8.1 and above has improved macro mappings, looks pretty simple to map any param to whatever CCs the BS2 can send.
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Would be great and i would be interested if it works better now.
When i tried it some years ago it was a almost impossible mess for me with v collection probably because bs2 has double midi assignments and maybe somthing else i‘m not understanding too.
For uhe repro it worked a bit better.
That problem and no „manual mode“ switch sound to knob state ( as synth) are the 2 things that are missing to be the best size, sound, price and layout package incl afx nerd mode for me.
( ok, there’s the strange seq rythm knob and midi start stop receive thing)
A BS2 just popped up locally for $400 CAD (~$280 US). Kinda hard to say no at that price.
Is there anything I should look out for when inspecting the unit?
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I figure you already know whether you got a good, or bad, deal. I just got mine today, and here’s what I checked (pretty much the same with all used stuff, with items omitted if it’s not relevant to the gear):
- Does it smell (alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, weed, b/o, cologne, etc)
- Does it rattle or do things roll around when you flip at at all the irregular angles that would expose such things
- When was its manufacturing date, if it has one, which mine does
- Do the encoders and slider move without friction, and not overly loose or tight, and DO something without jumpiness or scratchiness
- Do all the keys work and not overly loose or tight
- Pitch/Modwheels work
- USB works and connects to components?
- Audio out works without clicking/popping/clipping at reasonable levels
- Headphone out works, and same as above
- Firmware version
- Do the presets switch and navigation works
Wish I’d gotten one of these a long time ago. It’s smaller than expected/remembers; it’s been years since I saw one in person and played around with it. Solid build though. I ‘lucked out’ and got a relatively recent one (December, 2020, I think)… these have been out for a decade so getting a used one could get you one nearly that old; came with the current firmware. It didn’t come with the bundle code so I can’t register it, but it’s used so I don’t think I care.
It doesn’t appear like whomever had it used it much as it looks and feels nearly mint to me and the only scuff wiped out with a soft towel, and sounds fantastic.
Wonderful little thing.
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So… a question regarding ‘Components’ and sound management.
I had to log in to Components to be able to create my own banks, since that seems required.
The question:
Once logged in, does this login persist for a while, or will it go away if I’m disconnected from the internet. I’d really, really not like being required to be connected to the internet to manage sounds on a hardware synth.
Does Components even work without an internet connection (at work now so can’t check but will tonight)?
You can download the standalone Components application from the Components page I believe.
Glad you’re enjoying the synth, it sounds great and I use it on my couch with a USB battery pack. Handy.
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I did that, and it said to log in to create/mange my own banks.
Such a silly requirement and came with a cookie dialog and statement of how they’ll use my data.
So: that’s the real reason it’s there. Ugh. Sticky goo.
Lowers my love a bit. Not much, but a bit.
I suspect (and will find out offline tonight) that the version of Components that I have is sort of a wrapper to the online management software, which I absolutely will not use. No reason Novation/Focusrite needs my patch settings at all.
They’re clearly connected (the app and the online version), since when I logged in to the online manager, it logged in locally on the Components app. Or, I should say, at least the login credentials are chatting with each other. I don’t like that, nor should I be internet-logged in to manage presets/patches… ever.
Hopefully sysex is useful and I’ll just skip the Components thing altogether.
Download the bass station librarian on Novations site, should work
It’s unsupported/deprecated. I looked at that first but moved on when I saw that it says it doesn’t work on my computer OS version and new versions of the Bass Station firmware.
Thanks 
Might work, I’ll give it a go.
I’m, perhaps, too much of an idealist with hardware. I’m going hardware to NOT integrate with a computer except when absolutely necessary, and never requiring an internet connection (which I don’t use on my DAW machine). Tying it breaks that rigid view I’ve built up. I should probably give it a few days before I get mad, lol
But oof, I hate computers + internet in the studio.
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You know its not necessary right? Only if you want to save some of the patches and run out of slots…
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Yeah.
My disdain kicked it. Sorry
I just got it, haven’t saved a single patch, so I’m currently clearly not out of slots.
Bad zevo, bad. 
OCD for my view of doing things, admittedly. It’s the reason I haven’t gotten a ‘takt’ model: overbridge is not a selling point for me.
Thanks for that voice of reason.
Off to muck around with it
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Just parted with my Bass Station II (to fund other purchases), but we did party before it left …
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Love it! How did you make that hoover? I also made hoover on the BS2 using the ring mod between saw and pulse with pwm to create saw pwm. Sounds pretty nice, but very different to your hoover
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That’s how I did it on the Hydrasynth (and it sounds dead on https://on.soundcloud.com/3ezZk ), however here I’ve used a double “fake”: Copy OSC 1 to OSC 2, octave higher and detuned slightly and making it quieter. Also, just Pulse PWM. I made a tutorial using this method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky3smiOOjSk maybe it provides something missing on your sound which should be closer to the original.
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It would be hard for me to ever part with my BS2! Love that little synth.
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Ah yes I’ve seen that video before. So just 2x pwm osc an octave apart + sub, right?
I’m not saying I’m missing something in my own sound, just like to learn from other’s approaches, to learn as many different colors of hoovers
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The BSII is probably the best synth Novation ever made. Sure they got more expensive and more complex synths but there’s something about the BSII that makes it really really good. I do wish they released a more portable desktop version with a few extra’s instead of keys though for the same price. The Circuit Mono didn’t really do it for me.
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If I don’t forget, I will post an audio snippet tonight
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Here you go
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Pardon the self plug but I wanted to share a fresh set of patches I’ve just made available for the BS2. I can’t believe it’s been ten years since I’ve had this lovely synth, though based on the wear with this thing it is believable I suppose.
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