Novation Bass Station Synth. Help!

[ErielShredz]

Okay, so I recently purchased a Novation Bass Station off a friend knowing well there was something wrong with it. There are no cosmetic damaged inside or out. I plug in the 9v adapter the lights turn on, great. But, when I try to run it through an amp, all I get is a buzzing sound. See now, when I put the speed knob up the buzzing moves faster, when I lower the speed, it gets slower.

I mean, it doesn't seem like anything's wrong, so I just don't get it.
I'm pretty new to synths as well. So, I don't want to go tampering with anything.

So, I was just wondering if anyone knew something about this.
Also, I know this is a pretty old synth, but it's in superb condition.

[realtrance]

Sounds broken.

[adsr500]

it sounds like there may be something up with the LFO. you can go into the utilities and try to adjust the MIDI to LFO clock rate. there is no factory reset that I know of for the BS or BSR, and if the speed knob is affecting the buzz, it may just be that your LFO is set at a super high rate...

[the donal]

A lot of BassStation problems stem from a failing PSU.

I have a similar think on my BS Rack (plus the knobs stopped working after a while, which is a common thing with the PSU problem).

I'll be ordering a new PSU soon- will let you know if this fixes it. (or it'll be £25 I'll never get back!! )

[BenW Focusrite]

Hi ErielShredz,

Ben from Novation Tech Support here.
Try plugging in a pair of headphones. Do you still hear the buzz ?
This will tell us if there is a ground loop issue.

You can contact me if you need further assistance.

http://www.novationmusic.com/support/contact_support/

Best Regards,

Ben Ware - Focusrite/Novation Technical Support

[Ausgeno]

Damn that's good support, makes me want to buy a Bass Station!

[tyler477]

novation has the best support ever I was once in need of sliders and knobs and caps and they sent me the parts FREE I didn;t even need to pay shipping they gave me like 8 knobs MORE than I even needed.



amazing customer support novation. BRAVO

[Synth Buddha]

Two thumbs up for Ben Ware & Novation for showing up and offering support for an old synth. Certainly a HUGE factor in deciding who to buy from next time.

[the donal]

Fantastic support indeed- thanks Ben!

I look forward to hearing the answer on this (I can't try it until I get the new PSU..)

I miss my BassStation.

D

[stoltz]

+1 for novation! they also sent me some replacement knobs for my basstation (actually upon request, they sent me different ones used on the ReMote SL range, which are nicer), also free of charge!

they making buying they're products easy

[BenW Focusrite]

Hey ErielShredz,

A quick follow up as I hadn't heard from you via Novation Support email this week. Did you sort out the problem with your Bass Station ?
If not please get back to me and I'll try to help.

Best Regards,

Ben Ware
Focusrite/Novation Technical Support

[the donal]

I finally. Got my BS Rack plugged in again. All working- sound is a bit scratchy, but some switch cleaner should sort that.

No hum from mine- a relief!

All I need now is a remote control power socket, to save going round the back of the rack....

Nice to have it running again. A great sounding synth.

[Gazdatronik]

I've been trying to fix my basstation for years now, tried to get support via their home office by means of a schematic diagram, or maybe a theory of operation/troubleshooting guide.

The reply was "SOORRY MATE CANT HELP YOU THOSE DOCUMENTS BE HIGHLY CLASSIFIED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WEETABIX WEETABIX WHY DONT YOU JUST BUY AN A STATION THEYRE BETTER YOU KNOW"(paraphrasing)

After some further cajoling they seemed to relent and sent me a non disclosure agreement. They wanted me to sign and keep my mouth shut about documents for a synth from 1994 that was no longer even remotely in production, as if it would bankrupt them.

I signed them and................nothing. This was a few years back

I may be strange in wanting to repair my basstation rather than replacing it, but it is my right to do so, and I will fix it, without their help. If I reverse engineer it, I'll sell my copy out of china as the Poornation Asstbation Aparthied II and full documentation will be included right down to circuit board trace photos so enthusiasts can build their own if they are crazy enough.

Rant over.

[jackdamery]

Ben, I have exactly the same problem with my BassStation keyboard. It just makes a faint noise like you described through a speaker and headphones. How can I fix this?

[Gazdatronik]

Jackdamery-I have replaced all the TLC274CN quad op amps in mine, still has the same problem you describe.

Maybe its in the mix amp? If I only knew if it had a digital problem or not.

Ill try swapping out any chip what might be related to amplification, as I can hear the osc. and filter quite clearly if I jack the input up crazy on the board.

If I get anywhere, I will post the solution.