Red Sound DarkStar XP2 User manual

XP2
Thank you for purchasing the RED Sound DARKSTAR XP2 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer.
The Analogue Synthesiser, mainstay of Seventies' and Eighties' music, is back, reinvented in a new, more reliable
and flexible form. Physical modelling via powerful DSPs (Digital Signal Processors) allow all the warmth and control
of the synthesizers of yesteryear without the problems of unstable tuning and unrepeatable sounds, and with
modern benefits like realtime control and multitimbral access.
Welcome to DARKSTAR XP2, an 8-voice polyphonic synthesiser with all the highlights of the analogue tradition,
Pulse Width Modulation, Ring Mod, Resonant Filtering and ADSR Enveloping, combined with all the advantages of
modern MIDI instruments like rock-solid tuning, perfect program recall, velocity response and 5 different timbres
simultaneously available.
So whether your aim is to recreate 'classic' timbres like 70's Disco Bassline / Screaming PWM Lead, chart new
sonic territory with realtime joystick manipulation of filter frequency and resonance, or even combine both
approaches in the same MIDI sequence, DARKSTAR XP2 is the perfect tool for you.
In the future, DARKSTAR XP2's capabilities will grow thanks to the ability to install other EPROM-based DSP
algorithms. This will allow you to convert DARKSTAR XP2 into many different products such as a vocoder or mono
synth.
But DARKSTAR XP2 already offers so much with its marriage of proven synthesis techniques and state-of-the-art
control. Now it's time to unlock the potential of analogue-style synthesis with modern control techniques in your
music.
Be creative!
DARKSTAR XP2 SYNTHESIS
OWNERS MANUAL
1
Introduction
PAGE

PARAMETER
MASTER
VOLUME
JOYSTICK FILTER TYPE RES MOD SOURCE
PULSE ENV1 ENV2
SINE HI
SAMPLE LFO1
RANDOM LFO2
SQUARE BAND
TRI LO
RAMP OFF
UTILITY
DELAY RESONANCE
PANNING
SPEED FREQUENCY
RES MOD
FILTER TYPE
LFO 2 MOD
MIDI CLOCK
LEVEL PORTAMENTO
SHAPE ENV MOD
TREMOLO
env 1
LFO 1
SHIFT
Envelopes
Filter
SHIFT
Max Max
Max
LFO’s
SHIFT PART
OUTPUT
EDIT
/
2
1
MENUS
VOICE/
PROGRAM
Env 2
LFO 2 Filter Off Filter On
MENU
VALUE
VALUE
SHIFT
Min Min
Min
OSC 2 SEMITONE OFFSET
LFO SHAPE
17
16 19 24
12
7
5
0
PITCH MOD
WAVEFORM
PWM ring mod osc mix
DETUNE
PULSE WIDTH
Oscillators
Osc 1 Osc 2
0
+10
-10
(0)
(+10)
(-10)
OSC 2 PITCH
VELOCITY LEVEL
5
467
3
2
1
0
DECAY
ATTACK RELEASE
SUSTAIN
Max
Off
Off
--
++
Max
Max Max
Min
Min
VELOCITY
Min Min
PART SELECT
www.redsound.com
EXTERNAL
INPUTS
LEFT SUB 1
RIGHT SUB 2 PHONES
35
4
VALUE
DEMo
Red
Sound
the colour of music
Y
X
OSCILLATORS
EDIT MODULATION audition
MIDI
LFO
FILTER PORTA TRIGGER
PART
/
[+/up]
[-/dwn]
[Hold]
[Press]
XP2
save
COMP
8
7
1
3
2
4
13
11 10
65
12 9
2
PAGE
DARKSTAR XP2 - Poly Synth
Front Panel

