The Novation A-Station represents a remarkable achievement in compact synthesizer design, combining the physical form factor of Novation's BassStation Rack series with the sophisticated sound engine architecture derived from their prestigious Supernova and Nova synthesizers. This single rack unit (1U) synthesizer measures less than five inches deep and delivers professional-grade virtual analogue synthesis at an accessible price point.

Design Philosophy and Build Quality

The A-Station exemplifies Novation's strategic focus on the dance music market, offering carefully selected features at affordable prices. The synthesizer's compact design houses an impressive array of synthesis components within its diminutive chassis, creating what the review describes as a "cunning gene-splice of Super BassStation body and Nova-style brain."

The front panel features 25 stylish Nova-type knobs and 10 switches, providing direct access to most essential parameters. However, the compact design necessitates some compromises, most notably the replacement of Novation's signature blue display with a smaller two-character LED display borrowed from other 'Station' series instruments. This results in patches being identified by numbers rather than names, and requires navigation through various cryptic abbreviations for advanced functions.

Sound Engine Architecture

The A-Station's sound engine centers around three powerful oscillators, each capable of producing sine, triangle, sawtooth, or square waveforms. A unique feature is the "doubling" effect available for non-square waveforms, creating richer, ensemble-like textures reminiscent of the Nova's DoubleSaw waves. The oscillators can be subjected to sync, frequency modulation (FM), and ring modulation, with dedicated controls for pulse width modulation via multiple sources.

A dedicated mixer section provides level controls for all sound sources, including the three oscillators, noise generator, ring modulator, and external audio input. The low-pass filter offers switchable 12dB or 24dB-per-octave operation with comprehensive modulation options, though it lacks the multi-filter configurations found in the Nova series.

Modulation and Control Systems

The modulation system features two LFOs with distinct roles: LFO1 dedicated to pitch modulation (vibrato), and LFO2 available for pulse width, filter cutoff, or double-wave detune modulation. Each LFO offers four waveforms (triangle, sawtooth, square, and sample & hold) with adjustable speed and delay parameters including fade-in functionality.

The synthesizer provides extensive MIDI implementation with comprehensive clock synchronization options affecting LFOs, arpeggiator, and various effect parameters. Control routing options include modulation wheel, aftertouch, breath control (CC2), and velocity sensitivity to various destinations including pitch, vibrato, filter parameters, and amplitude.

Effects Processing

The A-Station incorporates seven simultaneous effects: stereo delay, reverb, chorus/phaser, distortion, auto-pan, EQ, and a 12-band vocoder. The stereo delay offers 13 different delay ratios with separate musical divisions for left and right outputs. The EQ section includes its own LFO with MIDI clock sync capability, providing additional movement and coloration beyond traditional filtering.

Performance Features

The built-in arpeggiator provides six patterns including random, up, down, up-and-down variations, and a "last note played" mode that reproduces notes in the order they were performed. External audio processing is possible either through the filter section or directly to the effects, expanding the instrument's utility beyond internal sound generation.

Operational Considerations

The A-Station operates as a monotimbral instrument with eight-note polyphony, offering various triggering modes for both monophonic and polyphonic operation. While the reduced polyphony compared to the Nova (8 vs 16 notes) and monotimbral limitation may restrict some applications, the instrument compensates with immediate hands-on control and comprehensive synthesis capabilities.

The learning curve is steepened by the cryptic two-character display abbreviations required for accessing advanced parameters, though users typically adapt to these over time. The absence of a computer editor limits programming convenience, though all 400 patch locations (200 factory, 200 user) can be easily managed via the front panel.

Technical Specifications

Polyphony & Architecture

• Polyphony: 8 notes
• Synthesis Type: Virtual Analogue
• Multitimbral: No (Monotimbral)
• Patch Memory: 400 locations (200 factory, 200 user)

Oscillators

• Number: 3 oscillators
• Waveforms: Square, Sawtooth, Variable Pulse, Triangle, Sine, Double Saw, Double Triangle, Double Sine
• Octave Range: -1, 0, +1, +2 octave shift
• Fine Tuning: ±12 semitones plus fine tune
• Modulation Envelope Depth: -100% to +100%
• LFO1 Depth: -100% to +100% (vibrato)
• PWM Sources: Modulation Envelope, Manual, LFO2
• Ring Modulation: Oscillator 1 × 2
• FM: Oscillator 2 × 3
• FM Level: 0-100%
• FM Modulation Level: 0-100%
• FM Envelope Attack: 500µS to 20 seconds
• FM Envelope Decay: 1mS to 20 seconds
• Additional Features: Oscillator sync, VCO drift simulation, unison mode (up to 8 voices), preglide

