Bass Station by Novation is a Virtual Instrument Audio Plugin for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin and an Audio Units Plugin.

Product
Version

2.3

Product
Version

2.3.1

Tags:Synth (Analogue / Subtractive)Bass Station Bass Synth Novation

Instrument
Formats

Copy Protection

Key File

Important Note

Note that V-Station and Bass Station are no longer in development support, and so no further bug releases will be available. However, they are both available for free.

To activate V-Station or Bass Station:

Click the Activate button.
Save the cape-unlock-key.fnlf file to your computer.
Click Install License button and select the file.

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Novation launched the original Bass Station in 1993 and it became an instant favourite. Its digital oscillators and analogue filter defined countless dance and electronic hits of the 1990s.

Now a classic, its available as a software plug-in that has been carefully modelled to recreate the distinctive analogue-digital character of the original.

Features:

Two Oscillators that have been carefully modelled to preserve the precise tonal character of the classic sawtooth and square waveforms of the original instruments.
12/24 dB Low-pass filter with all the warmth and resonance often lacking in today's modern digital synthesis methods.
Intuitive ADSR envelopes.
Low Frequency Oscillation which can directly control the harmonic content of the sound by pulse width modulation or filter cut-off.
Oscillator Sync for the most complex and expressive timbres.
Enhanced Classic panel for greater tweakability:
The original front panel has been 3D modelled and additional controls have been added for ease of use. The Filter envelope has its own set of ADSR controls and OSC1 and OSC2 have their own section for pitch modulation and PWM control.
All controls receive MIDI controller numbers for the recording and replay of tweaks during a performance.
Monophonic.
100 "Stunning" Sounds carefully crafted from the Novation factory.
The Bass Station Plug-In is shipped with the classic originals along with many more totaling 100 sounds for immediate gratification. The patches cover a huge sonic range from screaming leads to phatt funky basses.
Sounds created in original Bass Stations can be uploaded into Plug In or vice-versa.
On screen dynamic velocity responsive keyboard. (Mouse position determines velocity).

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 4.00 from 3 reviews

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Bass Station

Reviewed By bluey s [all]
November 9th, 2005
Version reviewed: 1.2 on Mac

5 1

I purchased this in the hope that it would replace my hardware Bass station rack. My very first impression was that it did indeed sound like a BS.
The dissapointment came when I loaded some sysex patches from my songs and sustituted the plugin for the real thing. The patches sounded quite similar but not quite right.
As a test i began creating patches on the hardware and then transfering to the plugin. They were never quite right. I thought it might be the transfer process, so I tried to manually create the same patch on the hardware and Plugin. It was never quite right. Static patches with no movement were close enough. Dynamic patches sounded much better on the hardware (I have had my BS for 9 years so am very familiar with the sound and programming).
When you sweep the filter on the hardware the sound passes through various timbral changes that give you that goose bump effect. The plugin is linear and lacks the organic beauty of the original.
I would say without hesitation that the plugin is clearly an inferior sound source to the original.
I am not nit picking either, the difference is clearly audible and if the original had sounded like this I don't think it would have reached the classic status that it enjoys.
It has it's uses but is a not so close second place to the original.

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Bass Station

Reviewed By dj ray [all]
November 7th, 2005
Version reviewed: 1 on Windows

2 1

Once again, Novation make all us classic gear hunter’s dreams come true with a reincarnated software version of their dinky, yet much loved Bassstation synth. For anyone that’s used the real deal, this puppy is identical in terms of sound and layout, even down to being able to load up original ‘Station presets. Yes it’s monophonic, but hey, it’s called a BASS station for a reason. If its analog style basses you’re after, this does the job and then some. From Moog to 303, the 'station makes all sorts of vintage bass noises, and what noises! You get warmth, you get presence, and you get filth! Everything one could want from a bass synth! Leads and FX are also well catered for, and if you can’t find what you are looking for in the presets, it’s a cinch to cook up your own using the ‘vintage’ interface. The best thing Novation have done however, is make this a supremely CPU efficient little plug! I mean you can load up a whole bunch of these babies with hardly a dent in the system. This can easily become your main bass workhorse, and is destined to become a classic in its own right!

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Bass Station

Reviewed By bandasound [all]
February 4th, 2004
Version reviewed: 1.1 on Mac

3 6

i had a basstation and SOLD it! ...why....because the software sounds the same as the hardware unit. even the presets sound the same. actually its clearer and of coarse its has no noise. To be honest its sounds better. So to put...the software version is an upgrade...well done novation...and the V-station is comprible

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Comments & Discussion for Novation Bass Station

Discussion: Active

inception8a
14 July 2022 at 5:09pm

Novation has now made this plugin free (along with V-Station) from their website https://downloads.novationmusic.com/novation/novation-software

CasioVL1
11 April 2024 at 5:37pm

Unfortunately the Bass Station and V-Station plugins have now been removed from the Novation website. This means these plugins can no longer be activated.

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