Playing Chords on Bass Station 2

Today, we offer a brief introduction to the Novation Bass Station 2 and demonstrate how to use it to play chords. Unlike more traditional approaches to this where the second oscillator is tuned to a fixed interval, we use paraphony to allow us to play many flavours (sus, major, minor etc) of chord on the fly.
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[@coolo73]

Such a great concept and alternative to making static chord patches then using AFX mode. Also notable it that an external editor (Patch Base) allows you to turn the Sub into a full OSC with the same waveforms, range, and modulation as OSC 1/2. I’m looking forward to hearing what more complex patches sound like using this paraphonic chord technique.

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for your comment and for watching. I've ended up using this method a few times and it works surprisingly well; I have a principle of trying to use all different pieces of gear for all different musical purposes. There is something quite satisfying about using your monosynth to play harmony!

[@leanderlumen1868]

Another great instructive tutorial for one of my favorite synths. As an owner of both Peak and Bass Station I can really understand why you like these synths so much!

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for your comment, and for watching. I've been using both synths for quite some time and they have remained my go-to mono and poly, and I can't see that changing. Hopefully I can share some more useful demonstrations and tips soon!

[@leanderlumen1868]

@@ChalkWalkMusic That would be great. Still working my way through your other videos. That has been a great Joy so far!

[@sea-saw2654]

Really informative and knowledgeable presentation. Thank you .. 👍

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for the comment, and for watching! I always like the idea of using synths outside their normal lane, so playing the chords on the bass station 2 seemed a fun way to do it: I'm glad you found it interesting.

[@jonathai04]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you.

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching, and I appreciate your support!

[@chrisstaniforth5629]

Nice video, just come across your channel. Cheers

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching: I appreciate your support.

[@espacemaxim]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching: I appreciate your support!

[@stevenhorr]

Thank you. Super helpful.

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for your comment, and for watching. The bass station 2 is a really powerful synth, that I always find back to. I'm glad you found this tip helpful!

[@enoodle]

this is going to be my first full size hardware synth, just placed my order on ebay this is a very nice calm tutorial, great idea and really showcases the versatility of this unit, thank u

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching, and for your comment. I consider the bass station 2 one of the best options for someone looking to learn the fundamentals of subtractive synthesis. It also has enough scope that you won't "outgrow" it too quickly. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

[@aegisraven1284]

It's a mini not full size

[@sandyturner1911]

Thanks for this. I think this is my best bet. I am deciding between this and the Minilogue XD. This seems a lot easier to use. The secondary functions are a lot more accessible, I think.

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching, and for your comment. While I'm a big fan of the bass station 2, what it's not is a polysynth. While jt's possible to play paraphonic chords in the way I demonstrate, it's nowhere near as convenient or flexible as using a polysynth. I think the bass station is a great synth to learn synthesis on, and one you won't outgrow, but be sure you are okay with it being monophonic. As a first synth, I'd think you could be happy with either. That being said, the bass station 2 was my first hardware synth and I'm still very happy with it.

[@pedrobagoduva1091]

amazing... thanks lot!

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for watching, and I appreciate your support.

[@pedrobagoduva1091]

Thank you. It’s crazy how such a complete review/analysis has so little like 😢 😉😉

[@pedrobagoduva1091]

You have more on the bass station?. Thks

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

If it's good enough for orbitals live set up, that's all you need though, fantastic instrument.

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for the comment, and for watching. It really is a robust little synth. Orbital using one is a great endorsement. They work nicely live: a good mix of simplicity of controls with depth of sound.

[@Morgeth]

Anyone know why when he switched it to paraphonic mine kinda just doesn’t do that when I press the button again?

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for the comment, and for the watching. First of all, paraphonic mode was added in the v2.5 firmware, so you need that version or later. With that firmware, you hold shift and press the key that's labeled oscillator 1/2 sync, twice and the display will show "P-0"; use the patch selection button to change it to "P-1" and it'll be in paraphonic mode. A lot of the extra features are behind similar multi key presses to access virtual menus: not super convenient, but nice to have. I hope this explains it.

[@Morgeth]

@@ChalkWalkMusicgotchu thanks for replying 🙏

[@flexlabz]

When you connect the 1/4 inch cord To your interface do you use a mono line cord or stereo

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

The main, mono output (which you should use for sending to a mixer or audio interface) is unbalanced mono, so you should use a 1/4" TS cable, aka guitar/instrument cable, aka a mono cable; I hope this helps!

[@stephane406]

Have you got the lastest updates ?

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for your comment, and for watching. I couldn't say for certain, but the ability to tune the sub-oscillator (which I use in this video) was added in the v4.14 firmware. Assuming that's the latest, then I have it.

[@htechdance]

How do you get your zero patch to be an init patch?

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for your comment and for watching. I used the Components patch manager: novationmusic.com/en/components . I did it several years back but I think it can create init patches. If you don't want to use the software, just make your own init patch and save it (I think I edited the init patch made by Components to add velocity sensitivity, for example).

[@israelmartinez211]

I touch twice the Osc 1-2 and just appear “off/on” option :(

[@ChalkWalkMusic]

Thanks for the comment, and for watching. The oscillator 1/2 switch controls whether the oscillator section is making adjustments to oscillator 1 or oscillator 2. Note that, since the synth has presets and multi function controls, the knob position doesn't reflect the preset; this means if you move that switch, nothing changes until you turn a knob in the corresponding section. Both oscillators are always active, but the mixer setting determines which you hear. You use the mixer controls to select how much of each oscillator (and other sound sources) is sent into the filter (and on to the amplifier and finally through the distortion to the output).

[@georgekempson670]

Same here, although if i use the patch selector and select on, then the sync 1-2 light comes on in the Osc section, not sure if that has the same affect?