Novation have released a plugin version of their famous Bass Station from 1993. Developed in conjunction with Gforce it obviously isn’t exactly like the original which was a mono synth with limited but hands on controls – no screen or menu diving was present – but the plugin expands that to 16 voices with mono, unison and poly modes to choose from, a step sequencer and an arpeggiator.
https://www.gforcesoftware.com/products/bass-station
Unfortunately, for me, that is where most of the good bits of this plugin end. It is priced at £99.99 for starters, a frankly ludicrous amount when it is available for free with certain Novation products. Even on sale at £49.99 seems excessive. A common theme with quite a few of my recent reviews is how poorly priced many plugins are these days with Gforce having form in that respect. I mean yes, it is a good sounding plugin, but its not groundbreaking in any shape or form, and some of the products that get you a free version aren’t much more than the £100 they think you will pay! If I was desperate I’d buy a qualifying product, get the free version and sell the product and just have a free plugin…. job done. I mean you might lose say £25 but that’s better than £50 whilst on offer or £100 once the initial sale price finishes.
So to sum up this quick review – sounds nice, works well, is stupidly priced really. Not outstanding in any way shape or form – and this is one of the reasons that I think we shall see a shift again with people shunning plugins or just using the free ones available. Most plugins I review seem just overpriced and lacklustre. I hope that 2025 brings more innovation not more poor overpriced lacklustre offerings!
Bass Station Plugin

Plugin version that expands on the great little 1993 hardware synth that was a lovely little 303 sound-a-like.
Frankly overpriced especially when some Novation products give it to you for free! Whilst it scores 6.3 that score is only realistic if you get it for free…
Pros
Easy to use
Sounds good, though not groundbreaking in any shape or form
Has extra modes like poly and unison and adds fx, arp and a sequencer.
Cons
The pricing is just absurd
Yet another analogue clone that brings little in the way of new features
Another example of something that is just MEH! in the last year or so

Be First to Comment