Strymon StarLab Time-Warped Reverberator Eurorack Module

Strymon StarLab Time-Warped Reverberator Eurorack Module Overview

Delivering lush, expansive reverb textures and enveloping string pads, the Strymon StarLab Time-Warped Reverberator Eurorack Module is bound to invigorate and inspire you on your sonic explorations. Strymon are renowned for their high-fidelty effects and the 24HP-sized StarLab module is no exception, with its ability to enhance your input signals with ethereal modulated reverb and delay. Combine this with expressive Karplus-Strong synth voices and you have an true all-in-one ambient powerhouse.

Let’s Do The Time Warp

The crowning jewel of the Strymon StarLab’s feature-set is its time-warped reverberator, which can transform the simplest mono signal into a glorious stereo soundscape. Strymon’s singular aim for the StarLab was to create “the highest quality reverb possible for modular systems” and it certainly delivers the goods in that department. The StarLab gives you three reverb textures to choose from - Sparse, Dense and Diffuse - each of which presents a distinct flavour. Sparse is well-suited to atmospheric sound design, Dense has a smooth response that’s similar to a plate reverb and Diffuse is ideal for slow, blooming washes.

The versatility of the StarLab is something to behold, as it can go from an organic room ambience to a massive interstellar reverb with ease. The Strymon StarLab could easily become a one-stop reverb solution for your Eurorack setup.

Using the Shimmer and Glimmer modes, you can add tuned musical intervals and enhance the harmonic content of the reverberant space. This allows you to transcend the realms of “traditional” reverb sounds and craft a wealth of otherwordly textures.

More Than A Pre-Delay

The Strymon StarLab features a versatile Delay section, which is a hugely expanded reverb pre-delay. The StarLab’s Delay section can produce an impressive range of delay and delay-reverb effects with the ECHO ON button engaged. Echoes can be easily synced to an external clock for rhythmic delays and you can use the DELAY/TUNE knob to select from multiple time divisions. A handy TAP/TRIG button allows you to tap in tempo if you want to set the delay time on the fly.

In addition to delay, this section of the Strymon StarLab Eurorack module can also evoke a variety of modulation effects when used with the LFO, including shimmering chorus, swirling flangers, organic vibratos and modulated delays. These effects can instantly enhance your sound sources with a characteristic richness and movement. Plus, they can be used alongside or independently from the StarLab’s reverb section.

Onboard LFO

The Strymon Star Lab is equipped with an LFO, which offers a range of waveforms - triangle, square, ramp, saw, random and envelope. The LFO can be routed your choice of three destinations: the delay section for modulated echo effects/reverb pre-delay and mod effects, the reverb’s SIZE/PITCH parameter to go from mild to wild music-generating effects or the filter for those classic sweeps and more.

If you want to add some rhythmic movement to your patches, simply clock the LFO externally via CV. This transforms the LFO SPEED control into a clock multiplier/divider.

String Synthesis

The StarLab is far more than a comprehensive reverb, delay and modulation machine for your Eurorack setup, this module is also an instrument in its own right. When in Karplus-Strong mode, the StarLab can be used as a monophonic string synthesis voice with a character all of its own. The TAP/TRIG button can be used to trigger notes, you can either pluck with a press or bow the note by holding the button down. When modulated with LFO and processed using the StarLab’s reverb, this string voice can conjure up a seriously mesmerising sound.

Processing Power

Other ways Strymon’s StarLab module can process, mould and sculpt your patches include a Low Damp/High Damp filter (which features a resonant 24dB/octave low pass mode), an Input Gain control (adds musical harmonic distortion to the signal being fed to the reverb) and an Infinite mode (freezes the audio at the input to create an ambient bed or drone, which can then be repitched to one of 15 built-in scales).

Robust Design

Just like the Magneto, which continues to offer a wealth of gorgeous magnetic tape delay effects, looping and more, the Strymon StarLab brings the esteemed company’s groundbreaking effects to the Eurorack world. Housed in a sturdy 24HP enclosure, the StarLab boasts the roadworthiness and premium quality that you’ve come to expect from Strymon gear. You can count on this module to withstand sessions and performances for many years to come.

Effortless Control

One of the best elements of modular synthesis is real-time interaction and the StarLab stays true to this ethos with its immediate, knob-laden control scheme. There are no menus to wade through here, all of the StarLab’s parameters are instantly accessible from the intuitively laid-out front panel. Whilst there’s no doubt that the time-warped StarLab is a deep device capable of creating truly complex sounds, navigating its depths is effortless and rewarding thanks to the immediacy of its design.

Offering a trio of reverb structures, a flexible delay, rich modulation and a complete Karplus-Strong string synthesis voice, this versatile and well-built 24HP module is primed to enhance your Eurorack rig.