Thanks for this great (and brief) comparison. I have tried both, and for now I am keeping both, but I use them for different purposes. The Mono Circuit is an amazing companion to my semi-modular equipment, a blast of a groove box, and a fun instrument all around (and whenever I feel like I miss a keyboard, I connect a MIDI controller so I can play notes). The BS2 sound is very unique, and I like that it is more immediate, but the workflows of both are not only for different styles (programmatic vs. keyboard player), but also for a preference for immediacy while playing live or jamming.
I have a Bass station 2 and a Circuit. I do keyboard playing and programing. Now that I've watched your video and understand the Mono station better I think I'll be adding it to my setup. I love the sequencer on the circuit. A bass station with this sequencer is what i've been looking for .Thanks great videos.
"I was never a real keyboard player; I was more of a programmer of music than a player." I love that sentence! I would love to be a player, but my hand-brain coordination is not what I want it to be. But on the other hand, the dynamics of a keyboard (velocity and aftertouch) can't be compared to the pads. For me, at least. I do have a Mono Station and recently I added an Arturia Keystep to it. (But I can use that Keystep for more devices, as well as a DAW.)
I don't agree with you because I use push2 with my bs2 and this gives me a huge variety! Bs2's sound designing is much powerful with the extra env and lfo and more...
Another great video... however... you’re NOT keeping the Circuit!?!? Mine arrives Tomorrow! Where will i go for Circuit goodness?? :) I’m kidding, of course! Love your Firmware 1.6 update video and the “where to put your $$” one - and I’m excited to start learning synthesis with the Circuit - this might lead to a serious GAS problem! Would love to see how you recommend making the Circuit play well with other iPad synths! It looks like the are huge connectivity differences between the Circuit and the Circuit Mono Station too...
Thanks for the video? What about the sound? Is there a noticeable difference? Is it really the same Oscs and filter or is it just based on the bass station 2?
I have the norm. Circuit and some sequencers (Syntstrom Deluge, Engine) and synths, the circuit monostation looks nice but expensive and if you already have the best sequencer on the market (Synthstrom, when you are pattern based like me you must buy that you wont regret it) would it be not better to buy the monostation 2? (had it but sold it), I also think the knobs and bild quality of the C. Monostation looks much better and I love the norm. Circuit a lot! Thanx for the video, greetz 👍
Nice comparison... I made the same choice... also liked Mono Station’s paraphony (which BS 2.5 now has). Have you tried the 3rd sequence (CV out) that came with Mono Station firmware update 1.2? Would love to see a demo on that! Also, the SE-02 and Mono Station might make a good pairing... clock out from MS to song mode in SE-02...
It's not true there is same amount of modulation on MS and BS. Having 2 ENVs and 2 LFOs on BS vs. 1 ENV and 1 LFO on MS is a BIG difference. I start making a sound on MS and I'm within its modulation limits in a few moments. For first analog synth, I would prefer to have BS now. Yes, there is mod sequencer, parameter automation and step recording on MS..... ....but those behave differently when it comes to shaping the sound.... ....they are triggered by sequencer, not by the notes themselves. Yes, MS is a fine tool for jamming, especially with some effects in the chain. It can be programmed to do its thing and left alone except some occasional pattern switching and sound tweaking. BS is more of an instrument to have on hand all the time and ready to do what you need it to do immediately.
i'm having a hard time deciding between monologue and mono station . i already have a normal circuit and love the motion sequencing aspects so i've narrowed my next purchase to the monologue and mono station but can't decide :'(
Monologue is probably less complex, and less powerful. But it has a v good sequencer, easy to use and program, with good functionality for on the fly tweaks/overdubbing. I assume the CMS's sequencer (if it's the same as on the Circuit), will have more memory and can have lots of patterns of 16 steps stored vs the monologue's 16 steps.
How can you tell which notes you are playing on the sequencer? The sequencer looks really cool but i dont know how i would be able to tell what key im playing in etc. Thanks in advance!
The Monostation is using the same scale feature than the original circuit. It can be any scale from a list of more than ten scales. Of course, chromatic is the first one. In this one the lights on the circuit monostation will light up mimicking a keyboard layout.
Good review, thank. Are they the same, soundwise, though - to your ear? For someone into both keys and pattern/grid-based programming, you can plug a sequencer into the BSII and have the best of both worlds, yes? With an extra filter (and envelope? etc?), at that? Whereas, to have the best of both with the Mono Station, you'd have to find a velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch to plug into the Mono Station, correct (I'm assuming you can do that)? And even then, you'd be down a filter option (at least), correct? Cheers!
Sound wise, the BSII can do more because of the of the filter and enveloppe but the Mono Station can do more with cv and the paraphonic control of the 2 oscillators. If I had to choose just one it would be the BSII but I would go for the mono station because of the real cool integration of the sequencer with the synth engine.
"it would be [had]" = typo? I wonder how much/precise oscillator control there is on the BSII via MIDI ... will look into it. Like you, I have (had?) the BSII, but am looking into the Mono Station as well. Thanks! Cheers - Be well, K
Thanks for this great (and brief) comparison. I have tried both, and for now I am keeping both, but I use them for different purposes. The Mono Circuit is an amazing companion to my semi-modular equipment, a blast of a groove box, and a fun instrument all around (and whenever I feel like I miss a keyboard, I connect a MIDI controller so I can play notes).
The BS2 sound is very unique, and I like that it is more immediate, but the workflows of both are not only for different styles (programmatic vs. keyboard player), but also for a preference for immediacy while playing live or jamming.
I wish BSII had the same quality knobs that CMS does.
I have a Bass station 2 and a Circuit. I do keyboard playing and programing. Now that I've watched your video and understand the Mono station better I think I'll be adding it to my setup. I love the sequencer on the circuit. A bass station with this sequencer is what i've been looking for .Thanks great videos.
