Bass Station II vs Sub 37 // Great Value vs Great
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- Опубликовано: 17 сен 2024
- A look at how these 2 excellent synths compare... one is great value for money and the other is great!!
They've both got their own characters but maybe the BSII is all you need.
► / starskycarr
► Clubbing TV From the Studio:
• From The Studio
Overview 3:25
Arp & Seq 6:25
Filters 8:10
Reso 9:25
303 Stylie 10:35
Env + FM 14:40
Sounds 17:30
PWM 29:40
Osc Sync 33:45
Conclusion 38:05
If this has tickled your BS@ GAS:
amzn.to/2WLE2TB
or if the Sub 37 is still on your hitlist:
amzn.to/2JGulSK
The bad thing about the Novation is that you make a song, and when you put the song in the dancefloor everybody start complaining that there is one sound in the song that it is not a moog, they stop dancing and you get into real problems. People only want to hear songs made with moog.
stupid statement.
@@defa-1629 Of course. It´s sarcasm.
😂
"This song doesn't sound expensive enough!" Hear it all the time
😭😭😭
Worth mentioning: the acid filter on the Bass Station is very sensitive to the levels of the oscillators, turn the oscillators down and avoid using filter overdrive and the sound will have much more resonance.
Man. Thank you so much for mentioning this, I've never gotten good acid sounds out of that filter and this is probably why!
@@lukeelderkin Using feedback by plugging the headphone out back into the external in will let you get some crazy resonance with the acid filter.
Thanks for the tip. The acid filter did sound quite disappointing and tame to me, particular due to the flimsy ressonance. But I will try this 🙂
They both sound great, they are just different.
Got a Subsequent myself, best synth I ever had and currently run it through a BlueSky (reverb) and RE-20 (space echo).
With S&H it gets out of control in a good way :)
I've been waiting for this since the update. Thank you.
Para el precio de un bass station 2 comparado con el moog me parece excelente opción para empezar el novation. Lo acabo de comprar gracias por comprarlos bro!
The interesting bit comes in when you start comparing sounds from 17:31 with one and two oscillators. At first, the Moog seems to have much more body and weight with each of its single oscillators. Then, when you dial in both oscillators and the sub, the Bass Station really starts to kick arse. That's where you could argue it's not worth going all the budget for a Moog. Obviously, the Sub 37 can do a lot more stuff that the BSII cannot. But for bass only, the BSII really works amazingly. Remove a bit of top end by turning down filter frequency, add overdrive and bob's your uncle.
Ha - two years later and I am re-watching this video... 🙈 I must say, maybe it's because I am getting old, but when the sub osc comes in at 22:40, I just love that Moog sound. There is nothing that compares to that fat, warm, round growl.
Nice video, thank you. I bought the BS2 recently and I think it has to be one of the best value-for-money synths available
IT IS
It's a cheaper answer
Bass Station 2 is a remarkably great piece of equipment that goes to show great sounds can be bought for minimal outlay. It sounds amazing playing live and can pin you to the wall with the shear power of the bass. The Sub 37 is also a great piece too. Your choice as to whether you can afford the extreme difference in price.
There is is something about that sub 37, that connects with me like no other synth.
Love that synth!
Yup, that's the single hardware synth staying with me forever ;)
So magical
*Subsequent, yes ❤
The Sub 37 on that Josh Wink line is perfect.
Thank you very much for this video. I don't have the cash for the Sub37 but I have just decided to buy the "baby" bass station II. Together with my DREADBOX Hades, Nord Lead 2, Boss DR-880, TR8-S, Boss 500 series pedals and MOTU's new M4 audio interface, I think I can compose serious dance music! I'm a starter! I think for my budget, I bought very good gear. Best video about these 2 synths so far. Thank you again!
Exactly what I needed! Thank you so much for this detailed comparison
re the bass station 2: "If two or more notes are required to be played in a legato fashion (irrespective of the
pattern selected by the Rhythm control), play the first note and then press the Legato
button 41 . A dash ‘-‘ will appear in the display after the step number to indicate that legato
has been applied to this note. This, and the following note, will now be played in a legato
style. Similarly, notes can be tied (extended in duration) in a similar manner by playing the
same note either side of the legato dash ‘-‘. (Note that it is not possible to tie rests in this
way.)"
Thanks. - I had to do this to programme the 303 line - which is why I couldn’t use the the amp env to alter the gate length. The tied notes wouldn’t play over 2 steps if the decay time was reduced.
at 13:40 amazing... I can't stand still to that... thanks!
Exclusively played guitar for 20yrs before I caught the synth bug, so far I’ve got Roland JD-XI, Roland System 1 and the Korg Minisynth, I think my next will be Bass Station. Thanks for the informative video!
Nice comparison. Thanks.
I have the Sub 37 and I like it a lot. To me the Sub 37 has a slightly richer sound in your comparisons. For live gigs it probably wouldn't matter. But I agree it's easy to get lost just inventing sounds.
