Our design consultant is none other than chris huggett, the man who designed oscar and wasp. If we were doing eleven of the best wed probably include both, but rules are rules and we only have space for ten, so its the smaller of the two which makes the cut. Since release in 20 the novation bass station 2 becomes one of the best monophonic synthesizers. Originally launched in 1993, bass stations flexible dco oscillators and warm analogue signal path defined countless dance and electronic hits.
The main rival is surely the novation bass station 2, which is a little more expensive but boasts a fullsized, aftertouchenabled keyboard, versatile filters, two complete adsrs, a pair of lfos and a sub oscillator. The synth gives you the ability to create mesmerizing leads and distort and manipulate your sounds with just a few adjustments. After all, were the guys behind bass station and supernova. Bass station by novation synth analogue subtractive. Novation launched the original bass station in 1993 and it became an instant favourite.
How to restore the factory patches on bass station ii. I think it goes down to 5hz if i remember correctly. The amount of money i expect to make would be enough to either buy the waldorf pulse 2 or the novation bass station 2. A new firmware version is available for microbrute. Bass station ii is now a paraphonic monosynth, because you can control the pitches of each of the two oscillators separately in its singlevoice architecture.
It has two tuneable oscillators, a suboscillator for enormous bass, plus noise and ring modulation. Novation bass station 2 bass station synthesisers gak. And even though the bs2 doesnt have one knob per function i found myself enjoying that synth more primarily due to the keys. How to configure the mininova with the mininova editor plugin in ableton live. It provides a pretty extensive range of monosynth sounds and is hard to beat for the price, even before the 2. Originating from the bass station ii, circuit mono station is a paraphonic analogue synthesiser that benefits from circuit flow. If i had to choose, i would certainly keep the more precise good word for it, atma but also more versatile bs2 which i wanted for rolandy, boards of canada sounds. Korg monologue i am debating between getting a used novation bass station or waiting for a korg monologue. Not a deal breaker but i found that i much preferred playing my novation bass station 2 with full sized keys. Originating from the bass station ii, peak is an eightvoice desktop polyphonic synthesiser with three new oxford oscillators, a resonant multimode analogue filter for each voice, and. Its digital oscillators and analogue filter defined countless dance and electronic hits of the 1990s. Arturia microbrute vs novation bass station ii dailyanalog. The synthesizer novation bass station ii is usually 46 more expensive than korg microkorg, but the difference is so small that this can vary. The first novation bass station anno 1993 was admittedly a classic indeed firstclass.
In comparison the bass station 2 has excellent midi support and 128 patch memories. By definition, a synthesizer is an electronic, usually portable, console or module thats used for creating, modifying, and combining tones. I can get a used bass station for the same price as a monologue, and was wondering if anyone here has a recommendation. However its quite a bit larger, its sequencer is less sophisticated and it has a. When french software specialists arturia released the minibrute in 2012. Aside from losing a sub oscillator, and a sample and hold lfo, are there any other obvious differences between the 2 synths that may cause me to regret selling the bass station. At dailyanalog, we adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make.
With a 100% pure analog voice path and advanced interconnectability via midi, usb, cv gate, this machine is a true powerhouse synthesizer that takes your sound. Yes, yes, yes, you still have got those wonderful basssounds at your fingertips, but theres all that additional sound. Bass station, bass station plugin, buy bass station. At the time, the bass station was marketed as something of a roland tb303 clone. But to the point in question dcos versus vcos, which are better.