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
OSCILLATORS:
ENVELOPES:
LFO’S:
FILTER:
PART SELECT:
MENU:
AUDITION:
VOICE/PROGRAM:
PART OUTPUT:
PARAMETER/VALUE DISPLAY:
JOYSTICK:
UTILITY:
This section features [WAVEFORM], [PITCH MOD], [PULSE WIDTH] and [DETUNE] controls
for each oscillator. The large [OSCILLATOR] button switches between oscillators1&2.The[SHIFT] button is used
to access the [OSC 2 PITCH], [PWM], [RING MOD] & [OSC MIX] controls in the oscillator sub-menu.
This section features [ATTACK], [DECAY], [SUSTAIN] and [RELEASE] controls for each
envelope. The large [ENVELOPE] button switches between envelopes1&2.The[SHIFT] button is used to access
the [VELOCITY] control in the envelope sub-menu.
This section features [SPEED], [DELAY] and [SHAPE] controls for each LFO. The large [LFO] button
switches between LFO1&2.The[SHIFT] button is used to access the [MIDI CLOCK] control in the LFO sub-
menu.
This section features [FREQUENCY], [RESONANCE] and [ENV MOD] controls for the filter. The large
[FILTER] button switches the filter on and off. The [SHIFT] button is used to access the [FILTER TYPE], [RES MOD]
and [LFO 2 MOD] controls in the oscillator sub-menu.
These buttons are used to select the 5 Multitimbral ‘PARTS’. You can create and store five
totally different sounds in each program.
This section features 7 menu buttons and a 4-way keypad. The MENU buttons are used to select
additional parameters for editing whilst the [EDIT] keypad is used to scroll up and down the menu and change the
values.
This button can be used to trigger the selected PART. Also, in conjunction with the MODULATION
menu button, the [DEMO] sequence can be accessed.
This jog dial is used to call-up the programs and voices.
This button is used to access the [LEVEL], [PANNING], [TREMOLO] and [PORTAMENTO]
parameters for each individual PART.
This 4-digit LED display shows voice/program numbers, parameter
information and edit values.
The joystick mixer can be assigned to a number of different parameters. For example filter
[FREQUENCY] + [RESONANCE] parameters can be controlled by the joystick simultaneously.
This button is used to access the [JOYSTICK], [OUTPUT ASSIGN] and [MASTER MIDI CHANNEL]
menus along with various SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE parameters.
FRONT PANEL FEATURES
OWNERS MANUAL
3
Front Panel Features
PAGE

Red Sound Systems Ltd
MIDIEXTIN1&2MAIN OUTPUTSSUB OUTPUTSPHONES
MADE IN ENGLAND
POWER
9v DCOFF
ON
CAUTION: DO NOT OPEN CASE. REFER TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
www.redsound.com
XP2
Red
Sound
the colour of music
RIGHT [2][2] LEFT [1] TIP[1] RING[2] THRU OUT IN[1]
+
-
1423 5 67
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
HEADPHONES - 1/4 jack connector
SUB OUTPUTS - 1/4 jack connectors
MAIN OUTPUTS - 1/4 jack connectors
EXTERNAL INPUTS 1&2 - 1/4 jack connector
MIDI IN/OUT/THRU - Connectors
POWER - Switch
DC POWER IN - Connector
Use this socket to monitor the MAIN output signal from DARKSTAR XP2. Use suitable stereo headphones of
50 ohms > impedance (NOTE: the SUB outputs cannot be monitored from this connector).
Use these sockets to feed the secondary pair of audio outputs to your mixing desk or amplification system.
Use these sockets to feed the main left/right audio output of DARKSTAR XP2 to your mixing desk or amplification
system.
Use this socket to connect any external line level audio source to DARKSTAR XP2 for filter/envelope processing
whilst using MIDI control.
MIDI data will be transmitted and received by these connectors.
This turns the power on and off.
Only use the 9vDC 500 mA [or greater amperage] PSU supplied with DARKSTAR XP2 to power the unit.
4
PAGE
Rear Panel
DARKSTAR XP2 - Poly Synth

Red Sound Systems Ltd
MIDI
EXTIN1&2
MAIN OUTPUTS
SUB OUTPUTS
PHONES
MADE IN ENGLAND
POWER
9v DC
OFF
ON
CAUTION: DO NOT OPEN CASE. REFER TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
www.redsound.com
XP2
Red
Sound
the colour of music
RIGHT [2]
[2] LEFT [1] TIP[1] RING[2] THRU OUT IN
[1]
+
-
EXTERNAL
SOUND SOURCES
TO
AC WALL
SOCKET
RED PSU
OWNERS MANUAL
5
Connections
PAGE
STUDIO MIXING DESK
Input 2
Input 1
Ground
ONE
TWO
HEADPHONES
MIDI IN
MIDI IN
MIDI OUT
MIDI OUT
or...
or...
MIDI KEYBOARD
OTHER MIDI DEVICE
MIDI IN
MIDI SEQUENCER