I calculated that there are about 2 million modulation combinations. Each combination offers infinite possibilities. I feel confident that there are some sounds you can make on the Sub 37 that no human will ever hear.
Man the bass station is awesome. Quite impressive when you think about it
I played some gigs with a Sub 37 alongside a Nord Electro, but finally sold it due to its size and weight, since I often use public transport to get to the bandroom. I was working with various synth-modules since then, often missing the hands on control while playing sessions with the band. And here I stumble over this video... thanks for that! Guess I will pick up a Bass Station 2 soon...
Really different. Both sound real good. Moog sounds a bit more like real old school analog, bs2 a bit more modern. I like the moog best, but at almost $1000 difference, the sound difference is not that much better.
Maybe the difference more obvious in the modulation options and other sound design tools. Higher cost means always more value in case the logo doesn't cost 1000$
That's really not true when it comes to Moog
Starsky does a great job with these videos - but I'd try them both side by side in person, and get back to me : )
@Allious Unknown Excuse me, but I don't understand you, sir.
@Allious Unknown Hmm.. I assume that you mean that professional using BS2 can be better than amateur using Sub37. That still doesn't make my point invalid. In equal starting point like two professionals using both synths makes a difference if the other synth simply has more capabilities.
Interesting comparison! I love these comparison videos. Frankly I'm in love with both of these synths. The Sub 37 is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and best designs I've ever put my hands on. It strikes a lovely balance of playability and control in a relatively compact design. It sounds amazing and it's got a ton of programming options while still packing a lot into the physical interface.
Meanwhile, you could almost say the same thing about the Bass Station II! It looks the business in its own way, and while it doesn't have as many knobs, it still packs a lot under the hood. I think there also should be a lot of praise given to Novation for continuing updates to this synth to improve the functionality as well. Novation is, IMO, currently one of the best companies in this regard.
Having said that, I have had (and have) quite a few 25-key synths, and they're great but sometimes an extra octave feels like it makes a huge difference, and the benefit on top of the extra keys is the extra room the rest of your interface gets. So that's a huge plus for the Sub 37. But then there's the price gap, which will only get wider as these two synths get older. Also, I have to admit that I do l love being able to plop down on the couch with a small synth in my lap and just play with it.
If you ever manage to get your hands on a Sub Phatty I'd love to see it compared to one or both of these synths!
I forgot to add: I love the sound of both of these. Also, I keep telling myself I already have enough damn monosynths but yet I keep wanting more for some reason, and at least with these they are paraphonic so I can use that as a justification "because I can play two notes at the same time, it's different from my other monosynths!" I feel like I'm trying to justify a big purchase to my wife or something. It's just so hard fighting the allure of a great monosynth!
Funny, i like BS2 more. Great comparison though, thank you!
Yes, they’ve definitely got different characters and the BS2 is a bit more open and modern sounding to my ears.
I am getting the Novation Summit
Have the Summit & Hydrasynth great synth
the Sub 37 is awesome but the BS2 is the one i'll buy simply because of cost.
Fantastic video! Sound, practical advice! You can tell a mile off your experience! After a twenty year hiatas, and becoming an accidental Korg user, I bought a Bass Station 2, while secretly desiring a Sub32 and pre-order the Korg Wave State. I am very impressed with my first week with the BS2, but do love the sounds of the Sub32. Maybe one day. Keep up the fantastic. Videos!
This is a much needed video , thanks !
I sold the sub 37, kept the BS 2. The sub37 is beautiful, but the oscillators are too dark, the filter is really great and unique. I think the BS2 has more sounding range though. I never used the sequencer on the moog its too convulated to use, where the BS2 is fast to use and easy. (edit: the sub37 killed it on the 303 segment! :)
right? the sub37 is super dark and dirty especially with the multidrive
had one for a while but sold it too and don't regret it
Not sure it's the oscillators that are dark but the filter on 4 pole mode cuts off around 15k on my sub phatty even when its maxed out. Workaround is to use one of the lower pole modes.
The oscillators are not really dark, but the filter doesn’t fully open up until you dial in envelope or keyboard modulation and raise the resonance a bit.
Subsequent37 cured this darkness, I think? Wherever it eminates from (osc; filter; etc) … ?!
Buy 3 bass station 2s, a midi splitter so you can poly chain, a cheap mixer and an ms70cdr and you've still got change in your pocket from the Moog. And the 2.5 / 4.14 updates are sick AF. Love Novation.
"is great value for money and the other is great!!" - lol!
ja man gleich meinen sub 37 für 1100 verkaufen und mir die bassstation neu für 375,- kaufen make may day ;)))
You spend a lot of time going through the unique things that the Sub 37 can do but the Novation can’t. But you don’t spend any time on the unique features of the BSII that cannot be achieved on the Moog such as the unique ring mod implementation, AFX microtonal tuning and drum machine mode.
