Still waiting for mine to come. I agree with your point that the release of the AFX station has made people go back to the Bass Station 2 because I hadn't even looked at the original BS2 before this new Aphex Twin version came out. I'm happy either way
The overlay works in the middle of the keyboard range (25 keys). You can still play the initial sound patch octaves below and above the 25 overlay keys by using the octave arrow buttons. The overlay can be saved as part of that particular patch. For example: patch 15 with o 04. Not sure if you mentioned this. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Great review! I just bought Bass Station 2 recently. I'd love to see a tutorial on their Components app. Specifically I'm curious to learn how I can pull only certain patches from the various libraries and install them locally on my BS2.
Can you switch between 2 different overlay setups using program change or a midi cc? Would be nice to switch between different setups for verse/chorus parts.
@MoltenMusic You refer to the oscillators sharing controls and when you change a parameter on one it changes for the other, I don’t think it does, it only affects the one selected.
No, that's not what i meant. What I mean is that the knobs are shared. So if i select Osc1 (with a switch) then the tuning knob controls oscillator 1. If i switch to Osc2 then it controls the tuning of oscillator 2. But now the knob no longer points to the where I put it for oscillator 1. I don't think i said anything about the knobs controlling both at once - so you're right that it only affects the one selected.
@@MoltenMusicTech ah I see, it sounded like you thought you lost the settings from the ‘other’ oscillator when you adjusted the active one. Nice to see this synth get some love! Regarding the folk who ask whats point of this ltd edition, I say what about those that don’t already own a BS2 (like me) this is a very inspiring instrument 🦾
You can set it into read only mode In which case you can load an overlay on a patch (important to note that the setting that are NOT contained in the overlay will still be set to whatever the patch under it has) You can have the overlay with read only turned off then any changes you make while the synth is being sequenced will apply to the note that was active at the time. Similar to a live recording on the Elektron machines parameter locks. They won’t be saved unless you go into the overlay menu and manually save tho. Which is good since you can go hog wild and reload the patch by moving up then down one patch and be back to where you started.
Great review! I already had a Bass Station 2 but I've always hated the livery. Splurged and bought this and I love it even more. It's also nice to have the printed key shortcuts for the newer firmware which the BS2 does not have. Also, the blue/white color scheme was not cool in 2013. Everyone hated it then too.
is it just mine? or are the faders supposed to be slightly loose moving left to right. they work and function fine but they are not tight like everything else like knobs and switches. Please let me know
I was really hoping the AFX station would have some of the features from the Mono Station. That one has an insaaanely powerful sequencer, it sequences CV too, it also has AFX Mode (called Patch Flip). It's the more interesting of the two IMO while costing less. But no they discontinue the Mono Station and just rerelease the same BS2. Still great machines, but they really overhyped it. AFX mode had already been out for 18 months...
@@MoltenMusicTech The program for AFX Station is only for Windows, and I already bought AFX Station. If you just connect AFX Station to a Mac, it will just be like a piano. I have a question, which program is needed to use the AFX mod on Mac OS?
Definitely some possibilities there Robin. Really like the AFX mode. I had a Bass Staion 2 and sold it a few years back!!! I can hear some Autechre and some Warp madness in there for sure. Be interesting to try and create a Simmons patch on there.
Here I go negative..... why no cv on the front? Why still the red led’s. Why all the hype. When I think AFX I think tweaked raw and modified. Love the little synth. Loved the review but they could have done more than a paint job.
What bothers me the most is the two font types... They only changed the main labels to that computerized "system" font but left the smaller text the same as the stock BS2. Reeks of budget reasoning to produce new silk screens. The red leds remain since they are using the same boards which were probably already in their inventory. This was an effort to clear their existing inventory of BS2.