"I was never a real keyboard player; I was more of a programmer of music than a player." I love that sentence!
I would love to be a player, but my hand-brain coordination is not what I want it to be.
But on the other hand, the dynamics of a keyboard (velocity and aftertouch) can't be compared to the pads. For me, at least.
I do have a Mono Station and recently I added an Arturia Keystep to it. (But I can use that Keystep for more devices, as well as a DAW.)
Excellent comparison. Thanks for sharing.... :-)
Perfect thanks
I don't agree with you because I use push2 with my bs2 and this gives me a huge variety! Bs2's sound designing is much powerful with the extra env and lfo and more...
Yeah I say the push pad and the bass station are a pretty killer combination together !
Another great video... however... you’re NOT keeping the Circuit!?!? Mine arrives Tomorrow! Where will i go for Circuit goodness?? :) I’m kidding, of course! Love your Firmware 1.6 update video and the “where to put your $$” one - and I’m excited to start learning synthesis with the Circuit - this might lead to a serious GAS problem! Would love to see how you recommend making the Circuit play well with other iPad synths! It looks like the are huge connectivity differences between the Circuit and the Circuit Mono Station too...
Thanks for the video? What about the sound? Is there a noticeable difference? Is it really the same Oscs and filter or is it just based on the bass station 2?
Is it possible to control a Moog DFAM with the Mono Station?
I have the norm. Circuit and some sequencers (Syntstrom Deluge, Engine) and synths, the circuit monostation looks nice but expensive and if you already have the best sequencer on the market (Synthstrom, when you are pattern based like me you must buy that you wont regret it) would it be not better to buy the monostation 2? (had it but sold it), I also think the knobs and bild quality of the C. Monostation looks much better and I love the norm. Circuit a lot! Thanx for the video, greetz 👍
Nice comparison... I made the same choice... also liked Mono Station’s paraphony (which BS 2.5 now has).
Have you tried the 3rd sequence (CV out) that came with Mono Station firmware update 1.2? Would love to see a demo on that!
Also, the SE-02 and Mono Station might make a good pairing... clock out from MS to song mode in SE-02...
It's not true there is same amount of modulation on MS and BS.
Having 2 ENVs and 2 LFOs on BS vs. 1 ENV and 1 LFO on MS is a BIG difference.
I start making a sound on MS and I'm within its modulation limits in a few moments.
For first analog synth, I would prefer to have BS now.
Yes, there is mod sequencer, parameter automation and step recording on MS.....
....but those behave differently when it comes to shaping the sound....
....they are triggered by sequencer, not by the notes themselves.
Yes, MS is a fine tool for jamming, especially with some effects in the chain.
It can be programmed to do its thing and left alone except some occasional pattern switching and sound tweaking.
BS is more of an instrument to have on hand all the time and ready to do what you need it to do immediately.
i'm having a hard time deciding between monologue and mono station . i already have a normal circuit and love the motion sequencing aspects so i've narrowed my next purchase to the monologue and mono station but can't decide :'(
Wentzel Itis, in my book, I prefer the synthesis capabilities of the circuit monostation. More controls and a very powerful sequencer.
Monologue is probably less complex, and less powerful. But it has a v good sequencer, easy to use and program, with good functionality for on the fly tweaks/overdubbing. I assume the CMS's sequencer (if it's the same as on the Circuit), will have more memory and can have lots of patterns of 16 steps stored vs the monologue's 16 steps.
Very nice, Man!
The Mono sounds good?
I have Circuit + Microkorg...Get a Mono Station still a good idea?
Thank you!
The mono station is real analogue + a great sequencer.
Nu-Trix The Synth Guy Thank you!
Very interesting ! One question for you please : are the presets compatible between Bass Station 2 & Circuit Mono Station ? Thank you in advance :)
No, for what I understand there are not interchangeable!
@@Nu-trix Thank you for your answer :)
How can you tell which notes you are playing on the sequencer? The sequencer looks really cool but i dont know how i would be able to tell what key im playing in etc. Thanks in advance!
The Monostation is using the same scale feature than the original circuit. It can be any scale from a list of more than ten scales. Of course, chromatic is the first one. In this one the lights on the circuit monostation will light up mimicking a keyboard layout.
Good review, thank. Are they the same, soundwise, though - to your ear?
For someone into both keys and pattern/grid-based programming, you can plug a sequencer into the BSII and have the best of both worlds, yes? With an extra filter (and envelope? etc?), at that?
Whereas, to have the best of both with the Mono Station, you'd have to find a velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch to plug into the Mono Station, correct (I'm assuming you can do that)? And even then, you'd be down a filter option (at least), correct?
Cheers!
Sound wise, the BSII can do more because of the of the filter and enveloppe but the Mono Station can do more with cv and the paraphonic control of the 2 oscillators. If I had to choose just one it would be the BSII but I would go for the mono station because of the real cool integration of the sequencer with the synth engine.
"it would be [had]" = typo?
I wonder how much/precise oscillator control there is on the BSII via MIDI ... will look into it.
Like you, I have (had?) the BSII, but am looking into the Mono Station as well. Thanks! Cheers - Be well, K
Oups . Dam auto-corrector.
no one has asked about your hand! looks like a bad break!
It’s a stupid accident. (Is there any other type of accident?) ... yes in music we have happy accident. ;-)
Nu-Trix The Synth Guy ouch!
Can you sync mono station with tr 8 using din cable ? Tx
You mean MIDI? Then yes.
But it’s not as much fun as step clock.
i just skipped through the whole vid looking for the part where u played some sounds. didnt find it. thumbed down
Living Light , you have the right to do it.
0:47
Ooh, what power you have.
@@wgaule the power to trigger someone 3 years later..