RedSound Darkstar XP2 SN 00813

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"Revamped version of the Dark Star MK1 - MK1 vs XP2 differences: XP2 features 1/4" instead of RCA outputs, 1/4" stereo headphone output, chorus, and special SINEWAVE mode (for OSC2).

British company Red Sound System's first synth, the DarkStar is a table-top 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer suitable for anybody who wants affordable analog sounds for use in most any style of electronic music. Analog sounds are created by DSP-based analog modeling which means you'll get reliable and clean analog-type synth sounds in an economical and professional instrument. The DarkStar features 2 oscillators per voice, 5-part multitimbral set-up, joystick mixing for oscillators, ring modulation, filter resonance and pink/white/blue noise generators.

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Redsound Darkstar Synth XP2 Overview & Demos

Published on Mar 11, 2017 studentsmusic

Playlist:
Redsound Darkstar Synth XP2 - Part I: One more Intro
"There are many Darstar Demos on Youtube. Here´s my view and video, followed by a sequenced track in Part II to give you an impression if its worth the little money you pay on ebay and co.."

Redsound DarkstarXP2 - Part II: Sequenced Audiodemo
"Nice little sequenced Darkstar Tune (including Cubase 9, NI Massive and Reaktor Monarch) where you can see how to manage it in realtime and that is still a useful cheap hardware tool especially for synth beginners!"

RedSound Darkstar Demos & Review by Ostraka (John Keston)

Great demos.  Check out the full review on Audio Cookbook.  According to the review the DarkStar was the "Internet's most reviled synth".  I don't recall this, but then I didn't spend too much time in the forums after launching MATRIXSYNTH.  I have an XP2 myself and love it, although the interface does take a little getting used to.  It appears John Keston is pro Darkstar as well:

"For me the DarkStar fulfills a spectrum of features that I’ve been looking for in a desktop poly. It has a low profile so I can use it along side a collection of other devices while performing. It has eight voice polyphony allowing me to produce dense harmonies. It has a bloody joystick to control the filter and resonance! The joystick can also be configured to control ring modulation and oscillator mix. Many knobs make sculpting the sound in realtime possible. The LFOs have ramp, triangle, square, sine, pulse, sample & hold, and “random” waveforms. What random does is pretty remarkable. Similar to slew on the Novation Bass Station II, it interpolates or slides between random values instead of jumping to them like sample & hold does. This is especially nice for panning and one of the things that distinguishes the DarkStar from other VAs of the time."

Redsound Darkstar XP-2 w/ Original Box

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"Redsound Darkstar XP-2 upgraded to latest firmware before Redsound discontinued this synth. This synth is an polyphonic 8 voice, 5 part multitimbral virtual analog synth."

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REDSOUND Darkstar XP2

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Broken joystick on this one.

"RedSound DarkStar XP2 synthesizer. Features of this versatile, compact synth include 8-voice polyphony, pulse width modulation, ring modulation, resonant filtering, ADSR enveloping as well as velocity-sensitive response, 5 simultaneous timbre capability, and a very simple user interface.

This particular example, serial number 00220, is in perfect working condition, operating flawlessly without any hardware nor software issues whatsoever. Cosmetically, it is in good used condition exhibiting only light and expected signs of past wear or use..."

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Electribe 2 Emx 2, Virus Ti2 & RedSound DarkStar "Tribe Toy Story"

Published on Mar 25, 2015 rhampton1914

"Decided to Re-do this Song.
Drums Lead sounds are from Electribe 2
Bass Sounds are from the RedSound DarkStar
Strings & Aro Sounds are from the Access Virus Ti2"

Electribe 2 - Virus Ti2 & RedSound DarkStar @ "Tribe Space Pop"

Published on Mar 15, 2015 rhampton1914

"Drum Sounds are from the Electribe 2
Mellow Ambient Bass Lines - RedSound DarkStar
Synth Leads & Sound Effects from Virus Ti2 & Some from the Electribe 2 as well"

Electribe Emx2, Virus Ti2 & Redsound DarkStar "Shaolin Kung Fu"

Published on Apr 4, 2015 rhampton1914

Bass sounds = RedSound DarkStar
Electribe Emx2 = Drums, White Noise & Lead Solos
Access Virus Ti2 = Sound effects and Ambient Strings & Arp Effects

REDSOUND DARKSTAR SYNTH WITH VOCODA OPTION

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"The DARKSTAR is a virtual analog synth with lots of hands-on control. It's capable of dark/brooding pads, fat basses and screaming leads and a lot more. It's 5-part multi-timbral so quite complex sounds can be created. The assignable joystick is very useful for quickly exploring sound variations and its very easy to lose hours just noodling around with this synth. You can also put external sound sources through the filter/envelope sections of the synth using the external inputs.

The VOCODA option turns the DARKSTAR into a 11-band + vowels/noise vocoder with 8-step sequencer. The oscillators, envelopes, LFOs and controls of the synth are active while its a vocoder, and using the sequencer you can do a lot more creative stuff with this than with traditional vocoders. The joystick controls the level as you sweep the frequency spectrum.

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Akai AX80 & Red Sound Darkstar XP2

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Note these are on Craigslist which I don't normally post, but I know the seller and he supports the site. :)

"$450 - Akai AX80 8 voice vintage analog synth in great working shape. This synth was babied after purchase in my non smoking studio and never played out. Fully functional with the following cosmetic issues:

Minor scuffs due to age and in the condition I purchased it in. There's one small cosmetic ding above the Hold button and LED as you can see - the button and LED work fine. Aside from this the membrane is pristine. Looks brand new. No depressions or cracks.

