Bad Gear - Red Sound Darkstar - Worst Synth Of All Time???

In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the universe's most hated audio tools, we are going to explore uncharted space and boldly go where no gear has gone before with the Red Sound Darkstar. Is it really that bad? Who knows... Probably aliens!

[AudioPilz]

Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs:
Support the channel regardless of what your G.A.S. tells you to buy:

[Niven]

One of YouTube's Greatest Paradoxes:

There is no bad gear on Bad Gear.

[AbominusRules]

no bad gear, only bad users. seriously: this thing is actually pretty decent. those that hate on it have no idea how to use it properly.

[antyhingforeverythingnew]

Any sound has a value in the talent of a musician.

[benjabeb]

I never thought any sound was a bad sound just different

[APMTenants]

People bought them just because they were cheap, even though maybe it didn’t fit their music. They never took the time to learn it, then sold it on and trash talked it.

If it was rare, people would rave about it.

It’s great for experimental music, like modern takes on kraut rock or early electronic styles. The oscillators are so raw. Nothing else like it.

[kieranturner]

I always wondered where Skwisgaar would be after Deathklok, now I know.

[andreyzorkin]

I had one one and i still regret i sold it. The best part of this synth is that it has 5 PARTS! U can assign every part to different midi channels and u have 5 different instruments playing at the same time. U can make a full 5 channel drum module or use 3 channels for drums, 1 for base and 1 for lead! Also u can assign parts to midi channels as u want. For example u can combine a very complex patch if u assign every part to 1 midi channel and u can modulate every part independently. So many things u can do only playing with parts and midi channels. EXTREMELY UNDERESTIMATED!!!

[crisnicholson]

Did everybody miss that this thing has 8 voices across 5 midi parts? I gig mine for all my parts, Bass line, Sequencer and lead in one box. It is deep, it just takes a bit of easy patching. You can even play 10 oscillators through 10 lfo's and 5 filters, if that's your jam. And the slightly shitty timbre actually sits really nicely in the mix.

[noisetheorem]

External FX were the key to this thing. It provided a nice quirky raw sound that my FX rack just loved.

[CaidicusProductions]

If your videos have taught me anything it's that there is no bad gear, there are only bad users. You make everything sound good.

[PolyUnRex]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have truly given this hugely underrated instrument the kind of stardom it deserves. One man's garbage is another man's treasure.

[Slacquerr]

Really starting to feel the thesis for this whole series: It's not bad, it just needs to be used with care and in context.

Always entertaining though! Moar, plz.

[jeff]

Nope, not buying the ‘worst’ hype. It sounds not only like magic to me, but a specific type of sick and fractured magic befitting the insanity that’s 2020.

[rejectedsynths]

I'm amazed at how you keep pumping out videos about synths from my 'to cover on my channel' bucket list 😁
The sound bit parts in the video are really nice this time. I couldn't even find one half decent proper sound demo of the red star on YouTube and you really make it shine in all the briefness of your video. Now I really have to get one.
Also, I'm really looking forward to the vocoder video, thumbs up for that already 👍

[bps]

Not gonna lie, the jam that starts at 3:15 is NOICE

[KometB]

I have a red and black Dark Star. I made excellent point scoring/tally video game sounds, for an iOS game, using it back in 2014. Sounded like a Las Vegas slot machine. I was impressed with the sounds I could make with it.. Also used it for creepy wind ambience on Halloween night one year.

[Kntkt]

I LOVE all the super strange things I could find in this synth when coupled with hard delay and reverb effect. This thing also was amazing when using a Fender guitar as input source. I havent owned any other gear that twisted sounds as unpredictably, and thus as creatively, as the Darkstar. I would dive in not knowing where I would come out, and that is so much fun.

[rarsn]

"Patina" in terms of audio gear! Wow, what a great concept! Or rather, what a great way to put into words that experience we often have with older gear! I love it. This thing actually sounds pretty good in your hands!

[hihat]

It sounds a little, I don't know, flat? Sterile? That being said, I quite liked what you did with it and for 160, - I think it's a pretty good deal. Thanks for another fun video!