Nov, 2015 when i chose to buy a microbrute, i was driven by the need of something small, and also analog. Novation bass station ii analog synthesizer 25key analog synthesizer with two filter types, two oscillators, one suboscillator, patternbased step sequencerarpeggiator, and aftertouch the novation bass station ii 25key monophonic analog synthesizer is a powerful reminder of novations legacy of synth. Ill try my best to keep it short, but this synth is deep and has a lot of features. Arturia microbrute is an analog synthesizer with so many interesting features. Bass station ii is an analog monosynth with a talent for bass, but a soundengine that is versatile enough to kick out sharp leads and crisp arpeggios. Jan 02, 2015 an indepth look at the bass station iis arpeggiator and sequencer by our inhouse synth guru finlay shakespeare. Downloadinstall the bass station ii librarian software for you computer. The original bass station was a hit for novation back in the first wave of the analogue revival, which took place in the mid 1990s as producers and musicians realised the limitations of digital synthesis and looked back to the 70s and 80s classics for inspiration once more. Yeah i got the email just then and as a novation bass station original owner i have to go novation bass station 2. Computer production software, referred to as digital audio workstations. The arturia minibrute is a monophonic, pure analog synthesizer designed and manufactured by arturia, a french synthesizer software and hardware. The bass station 2s rear panel features a headphone socket, a mono line output and inputs for an external input and a sustain pedal all on quarterinch jack sockets.
Unfortunately or even fortunately the microbrute didnt live to the expectation hated it btw, and i decided to invest a little bit more for a bass station ii. Arturia microbrute vs novation circuit mono station. Play two notes at a time rather than just one and get interesting interactions through the ring and filter mod. The novation bass station ii does all that and more.
The arturia minibrute is another excellent synthesizer with great sound and functionality, available in a very affordable range. Novation bass station 2 editor for mac, windows synthtopia. Download the latest firmware file below and install it using the arturia midi control center. Microbrute is a pure analog sonic powerhouse of a synth. I have had many mono synths, and i had about 6 of them already when i got the bass station 2, but this one still blew me away beyond expectations. Korg monologue feature comparison in this video from noir et blanc vie, we watch a face off between the arturia microbrute and korg monologue two synths that are both similar in functionality and price. The arturia minibrute really lives up to its name in terms of the shear power it delivers at the users fingertips.
You can launch this free pc program on windows xpvista7810 32bit. Now a classic, its iconic sound is available as a software plugin, carefully modelled to faithfully recreate the sounds of a monophonic, dualoscillator analogue synthesiser. With the microbrute as well, the brute factor is no casual hypethis synth is meaty and macho like nothing else. It is a robust product with firm switches and knobs. The original minibrute was a game changer in more ways than one. Needs a laptop but its a ton of fun for bass synth.
Less than a year ago arturia introduced the world to the shrunken sibling of the minibrute, their first foray into true analogue synthesis the trimmeddown microbrute was still based around a multiwaveform, single oscillator design, but reduced the available hardwired modulation options, and provided stepsequencing capabilities instead of the. I bought a bass station ii this spring, a microbrute last month. If you plot a graph were point x is the ideal synth, then both would be very close to it but one slightly left of x, the other slightly right. But till today, there was no nice looking and perfect working editor available. This experience is further enhanced by the tactile sensation of all the different knobs and controls, without sacrificing the possibilities that come with digital software. But the bass station ii is not just a simple bass and groovebox. Novation bass station ii arpeggiator and sequencer. Novation circuit mono station is a very popular and one of the more expensive options. Novation bass station ii analog synthesizer 25key analog synthesizer with two filter types, two oscillators, one suboscillator, patternbased step sequencerarpeggiator, and aftertouch the novation bass station ii 25key monophonic analog synthesizer is a powerful reminder of novation s legacy of synth. Its in the top 3 bestselling tabletop synthesizers and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as moog dfam drummer or waldorf blofeld. To put it simply, a synthesizer or synth is an electronic device that can produce a variety of different sounds.
Add to that our 23 years of innovation and expertise, and youve got the. So in other words, if you want to do tb303 bass or english horn, dont buy a bass station 2. Arturia minibrute vs novation circuit mono station. Do i need to buy a brand new bs2 to take advantage of this, or is it okay to buy a used one and just. Thats just a handful of the artists who have used novation synths. Mini, korg volca series, and novation bass station ii as others following the trend. Arturia microbrute analog synth demo by daniel fisher. Its in the top 3 bestselling tabletop synthesizers and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as arturia minibrute 2 or korg minilogue. Its enormously fun to play around with and to discover its seemingly endless and amazing sonic possibilities. I downloaded the arturia midi control software and used that to upgrade the firmware and to update.