One key was cracked so I glued a small ram chip on it years ago as you can see. It is smooth, not rough to the touch, and feels fine. See Pics.

VCA 30 Velocity LED bar is out. This is purely cosmetic. The parameter works fine and you can see the values change on the red numerical display by the data knob. Only the EQ looking LED is out as you can see in the pics.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. This is a great sounding vintage 8 voice polyphonic analog synth and it is 100% sonically functional and solid. The AX80 uses the same CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA chips as on the Oberheim Matrix-12, Xpander, SCI Prophet-600 and T8. For a full list of what synths use the 3372 see here."

"$300 - RedSound DARKSTAR XP2 - Redsound's eight voice virtual analog desktop synth with a joystick. Like new."

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Redsound DarkStar Synth with Vocoda Chip

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"Really nice, quirky synth/FX box. Has Vocoda chip installed, so run a mic into it for for great robotic vocal effects. The basic 11-band vocoder with internal oscillator, to me ears, sounds great, with a lovely grittiness to it. There 4 other modes, providing more options than any other vocoder that I know of, software or hardware! If you love Kraftwerk, and early Electro tunes, you'll love this!

Here are a couple of quick examples of the kind of sounds it can make:

Vocoder mode, compared to some other vocoders.
And the unique Sequence-Coder mode, that allows you to program your own sequence of preset vowel/consonant sounds. Excellent when tweaking that joystick.

Of course, if you tire of manic android effects and formant effects (it's also capable of some pretty cool synth sounds in Vocoda mode), you can always swap Vocoda chip for the original 5-part-multitimbral virtual-analogue synth chip. Don't be fooled by the RCA sockets on the back (legacy of Redsound's roots in the DJ equipment market), this thing can hold it's own against many synths from more well-known manufacturers. It's capable of producing some great analogue-type sounds, and editing is a breeze, as it's almost one-knob-per-function.

This desktop box style is coming back into favour in a big way, too. The DarkStar comes in a very convenient package. It doesn't take up too much desktop real-estate, but the controls are nicely laid-out, with enough space to feel your way around easily."

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Redsound Dark Star XP2 Synth

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Redsound DarkStar XP2,
Yamaha GX7 Digital Sequence Recorder
Key Fax Phat-Boy Midi Controller

Decent shot of the GX7 Job Guide.

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Red Sound Micro Sync Beat Xtractor MIDI Clock Sync SN 00341

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Never seen one before now.

Kind of looks like a eurorack module, but it's not. RedSound were of course the makers of the RedSound Darkstar.

"The Micro Sync Beat Xtractor is a very reliable audio/MIDI synchroniser and BPM counter.

It accurately synchronizes your MIDI sequencer with audio playback, keeping the downbeats locked together for the perfect real-time groove.

This comes in really handy when syncing up a mix of equipment that's both old and new.

Features:
4-digit BPM display Synchronization status indicator
Rotating MIDI clock display
Tap 4 way Nudge control for manually adjusting the BPM Lock-in time
Typically 2 - 4 sec's (readable beat information)
Accuracy: 0.1 BPM
Input level: Nominal line level (1V peak)
Display: 1 x 4 character 7 segment LED BPM Range 60-230"

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Red Sound Darkstar 8 Voice Synth Module w/ Vocoda

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"Offering a RedSound Darkstar 8 voice polyphonic synthesizer in original box with original packing. has manuals, power supply papers. Also has Vocoda accessory in separate tube with items as shown with 2 overlays for controls. Lights up and appears to work properly. Looks lightly used and well maintained. No evidence of use or wear. box intact..."

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Redsound Darkstar Virtual Analog Synthesizer MK1 with Vocoda

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"This Darkstar comes equipped with rare hard to find rack ears, vocoda chip, chip puller tool. It also comes with the vocoda overlay but it rolled up and cracked in spots. A couple of led covers sank in ive seen this on others i believe it is a manufacture error. Original Manual for both dark star and vocoda included..."

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REDSOUND DARKSTAR XP2

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"Here it is, made in Great Britain, no longer made, rare and sought after!

WAY MORE CONTROL than the visible knobs suggest...there are LAYERS.

2VCO's, Joystick, External INPUTS, Expandable with an easily installed
Vocoder Chip, and MUCH MORE."

Update via machinesdontcare in the comments: "It's worth noting that the Vocoda card for the XP2 version was never completed, and the one from the original Darkstar won't work in this later version."

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RedSound DarkStar

images at this auction
I had this one set to go up on MATRIXSYNTH-B, but figured the VOCODER faceplate and details warranted a post here instead.

"It is a VOCODER TOO! This Darkstar is the version that allows the main chip to be swapped out and the unit turned into a massively featured vocoder! Here is the best part I am including the IMPOSSIBLE to find Vocoda Overlay and Factory Program Voice Listing Sheet.

Check out ebay seller ta256 item # 190265809783 for a chip. Note the newer and more prevalent XP2 does not have this chip swap feature making this the one to own!"

RedSound DARKSTAR XP2

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Demo in the listing previously posted here.

"If you’re looking at this, you probably know what it is. Care to try your hand at the most reviled synth ever made? I for one think it’s great and the learning curve is certainly worth it depending on what you’re trying to make music wise."

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REDSOUND DARKSTAR w/ Original Box & Manual

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Pic of the Factory Program/Voice Listing Issue: 1.10 factory programs list below.

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Redsound Darkstar XP2

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