QUICK START
GETTING STARTED
If you want to quickly try out the performance of DARKSTAR XP2, please read the following points carefully:
Before making any connections, make sure that the power on all your equipment is turned OFF.
Connect the power supply (included) to the ‘power in’ socket on the rear panel of DARKSTAR XP2 and plug it into
a suitable AC outlet. Connect the audio cables for a basic system setup as shown on page 5.
Make sure all connections have been made correctly and the volume controls on the
mixing desk and amplifier system are turned completely down. Press the rear panel power switch on DARKSTAR
XP2. Turn on the power of the mixing desk and then turn on the power of the amplifier system.
When DARKSTAR XP2 is powered up, the main display will briefly show a welcome
message whilst various parameters are being set internally. When this process is complete, the display will show
the PROGRAM number. If this does not happen, check the power supply is of the correct type and the unit was
switched on correctly.
To select the correct MIDI receive channel, press the [MIDI] MENU
button and use the [EDIT] keypad [VALUE +] and [VALUE -] buttons to set the channel of the active PART (as
DARKSTAR XP2 can have up to 5 different sounds/MIDI channels setup in each PROGRAM you may have to
change the MIDI transmit channel on your keyboard a few times to play all the sounds).
To select the factory programs, press the [VOICE/PROGRAM] jog dial knob once and
the display will start to flash the ‘P’ for program. Now simply rotate the [VOICE/PROGRAM] jog dial to scroll up and
down the 64 programs. Whilst the new program data is being loaded the display will flash ‘PL’ for program load -
wait for this to revert to ‘P’ before attempting to audition the new sound.
To hear the sounds, use the front panel [AUDITION] button or connected MIDI keyboard. You can modify the
sounds in real-time by altering the controls in the OSCILLATOR, FILTER, ENVELOPE and LFO sections.
Please read the following “OPERATION” section carefully to fully appreciate the range of features and facilities the
DARKSTAR XP2 8-Voice Synthesizer has to offer.
After connecting DARKSTAR XP2 to your system as detailed on page 5, press IN the rear panel power switch to
turn the power on. The main display will show a welcome message, as shown below:
Afterwards, the last selected program (before power was switched off at the previous session) will be recalled and
displayed as follows:
DARKSTAR XP2 is now ready to use.
CONNECTIONS:
TURNING ON THE POWER:
POWER UP INDICATIONS:
PLAYING THE DEMO:
SETTING THE MIDI RECEIVE CHANNEL:
SELECTING PROGRAMS:
To run the demo sequence, press and the [AUDITION] button, then press the
[MODULATION] menu button once to start playback. To pause the demo simply press the [AUDITION] button once.
hold
PARAMETER
VA L U E
PARAMETER
VA L U E
PARAMETER
VA L U E
Welcome message = dArk StAr
Program 1
6
PAGE
Quick Start
DARKSTAR XP2 - Poly Synth

MASTER VOLUME CONTROL
AUDITION Button
DEMONSTRATION SEQUENCE
Use this control to set the master output level of DARKSTAR XP2. The position of this rotary control will determine
the overall output level from the rear panel [MAIN] left/right, [SUB]1&2audio sockets and also the [PHONES]
monitor output. At the fully anti-clockwise position the output will be zero. As the knob is moved in a clockwise
direction the output level will gradually increase until, at the fully clockwise position the overall volume will be at its
maximum.
This feature allows you to trigger sounds whilst working at the front control panel. There are single note triggers,
chords and patterns to choose from enabling you to try sounds in a number of different ways. Each press of the
[AUDITION] button will trigger the sound and the [VOICE/PROGRAM] jog dial can be used to change the trigger
pattern, as shown in the following examples:
The display will indicate the selections as the jog dial is rotated. The selected trigger type can be stored with the
program.
To play the DARKSTAR XP2 demo sequence, first press and hold down the [AUDITION] button, then press the
[MODULATION] menu button once, as shown in the following example:
To pause the demo at any time simply press the [AUDITION] button once.
audition audition
MASTER
VOLUME
Rotate clockwise
to increase MASTER
VOLUME
Press once to
trigger sound
Press & hold
Playing a sound Changing the AUDITION trigger pattern
Rotate the JOG DIAL
to change the
AUDITION TRIGGER
VOICE/
PROGRAM
[+/up][-/dwn]
To play the demo...
auditionMODULATION
Press and hold
Press once
1
1
2
2
DEMo
[Hold][Press]
OWNERS MANUAL
7
PAGE
Operation

PROGRAMS - Selecting, editing and saving sounds
This section allows you to store all the DARKSTAR XP2 settings in memory for instant recall of your favourite
sounds. The position of every control knob, switch and even the joystick can be memorised in 64 user definable
program memory locations.
Use the [VOICE/PROGRAM] jog dial to select programs from memory, as shown in the
following example:
To edit the selected program simply adjust any of the front panel controls. When the first control or switch
is moved, the [EDIT] indicator will start to flash to indicate ‘EDIT’ mode, as shown in the following example:
If you want to keep the parameter changes made during editing, simply select another program.
SELECTING PROGRAMS:
EDITING:
COMPARE:
don’t
To hear the ORIGINAL settings of the selected program (before it was edited), press the EDIT -
[COMP] button once, as shown below:
You can switch from ‘Edit’ to ‘Compare’ modes as often as you like, simply press the [COMP] button again to jump
from one mode to the other.
PARAMETER
VA L U E
PARAMETER
VA L U E
PARAMETER
VA L U E
PARAMETER
VA L U E
PARAMETER
VA L U E
EDIT
Rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise to change PROGRAM1
3
2
Display shows current PROGRAM number
Display flashes ‘PL’ to indicate
PROGRAM LOADING
...then ‘P 7’ as the new
PROGRAM is loaded in
Flashes to indicate program EDIT mode
VOICE/
PROGRAM
[+/up][-/dwn]
Press the compare [COMP]
button to hear the original
sound
Display changes to ‘C’
to indicate COMPARE mode
MENU
VALUE
VALUE
EDIT
save
COMP
8
PAGE
Operation
DARKSTAR XP2 - Poly Synth