Thanks - I realise that. I spent so long going through the updates etc that I had to edit it out. Originally there was so much more Bass Station in here. Most of that info is available elsewhere and this was getting soooo long.
@@StarskyCarr Honestly, I've never understood the obession with 'being too long'. I already know of and have watched videos about those updates - yet - if the info provided is good, it's not useless. Besides, in a comparison, it would be fair to be complete on both sides. What's more, people can watch videos in chunks, skip forward, and all sorts of things - we're not forced Clockwork-Orange-style ;)
@@DarkSideofSynth Especially for you... :)
ruclips.net/video/bkjmBAnZFR4/видео.html
@@StarskyCarr awesome response, subbed
That's really nice, I sub
Great video, many thanks Starsky !
Biggest different seems to be the price only! Happy i bought a BS2 :) There will be no longer a Subsequent on my wishlist.
Subsequent (v2) sounds better than this v1 Sub.
I split the difference between the two and got the Moog Little Phatty...
A bass player walks in my studio. He looks through my synths/keyboards. He asked "where's the Moog?" I pointed right to my Bass Station II. LOL. I did end up getting a Moog but I still use my BS II. Awesome video.
Great vid i enjoyed watching that, I'd love to own a sub 37 but sadly out of my price range. Gotta say I'm more than happy with my bs2 though it's a great synth for the price and with the latest update it's just got even better 🙂 fantastic that novation are still supporting it in such a way
I own and use BSII for years, amazing workhorse synth for all possible styles and use. Awesome piece of hw and even better now with new features. And to highlight something... aftertouch response on that machine is amazing! Im pretty sad that this DCO architecture and filters (diode ladder) wasnt used in new Novation poly's (Peak / Summit). Programming more complicated patches can go bit annoying and complicated, but when you get used to it, its kinda ok. Overall its top value for pricepoint and most of all, great sounding synth.
Why are you disappointed about the Peak? I love that the Peak uses wavetables over typical waveshapes. It adds to its character. Plus is still has a real analog filter.
@@andivax Yeah and I do preffer the sound and expressivity over modulation options. Anyways, overall winner seems to currently be the Polybrute (of course lot more expensive than Peak).
@@andivax I wrote this comment 3 years ago and yeah, nothing changed, BSII still my amazing workhorse for all genres. :)
@@andivax Many new users might welcome that. :)
@@andivax I guess here on YT with nice video and demonstration? Im not really end user for such, because I create mostly my own patches for everything.
Had this video cast to my TV while reading the comments and would hear the sounds and think it was coming from the Moog and it wasn’t and vice versa . They are pretty identical . I have the sub 37 and it amplifies the sound which I can feel in my ears which I don’t like. I have a novation supernova II and it has some very rich awesome bass sounds which reminds me of the Odyssey which is distinctively different from the Moog. It’s the controls (knobs) when jamming that makes me like the Sub 37 and my polys the Supernova II and Korg Prologue. Don’t like extra button presses and limited knob functions of smaller synths or the smaller keyboards with the button presses to access different octaves.
BS2 sounds better to me. Maybe for synthbass in a funk band would lean into a Little Phatty but for electronic/techno music BS2 is just better.
You just can't beat that Moog richness.
Yeah Starks!
No need to not have them both.Great vid x
I have four Bass station 11’s and the original keyboard one.
I will absolutely own a sub 37 soon though.
I was amazed to see the 37’s ability to do the acid.
Quite an eye opener.
I wonder if Novation are going to give us one last update where we,at last have the sequencer that completes the package.
The Filter modulation via Osc 2 on the Bass Station is actually much more versatile than that if you change octave, waveshape and ad LFO or Envelope to osc2 and filter, but sure it sounds different from the Sub 37.
Anyway GREAT demo. The BS2 is quite an underrated synth, it has so many great capabilities
Thanks. I only touched in the filter FM so it’s got more flexibility than I had time to demo. I’m a fan of the Tempest, Rev 2 and Pro 8 which all have a similar system, so maybe I take it a little for granted as I know how flexible it is.
Filter mod is one of my fave BS2 features but I've never thought to get freaky with it like that. Nice tip, thanks.
@@ben1210 remember: ALWAYS get Freaky.
Underrated? By who? What an overused word.
@@htechdance way too many cork sniffing players who think that a inexpensive synth can't be a good one
It might be darker for you but it's hard to tell through youtube audio compression and pc speakers, only the brightness of the bass station is a little more noticeable. I believe you though.
14:23 Oh yes Oh yes!!
I have a BS2 and it is INCREDIBLE value for money, but sometimes I find it hard to do live tweaking and the sheer number of settings (especially with recent firmware updates) overwhelming.
Haha.. I guess there's always a down side :)
The Moog sounds much more expensive, like an oldschool synth
" I love this song, it sounds so expensive." 😑
Dumbest. Comment. Ever.
ironically, the BS2 is not my first choice, or second, when it comes to laying down a bassline. i feel it covers leads, melodic arps & sequences better. i like to have the Grandmother or the MS-20 as my bassline units primarily. Overall, nothing really compares with the BS2 for bang-for-your-buck. It's very flexible & is a workhorse. Never tried the Sub37 though & probably never well unless I find find one in great condition for no more than $1k.
