Novation Bass Station II (Swifty Limited Edition) – Analog Synthesizer

OVERVIEW

Graphic Attitude. Analogue Soul.

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 Argirò.

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 HIGHLIGHTS

Created in Collaboration with Ian “Swifty” Swift:

If you don’t know Swifty, you’ll certainly know his work. The graphic designer behind some of the most influential record labels and magazines in British music history has crafted this unique, limited blue-and-white edition of an iconic British synthesiser.

Two Powerful Analogue Oscillators:

Bass Station II’s true-analogue signal path features two tuneable, syncable analogue oscillators each offering four waveforms: sine, triangle, sawtooth, square, and a sub-oscillator. The mixer section allows you to blend in external audio inputs, noise, and ring modulation.

Extensive Analogue Filter Section:

Bass Station II includes two characterful analogue filters, controllable via an extra-large cutoff knob. The Classic Filter is a state-variable filter, switchable between high-pass, low-pass and band-pass modes with a 12 or 24 dB per octave slope, while the Acid Filter is a dedicated 24 dB per octave low-pass filter perfect for dark, squelchy basslines.

Overdrive, Distortion, and More:

Go all the way from ambient to aggressive with a pre-filter analogue overdrive and a dedicated post-filter distortion control in Bass Station II’s effects section.

Flexible Modulation:

Bass Station II’s two LFOs offer triangle, sawtooth, and square waveforms, along with sample and hold. You also get two flexible ADSR envelopes. Pulse-width modulation can be shaped via a dedicated knob, an LFO, or a modulation envelope. Plus, modulate the filter from OSC 2 for classic analogue FM tones.

Powerful Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator:

Perform notes, ties, rests, and rhythms in real time using the step sequencer and arpeggiator, then store them for use with any patch.

Made to be Played:

Bass Station II features 25 full-size synth-action keys with portamento, glide, and assignable aftertouch. The front panel is clearly arranged and labelled for intuitive patch design and sound editing.

New Artist Patches:

Bass Station II Swifty Edition comes complete with 60 brand-new sounds from Dutch techno icon Legowelt, alt-pop duo Pecq, and virtuoso keys player Maria Chiara Argirò.

Extensive Patch Storage:

With 64 factory patches pre-installed and space for 64 more of your own, Bass Station II makes it easy to create, save, and recall your favourite sounds.

Paraphonic Mode:

Bass Station II allows you to control the pitches of each oscillator separately and play two notes at a time instead of one. Try applying ring or filter mod to add even more character to your sound design.

AFX Mode:

Realised together with electronic music legend Richard D. James, aka Aphex Twin, AFX Mode allows you to load different sounds to each key on the keyboard. Use it for everything from subtle sonic variation to wildly different sounds for every note or entire analogue drum kits that can be triggered manually or via the Arpeggiator.

Hardware and Software Connectivity:

Bass Station II includes all the connections you need to interface seamlessly with the rest of your studio, including 5-pin MIDI In and Out; sustain pedal input; a dedicated headphone socket; and USB connectivity for MIDI control with your DAW, bus power, transferring patches, and updating firmware.

Enjoy Three Years of Warranty:

Wherever you are in the world, all Novation hardware comes with a three-year warranty to cover any necessary repairs or replacements due to manufacturing faults.

FEATURES

• Fresh, new (limited edition) white-and-blue colourway – crafted in collaboration with Ian “Swifty” Swift, the visionary British designer behind the iconic visuals of labels like Mo’ Wax and Talkin’ Loud as well as Straight No Chaser and The Face magazines among many others.
• Comes pre-loaded with 60 new artist patches from Bass Station II power users Legowelt, Pecq, and Maria Chiara Argiro – with more available to download from Novation Components.
• Two tuneable, syncable analogue oscillators with a selection of four waveforms (sine, triangle, sawtooth, and square) plus a sub-oscillator.
• Extensive analogue filter section featuring the state-variable Classic Filter and a darker, more aggressive Acid Filter.
• Pre-filter analogue overdrive and dedicated post-filter distortion for adding grit and crunch to any sound.
• Two flexible, assignable LFOs plus ADSR envelopes for filter, pitch, and pulse-width modulation.
• Powerful step sequencer and arpeggiator for recording notes, ties, rests, and rhythms in real time.
• 25 full-size keys on a fast, synth-action keybed with portamento, glide, and assignable aftertouch.
• 64 factory patches pre-installed plus space for 64 easily recallable user patches.
• Realised together with Richard D. James, aka Aphex Twin, AFX Mode enables different sounds to be assigned to each key on the keyboard.
• Paraphonic Mode allows two notes at a time to be played instead of one.
• 5-pin MIDI In and Out; sustain pedal input; a dedicated headphone socket; and USB connectivity for bus power, transferring patches, and updating firmware.
• Backup and restore patches and other content, add tuning tables, and more with the Components content manager at components.novationmusic.com.
• 3-year warranty.
• Award-winning 24/7/365 customer support.
• Ableton Live Lite.

INCLUDED SOFTWARE SUITE

Ableton Live Lite

Ideal for developing ideas, recording tracks, and performing, Live Lite gives you everything you need to start making music with this iconic DAW – from synthesisers and sampled instruments to creative effects and Live’s trademark clip and scene launching.

Legowelt

The Dutch techno icon supplies a plethora of dreamy, saturated pads, basses, and drums that push the Bass Station II’s limits.

Pecq 

Explore the outer reaches of the London duo’s electronic palette with growling basses, alien-sounding FM, and oddball percussion.

Maria Chiara Argirò

The keyboard virtuoso’s mixture of deep analogue textures, glitchy rhythms, and evolving arps is gritty, expressive, and full of character.

AFX Patches

Released with the limited-edition AFX Station, this collection features 128 patches from Richard Devine, r beny, Lightbath, and more.

Producer Pack

A compilation of unique analogue sound patches was created for us by world-class synth producers from our eclectic artist and producer community.

Artist Pack

An eclectic collection of basses, leads, and everything in between from some of our favourite Bass Station II artists.

TECHNICAL SPECS

Controls:

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.

Connectivity:

5-Pin MIDI Input Socket: 1

5-Pin MIDI Output Socket: 1

Mono Output 1/4″ Jack Socket: 1

Headphone Output 1/4″ Jack Socket: 1

External Input 1/4″ Jack Socket: 1

Sustain Pedal 1/4″ Jack Socket: 1

USB Socket: USB Type-B

DC Power Input

Kensington Security Slot

Dimensions & Weight:

Width: 457mm

Depth: 273mm

Height: 76mm

Weight: 2.48kg

Power Requirements:

Powered by USB or DC

Maximum Power Consumption: 9V DC 300mA

Power Supply: Included

Software Compatibility

Class-compliant MIDI over USB (send and receive)

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

• 1 x Bass Station II Swifty Edition
• 1 x USB Type B-to-A Cable
• 1 x 9V DC Power Supply

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR BASS STATION II SWIFTY EDITION

• Get Started with Easy Start
• Downloads
• User Guides