STORE IN EXISTING PROGRAM:
STORE IN ANOTHER PROGRAM:
If you want to store the new settings, they can be saved into the current
program whereby any previous settings will be overwritten. To store the new settings simply press the EDIT [SAVE]
button once, as shown below:
The main display will show 'SAVE' whilst the store operation is carried out.
If you want to keep the existing program the edited setup, you
can overwrite any of the other programs. First, activate COMPARE mode and then use the [VOICE /PROGRAM]
jog dial to select another suitable program location as shown below:
and still save
The 64 factory presets can be re-loaded back into memory at any time.
Press and the
[VOICE/PROGRAM] jog dial knob and then turn power on. The main display will show ‘SURE’ to prompt
confirmation of the load. Press the top [EDIT] button marked ‘VALUE +’’ to confirm the operation (‘LOAD’ appears
briefly in display).
RE-LOAD ALL 64 FACTORY PRESETS: Ensure power is switched OFF. hold down
PART MENU FUNCTIONS
The [PART] menu button at the front of the main panel lets you setup parameters such as POLYPHONY, MIDI
CHANNEL, NOTE RANGE, TRANSPOSE etc for each sound. For full details on the menu list, functions and
settings please see pages 22, 23 and 24.
Loading back all 64 factory presets
PARAMETER
VA L U E
PARAMETER
VA L U E
Press the save [SAVE]
button once to store the
edited sound
Display changes to confirm
SAVE operation
MENU
VALUE
VALUE
EDIT
save
COMP
OWNERS MANUAL
9
PAGE
Operation
PARAMETER
VA L U E
Rotate to select new PROGRAM
When you are sure you want to overwrite the
selected program press SAVE
1
3
2
4
Press the COMPARE button once
Display ‘C’ letter now flashes to indicate
COMPARE SELECT mode
VOICE/
PROGRAM
[+/up][-/dwn]
MENU
MENU
VALUE
VALUE
VALUE
VALUE
EDIT
EDIT
save
save
COMP
COMP

OSCILLATOR SECTION
OSCILLATOR SELECT button
WAVEFORM
This section of DARKSTAR XP2 produces the musical tones which form the basis of subtractive synthesis. There
are two oscillators per ‘voice’ (musical note), each producing audible vibrations to act as a sound source. The
timbre of each oscillator depends on its harmonic content which is determined by the waveform. There are basically
two waveforms available, SAWTOOTH and SQUARE, each with its own specific set of harmonics.
Controls for changing the amount of modulation to the pitch timbre of the oscillators are also included in this
section. These timbral and pitch modulations give the oscillator sound more depth and stimulate musical appeal to
the ear.
This large button switches between oscillator 1 and 2. When the indicator is OFF, oscillator 1 will be selected.
When the indicator is ON, oscillator 2 will be selected.
This control has two functions determined by the [SHIFT] button.
When the [SHIFT] function is (SHIFT LED Off) this control sets the selected oscillator’s waveform.
At the fully anti-clockwise position ( ) the waveform will be shaped like a SAWTOOTH. This waveform contains
every harmonic in decreasing volume and produces a very rich sound. As the control is moved in a clockwise
direction the shape progressively changes, becoming more and more ‘squared-off’ until, at the fully clockwise
position ( ) the shape will be a SQUARE or ‘pulse’ waveform. As a pure square wave (max and min values equal)
the harmonic content will be all the odd-numbered harmonics in decreasing volume which gives the sound a hollow
or ‘woody’ timbre. The width of the pulse can also be altered by the [PULSE WIDTH] knob to make the sound
thinner.
When the [SHIFT] function is selected (SHIFT LED Flashing) this control sets the amount of oscillator 2 pitch
offset. This detune setting is calibrated in semitones with the eight indicators labelled [OSC 2 SEMITONE OFFSET]
showing the value, as in the following example:
(OSC 2 PITCH)
NOT selected ,
,
Example:
Oscillator 2 pitch offset =
12 semitones (1 octave)
Press once
before changing
the setting
SHIFT
OSC 2 SEMITONE OFFSET
1716 19 2412750
PITCH MODWAVEFORM
WAVEFORM
PWM ring mod osc mix
DETUNEPULSE WIDTH
Oscillators
Osc 1
Osc 2
OSC 2 PITCH
SHIFT
OSC 2 SEMITONE OFFSET
1716 19 2412750
Oscillators
Osc 1
Osc 2
OSC 2 PITCH
10
PAGE
Operation
DARKSTAR XP2 - Poly Synth