Up Your Synthesis Game
The Studio Electronics Tonestar Eurorack analog monosynth module packs your rack with the soul of a classic. Inspired by the legendary ARP 2600, the Tonestar features a normalled signal path, with the controls logically arranged in the order of signal flow. This means you don't have to mess with patch cords to craft amazing sounds. But the Tonestar is also fully modular - its 21 patch points, 26 knobs, and seven switches make it quite enjoyable to craft complex textures and tweak them in real time. Tonestar offers a complete synth voice with one oscillator (Studio Electronics' stable, smooth-tracking home brew that combines the best qualities of ARP, Moog, and Oberheim circuits), a killer 2600-style VCF, an LFO (triangle/square wave, voltage-controlled for flexibility), two envelopes (an ADSR and an AR), and a VCA.
Related Videos: Tonestar 2600 Complete Eurorack Synth Voice
- Inspired by a legend
- Thoughtful design, serious sound
- An ideal entree into Eurorack
The Tonestar is not a clone of the ARP 2600, but in many ways it harks back to the venerable classic. ARP launched the 2600 in 1971. Josef Zawinul, co-founder and guiding force behind the '70s jazz fusion juggernaut Weather Report, immediately embraced the instrument, eventually owning two of them. "I like the ARP because of what I can do with it," said Joe in a Down Beat magazine interview. "With the ARP I can do things that will fool the heck out of you. I can hide between voices; I can do all kinds of things." And on the 2600's ability to mimic acoustic instruments: "I want orchestral sounds from a synthesizer; the kind of realism beyond imitation. I can make the 2600 sound like Coltrane...or change it to soft, haunting flutes." Joe's pioneering synth artistry played a prominent role on Weather Report albums starting with 1974's Mysterious Traveller.
Thoughtful design, serious soundStudio Electronics spec'd the Tonestar with a number of unique features that make the synth very rewarding to play. The oscillator tracks eight full octaves and includes a Sub control that lets you dial in an octave below the main setting. An additional sound source is the White Noise control found in the patch jack section. The LFO is voltage controlled and fitted with rate and depth controls, which gives you amazing modulation flexibility. The ADSR envelope amount is also voltage controlled, so you can manipulate it via LFO, MIDI volume or dynamics, the AR envelope, or just about anything else. The envelopes also mimic the behavior of the ARP 2600 and Odyssey, in that its sustain sinks very slowly after initial decay; we've found that this desirable quirk adds extra texture to the sound. Lastly, you can patch in an external signal for processing within the Tonestar.
An ideal entree into EurorackIf you're just getting into Eurorack synthesis, Sweetwater would recommend the Tonestar as a great starting point. It provides a complete, self-contained synth voice - you only need a Eurorack case/power supply, and you're in business. You'll find the Tonestar perfect for crafting squelchy basses, industrial effects, and searing leads; sound design, and more. Its circuit path is pre-patched, so you can create great sounds just by manipulating its seven switches and 26 knobs. And when you're ready to take the training wheels off, roll up your sleeves, and throw some patches, you've got a fully modular synth with 21 patch jacks at your disposal. Anything is patchable to anything, so you can patch your way into some technical malfeasance that may often produce unexpectedly awesome results. Bottom line: the Tonestar will seriously up your game as a synthesist.
Studio Electronics Tonestar Eurorack Module Features:- 32hp Eurorack module (requires Eurorack case/power supply)
- Semi-modular analog monosynth, inspired by the legendary ARP 2600
- Normalled signal path, with controls logically arranged in the order of signal flow
- Fully modular, with 21 patch jacks - anything is patchable to anything
- Offers maximum real-time tweakability, with 26 knobs and 7 switches
- Oscillator tracks 8 octaves, combines best qualities of ARP, Moog, and Oberheim
- 4-pole (24dB/octave) filter designed after ARP 4072 (but without 12kHz cutoff flaw)
- Ultra-wide-range voltage-controlled LFO, fitted with rate and depth controls
- Voltage-controlled ADSR envelope amount provides extensive modulation options
- Additional AR envelope provides added modulation flexibility
- Envelopes exhibit tasty 2600-style sustain sink behavior
- White noise generator, external input patching