"Throwing them both through the Culture Vulture..."
Needle scratch....
The $350 synth, and the $1100 synth both sound good through the $2500 tube compressor lol
Haha - I wish I’d added the needle scratch myself :)
@@StarskyCarr jokes aside - great demo, I just picked up a BS2 and will be pairing it up with a Grandmother.
I played on a Moog today at guitar center Hollywood very nice
The sub is great. And the behringer model d is brighter but oh so much closer to a mini moog model d. You need both 🤗
Subsequent must be closer to a Model D, then, because it is definitely brighter than the v1 Sub
@@kierenmoore3236 👍🏼 Cool. But the envelope controls of the mini make a big difference imho.
This demonstrates the some of the flaws of Bass Station 2. Very illustrating video. Good job on that. Maybe I can live without gate length adjustment as BS2 will be my first physical synth. There's always more value that comes with the high cost of a synth. But I feel like BS2 is a good starting point whether it turns out I'm into hardware synths or not. There's no point of me buying over a 1k synth just to test out if I'm actually into physical synths. And of course when you get to know your first synth you will know better what you want from a synth. Just like I know by this point that I don't wanna make automations with a mouse but by hands instead.
Yeah.. (Replying here, to your comments both here and above.)
I feel the same about step by step progression.
However, in terms of investment, I reckon one loses less money if one gets a more credible synth (in this example) instead of getting a cheaper one to start out.
Thats where my conundrum lies :
I don't like buying a cheaper product knowing that I will evolve, and consequently want a better one.
I'd rather just get the better one from the start..and evolve with it. I don't mind it being overkill for a year or two..do u know what I mean?
I know I want the Moog. I know I don't want to remain working with softsynths..
I just also know that I haven't messed with them enough, in order to fully know, what I am doing..and therefore.. I'll just wait it out a bit, before I dive into 1k+€ synth.
If I happen to NOT be able to put the hours that I want, into the Moog..I'll probably sell it way easily than the bass station. And lose less money in the process.
Did you get the bass station, then?
@@V4D2 I feel like the exact opposite way. But first I want to say that decision making is very difficult especially when you try to get the most out of an investment. The core idea behind me getting a synth is do what I've already used to do with VSTs but with more control and connection to the instrument which gives me joy in return while making music. Let's say that I have basic needs I expect from my first synth, nevermind the extra functions. And while massive and expensive synths can do many things and perhaps a better job, I still can't know for sure if I actually enjoy using them in a long run. So in a sense if I spend 1k to a synth and it happens to be the wrong one for me, I think I lose more money in case I don't happen to find someone willing to pay enough for used expensive synth. In that case I also have better chances to sell the synth for a good price if it's globally in demand.
I think Bass Station 2 is credible for just a mono synth. Its lefts in its price range many competitor synths behind both in functions and also in user ratings. But it's almost impossible to know what long term value it has in my studio. I believe at least 2 years of use will be needed for me to know if actually want something else instead. And it's also impossible to know if I fall in love with it completely and never sell it. I just have to try the ice with a stick and hope it withstands. At least that's my approach to this problem.
I enjoy your discussion willing lengthy perspectives on this one. Thanks for stopping by. :)
PS. No, haven't got the BS2 yet, I'm actually only 10 euros away from the Thomann price as including you, I live in Europe, Finland to be exact. I'm also wondering do I have to wait my order until black Friday or not. I'd like to place my order long before Christmas because here in Finland the post is having an extended strike and all packages will be delivered with a delay.
Just watched your video on what the BSII has on the Sub37. Being that the Sub Phatty has a 2 octave 'board and basically the same engine that the Sub37 has, that may have been a better comparison at least in a closer price range. Of course the Sub 37 has the Arp and Seq that the SP doesn't so maybe not. I guess we need both ;)
Good point - but I haven’t been able to get hold of a Sub Phatty to demo. ... and obviously we need both ;)
watching you discuss synths is so entertaining. Have you picked up a subharmonicon yet?
I own both, but I have to say that the Bass Station 2 with all new firmware updates and more different filter types is the much more versatile synth and it absolutely sounds georgeous in my opinion, when you don't compare it to a 303 and use it for other sounds. The Sub37 is a very powerful specialist. If I had to choose just one to keep, it would tend probably more to the Bass Station.
Wow ! Great vid , and comparison
Bassstation sounds fantastic, but yeah when it comes to modulation the Sub37 wins, also with the sync sound.
Headphone difference could be due to difference in headphone amp?
I always notice differences when I have my cans on as well.
Fun comparison , thanks!
With headphones you can hear the subtle textures and details of the sound. Edit. Maybe those subtle details are lost in the room when listening on speakers.
