Superbooth 2025: Novation has unveiled the Bass Station II analog Synthesizer in a limited Swifty Edition in collaboration with Ian Swift
The Novation Bass Station II paraphonic analog Synthesizer has been on the market for 12 years. The British synth offers a wide range of analog sounds thanks to its two filter modes.
Novation has continuously developed the synth over the last years and added new features. This includes the crazy AFX mode, where each key becomes a different patch, and micro-tuning support. At Superbooth 2025, Novation presented a limited edition Swifty Edition of the Bass Station II.
Novation Bass Station II Swifty Edition
Swifty? Is Novation now making synthesizers for the Swifties with Taylor Swift? No!
The new Novation Bass Station II Switfty Edition is a collaboration between Novation and Ian ‘Swifty’ Swift, the visionary designer behind the unmistakable aesthetics of Mo’ Wax, Straight No Chaser, and many more. He is a key figure in the evolution of the visual identity of UK hip-hop, jazz, and street music culture.
This limited–edition Bass Station II features Swifty’s signature typography, custom–printed panels, and graphic motifs inspired by rave flyers, dubplate
culture, and DIY zines.
Technically, the synth is identical to the regular Bass Station II, and it has the latest firmware, which has the AFX mode and micro tuning function.
On top, it features new patches from a diverse selection of Bass Station II power users: Legowelt’s endless electronic curiosity, Pecq’s kaleidoscopic alt–pop sounds, and Maria Chiara Agirio’s breathtaking, “crazy
good” modern jazz fusion.
Features Overview
- dual oscillators with PWM & additional sub-oscillator
- two analog filter modes: classic; multi–mode switchable 12 / 24 dB slope and Acid 24dB slope
- Flexible modulation with two envelopes and two LFOs
- 64 Presets and 64 user locations
- Pattern–based arpeggiator with step sequencer and Rhythm parameter
- Pre–filter drive circuit and analogue distortion
- AFX Mode (patch per key)
- Micro–tuning (Tuning Table available via Components)
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys with assignable aftertouch
- Pitch and Mod wheels
- line input: 6.3 mm mono jack
- line output: 6.3 mm stereo jack
- stereo headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
- sustain pedal 6.3 mm jack socket
- 5-pin DIN MIDI in/out
- USB B port
- Power via USB or power supply
- included power supply unit and USB cable
First Impression
As I’ve said many times before, I’m not a big fan of special editions, whether they’re from Arturia, Korg, or Novation. This special look looks fun, but whether I’ll always want my Bass Station 2 to look like this is another question.
It will be more interesting to see if this version will sell out as quickly as the AFX version did in 2020.
Novation Bass Station II Swifty Edition will be available in a one-only batch for $499 USD, £374.99 ex VAT, and 420,16€ ex VAT. Shipping will start mid-June 2025.
More information here: Novation
Hello,
Do you know if the “new firmware features”, are also written on the current regular “non-limited” edition (or non AFX version) of the Bass Station II ?
Thank you
I’m not sure how they come out of the box, but it’s very easy to update firmware on any Bass Station II. I bought one when it first came out and it now has all the new features.
Hello Quiet Fury.
Thnk you for you reply, but I do not ask about the firmware update here, but about the new feature *printed* on the front panel of the regular Bass Station. Are the labels updated with the “newest firmware features as it is for the Swifty or the AFX edition ?
THank you
If the images on the novation website for the normal Bass Station 2 are to be believed there is nothing printed to indicate afx mode etc. There is that info on AFX and swifty version though it seems