Mixer Section

• Oscillator 1-2 Balance: Off to Osc1 to Osc2
• Oscillator 3 Level: 0-100%
• Noise Level: 0-100%
• Ring Modulation Level: 0-100%
• External Input Level: 0-100%

Filter

• Type: Low-pass
• Slope: 12dB or 24dB per octave (switchable)
• Frequency Range: 5Hz to 24kHz
• Resonance: 0 to self-oscillation (24dB mode)
• Modulation Envelope Depth: -100% to +100%
• LFO2 Depth: -100% to +100%
• Cutoff: 0-100%
• Keyboard Tracking: 0-100% (positive only)
• Overdrive/Q Normalize: 0-100%

Envelopes

• Main Envelope (Amp/Mod):
  • Attack: 250µS to 20 seconds
  • Decay: 1mS to 20 seconds
  • Sustain: 0-100%
  • Release: 1mS to 20 seconds
  • Velocity Sensitivity: -100% to +100%
• FM Envelope: 2-stage (Attack/Decay)

LFOs

• Number: 2 LFOs
• Waveforms: Sample & Hold, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square
• Speed Range: 0Hz to 1kHz
• Delay/Fade-in: 0 to 5 seconds
• Sync Options: Internal or MIDI Clock
• LFO1: Dedicated to pitch modulation (vibrato)
• LFO2: Assignable to pulse width, filter cutoff, or double-wave detune

Effects Section

• Simultaneous Effects: 7 effects can run simultaneously
• Reverb: 6 types (Echo Chamber, Small/Large Room, Small/Large Hall, Grand Hall) with level, decay, and mod wheel control
• Chorus/Phaser: Level, rate, type, MIDI clock sync, feedback, mod depth, center frequency, initial position, mod wheel level
• Distortion: Drive, compensation, mod wheel level
• Auto-Pan: Position, mod depth, speed, MIDI clock sync, initial position
• Stereo Delay: 13 delay ratios, separate L/R timing, depth, time, feedback, MIDI clock sync, stereo width, mod wheel level
• Vocoder: 12-band with on/off, sibilance level/type, stereo width
• EQ: Depth, frequency, mod depth/speed, MIDI clock sync, initial position

Arpeggiator

• Patterns: 6 modes (Up, Down, Up/Down variations, Random, Last Note Played)
• Parameters: Speed, range, gate time, MIDI clock sync, key sync

Control & Modulation

• Front Panel: 25 knobs, 10 switches, rubber numeric keypad
• Modulation Sources: 2 LFOs, 2 envelopes, mod wheel, aftertouch, breath control (CC2), velocity
• Mod Wheel Destinations: Vibrato, LFO2 filter amount, amp level, pitch, effect levels
• Aftertouch/Breath Destinations: Pitch, vibrato, filter frequency/modulation, amp level
• Velocity Destinations: Amp envelope, mod envelope, FM envelope levels
• Pitch Bend: Independent amount per oscillator

Display:

• 2-character LED with mode indicator LEDs

Connectivity

• MIDI: In, Out, Thru (standard DIN connectors)
• Audio Outputs: 2 × 1/4" mono jacks (line level, stereo)
• Audio Input: 1 × 1/4" mono jack (line level)
• Headphones: Front-panel 1/4" jack
• Power: 9V DC, 600mA (external adapter)

MIDI Implementation

• Extensive MIDI Clock Sync: LFOs, arpeggiator, effects parameters
• Sync Divisions: 32nd triplets to 12 bars
• Control Changes: Most parameters transmit discrete CCs (some NPRNs)
• Modes: Mono/poly operation, envelope retriggering options, legato modes
• External Audio Triggering: Envelope triggering from external input

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions:
  • Width: 483mm (19")
  • Height: 44mm (1.73", 1U rack)
  • Depth: 125mm (4.92")
• Weight: 1.6kg (3.53 lbs)
• Rack Mount: Standard 1U rack unit

Operating System

• Upgradeable: Via MIDI file during power-up sequence
• Menu Navigation: Function shift system with cryptic 2-character abbreviations
• Patch Organization: 4 banks of 100 patches each
• Bank Indication: Program LED blinks 1-4 times for bank identification