21:50 … I like that phase-y setting on the BSII … not sure whether it would cut/how it would work (or not) in a mix, but I like it …
I’m hearing pretty typical DCO v VCO; Moog v non-Moog filter stuff … Both of them have some really great sounds!!
VCO Moog seems capable of a little deeper, phatter, rounder, juicier bass … and the DCO Novation seems capable of some more cutting bass lines and leads. BSII might sound more modern than the Sub37, but the Sub37 itself is modern sounding for a Moog imho … (or perhaps that’s only relative to the Voyager, which I always think of as having an even softer, rounder sound - the softest/roundest of all Moogs 🤷🏻♂️ ?!?! … ).
Excellent tutorial .. Each has a unique ''sound'' if i was to gift one to someone no matter the price then it would be the bass station .. Dirty synth and the classic journey through sound eventually leads to Moog budget allowing
I had both and preferred the Bass Station. I didn't like the Sub 37 at all. Everything I wanted to do always seemed to be a few button presses too far away, or buried in a menu on that super small, tiny screen. I think it's a rather poorly designed synth.
the bsII would be ok for sub basses in rap hip hop music ? THX
"Roland vs old school" yeah, I like that comparison! It's a good way to describe it. The Bass Station II seems to have more harmonics but less bottom end, at least in the settings that you're comparing.
Edit: Haha, I was just about to make the same observation, the addition of the sub-oscillator really puts the two much closer! As you said it fattens the sound!
Re 303 style: you mention that the BS2 sequencer does not have gate time/note length control, but that it could be controlled by an external sequencer that does, e.g., from a DAW. So this is a limitation of the BS2 sequencer rather than the BS2 sound engine, right? I wonder what if would have sounded like if the Sub 37 controlled the BS2 via MIDI. A possible workaround for the BS2 could be to use two BS2 sequencer steps tied together for each step in the sequence. Then you could use a rest instead of a tie to effectively create a 50% gate time.
You’re absolutely right. I think I mentioned it was a sequencer issue rather than the sound. Using 2 steps would reduce the max seq length but should be a good workaround. Nice idea.
BS 2 sounds better here. Or more to my tastes rather.
Sounds more plastic and to well behaved wich of course how all dco based synth sound , the one exception for me maybe was the crumar ds2 wich really had balls for a dco synth
I know the BS2 is better behaved volume wise with the distortion on, but there is a limiter built in that could help. Not that I've used it myself. Still have to reach for the manual quite often! Love it.
What I got from this is what I really want is a culture vulture 🤪
Im a bassist who wants to be multi instrumentalist on stage aiming to be sessionist. This video helps me a lot. Was thinking to spent on novation but now i can tell that i need a subsequent. But its not available here in my country now. So gonna go for novation just to see wether im fit with bass synth or not. And then might looking for subsequent thanks man 🙏
Update* i owned a novation and then sold it, i hate hows the keyboard feels like plastic and so light.
So i just bought a subs25, its a game changer, the sounds is like 10x better.
I can hear the details, the sub 25 is warmer, hope you can do a review of sub 25 vs novation bass station
Differences are really apparent on laptop speakers even with just the raw waveforms, maybe because they're most pronounced in the upper mids and highs and the laptop speakers pretty much only reproduce those.
Both sound really good though. The overall character of the Bass Station II reminds me more of an SH101 than of my original Bass Station Rack, Sub 37 sounds like a Moog.
People complaining about how dark (which I love) the Sub 37 is, try a reverb pedal. Moog got lucky with the Sub 37 tribute edition as far as I'm concerned.
To me Moog sounds muffled and BS2 more rich. When it comes to complaining it's just personal preferences, or where you are used to. Idk though if Moog's signal is actually more clean due to higher quality sound circuit and if the richness is actually just extra harmonics on top of a base sound. That might be the case. But I like BS2 sound better.
Reverb pedals don’t generally alter the eq of the base sound that much (the repeats, sure - but that’s different)… and most tend to muddy up the sound even further, if anything. Moog definitely brightened this model up with the Subsequent37 edition, so there was definitely a issue/quality in the sound that was recognized and changed for the Subsequent model.
BS2. STILL the most synth for ue money!
Great video, I really enjoyed it!
Very nice demo. Thanks man.
The moog is - as always - seriously overpriced. Consider what you get with the Novation for 1000 less. There isn't that much difference. The Moog does sound a tad more defined and fatter though. I think it will sit better in a mix by default. The novation probably will need more tweaking. The filter and resonance of the Moog however is unbeatable. There, the novation is no match. Is it worth a 1000? For some it is I guess.
Lawrence O the sub37 is one of the most reasonably priced Moog synths when you consider features honestly and it just sounds so amazing
Subsequent sounds much better
2nd listen through to this. great video as ever. Own the sub 37 and love it. Have played the BS2 a couple of times as was considering one 2nd hand for a while. mostly decided against as the Moog really covers this for me. Good sounds though and great value. Not sure if you mentioned the build quality of the BS2... specifically I really noticed the knobs feeling plastic and less sturdy? think I'd still very sooner have a BS2 than no monosynths... and I think over the BS1.
