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Average Price: $304
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Designed for both the studio and the stage, the Novation K-Station 25 is a compact yet powerful synthesizer that caters to musicians looking for versatility and quality in a portable package. This 25-key synth is equipped with a variety of sound-shaping tools and effects, making it an ideal choice for electronic music producers and performers alike. With its three oscillators per voice, the K-Station offers a broad palette of sounds, from punchy basslines to soaring leads.
The K-Station is not just about its sound engine; it also features an intuitive interface that makes it easy to tweak parameters on the fly. Its built-in effects, including reverb, chorus, and distortion, give you the tools to sculpt your sound exactly as you envision. The synth also includes a powerful arpeggiator and a comprehensive modulation matrix, providing endless creative possibilities. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the Novation K-Station 25 delivers a robust and flexible performance.
Key Features:
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys for expressive playing
- Three oscillators per voice for rich, complex sounds
- Built-in effects including reverb, chorus, and distortion
- Intuitive interface for easy parameter adjustments
- Powerful arpeggiator for dynamic performances
- Comprehensive modulation matrix for creative sound design
- Portable design suitable for both studio and live environments
Product specs
| Brand | Novation |
| Model | K Station 25-Key 8-Voice Synthesizer |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 2001 |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 25 Keys |
| Polyphony | 8 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the Novation K-Station 25 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Novation K-Station 25 is suitable for live performances due to its compact size and full-size keys, making it portable and easy to integrate into a live setup.
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What type of synthesis does the Novation K-Station 25 use?
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The Novation K-Station 25 is a digital synthesizer that uses virtual analog synthesis to emulate the sound of analog synths with digital precision.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Novation K-Station 25 offer?
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The Novation K-Station 25 offers 8 voices of polyphony, allowing you to play up to 8 notes simultaneously.
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Does the Novation K-Station 25 have MIDI connectivity?
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Yes, the Novation K-Station 25 features MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and MIDI Through, enabling it to connect with other MIDI-compatible gear.
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What are the key features of the Novation K-Station 25's sound engine?
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The Novation K-Station 25's sound engine includes virtual analog synthesis, 8-voice polyphony, and a variety of modulation options, providing a wide range of sound design possibilities.
Videos
HarriL
Novation K-station testing
Reviews
PROS
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Super easy to program, enhancing user experience
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Covers 90% of "synth" sounds with 8 voices of polyphony
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Analog sound quality, hard to distinguish from digital
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Versatile 3 oscillator, 8 voice polyphonic with FM engine
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Programmable 400 patch memory for extensive sound creation
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Includes 7 effects like delay, reverb, and distortion, usable simultaneously
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Effective as a controller for V-station plug-in, offering hands-on control
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Features like noise, ringmod, and external input add to sound variety
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Two syncable LFOs and envelopes plus an arpeggiator for complex modulation
CONS
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Not very deep, may lack some advanced synthesis features
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Some may require menu diving for deeper sound design
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Novation K-Station 25.
Features and functionality
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The KS4 and KS5 offer 16 voices and 4-part multitimbrality compared to the K-Station's 8 voices and monotimbrality.
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The Xiosynth 25 has a built-in class compliant audio interface, allowing direct connection to an iPad via a camera connection kit.
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The K-Station offers an intuitive, nearly knob-per-function interface, enhancing its usability for beginners learning subtractive synthesis.
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Comparisons
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KS series provides additional digital oscillator waveforms and drum kits over the K-Station.
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The Ultranova lacks FM capabilities and is mono-timbral, while KS4 has a warmer, deeper sound with more immediate control.
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The Xiosynth shares the same sound engine as the X Station with slight upgrades but involves more menu diving.
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The K-Station is noted for its distinct digital sound, likened to a "sweeter sounding Sylenth1," and is preferred for electronic music over modern analog emulations.
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Software and compatibility
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Patches from K-Station and V-Station can load into KS4/KS5, but not vice versa.
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Use cases and applications
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The K-Station, part of the late 90s EDM/Trance big three, remains versatile for modern sound design.
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The Alesis Micron, though smaller, is recommended for those who don’t mind menu diving, offering a similar sound engine to the Miniak.
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The K-Station is favored for quick jams, owing to its hands-on control and ability to produce a wide range of digital VA sounds.
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User experience
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Users find the K-Station a reliable choice with quick sound dialing, though a larger keyboard may be preferable for live settings.
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The Mininova is described as having similar sounding oscillators to the K-Station but offers less hands-on control.
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Owners appreciate the K-Station's unique digital filter, described as having a "magical bubbly nature," particularly suitable for trance and techno sounds.
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Build quality
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The Xiosynth's build quality is noted as inferior compared to the K-Station and X Station, with users perceiving it as less robust.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 10 Ratings
533
Great little synth
It may be Virtual Analog but I think it sounds really good. The filter is nice and it's fun to program. It has 3 oscillators per voice, but also noise, ringmod and external input as separate signals in the mixer. There are 2 syncable LFO's and 2 Envelopes and an Arpeggiator.
It has 7 effects that also can be used simultaneously. They are delay, reverb, chorus/flanger/phaser, distortion, a single band EQ, panning and vocoder. The delay and modulation effects can be synced to midi or the arpeggiator.
It's also a great controller for the V-station plug-in. I simply do not understand this combination never got more attention. I personally can't hear any difference between the K-station and the V-station, so the V-station gives me multiple instances, while the K-station gives me the hands on control I like!
Artist usage
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In a post on Instagram by Tycho (tychomusic), a Novation K-Station 25 synthesizer is humorously shown being played by a dog, suggesting its presence in Tycho's studio setup.
Suicide Commando / Johan lists his equipment on his official website - see link.
In the YouTube video "Marcos Valle - 'On Line'" by clubbossanova, Marcos Valle is seen using the Novation K-Station 25 during a live performance.
Volkoder is seen using the Novation K-Station 25 synthesizer in a photo on his Instagram account.
Cirith Ungol's official website mentions Greg uses a Novation K-Station synth in a list of the band members' equipment.
According to Babydaddy, the equipment at Discoball Jazzfest consists of a G5 Mac running Logic Pro 7 with assorted plug-ins including the Native Instruments Komplete package, Korg's Legacy Collection, Arturia's CS80V and Gforce's Minimonsta. Hardware includes the Access Virus Indigo and Virus Polar, Roland XV5050, Studiologic SL880 master keyboard, Roland Juno 106 and Novation K-station synths. The band's main microphone is a Neumann M149, which went through the studio's HHB Radius 50, Avalon VT737, or Universal Audio 6176 preamps, and then into their MOTU 828 MkII, with monitoring taken care of by Mackie HR824s.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Novation K-Station 25, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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