Since its release in 2013, Novation Bass Station II has cemented itself as a modern classic in analogue synthesis. A staple in studios and live setups for over a decade, it delivers deep sound design capabilities, raw character, and unbeatable value. Now, this modern classic gets a bold new look, courtesy of Ian “Swifty” Swift — the visionary designer behind the unmistakable aesthetics of Mo’ Wax, Straight No Chaser, and many more; a key figure in the evolution of the visual identity of UK hip-hop, jazz, and street music culture. This limited-edition Bass Station II features Swifty’s signature typography, custom-printed panels, and graphic motifs inspired by rave flyers, dubplate culture, and DIY zines — bringing underground attitude to a synth that has been a driving force in electronic music for over a decade.

Beyond Bass

Equally at home on stage and in the studio, Bass Station II can sound as warm and mellow or aggressive and hard as you want it to; modulate the filter to make it sing, crank the distortion to toughen up the bass, and push the resonance into self-oscillation to get those lead lines screaming.

Unmistakably analogue, endlessly flexible With two tuneable oscillators plus a sub-oscillator for enhancing the all-important low end, Bass Station II more than delivers when it comes to generating raw, analogue tones. There’s also a noise source, PWM, ring modulation, two distinct analogue filter types, and plenty of modulation in the shape of two LFOs and a pair of ADSR envelopes for added tonal-shaping options.

Complex Sound Design Made Simple

With a powerful collection of controls intuitively laid out at your fingertips, Bass Station II encourages deep sonic exploration via a fluid and fun workflow. Created a sound you love? Save it in one of the 64 user preset slots.

Stay Inspired with Preset Patches

Bass Station II comes pre-loaded with 64 diverse preset patches, each designed to show off different aspects of its sonic flexibility. Looking for some fresh inspiration? Head over to Components (components.novationmusic.com), where you’ll find a wide selection of artist presets to download for free. Components also acts as Bass Station II’s software librarian, allowing you to manage all your patches from one convenient interface.

Plus new artist patches

To celebrate the launch of this special edition of Bass Station II, we’ve curated a selection of exclusive new presets from some of our favourite artists of the moment. Explore a host of fresh sounds from Dutch techno icon Legowelt, alt-pop duo Pecq, and virtuoso keys player Maria Chiara Argiro.

Built-in arpeggiator and sequencer

When you need instant melodic inspiration, Bass Station II's pattern-based arpeggiator and step sequencer are ready to roll. Record your own patterns into the sequencer in real time, then store them for use with any patch. Sequences and arpeggios automatically sync to your connected music software or MIDI hardware, and swing values are easy to dial in precisely via a simple shortcut.

Connect to your whole setup

Bass Station II includes everything you need to connect to your music software and MIDI-capable hardware. You get 5-pin MIDI In and Out for external synths, controllers, and sequencers; a sustain pedal input; an external audio input for routing other sounds through the analogue filter and effects; and a dedicated headphone output. Bass Station II can be powered via USB and is also class compliant, meaning it requires no drivers for USB MIDI functionality.

Paraphonic mode

Bass Station II is a paraphonic synth allowing you to play two notes at a time rather than just one. Try playing with Ring Mode, Oscillator Sync, and the Filter Mod to discover wild, new overtones.

AFX Mode

Realised together with electronic music legend Richard D. James, aka Aphex Twin, AFX Mode allows you to load a different patch to each key. Load subtly different patches to each key for instant variation or assign wildly different sounds across the keyboard. You can even create entire drum kits to play beats using the keys or via the Arpeggiator.
Components

The Components content manager allows you to backup and restore your patches and AFX Overlays from your Bass Station II. It also gives you the ability to upload third-party tuning tables, personalize your start-up message, and more. You can download the desktop app or simply connect your Bass Station II to any Mac® or PC running Chrome™ and log in at components.novationmusic.com.

Key Features:

• Two digitally controlled analogue oscillators (DCOs)
• Sub oscillator
• Analogue signal path – filters, envelopes, modulation
• Traditional “single function” style rotary controls
• LP/BP/HP filters with variable slope
• Separate dual LFO section
• Ring Modulator (inputs: Oscillators 1 and 2)
• Versatile 32-step arpeggiator with wide range of patterns
• 32-step sequencer with four memories
• Portamento with dedicated time control
• Pre-loaded with 64 factory Patches
•  60 brand new artist patches
• Pitch and Mod wheels
• 25-note velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch
• -5/+4 octave keyboard shift
• Key transpose function
• On-Key functions – use the keyboard to adjust non-performance sound parameters
• LED display for patch selection, parameter adjustment, octave settings, etc.