The Wild Ride of Novation’s Bass Station with AlexBallMusic

In 1993, Novation introduced the world to their first synthesiser, a modest machine that didn’t just sit quietly on shelves. The Novation Bass Station, though small in stature, packed a punch that would resonate through the electronic music scene for decades. Designed during a time when analogue synthesisers were making a nostalgic comeback, this little beast tapped right into the heart of the budding synth revolution of the early ’90s.

The story of the Bass Station is as much about Chris Huggett as the synth itself. Huggett, an innovator in the realm of electronic music, first made waves with his creation, the Wasp, in the late ’70s. This synth, despite its rough-around-the-edges charm, was embraced by the punk and new wave scenes. The Wasp was followed by the Oscar, which further cemented Huggett’s reputation as someone who could produce distinctive and aggressive sounds on a shoestring budget. A cavalcade of artists across genres leapt on these quirky machines, including the Eurythmics and Depeche Mode, who loved their uncouth yet flexible electronic voices. Discussing Huggett’s journey from designing budget synths with capacitive plates instead of keys, lacks MIDI, and showcases looping envelopes, AlexBallMusic paints a vivid portrait of a man who wasn’t afraid to push boundaries and experiment with raw sound design.

Novation’s arrival on the scene with the Bass Station didn’t just ride the wave of analogue nostalgia, it caught it and surfed it with style. Designed to provide a modern twist on the beloved Roland TB-303, it offered not only the sought-after 303 squelches but also a broader sound range due to dual oscillators, MIDI capabilities, and patch memory. While Roland had stopped producing the 303 in the ’80s, the Bass Station stepped up with velocity-sensitive keys and digital goo that corralled the analogue chaos into something both beautiful and unpredictable.

Fast forward to the 2010s, and the analogue rebirth was in full swing yet again. Enter the Bass Station 2, smoother and more flexible, maintaining Huggett’s spirit of innovation. This was more than just a reboot; it was an overhaul. The Bass Station 2 introduced microtuning capabilities and could morph its sound at the twist of a knob, delighting artists as varied as Aphex Twin and 21 Pilots. By 2020, Novation teamed up with Aphex Twin for the AFX Station, which offered even more personalised sound crafting options, reflecting the daring ethos of its namesake. For a synth to maintain relevance through decades in such a volatile industry is no small feat. It’s testament to its resilience and the creative spark of those who shaped its journey.