Over the BS1, for sure (I think) … but I’d like to see a BSII v Super Bass Station (the earlier rackmount) comparison …
Great video. Out of curiosity, what synth did you use for the detuned chord sound in the beginning of the vid?
14:20 so by using my daw to program the bs2 and adjusting the gatelength i can get nicer sounds out of it? did i understand this correctly?
Using the DAW to draw in the exact note lengths - so you can have very short to long ties. So you’re not ‘programming’ the sequence into the BS2 via the DAW, but playing it via the sequencer in your DAW. ... if that makes sense. So it can’t help if playing DAWless live, but will work in the studio or using a DAW live.
@@StarskyCarr Ok great, thanks! Just saw your "Bass Station 2 Additional Functions" video and im already on ebay searching for an offer!
The latest firmware makes the BS2 the most bang for the buck analog mono synth available nowadays. You can even detune the sub oscillator so you can play major and minor chords via the paraphony option and you can do minimoogish 3-oscillator-basses.
Ive a little demo of it here:.. some cool stuff- ruclips.net/video/a1Wm7wRhxlE/видео.html
I think is the best hardware to work with Omnisphere spectrasonics
I jelled with the BS2 and like the sounds quite a bit. Almost sounds pre-compressed. Some people say the BS2 has a hard time fitting in a mix but the opposite has been my experience.
One thing that might influence your perception of the BSII sounding "brighter" is the fact that both instruments are slightly out of tune with each other, BSII being tuned a bit higher than the moog.
Not sure that a Moog is the synth to compare the Bass Station to. The Moog is so much richer and multi-dimensional. I've always thought the BS had more of a Roland sound. Maybe a BS vs 101 or Prologue comparison would be closer
I agree, the BS 2 is very Roland-ish, but thinking more along the lines of what’s best for your music/production... so hoping that showing them side by side and that they have distinct characters will help someone decide on their best fit.
Great video cheers! Sub 37 sounds massive!
Love your work!
bs2 very surprising
Another excellent video mate thanks :) By they way, did you mean Beyerdynamic DT 880s ? (you said Sennheiser)
Haha.. oh yeah .. well spotted - my others are Sennheiser. I’ve obviously got the same gene as my grandmother who would call us all by the wrong name!!
@@StarskyCarr I know the feeling, my mother used to call me by my brother's name frequently! I get around that problem by calling people 'mate' or the usual Mansfield 'youth' that everyone gets called round here ;)
OK IM BUYING A SUB37
Excellent comparison. Like how you went through a couple common patch structures with both side by side and A/B them. BSII is on my to-buy list because I like the sound and the price is just too good to pass up.
If you a Novation fan I’d be interested in what you think of the Summit, which offers great bang for the buck for its price (plus British company so probably cheaper).
I’ve only played it a couple of times… first impressions are it sounds great and has super flexible mod routings - but I’ve got it covered with other synths which is why I haven’t tried it in-depth.
You review loads of gear you’ve already ‘got covered’ … Why isn’t the flagship synth of a great, British synth manufacturer, worth your while - Honestly? 🤔
I went in to buy a BS2 , but found the dual aspect interface really annoying , and I thought it sounded cold and hard. And the filter zippered and didn’t do much for me.
On the way out of shop I played the Sub 37.. just for a laugh as it was out of my price range.
I feel in love with the sub 37’s warm , or darker but much more fluid ‘analogue’ sound, it just sings and is more musical or tonally subtle and richer. So I saved and got an ex demo one 6 months later 😎
The BS2 can maybe be wider sound on first hear like we hear here, but once you tune into the sub 37 it’s got endless beautiful tones , Before even exploring the modulation and sequencer.
But a bit of high end EQ on sub 37 remedies this difference.
I also thought the Roland System 1 had a nicer tone and filter , especially the promars plugout.
It’s a good contender and even more flexible monosynth with the plugouts feature. Plus very similar price.
Might be better to compare these 2 next?
The BS2 inerface drives me nuts. I've lost more patches than I've ever managed to save - and sometimes that was while trying to save them...
Performing live with knobs that might be assigned to any of a number of possibilites, and can only make parameters jump to the new position when you touch them, must be like tight rope walking without a net. Sure, some people could do it, but why would you want to?
It's the only occasion where I've bought a synth and wished I'd spent the money on something else.
@@TooSlowTube Worth buying a nice, used one. They hold their value. Nothing at all to lose, then …
@@kierenmoore3236 I bought mine new, and it's been a waste of money. I have plenty of synths, many of them not used in a while, but the BSII is the only one I feel that way about.
