Novation Bass Station II

The Novation Bass Station II has been in continuous production since 2013 — an unusual achievement in a market where most instruments come and go within a few years. That longevity is earned. It is a genuinely capable analog monosynth that has found its way into studios and live rigs at every level, partly because of its price, and partly because it does things competitors do not.

The headline specification is the dual filter. Most analog synths offer one filter type; the Bass Station II offers two — a Classic state-variable filter with LP, BP, and HP modes, and an Acid filter modelled on the resonant low-pass character of the Roland TB-303. Switching between them is instant, and both can be driven into overdrive or fed into the post-filter distortion circuit for aggressive, saturated tones. That combination of filter types in a sub-£400 synth is still rare.

The oscillator section gives you two DCOs with four waveform shapes each, a sub-oscillator, ring modulation between the two oscillators, and hard sync. Two independent LFOs — each with four waveform options — provide modulation depth, and assignable aftertouch routes expression to oscillator pitch, filter frequency, or LFO speed. The 25-key keyboard is velocity-sensitive with aftertouch, which makes the Bass Station II genuinely playable rather than just a sound module.

Firmware updates have added meaningfully to the instrument over the years. AFX Mode — named for Aphex Twin, who collaborated with Novation on its development — introduces rhythmic arpeggio gating effects that add a distinctive, glitchy character. Paraphonic mode, added in v2.5, allows both oscillators to run independently, effectively giving you rudimentary two-voice polyphony for chords and intervals. The 32-step sequencer rounds out the performance tools, with four storable patterns.

On the used market the Bass Station II consistently trades at strong value — demand stays high because the instrument is both practical and genuinely musical. New buyers are drawn to it as an entry point to analog synthesis; more experienced players keep coming back to it for the Acid filter and the AFX Mode.

Who Is This For?

The Bass Station II suits anyone from beginners exploring analog synthesis for the first time to experienced producers who need a dependable, expressive mono synth that earns its rack space. The dual filter makes it particularly strong for bass lines, acid sequences, and lead sounds with real character. If you play live, the aftertouch keyboard and built-in sequencer mean you can perform without a computer. It is one of the most complete packages at its used price point.