Strymon Starlab Eurorack Time-warped Reverberator

Full Description

The richest reverb module around

Strymon created the Starlab with one mission in mind – to create the highest-quality reverb module possible. The design went far beyond the original concept incorporating versatile modulation/delay controls as well as one of the most powerful reverb circuits ever found in a Eurorack module. Reverb is paramount to sound design, allowing you to create spacey, massive sounds with a few turns of a dial.

At the heart of Starlab is an advanced reverb circuit with three varied reverb textures to choose from. Represented by a three-position switch, you can choose between Spare, Dense and Diffuse, each with its own distinctive flavour.

Selecting the Sparse setting, the reverb creates distant reflections, spaced far enough apart that you can hear the reflections independently of each other. The Dense setting is similar to a plate reverb, providing an instant response with a rich sound field. The Diffuse provides a more subtle reverb based on slow movement, allowing you to create awe-inspiring atmospheres and ambience. Using the Diffuse settings transients are spread to achieve a bloom-style effect.

It even features a dedicated filter section for shaping your sound even further. Low Damp and High Damp knobs allow you to dial in the damping for both low/high frequencies – providing maximum control over your reverb and modulation. For example, you can use the Low Damp knob to clean up muddy signals or use the High Damp knob to remove unwanted high-frequency content for a cleaner and more fined sound. Pressing the Low Pass button will transform the High Damp control into a classic-style 24 db/octave low-pass filter.

Powerful modulation and delay options

Not only is the Starlab a powerful reverb module, it also features a range of modulation and delay controls for shaping and texturizing sounds. With a variety of modulation options on hand, you can use the effects on their own or alongside the reverb circuit. With Delay/Tune and Feedback knobs, you can achieve everything from chorus and flanger effects to resonant-rich, harmonic sweeps. You can even create classic vibrato effects with the touch of a few dials.

The Delay section acts as an expansive pre-delay for the reverb with feedback and delay/tune dials for achieving your desired effect. Using the feedback control, you can dictate the length of the reverb decay which then can be modulated for added sonic versatility. Pressing the Echo ON button opens up a whole new world of classic delay and delay/reverb effects. You can even synchronise the echoes to an external clock source, turning the Delay/Tune knob into a clock multiplier/divider control for the echo repeats.

Karplus-Strong string synthesis voice

If that wasn’t enough, Starlab has managed to pack in a special ‘Karplus-Strong’ mode, allowing you to create lifelike string sounds using a monophonic synthesis voice module. Using the tap/trigger button you can toggle between pluck and bowed playing styles. You can even alternate between the two playing styles via the onboard CV inputs. Using the High Damp CV control you can incorporate natural-sounding dynamic string damping. You can even combine the synth voice with the Starlab reverb circuit to create massive string sounds.

All the connections you need

Starlab is jam-packed with connections including stereo inputs and outputs as well as extensive CV control of most parameters. Using the CV connections you can truly get in-depth with your sound design. Hook the Starlab up to a VCO and you can start creating massive atmospheric sounds at the touch of a few dials. Boasting 32-bit floating point processing and 24-bit/96kHz A/D and D/A converters you can be assured you are getting the highest possible sound quality. Four preset can be accessed from the front panel – ideal for inspiration. It even features a USB jack on the rear of the module so you can perform firmware updates so you can always stay up to date.

Features

• Three different reverb types to choose from: Sparse, Dense and Diffuse
• Delay/Karplus section with feedback controls
• Assignable delay for outputting to mod/verb and delay/verb effects
• Four-octave Karplus-Strong string synthesis mode for creating lifelike string sounds
• Dedicated filter section with built-in 24dB/oct low-pass filter for classic filtering
• Achieve shimmer and glimmer effects
• Adjustable shimmer provide pitch shifting of up to -/+ 1 oct to the reverb
• Adjustable reverb core size
• Infinite parameter freezes the input audio before the reverb circuit
• Independent wet/dry level controls
• LFO section with a variety of waveforms
• 24-bit 96kHz A/D and D/A converters
• 32-bit floating point processing
• Extensive CV control of parameters
• Stereo inputs and outputs

Specifications

• Inputs/Outputs: Stereo inputs and outputs
• Other Connections: USB jack (located on the rear) for performing firmware updates
• Audio Processing: 32-bit floating point processing
• Rack Width: 28 HP
• Rack Depth: 41mm, 1.61-inches
• Power:
  • +12V rail: 210mA
  • -12V rail: 210mA
  • +5V rail: 0mA
• Product Code: Starlab