Man, I wish you could have used the Sub 37 to play the 303 sequence on the Bass Station 2! That would have been very interesting! I'm a little surprised there's NO control over the note gate on the sequencer. That seems like a very basic thing to me. If I remember correctly, the original 303 had like a staccato option I think? I have to admit it's been... crap, about 2 decades now... time flies... since I last used Propellerheads' Rebirth, so I can't quite recall (although I think I'm going to have to pick up a Behringer TD-3 when they release because at $150 I'd be an utter idiot not to).
Anyway, yeah even the sequencer in Korg DS-10 on the Nintendo DS has some kind of gate length control. Let's hope Novation gets on that because it's a serious oversight.
The 303 uses transistors but acting as diodes
@Starsky Carr
The difference is probably made by the vca circuit coloring on each synth....
Question: which firmware versions were on both synths ?
Asking for my son.... he just got his BS2AFX.....
I think this was made a few weeks before the AFX update… so I made an AFX update video a couple of weeks later!
When I was living in the UK ...that is where I got my first synth...it was ULTRANOVA....I actually didn't know much about synths besides Arturia Arp 2600 that I was playing around for a year long...so I sold it...Ultranova...but only because I thought that I need an analog synth! xD
Bass station is analog...but anyway...I have a question....which synth would you pick up for hip hop bass alrounder? Bass station would do the job think?
nice comparison. one question what du u think about the Roland SE 02 vs the bass station 2. which one would u prefer If u had to choose ?
I’ve not played the SE02 but had an SE-1 that I loved (wish I’d kept it tbh). I think the choice would be more about how you’ll use it. SE is small, but pretty much knob per function and the BS2 has dual functions for many knobs... but it does have a keyboard!! Sound wise there won’t be much in it. If you use editors or librarians - which has the best ?? There’s a free web interface for the BS2 and there are librarians and patchbanks available from novation... a hard choice but I’m leaning more toward BS2
at 37:28 reminds me of Alan Wilder and Recoil.... Moog is always a Moog isn't it?
I like the warmth and fatness of the Moog. When the Sub is engaged you can hear the difference even on an RUclips video
I have Sub Phatty and BS II. They have different charizma. BS II is soo good. It´s my main workhorse. There is only one problem. BS II is made of cheap components. Connectors are disconeting from motherboard and knobs are broken. After 9 years of extensive live performances.
what do you think, is it worthy getting bass station II if i already have ultranova? (i know that's a bit of a weird question, but you just mentioned in the video what you replaced the bass station with supernova)
I’ve never used the ultra ova, but suspect it’s an evolution of the supernova :) hard to say tbh without playing next to each other, but I’d be more tempted to go for another synth for some variation - but as I say I don’t know how different the BS2 and ultra nova sound to each other.
The ultra nova is very very different. I owned one and sold it, we just never clicked. The bass station is a different animal
I did pretty much the same comparison in the shop, I had a Mini model D (brand new), the Sub 37 tribute ed (which is different from the Sub 37 but similar to the Subsequent), the Minibrute, the BS2 and the ARP Odyssey by Korg.
If I had to do a classification I'd still choose the BS2 and Sub37 for first and I find it hard to say which is the best, the Model D is the second and then the others. I played the Sub 37 and the BS2 for a long time and I decided that paying 3 times for almost the same thing was not worth so I purchased the BS2. With the firmware updates it shown to be a very nice choice.
p.s. the comparison has been made with a pretty good Sennheiser headset, the Sub37 is a little softer reacting to the knobs
A brand new Moog Minimoog Model D, 3 years ago?! Or did you mean the Boog Model D?
Interested in how you thought the KARP Odyssey compared, too? Cheers!
Your ranking doesn’t make sense to me - the Tribute/Subsequent are more like a Model D, than the Sub was …
@@kierenmoore3236 I'm pretty sure that the specific piece, the way you amplified it and the mood plays a more huge difference than the instrument itself.
Perception it's strongly subjective and I have no doubt the Moog instruments are cosmetically more pleasant (less plastic, solid knobs).
At the time I purchased the BS2 the Sub37 Tribute Edition was just released.
As far as I can get, but I can be wrong, the model they named Subsequent37 is the same as the Tribute version, which is slightly different from the previous plain Sub37. They claimed the filter is quite better, and it seems it's a real thing.
But still it's very difficult to compare them since personal tastes play a huge role.
Really enjoy your comparison videos. Was wondering if you would care to share some Sub 37 patches like you did with the Deepmind 12.
I’m not organised enough with them - I loose most and the others are all called init patch :) I should take a look at getting them together as a collection.
Moog all day
This is comment #304, to comment #303… great job.
Can the Novation Summit do the Bass Station II sounds?
I just ordered a Novation Summit and Moog Subsequent 37,
Dood, I think you'll be real good with those two beasts.
What do you think - can the Summit do the BSII sounds. TBH, I have both and I’ve never even tried … because I have both. Won’t be quite the same though, because as awesome as the summit is for many things, all analogue (even DCO) is still a different thing …
a moog is a moog!
am i the only one that prefers the bass station? it feels tighter
superb review, for those of us who are really undecided on their 1st monoSynth. (both of these are featured in my comparison list)
Thank you very much!
