Novation Bass Station IIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 49 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment83%
PROS 83%
CONS 17%

Rank based on 49 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want powerful, affordable analog bass and lead tones
  • You need a light, portable synth for gigging or travel
  • You want a synth Novation keeps improving via free firmware updates

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need dedicated knobs per oscillator instead of shared 1/2 switches
  • You expect premium metal build quality like pricier synths
  • You're comparing only the software plugin, which some find thin

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Novation Bass Station II
Exceptional value for moneyPowerful, deep bass soundOngoing free firmware supportDoubled-up shared controlsSome find patches samey or design unappealingBuild quality concerns
Novation Bass Station II
Exceptional value for money
Powerful, deep bass sound
Ongoing free firmware support
Doubled-up shared controls
Some find patches samey or design unappealing
Build quality concerns

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Exceptional value and raw analog power define the Bass Station II experience. Multiple owners call it the best bang-for-buck synth they own, delivering deep, grinding, house-rattling bass through a PA or amp. Compared against pricier Moog units like the Sub 37 or Subsequent 37, users say the BS2 holds its own sonically while costing far less, making it a favorite workhorse plugged in constantly rather than left on a shelf.

Novation's continuous free firmware updates keep extending the synth's life years after purchase. Owners highlight the AFX update enabling a different patch on every key, and a later update adding paraphonic mode, all delivered free to existing hardware. Commenters contrast this favorably with companies that simply release new hardware instead of supporting what customers already own, calling it a rare level of manufacturer dedication.

Control layout and build quality draw the most consistent criticism. Several users dislike the doubled-up knobs and 1/2 switches sharing controls between oscillators and envelopes, requesting dedicated per-oscillator controls and a rotary encoder in a hypothetical BS3. Others note soft-touch surfaces turning sticky and oily over time, yellowing keys, and plastic that feels low quality despite the synth's otherwise solid overall feel.

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