I love the purple colors, although the knobs appear a smidgeon harder to see. Is the case metal now? Cheers. Any other cosmetic things with the lights?
i love Aphex-but i felt all his patches on the monologue a bit derivitive-i love this new ability to design the patch and use the function-clever upgrades in firmware
this idea seemed good in theory but failed ultimately, right. why would they name it afx. why not create a new synth with a better layout to access all the newer features they intended to put, or did, add to the synthesizer. too many random things to remember. Seems like they should have added more firmware updates to the novation ultranova instead of adding a bunch of random features to the bass station. The ultranova has three osc. I never could understand why they wouldn't fix my request to unlock all the parameters to be used in the modulation matrix of the ultranova. the keyboard has its uses but to see this afx version at the time was disgusting.
Gosh, evidently wasn't the synth for you! It was an interesting idea to hook up with Aphex Twin and also the BSII is one of the biggest selling synths ever and so it's a cool upgrade for those users. So, you know, it's quite a nice thing and I don't think it failed - i think they sold them all. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@MoltenMusicTech no the afx line was definitely a waste of novations time and efforts. I've seen your work online alongside sonicstate for many years thanks for the reply comment. I'm not hating on novation. The number of secondary functions with the afx bassstation is too much to remember is all. It's like when using a midi keyboard to remember settings to a vst plugin, and another one, and another, eventually it's too much to remember. Better to have a real synth, like the bass station.
personally speaking... OBVIOUSLY... I just hate the way the bass station 2 looks... the afx version looks alot better Also, I don't like anything that's gimmicky. Like, dude, designed it and stamped it with his marketing whathaveyou... I would NEVER buy something like that... BUT, because the BS2 is so ugly, this is a no-brainer almost
I am perpetually underwhelmebd by Novation synths. I'm surprised the AFX doesn't have chromatic tuning, or some such weird feature.....at least to justify the APHEX label. weird, no?
I would write a comment explaining how the Bass Station II and the Microfreak are two completely different devices but your lazy comment isn't worth the effort. I simply urge you to do your research before forming half-baked conclusions.
“In the last year since I discovered Eurorack...” *has $1,000,000 eurorack set up*
Still waiting for mine to come. I agree with your point that the release of the AFX station has made people go back to the Bass Station 2 because I hadn't even looked at the original BS2 before this new Aphex Twin version came out. I'm happy either way
The overlay works in the middle of the keyboard range (25 keys). You can still play the initial sound patch octaves below and above the 25 overlay keys by using the octave arrow buttons. The overlay can be saved as part of that particular patch. For example: patch 15 with o 04. Not sure if you mentioned this. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Perfect overview cheers. Just picked up a BS2 today
The submarine graphic is for the Sub Osc. Sub, get it? :)
Afx Station: *comes out*
Synth nerds: *go crazy*
BS2 with the latest firmware: *Am I a joke to you?* 😑😑😑
Great video and explanations btw 👍
So yeah... the AFX Station is sold out, but I ordered the bass station after watching this :-D
Well balanced review as always. Looks like a good gateway into the world of synths.
Love the honest review!
Thanks!
An ideal sonic attack weapon to control your unruly neighbour's!
So thankful you put this out. Great tutorial.❤
Great review! I just bought Bass Station 2 recently. I'd love to see a tutorial on their Components app. Specifically I'm curious to learn how I can pull only certain patches from the various libraries and install them locally on my BS2.
Percussion and "synth beats" is why the Bass Station II is one my favorite monosynths.
...but with the one draw back that only one note can be played at a time.
How often do you need to replace the frequency pot?
Can you switch between 2 different overlay setups using program change or a midi cc? Would be nice to switch between different setups for verse/chorus parts.
I don’t remember, sorry
Love your reviews.....I appreciate your opinion.(always)
sounds like it is time to add a family member to my bass station (the first one, keyboard model) (:
EDIT: ... of course it is sold out...
Novation have limited stock available now
Sold. Take my money..... Ooops there are none available. Has this sold out already everywhere or is it so new it hasn't even arrived in stores yet?
@Edward Godsall Where did you buy Edward?
@MoltenMusic
You refer to the oscillators sharing controls and when you change a parameter on one it changes for the other, I don’t think it does, it only affects the one selected.