Timbres on the BS II is incredible close, considering the price difference..
1. Do you reckon, for a beginner.. the more complete layout on the Moog would be more enticing for experimentation..and learning the ways of the Sy(n)th ? :P
2. Do you reckon the Sub-Phatty could be a nice compromise for the Sub 37 and worth the stretch over the BS II ?
I was almost decided on it, but then i was advised to going for the bigger .. paraphonic , arpeggiator & sequencer featured Subsequent 37.
Now i am almost sold on it.. I'm just a little afraid that it could be somewhat overkill..
Having said that, i'm much more inclined to going more high end.. right from the bat, bypassing that usual approach of starting small, and upgrading later.
I need, above all, a pretty versatile and timbre-rich synth, i can write&perform music, namely recording in the studio.
Any input will be much appreciated.
Thank you very much,
cheers from Portugal
If you’re thinking of the S37 I’d go for that. You’ll never be satisfied until you’ve got one! I don’t think it’s overkill - you soon get to grips with the 2 LFOs and modulation options. The editor really helps here too.
@@StarskyCarr Thank you for the feedback TOO ;)
I have been struggling to allow myself ..spending over 1000€ on a Synth.. That's just it.. hehe :P
I know the Sub 37 is probably what i want.. although the SubPhatty might do 90% of what i need, i'm not sure.. _ hence the indecision.
I must say that i am a schooled musician, and i dont come from Synthesis. I play multiple instruments.. and the Moog is to be my main unit for Bass riffs, and atmospheric stuff.
(I took a long break from Music close to 10years ago, and i am now returning.)
Because i have made the transition to software, and i use mostly MIDI instrument-controllers (drums, hand percussion, mallet percussion, EWI and keyboards).. i thought of getting a REAL hardware Synth, in order to having an available ready-to-go instrument, for music writing, and experimentation.
So.. i need a simple enough interface.. hence the Moog idea.
Additionally, i am not very kin on going with cheaper equipment, only to upgrade later.
If you tell me that i wont be satisfied before i get a Sub 37...hehehe.. i probably WILL NOT be satisfied before i get one. :P
The editor seems to being a great asset, in deed. (good tips, man!)
I get frustrated with MIDI a lot... because it has been taking a long time to have my setup ready for music making. I need to get over that, and start making music, again.
You still reckon i should go for the €€xpensive Moog ?
Thanks again!
Cheers from Portugal
PS: a few months ago i looked into the Monolgue, VS the BSII , and i kind of preferred the Novation unit.. although the Korg seems to being a really good 1st Synth . (and it is a 4 voice Poli, right?)
I'll take a look into your video comparison between those 2, as well.
Bunty McCunty yeh.. i made the same decision. ;)
whenever i decide to get A synth.. i’ll get the subsequent 37.
it’s just a matter of coming to grips with spending that amount of €€€.
@@V4D2 Buying a synth is never a small thing unlike buying a candy bar. It's worth to carefully think through what value it has in a long term and what needs it fills, not once or twice but a thousand times. Of course extra functions are nice and opens up good possibilities for future use as well. But in my opinion "nice" is a very shallow reason to buy a synth or any material object for that matter. It's also good to listen to your guts. If a synth feels pricey to you, maybe that feeling has a reason. Maybe you shouldn't over pay if you really don't need it. And also when making buying decision it's worth to have at least an idea of what you're truly looking for. In depth understanding of what you are after protects you from regret.
꧁Low Mike꧂ nailed it Low Mike..nailed it. ;)
i would’ve said the same thing..had my previous comments been from someone else..other than myself.. hehe
it’s almost always better to ‘consult’ other ppl ..other perspectives, as when u do that, u put your reasons, thoughts, and yes.. gut feelings.. out there, to the world.
When one does that..it’s then easier to look at it, from an outsider perspective... and discuss the subject at hand, as it was not ours. Creating this distance is really important..and allows one to being way less biased.
on another note....it is important to buying a product that will motivate you..rather than just be subdued to its function..
if one buys sth “good enough” it will probably have a shorter life in our hands. at least that’s my opinion.
i know the sub37 is way more than what i need..and it is very expensive..for what i would,
at present !,
make with it.
but that’s just it. i’ll get it, soon..and after it is at arms reach, in my studio, it will grow on me..i’m sure.
sooner or later i’ll make it be worth the investment.
Finally....in deed...it is vital to REALLY know what you need. Being informed. fully informed.
i’ve been looking at synths for a year now.. and as i research their options and capabilities i am incrementally in a better position to make the investment.
Ideally..i’d get the Sub 37, and the Prophet, for polyphony. those are the tones i really enjoyed the most, until now.
I’ve found the Hydrasynth to being a good 8voice compromise, however.
Or.... hehehe...i’ll just buy one unit, and get the Matriarch..putting my inner debate to rest. hehehe
thanks for your comment ;)