Novation Mono Station vs Bass Station 2?

The Lounge Other Gear
#1

Hey!

I’d like to have a Bass Machine in my Setup and I cannot decide. I like the Novation Sound a lot and cannot decide what Box I should choose: Bass Station 2 or Mono Station

Where do I come from:

  • I won’t use the Mono Station Sequencer but for playing around. I will sequence it from either my deluge, my digitone or my pc.
  • I won’t use the Bass Station 2 Keyboard that much either :slight_smile:
  • I will feed the machine with MIDI all the time. Would be great if I could record and playback Parameter-Changes via CC

Currently, the Mono Station is really cheap (100€ less the Bass Station) but I’d like to make sure, that I don’t miss something.

Thanks,

Jens

#2

Bass station probably. The mono station has only one envelope and one LFO because you can very easily do parameter automation and because you can use the step sequencer as a flexible mod source.

If you’re really not planning to actually use the sequencer, the bass station in going to be the more flexible synth.

2 Likes
#3

Bass station 2 has aphex twin mode now too, it’s pretty rad

#4

I’ve had both. The BS2 has a better UI generally but its keyboard was too short to be useful (for me) so ultimately it went. I don’t much like the Mono Circuit’s reliance on a single encoder for all modulation but it sounds decent enough. I’ve programmed a bunch of patches I quite like and can easily switch between them using buttons (I don’t use the sequencer much). At the same time I bought a JX-03 Roland Boutique which, despite its tiny knobs, I like much better. It’s faster to get around and I prefer the sounds I get from it.

#5

BS2 all the way.

DN will make a great sequencer for it.

#6

And program changes via MIDI are lightning fast with Novation products. BS2 at least.

#7

Thanks all! I will wait a month more (because BS2 costs a lot more) and if I still want one, I buy the BS2 :wink:

1 Like
#8

CMS owner here. If you’re not going to use the sequencer I’d also say BS2.

#9

I often see used BS2’s go for quite cheap here in the US.

I love my BS2; it was the first synth I bought–if we ignore the DX100 I bought as a teenager that convinced me I was just too stupid to understand synthesis for a decade–and I still have it (and use it, for a bunch of things, actually; you may not use the keyboard that often, but if you find yourself in need of a controller, it’s polyphonic, with velocity and aftertouch and has a nice action, in my opinion–it’s my go-to for laying down a quick melody or a handful of chords, provided they fit the range–and the arpeggiator, while not deeply programmable does offer a lot of useful varieties).

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#10

If you do not need the sequencer I would go for BS2, MS synth engine is way more simple than BS2; but I bought it because of the sequencer.

I can sequence MS with osc 1 sequencer ( no osc2), 0-Coast with osc2 sequencer via midi and DFAM with mod sequencer via CV.

Just a little update would allow for both internal osc to be sequenced with same track, freeing the other two.

#11

CMS owner (and OT which i use a lot as sequencer for other gear).
It seems logical to choose the BS2 if you don’t plan to use the sequencer.
But i’ll give that a second tought. The sequencer is very fast and inspiring. It has the patch flip option (same as BS2’s Aphex Twin mode) And it has a ‘third track’ that you can setup as a modulation source (as in create you’re own LFO and other crazy stuff). What i didn’t know before i had one that i also use the pads a lot (internal, but also for my 0-coast). My 2 cents…

2 Likes
#12

This is what I use.

Very good.

#13

Happy bs2 owner here. Don’t think you’ll regret it. It’s great value for the money

#14

Another happy BS2 owner here. You can pick them up dirt cheap on the secondhand market, at least you can in the UK. I got mine for less than half the current RRP and that was from a bricks and mortar shop with a warranty etc.

#15

All the BS2s I find here in car-reach are either in a bad shape or at a price, that is not low enough to not have warranty

#16

finally an example of Aphex mode that’s exciting

3 Likes
#17

I really love my Bass Station II - the immediacy of the knobs, and the sound is amazing as far as I’m concerned. Novation seems to be looking after users with updates long after its release as well.

2 Likes
#18

I have not used the BS2, but I’m a happy owner of CSM, it sounds great, I mostly sequence it through the deluge.
One thing to consider as well is footprint. The CSM appears to be almost half the size of a BS2? If that makes any difference.
CSM vs BS2