GForce Novation Bass Station Review: A Modern Take on a Classic Synth
Back in the early ‘90s, when dance music was exploding and everyone wanted that squelchy, resonant bass sound, the Roland TB-303 had already become a legend—but it was expensive and increasingly hard to find. Enter Novation’s Bass Station, a synth that wasn’t just a clone but a reimagining of the acid bass aesthetic. With its fat analog-style oscillators, switchable 12dB/24dB filter, and hands-on control, it quickly became a go-to for house, techno, and drum & bass producers. It could do the 303 thing, sure, but it also had more range, more punch, and a character all its own. Unlike Roland’s machine, which was designed as an automated bass player, the Bass Station was a proper synthesizer—something producers could shape and tweak to fit a wider range of styles. Now, decades later, GForce has brought the Bass Station into the plugin world, and the question is: does it still hold up, and does this software version capture what made the original so special? This isn’t just a 1:1 recreation—it expands on the original design with polyphony, deeper modulation, built-in effects, and a powerful sequencer. But does it maintain the raw, aggressive charm of the hardware, or does it lose some of that hands-on magic in translation? Let’s dive in and see whether the GForce Bass Station is a worthy evolution of this iconic synth.
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Design & Interface
The GForce Bass Station keeps things looking clean, intuitive, and functional. If you’ve used any of GForce’s other synths like Oddity 3 or Axxess, you’ll feel right at home. The layout is faithful to the original hardware, but it doesn’t cling to the past too tightly—it’s been modernized with a more spacious interface, clearly labeled controls, and a handy preset browser that makes navigation smooth. The oscillator, filter, and modulation sections are easy to grasp at a glance, meaning you can get straight to designing sounds instead of digging through menus.
Workflow-wise, it’s a mix of old-school simplicity and modern flexibility. On the one hand, it’s a one-screen, no-nonsense synth—everything you need is right in front of you, with no hidden tabs or complex routing. That’s a huge plus for quick sound design. On the other hand, the X-Modifier system adds a layer of depth that rewards deeper exploration. You can assign XLFOs and XADSR envelopes to almost any parameter, making it much more than just a "dial-in-a-preset" kind of synth. If you like tweaking and experimenting, this system gives you plenty to play with.
Then there are the extra features that elevate this beyond a simple recreation. The built-in sequencer and arpeggiator are excellent additions for those who love jamming straight from the synth. The integrated effects (distortion, delay, reverb, and chorus) mean you don’t need to load up third-party plugins to get polished results. It’s these modern touches that make it feel like a true evolution of the original rather than just another nostalgia-fueled reissue.
Sound & Features
At its core, the GForce Novation Bass Station delivers what it promises—thick, aggressive, analog-style sounds. Whether you’re looking for booming sub-bass, punchy midrange growls, or sharp, acid-tinged leads, it delivers with clarity, weight, and just the right amount of bite. This thing doesn’t sound like a soft synth struggling to mimic vintage warmth—it sounds like hardware. The filter, in particular, deserves a shout-out. The switchable 12dB/24dB filter has a smooth but aggressive character that can go from round and warm to razor-sharp and squelchy in no time.
The oscillators have been upgraded compared to the original hardware. You get two multi-wave oscillators, but now with FM, noise modulation, and a sub-oscillator on Osc 1. That means you can add extra harmonic richness or completely destroy the sound with FM grit. These additions take it beyond simple bass duties and let you sculpt gnarly leads, resonant drones, and even some atmospheric pads.
And that brings us to its range of applications. The Bass Station name suggests it’s all about bass, but in reality, it’s also a fantastic lead synth. Those snappy envelopes and biting resonance make it perfect for electro-style stabs, gritty techno sequences, and even some aggressive synthwave sounds. Sure, it’s not as deeply modulatable as Serum or Pigments, but that’s kind of the point—this thing has an analog soul, and its raw sound is where the magic happens.
Finally, let’s talk about limitations as a feature. This isn’t a jack-of-all-trades synth, and that’s exactly why it’s inspiring. Instead of drowning you in endless options, it forces you to work within a focused sonic palette. That means when you reach for it, you know you’re getting fat, expressive basslines and leads that cut through a mix. It’s not a synth that tries to do everything—it’s a synth that does one thing incredibly well, and in a world of overly complex soft synths, that’s refreshing.