No, that's not what i meant. What I mean is that the knobs are shared. So if i select Osc1 (with a switch) then the tuning knob controls oscillator 1. If i switch to Osc2 then it controls the tuning of oscillator 2. But now the knob no longer points to the where I put it for oscillator 1. I don't think i said anything about the knobs controlling both at once - so you're right that it only affects the one selected.
@@MoltenMusicTech ah I see, it sounded like you thought you lost the settings from the ‘other’ oscillator when you adjusted the active one.
Nice to see this synth get some love!
Regarding the folk who ask whats point of this ltd edition, I say what about those that don’t already own a BS2 (like me) this is a very inspiring instrument 🦾
How similar is it to the circuit monostation?
Don’t know, never tried one
Different
With the overlay mode...are you locked into the individual key sounds allocated for that bank or are the able to be modulated?
Each key is a patch and so can contain its own modulation.
You can set it into read only mode In which case you can load an overlay on a patch (important to note that the setting that are NOT contained in the overlay will still be set to whatever the patch under it has)
You can have the overlay with read only turned off then any changes you make while the synth is being sequenced will apply to the note that was active at the time. Similar to a live recording on the Elektron machines parameter locks. They won’t be saved unless you go into the overlay menu and manually save tho. Which is good since you can go hog wild and reload the patch by moving up then down one patch and be back to where you started.
Great review! I already had a Bass Station 2 but I've always hated the livery. Splurged and bought this and I love it even more. It's also nice to have the printed key shortcuts for the newer firmware which the BS2 does not have. Also, the blue/white color scheme was not cool in 2013. Everyone hated it then too.
I really wish they would rerelease it. So peeved I didnt buy one.
@@Fauxleroid they have
it's SOOOOO ugly. absolutely boring and just ... it's awful
is it just mine? or are the faders supposed to be slightly loose moving left to right. they work and function fine but they are not tight like everything else like knobs and switches. Please let me know
I think it’s a novation thing, my sl mk lll is similar
Anyone know if there’s a way to make the moog sub37 play a different sound on each key?
can this transpose keys? I am not a pianist but can get around on white keys just fine and want a synth
Yes
The darkness of this.. The knobs..
What does the r:[aphex symbol] key press under the SEQ RETRIG do?
Enables afx mode
Molten Music Technology I found the answer - it actually locks the overlay.
Where's the other half of the synth? Needs more keys.
37 keys is ideal... it's difficult and sometimes impossible to use/press the octave button when playing certain lines.
Good job mate, nice review.
15:44 submarine image by the Sub Oscillator seems pretty logical to me?
Man that thing is radical
is the sound not better on the more expensive Bass station 2 (AFX Station) (sounds in completely the same?) (quality of sound)
Sound quality is the same, just the content has changed
It's a Bass Station 2 with a new look and new presets.
Its a beauty. though I don't like switching between oscillators and filters . Its kinda like the korg ea-1.
I was really hoping the AFX station would have some of the features from the Mono Station. That one has an insaaanely powerful sequencer, it sequences CV too, it also has AFX Mode (called Patch Flip).
It's the more interesting of the two IMO while costing less.
But no they discontinue the Mono Station and just rerelease the same BS2. Still great machines, but they really overhyped it. AFX mode had already been out for 18 months...
@ArcaneAudio thats how it is haha, i made some dirty beats with it a year ago
Ok, I will go make some tunes. I'll eat a fig roll first though...
You missed a long hair when you were trimming your beard man. In the 'imperial'. Great review though of a great synth.
16:51 bucephalus bouncing ball
Can I connect AFX to Mac?
Sure, why not?
@@MoltenMusicTech The program for AFX Station is only for Windows, and I already bought AFX Station. If you just connect AFX Station to a Mac, it will just be like a piano. I have a question, which program is needed to use the AFX mod on Mac OS?
You use Novation Components, it’s Mac and windows, download it from the bottom of the Bass Station II page novationmusic.com/en/synths/bass-station-ii
Thank you
Just fear that I will end up using it more than my subsequent 37 merely because I can use it on my lap!
