05:10 Hate
05:33 Jam 1 (Dirty Bass)
06:29 Jam 2 (Novation should give me Money - Jam)
07:31 Finale (Less Musically Challenging Music)
08:01 Verdict"

Bass Station II Battle // Novation Live

video upload by NovationTV

"Watch Novation’s Product Specialist team from around the world, battle it out by creating patches and using them for four different live jams using Bass Station II.

To celebrate Bass Station's 30th year, and 10 years of Bass Station II, we're bringing our team together to show you how Bass Station II is much more than bass!

After 10 years the Novation Bass Station II is still the ultimate monosynth for warm, fat, and dirty analogue sounds. Based on the original classic 90’s Bass Station it is enhanced in every area to make it bigger, more versatile, and more powerful in every way. With two filter types, two tuneable paraphonic oscillators and a sub-oscillator (that can also be treated as an independent 3rd oscillator) plus; noise, ring mod and the unique and powerful AFX mode designed in collaboration with Aphex Twin mean the sonic possibilities of this analogue powerhouse are unlimited.

You won't want to miss this - tune in on May 31st to watch.

--- Discover Bass Station II
https://novationmusic.com/en/synths/b..."

Bass Station II Deep Dive // Novation Live

video upload by NovationTV

"Join -CALC- for another Novation live stream: 30 years after the original Bass Station was released we're also celebrating 10 years of Novation’s amazing analogue monosynth, Bass Station II. In this session -CALC- will chart the history of the Bass Station and explore the elements that make this a stand-out classic of our time.

Using the synth’s powerful analogue architecture and unique features such as AFX mode, paraphony and microtuning, we’ll be sculpting patches and creating sequences to show how this unashamed BEAST of a synth is still the go-to monosynth after all this time.

-- Discover more about Bass Station II:
https://novationmusic.com/en/synths/b...

--Discover more about Novation’s 30 Years of Making Music:
https://novationmusic.com/en/30-years..."

Shaping the signal of a live drum-break w/ Bass Station 2

video upload by NovationTV

"Bass Station 2 is a fantastic way to process sound sources using the external input. Bass Station 2 is especially powerful when processing external sounds when in AFX mode. Here we’re shaping the signal of a live drum-break with some wild results!"

Ambient orchestra with piano, Sequential Take 5, Novation AFX Station, Korg MS-20

video upload by Jay Hosking

"Please support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jayhosking
A live performance on piano and Sequential Take 5, with a couple of extra "orchestral" layers added afterward.

Despite putting so much time into synthesizers, drum machines, etc., I probably play more piano than anything else these days. I love music arranged for piano and synth, and I watch a ton of it here on YouTube. So it's nice to finally be making some of that on the channel.

Here, I use the Take 5's sequencer with some slow attack to create a backdrop for playing piano over. As the song moves, I progressively open the Take 5's filter to fill more and more of the space.

For bass, I added the Novation AFX Station (aka Bass Station II), not exactly what you might think of when you hear "orchestral", but is amazing for bass and strikes a balance between fitting in and standing out.

To double the melody, I added the Korg MS-20. I've got both its filters tuned into the midrange with a good deal of resonance, so it cuts through the mix without taking up too much room. I've also got a little LFO on the pitch and some noise modulation on the filter cutoff to give the whole thing a warbled, falling-apart feeling.

For piano, I'm playing my Kawai CA49, which has a great keybed and wooden keys, though the sound isn't quite good enough for a recording (great for practicing, though). I'm sending its MIDI to Native Instruments' Noire (for the deeper, richer part of the piano) and also to XLN Audio's Addictive Keys (for more of the percussive/hammer/strike of the piano); I think the two blend really well.

All in all, I'm really happy with this piece and the mood it provokes, both through its melodic choices and its timbral choices. Thanks for listening.

Kawai CA49 into Native Instruments Noire and XLN Audio Addictive Keys - piano
Sequential Take 5 - Pad sequence ambience thing
Novation AFX Station into Valhalla Shimmer - Bass
Korg MS-20 into Synapse Audio Deep Reverb - Melody

Piano and Take 5 recording as a live performance, with bass and melody overdubbed afterward, and the standard EQ/compression/limiting on the master.

https://jayhosking.bandcamp.com"

Novation Celebrates 30 Years with Giveaways and More

video upload by NovationTV

"It’s been 30 years of Novation and music made with bass, beats and synthesisers.

From early beginnings in 1992, Novation has been a pioneer in developing music technology, allowing artists to create decade-defining sounds. Starting as Novation Electronic Music Systems, we built a small but innovative device, the MM10, which let you control a MIDI sequencer, the Yamaha QY10, for the very first time from a keyboard.

Since then, our synths, MIDI controllers, grooveboxes and more have helped people create, play and perform at all stages of their music-making journey.

From all of us at team Novation – we want to wish a huge thank you to our whole community for keeping us inspired. We can't wait to hear what you make next, and we look forward to another 30 years.

- Discover more about Novation’s 30 Years of Making Music
https://novationmusic.com/en/30-years..."

novation · Novation Legacy Sample Pack

"Crafted from old-school Novation gear and adapting Trance to a modern time, The Novation Legacy Soundpack looks back on the history of electronic music and the gear that helped shape it. Made with Bass Station, BS Rack, AFX Mode, K-Station, A-Station, Mininova, Peak and Summit.

--- Sign up to our mailing list to receive your Novation Legacy Soundpack:
novationmusic.com/en/sign-novation-emails

"Novation looks back on three decades of bass, beats and synthesizers.

Since 1992, Novation’s synths, MIDI controllers, grooveboxes and more have helped people create, play and perform at all stages of their music-making journey.