We based it on our classic bass station, then enhanced every area to make it even bigger, angrier and more versatile. Ensure you have connected bass station ii via usb to your computer and that it is powered on. The synthesizer arturia microbruteis usually 50 cheaper than korg microkorg. It brings the best elements of the original bass station into a brand new design with reworked modulation, effects, filters and more. Novation bass station ii analog synthesizer demo sweetwater. Novation bass station ll analog synthesizer keyboard, 25key. This one is going to be digital and have a wider variety of sounds, as well as being able to play chords. Novation bass station ii a fullblown analog synthesizer. Bass station plugin the sound of our iconic monophonic, dualoscillator analogue synthesiser, faithfully recreated by a software plugin. When the bass station ii hardware is properly detected by the software, there will be a dropdown. My license file is not unlocking my plugins on a mac problem installing license file or that is not a valid license file video.
Now a classic, its iconic sound is available as a software plugin, carefully modelled to faithfully recreate the sounds of. Very cool sounds but for price id rather get a bass station 2 or looking ahead the berhinger copy of the sh101. The modulation options are pretty good for the class of synth it is in, but limited compared to the minibrute 2. Plan to keep it forever just because of the wide variety of sounds i can get and it fits so well with my overall setup. Moving further to the right, we find midi io sockets, a usb port, a power switch and an input for the external power supply.
Comparing the bass station ii with other synthesizers arturia minibrute, microbrute or the moog. Now a classic, its available as a software plugin that has been carefully modelled to recreate the distinctive analoguedigital character of the original. The bass station ii from novation is a monophonic analog synth that encompasses a multitude of features and modulation options that defies its small size. The first novation bass station anno 1993 was admittedly a classic indeed firstclass bassline clone, but its successor has mutated into a fullblown analog synthesizer. The microbrute produces an astounding variety of sonic potentials. The sound of the bs2 is great, and features like drive and distortion allow for those dirty gnarly bass roars, while the clean sound can give you very lush, milky bass. Novation bass station ii analogue monosynth novation bass station ii. I have no love for aturia sorry, just seems like a windows softsynth in a box. An indepth look at the bass station iis arpeggiator and sequencer by our inhouse synth guru finlay shakespeare. Unless of course novation decides to add variable keyboard tracking in a firmware update. Arturia microbrute vs novation bass station ii youtube. Microkorg is a time tested legend, though a bit of a different synth. I like the addition of the pressure and velocity sensitive pads and all the buttons are big and easy to use.
The actual developer of the free software is novation. A mix of 100 classic original and stunning new sounds, from deep, fat, warm bass to shrieking leads. Arturia microbrute analog synthesizer arturia microbrute analog synthesizer. Bass station 2 is awesome and i currrently use one. Disclaimer novation has taken all possible steps to ensure that the information given here is both for usa correct and complete. Its tough to choose between the micro and its big brother, the minibrute. Its basically an oldschool analog mono synth similar to the sh101 and the pro one, but with a few modern conveniences, such as 128 patch memory and more compact size.
Arturia minibrute is a very popular option in the middle of the tabletop synthesizers price range. Arturia microbrute vs novation bass station ii duration. In no event can novation accept any liability or responsibility for. The software emulation behaves so similarly to the original hardware that patches created for the hardware version can be loaded into the software version. Novation update, improve, and reenergise their classic bass station recipe with the rather aptly named novation bass station 2. Minilogue vs bass station ii i am contemplating selling my novation bs 2, to reduce the number of similar analogue synths i have, and partially fund the minilogue.
Not to be confused with a software synthesizer, the hardware synth is a. When i chose to buy a microbrute, i was driven by the need of something small, and also analog. The bass station 2 is a compact, stylish analogue synth that has been designed to produce powerful energetic bass sounds, but that is just the tip of this analogue iceberg. Cos if its like the original it is gonna be mad low bass.