Really should just buy a chair 😂
back to the playstation 2
Hey brotha, you amazing
no you are!
Definitely some possibilities there Robin. Really like the AFX mode. I had a Bass Staion 2 and sold it a few years back!!! I can hear some Autechre and some Warp madness in there for sure. Be interesting to try and create a Simmons patch on there.
Here I go negative..... why no cv on the front? Why still the red led’s. Why all the hype. When I think AFX I think tweaked raw and modified. Love the little synth. Loved the review but they could have done more than a paint job.
What bothers me the most is the two font types... They only changed the main labels to that computerized "system" font but left the smaller text the same as the stock BS2. Reeks of budget reasoning to produce new silk screens. The red leds remain since they are using the same boards which were probably already in their inventory. This was an effort to clear their existing inventory of BS2.
I love the purple colors, although the knobs appear a smidgeon harder to see. Is the case metal now? Cheers. Any other cosmetic things with the lights?
No, it’s plastic and no new lights
@@MoltenMusicTech Thanks, still looks cool at least.
yeah i wouldv'e liked the old knobs...
Great demo, thanks
Easy with that filter knob Jack. Don't want to wear it out in 1 session.
Having a real hard time with having eBay/reverb open in a tab next to TH-cam 🤦🏻
Doesn't RDJ own a submarine? So, maybe not "no reason at all", weird, yes.
Here's the old Bass Station in action, kinda hard to improve on this bass sound.
th-cam.com/video/qy365W2Av0c/w-d-xo.html
*starts video not wanting it*
*ends with GAS*
thank you for being straight
i love Aphex-but i felt all his patches on the monologue a bit derivitive-i love this new ability to design the patch and use the function-clever upgrades in firmware
🔝🎹🔝
this idea seemed good in theory but failed ultimately, right. why would they name it afx. why not create a new synth with a better layout to access all the newer features they intended to put, or did, add to the synthesizer. too many random things to remember. Seems like they should have added more firmware updates to the novation ultranova instead of adding a bunch of random features to the bass station. The ultranova has three osc. I never could understand why they wouldn't fix my request to unlock all the parameters to be used in the modulation matrix of the ultranova. the keyboard has its uses but to see this afx version at the time was disgusting.
Gosh, evidently wasn't the synth for you! It was an interesting idea to hook up with Aphex Twin and also the BSII is one of the biggest selling synths ever and so it's a cool upgrade for those users. So, you know, it's quite a nice thing and I don't think it failed - i think they sold them all. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@MoltenMusicTech no the afx line was definitely a waste of novations time and efforts. I've seen your work online alongside sonicstate for many years thanks for the reply comment. I'm not hating on novation. The number of secondary functions with the afx bassstation is too much to remember is all. It's like when using a midi keyboard to remember settings to a vst plugin, and another one, and another, eventually it's too much to remember. Better to have a real synth, like the bass station.
Definitely
@@MoltenMusicTech bosh
Knobs look better on the BS2.
This thing looks pretty useful actually.
Mmmh
personally speaking... OBVIOUSLY... I just hate the way the bass station 2 looks... the afx version looks alot better
Also, I don't like anything that's gimmicky. Like, dude, designed it and stamped it with his marketing whathaveyou... I would NEVER buy something like that... BUT, because the BS2 is so ugly, this is a no-brainer almost
L9
299 yeh 399 not sure
I am perpetually underwhelmebd by Novation synths. I'm surprised the AFX doesn't have chromatic tuning, or some such weird feature.....at least to justify the APHEX label. weird, no?
It does have a microtonal mode
Arturia Micro Freak is better
I would write a comment explaining how the Bass Station II and the Microfreak are two completely different devices but your lazy comment isn't worth the effort. I simply urge you to do your research before forming half-baked conclusions.
So much talking not enough 'doing' :)
You're not after a review then, you need to look for sound demos
Username checks out. :P