Performance & Playability
One of the biggest upgrades in GForce’s Bass Station is the inclusion of a built-in sequencer and arpeggiator—a feature the original hardware never had. And honestly? It’s a game-changer. If you’re into hands-on jamming, this makes the plugin way more fun and immediate. The sequencer is simple but effective, letting you program classic acid basslines, rhythmic stabs, or evolving lead patterns straight from the synth. The arpeggiator is equally solid, with a range of sync options, octave shifts, and rhythmic variations that make it easy to create anything from bouncing electro grooves to spiraling techno leads. It’s the kind of thing that turns a static synth into an instrument that begs to be played—a huge plus if you like jamming ideas before committing to MIDI.
Then there’s the built-in effects suite, which might seem like a minor addition, but it actually adds a lot of personality to the synth. The distortion is particularly well-tuned, perfect for pushing basslines into growling, aggressive territory. The chorus and delay bring some classic analog warmth, especially useful for giving mono leads a wider stereo presence. The reverb is surprisingly lush, which isn’t always the case with onboard effects in soft synths. And the high-pass filter is a nice touch, letting you clean up low-end rumble without reaching for an external EQ. While you could always use third-party effects, having these built-in lets you shape the sound directly within the synth, making it feel more like a self-contained instrument rather than just another plugin in your chain.
So where does Bass Station fit in modern production? The obvious answer is techno, electro, house, and drum & bass, but there’s more depth to it than just club music. If you need thick, raw basslines, it delivers. If you need screaming lead sounds, it delivers. It even does punchy, detuned pads if you get creative with the oscillators and modulation. The key is that it excels at doing a few things really well rather than trying to cover every possible genre. If you’re the type of producer who likes to reach for a synth knowing exactly what it’s going to give you, this is that kind of instrument. It has the playability of hardware, the convenience of software, and just enough depth to keep things interesting without becoming overwhelming.
Alternatives & Competition
When it comes to bass-focused synths, the GForce Bass Station enters a competitive space alongside classics like Arturia Mini V, TAL BassLine-101, and various SH-101 emulations. The Roland SH-101 has long been a go-to for simple yet effective bass sounds, but it’s much more limited in sound design compared to the Bass Station’s multi-wave oscillators, FM, and modulation options. The TAL BassLine-101 is another strong contender for pure analog-style bass, but it doesn’t have the sequencer, effects, or extended modulation that GForce offers. And if we’re talking about hardware comparisons, the Bass Station II (which is still in production) is the most direct alternative—offering real hands-on control and an extra filter type, but obviously lacking the polyphony, X-Mod system, and workflow conveniences of a VST.
Where GForce’s Bass Station stands out is in its balance of authenticity and expansion. It stays true to the punchy, aggressive character of the original Novation synth, but the added polyphony, X-Modifiers, and built-in sequencer take it beyond a simple bass machine. Unlike something like Arturia Mini V or u-he Diva, which aim for a broader “all-in-one” approach, this synth remains focused—which is its strength. If you’re someone who thrives on a limited but powerful sonic palette, this synth is designed to be immediate, punchy, and mix-ready without endless tweaking.
Is the GForce Bass Station Right for You?
The GForce Bass Station isn’t trying to be an all-purpose synth—it’s a focused, punchy, and unapologetically bold instrument that excels at what it was designed to do. If you’re after deep, weighty basslines, acid-drenched sequences, and raw, cutting leads, this synth delivers in a way that feels immediate and inspiring, much like the original hardware. The 16-voice polyphony, X-Modifier system, and built-in effects push it beyond a simple emulation, making it feel like a true evolution rather than just a nostalgia trip. That said, if you’re expecting a do-it-all sound design monster, you might feel its limitations—but for many producers, that’s part of the appeal. In a world of synths that try to do everything, it’s refreshing to have one that knows exactly what it’s about.
So, is it right for you? If you love bass-focused analog-style synths and want something with more character than your average soft synth, this is a great pick. If you already own a Bass Station II, the plugin offers a different workflow and some added flexibility, but the hardware still holds its own for hands-on control. If your style leans heavily on electro, techno, house, or drum & bass, you’ll get a lot out of this. But if you’re looking for an ultra-versatile synth that can morph into anything, you might be better off with something like Diva, Pigments, or Serum. Ultimately, the GForce Bass Station thrives on its limitations, and if you’re the kind of producer who enjoys working within a tight, well-defined sonic space, that’s where this synth truly shines.
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, which means Internet Tattoo may receive a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.