Synth: Novation BassStation Rack Review by: ianktindale@easynet.co.uk (Ian K Tindale) Summary: Analogue normalised monophonic synth. Fully MIDI. 100 patch memories. Knobs on front are recordable on a sequencer. Rackmount. Attractive. Like it's predecessing keyboard version, supposedly created to cash in on the 'I want my 303' boom, but either misses the goal or surpasses it, whichever school of thought you belong to. Personally, I like the fact that it is more flexible and capable than a 303 synth section. Years Made: May 1995 onwards. Polyphony: monophonic Multitimbrality: no MIDI: Note on/off: Yes MIDI controllers (aftertouch, CC, etc): Pitchbend / pitchmod / Filter mod / Aftertouch/Breath pitch mod / Aftertouch/breath filter mod / Aftertouch/breath envelope gen bias: 1= Mod ; 2 = Breath ; 7 = Vol ; 105 = Filter freq ; 106 = Filter res ; 107 = Filter mod depth ; 108 = Env1 attack ; 109 = Env1 decay ; 110 = Env1 sustain ; 111 = Env1 release ; 112 = Env1 velocity ; 113 = Env2 attack ; 114 = Env2 decay ; 115 = Env2 sustain ; 116 = Env2 release ; 117 = Env2 velocity. Sysex patch dumping: Yes Sysex parameter control: Yes Other inputs/external control: CV/Gate: CV/gate in and out, selectable for 1v/8va + Gate, 1v/8va + s-trig or volts/Hz + s-trig. Can be set to independent MIDI channel from the internal synth. Clock: LFO can be set to sync to MIDI clock Other CV: Audio: input, mix with VCOs. really needs to be something that will be gated at the same time as the BassStation Rack's envelope gens are gated, to hear it, which is where the CV interface comes in useful. Proprietary (DCB, etc): Programmer: Outputs: mono audio, headphones. Patch storage: Patch dumping (tape, MIDI, etc): 100 onboard mem locations: first 40 are ROM, remaining 60 are RAM. dump across MIDI. Voice architecture: VCO1 square (continuously variable PW), saw. VCO2 square (continuously variable PW), saw. +-12 semitones offset. Osc sync. VCF switchable 12dB/24dB slope. variable + and - mod from Env2 or LFO, VCA LFO MIDI lockable, speed and delay controls, random, tri and saw out. Env1 ADSR and MIDI velocity sensitivity knobs - controls the VCA Env2 ADSR and MIDI velocity sensitivity knobs - controls the VCF, PW or pitch Triggering - single, multi or 'autoglide' - described as "2nd key pressed triggers oscillator glide to new note without re-running envelopes". Interface: small (but perfectly okay) knobs. Because these knobs are not really 'connected' to the hardware of the synth in the old-fashioned way, they will not reflect the state of the machine if a memory is recalled, and will 'jump' to a new value when you move it for the first time, if the actual value and knob position differ by any amount. Sequencer/Arpeggiator: No Keyboard/rack: Rack, 1U, very light, very shallow depth. Known problems: too new on the market to show, but my first one had sloppy quality control symptoms - the Sustain pot seemed to have been soldered in out of true, and the knob rubbed against the panel hole. Wise to check it thoroughly first. Accessories: comes with 9v wall wart Related synths/gear: Novation's original BassStation Price range: 399 pounds UK (inc. VAT). Availability: shops Comments: Strengths: Separate CV/Gate channel is extremely useful for conventional synths. Recordable knobs are a boon. No tuning problems. Has a 'demo' mode which also drives any GM drums it finds on channel 10 of its MIDI out. Weaknesses: Knob positions aren't necessarily a valid representation of reality. Having to share VCO modulation and envelope generator knobs is a bit confusing. Labelling the VCF env gen as '2' and the VCA env gen as '1' is not totally intuitive. Overall: A nice, very usable analogue monosynth. Very very new, only time will tell. Other: For it's price, here in the UK, I could easily pick up, say, a Korg MS20 or a MonoPoly. Or about two thirds of a real 303. Then again, factor the MIDIability and flexible CV/Gate in/outs into the price, and the fact that it's a current modern design without obsolete or unreliable parts, and it begins to look like money well spent.