In 1992, Novation developed the MM10, an innovative MIDI sequencer that controlled the Yamaha QY10 from a keyboard, revolutionising the way we make music as the first MIDI controller of its kind. Bass Station’s arrival in 1993 pushed them further into the spotlight as a standout synth of the ‘90s. Developed by none other than synth designer Chris Huggett, his expertise with analogue and digital synth design influenced many of their iconic synths including Supernova, Bass Station II, Summit and Peak.

Over the years, Novation’s instruments have brought new life to music-making, including the Launchpad range which changed the game for grid-based music production and DIY performance, Circuit’s much-loved intuitive approach to beatmaking and sampling, and the award-winning Launchkey range of MIDI controllers used by artists in many genres.

In 2022, they’re celebrating 30 years of music, pioneering music technology and people that made Novation what it is today.

With Novation, anything is possible
Over the past three decades, countless artists have brought their musical ideas to life with Novation instruments. From October until Christmas, they’re bringing their community together to celebrate the made music with their instruments over the years with videos from artists across the globe, huge prizes up for grabs in their 30th anniversary competition and exclusive curated soundpack giveaways.

Giving back to the global community of fans
Novation will be giving away their biggest prize bundle yet to encourage their worldwide music-making community to share the love for their instruments. One lucky winner can own a full studio’s worth of gear, as well as three years of upcoming products.

The prize bundle includes:
1. A suite of Novation products, including Circuit Rhythm, Circuit Tracks, FLkey Mini, Launchkey 37, Summit, Peak, Bass Station II, Launchpad Pro.
2. Three years of future Novation products.
3. A feature on the Novation website spotlighting their entry/music and a short interview with accompanying social media promotion.
4. A 1:1 Product Demo Session with a Novation product specialist.
5. A Novation Logo T-Shirt.

The giveaways continue with 30 exclusive soundpacks covering countless genres. All users can get their hands on samples made for the Circuit Rhythm, and perfect for all of the Launch range – regardless of what DAW they choose. Newsletter subscribers can also get their hands on the Novation Legacy Sample Pack – add moods, textures and unique sounds from the Bass Station, AFX Station, and plenty of classic instruments.

Novation is also going backstage with creators in their community to see just how they make their music. Learn how to make songs and build beats in Ableton, Logic, Cubase and FL Studio from long-time Novation users including Lex Luger, Trishes, Bad Snacks, Seids and Venus Theory.

Join Novation in celebrating their story so far and become a part of their future as they continue to encourage creativity and make music production a rewarding experience for all."

Explore Novation's 30 Years

Full-tilt jam with Polyend Tracker and Novation AFX Station

video upload by Jay Hosking

"A live, semi-improvised track performed entirely on hardware.

It had been a while, and I just got a battery pack for USB gear, so I thought I'd take the Tracker for another spin. It turns out that the Tracker is one of those devices that I love more and more with every time I use it. Songwriting is getting faster on it, and its performance effects are my current favourite for getting wild with drum parts. Rearranging the sequence allows a level of complexity that you just can't get with a beat repeat! And the fact that you can then take those performance effects and apply them to other tracks instead makes the Tracker extremely flexible and fun for making jams.

I added the AFX Station at the last minute because I wanted something I could play notes on, and because I wanted something melodic to end the track. The AFX Station is just the right sound, size, and shape for a jam with the Tracker, and its filter and drive are (in my opinion) underrated. It may just be a Novation Bass Station II in disguise, but it's an awesome analog mono synth.

Polyend Tracker - Sequencing, sampling, sample player, effects
Novation AFX Station - Mono synth (running through the Tracker for reverb and delay)

Performed and recorded live to a stereo output, with EQ, compression, and limiting on the master.

https://jayhosking.bandcamp.com"

AFX4 -CALC- Novation AFX Station (Bass Station 2) Performance with Elektron Machine Drum

video upload by -CALC-

"This is the performance I worked on for the release of the Novation AFX Station. It's also included as part of the presentation I gave when the synth was released on Novation's YouTube channel.

This was a lot of fun to work on and was a bit of a pressure gig (releasing a signature synth collaboration with one of my all-time musical heroes). I spent a lot of time practicing to get it right.

The performance makes a lot of use of the AFX mode in the Bass/AFX Station with a nice smattering of microtunings too. It was also a lot of fun to break out the masterpiece that is the Elektron Machine Drum again too..... The MD was my first ever stand alone device, it broke me out of the box and changed my life for evermore... I will never let it go."

▶️ NOVATION AFX STATION / BASS STATION 2 • 300 Fresh Synth Patches / Presets

video upload by ULTIMATE PATCHES

"Compatible with both AFX Station & Bass Station 2.
Digital Download Now Available: https://www.ultimatepatches.com


▶️ Easy-Install Manual + Patch List: https://www.ultimatepatches.com/#station
▶️ FAQ: https://www.ultimatepatches.com/faq.html
▶️ Questions? Contact Support: https://www.ultimatepatches.com/suppo...

Bass Station 2 // AFX Mode // 3 Practical Examples

video upload by Jorb

"Wanted to demo some more grounded ways of using this wonderfully deep feature, hope it gets you thinking differently about the tools at your fingertips."

Bass Station II Editor in Patch Base

video upload by Coffeeshopped

"A simple demo of the Bass Station II voice and overlay editors now available in Patch Base for Mac and iPad. You can fully edit every voice and overlay (AFX Mode) parameter, visualize everything, and even access some hidden parameters on the Bass Station II

More info here: https://coffeeshopped.com/patch-base/..."