Checkout using your account
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Checkout as a new customer
Creating an account has many benefits:
(0)
Revolving
639
Single
Free Shipping (USA)
Free Extended Warranty
Free Tech Support
Free shipping to the lower 48 states for online orders of $99 and up.
We add an additional year of coverage for additional peace of mind.
Our friendly and knowledgeable sales team is here to support you before, during and after your purchase.
The Studio Electronics TONESTAR is an ARP 2600-inspired synth voice 31 years in the shaping, pre-patched like Pearlman's prodigy, and fully "outs to outs" in-the-box modular, allowing for highpass/bandpass/notch filter tones, and bristling X-mod effects. Connect CV / gate and twist 'n' switch, or pull its tones and voltages apart one 3.5mm cord at a time. 26 knobs, 7 switches, and 21 jacks make for complex and satisfying signal flow, color and collisions. If it gets reedy, route the triangle wave 'round the VCF, and push dat Sub. Nearly thrilling Out to Outs/Interesting Patches (in case you missed it above).
Caswell Knowledge (circuit designer):
"The VCO is the same affair as the Oscillation, the Boomstar, and the Omega. It's kind of a combination of Arp®, Oberheim® and Moog® circuits (sort of a greatest hits), time-tested, very stable—very good tracking over a very large range; certain parts have to be hand selected to achieve that level of exacting performance. Editors Note: This module is a TONESTAR—its own thing—and not a 2600 clone attempt; nevertheless, the Tone☆ tugs lovingly at times on the sleeve of the 1970's era classic.
Envelope FYI: The Tonestar Sustain control replicates the behavior of the 2600 and Odyssey: after the initial Decay, it continues to move (sink) very slowly, adding a little extra texture to the sound. It's technically a flaw, but after digging out my Odyssey, it is for sure a desirable "quirk", and the perfect companion to the 4072 filter (which is mistakenly titled a 4075 in the Boomstar Modular line).
Another bit of fun: The LFO is voltage controlled, so you can envelope, LFO, or otherwise modulate both the rate and the depth; the ADSR amount is also voltage controlled, so it can be manipulated by MIDI dynamics, MIDI volume, an LFO, etc. Greg [St. Regis] has decreed that anything must be patchable to anything, so some technically wrong patchings (for example, pulse wave out to ADSR out) may often produce unexpectedly interesting, x-mod/notch filtering—quite pleasing effects.
The Tonestar was Greg's concept, but as I understood it, the goal was a single oscillator, 2600 VCF, pre-patched and yet fully modular classic synth voice, at a specific size, wielding every trick that Studio Electronics could cram in. Main use would be as a go-to bassline/lead tool, or a premium quality, entry-level, complete synth module, for root-to-leaf sound design, and multiform analog exploration/expression."
( ) represents normalled connections, which will be explained in greater detail before long.
VCO:
Noise:
VCF:
LFO:
ENVs:
VCA:
Vitals:
Units #2-15 / Noise - The noise on the Tonestar leans to the Pink side, a little dark and moody. Some may like it, some may want the more bright and sizzled white variety. One resistor or capacitor change will shift it to the white spectrum.
Units #2-22 / Feedback - The Feedback loop is big, bold and deep on the low end; maybe a bit too much so. One resistor change will reign it in, but still allow enough chaotic madness at maximum level.
* Required Fields
The best gear advice always comes from those who use it the most. That's where you come in! Let the pro audio world hear your voice with a review of the Studio Electronics ToneStar 2600 . Once you submit your review, please check your email and verify your address to have it posted.
exclamation-circle