Novation Bass Station II Explained
Join analog synth expert Albert Rizzo Schettino for a detailed Novation Bass Station II video course! In this Bass Station II course, Alberto will not only familiarize you with all of the synth's components, controls, and parameters, but he'll also share many tips and techniques he's learned during his extensive experience with this legendary modern monosynth. By the time you complete this Bass Station II course, you'll be well on your way to creating your own custom bass, lead, and arp tones with skill and confidence! These Bass Station II videos are designed for new Bass Station II users, but there's plenty of info more intermediate-level users as well.
Videos
• Introduction (02:40) - Welcome to a full-immersion course about the Novation Bass Station II. Expert Alberto Rizzo Schettino will cover every feature of this small (but powerful!) analog synthesizer that can find its role in any studio. Whether you own other synthesizers already or you are making the Bass Station II your first and main synth, this course is for you.
• Overview (08:06) - Before going too in-depth, let's do some orienteering to understand the various sections of the synthesizer and their layout. Though seemingly complicated and filled with knobs, the Bass Station II has one of the easier layouts to navigate, with everything at your fingertips for the ultimate direct, hands-on, live experience.
• Mixer, Oscillators & LFOs (27:30) - We start at the nexus of the Bass Station II, covering the Mixer and the features it offers, and continue to discuss the various possibilities the Oscillator section offers. This is a great opportunity to examine the LFOs as well because they're integral to the vast sound design possibilities available with this synth. Acquiring confidence in these three sections will allow us to explore the additional parts of the Bass Station II with confidence.
• Arpeggiator/Sequencer (16:36) - The Bass Station II features a versatile and musical Arpeggiator/Sequencer, allowing the performer to use it in a variety of situations. The Arpeggiator and its different patterns offers a standardized approach to creating lines (from single notes to more elaborated), while the sequencer literally allows the performer to design a 32-step sequence in four storage locations to shape any musical phrase or pattern.
• Filters (19:05) - Alberto dives deep into the essential but powerful filter section of the Bass Station II, with its Classic and Acid variants, in the various modes. The filter itself is not only very musical and sweet-sounding but it is one of the signature elements of this synthesizer, prized for its inherent tone but also for the interactions that Novation has implemented through the modulation matrix.
• Envelopes (14:59) - A vital component in any synthesizer, the envelopes are also one of the most important elements of the Bass Station II. The typical features of any ADSR become more versatile once we start introducing advanced functions like Fixed Sustain and the Envelope Retrigger in Chapter 9. Still, in its basic form, the ADSR of this synthesizer is plenty fast and capable of shaping anything - from atmospheric, slow movements to very expressive and satisfying plucks.
• Effects (08:19) - Alberto takes you to the simple but effective additions of the effects section, featuring pre-VCA distortion and OSC2-to-Filter modulation. These two deceivingly simple functions combine wonderfully with ring modulation, oscillator syncing, and other advanced functions to create the fascinating palette that has made this synth famous.
• Functions (27:47) - It's time to cover every function offered by the Bass Station II, as these allow you to take full control of any aspect and enhance the expressiveness and musicality of your performance. From Mod Wheel assignment to LFO syncing and retriggering, Sequence options, Aftertouch possibilities, and more, the Bass Station II is never short on playability features.
• Advanced Functions (16:51) - Over the years, Novation has added more and more amazing features to the Bass Station II through advanced functions. Paraphonic mode, ADSR retriggering, micro-tuning, and Sub-Oscillator detuning are just some of the many welcome updates to this synth. It's a real testament to the level of commitment that Novation has put into the development and further enhancement of this musical instrument.
• AFX Mode (17:31) - Join Alberto as he dives into the Bass Station II?s AFX Mode, a game-changing feature introduced through a Novation firmware update. This mode enables up to 25 custom overlays, each tied to a single key, with unique settings for various parameters. These overlays expand the synth?s versatility, making it ideal for creating percussive sounds, split-keyboard patches, drones, soundscapes, and more?all independently stored and easily recalled to enhance your sound design possibilities.