Boomstar is a return to the raw power and purity of non-programmable discrete
analog, where STUDIO ELECTRONICS started in 1985. The snap and punch of hardware envelopes drive the Boomstar's
brilliant discrete voltage controlled circuits with unparalleled sonic clarity and versatility; refaced, and
revoiced, the Boomstar MKII is likely the ultimate desktop analog synthesizer for those who remember, and desire
still, analog synth sounds that changed the music, and sound seekers who have yet to discover that electric
magic and delight in their time—via MIDI or CV of course.
The Boomstar's alchemy of combinable waveform oscillations—with sub, OSC1-OSC2 sync—filter and oscillator xmod,
ring mod, 5 revered filter types, extensive modulation routing made easy via its 18+ toggle switches, and a
flexible software LFO, make sound and music design a daring delight. Hardware envelopes with invert, loop, drone
and master mode deliver that flexible, funky snap and shift.
The quick-turn shaft pots along the bottom for the hardware ring mod, noise, and feedback are diode-based for more complex and interesting harmonic distortion, and VCO Levels make vital sonic changes intimate, immediate, and indispensable; the adjacent overdrive switch adds beefy boost, warmth, and edge. 29+ pots ensure a fluid, intuitive groove over wide-ranging sweeps, and subtle tone variations: whip them suddenly and rhythmically into shape, or feather in the changes. Expect cleaner levels in and out of the 5 MKII filter models (MKIIs will still brown out but their headroom is more generous). Can't decide which model deserves your attention? It does help that Boomstar is a discrete, through-hole, hand-matched transistor, semi-modular desktop monophonic synthesizer, built in the U.S.A. to last, no matter which glowing circuit, handcrafted filter model you choose—the first time.
Legendary screaming high resonance Korg® MS20
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Ripping Jupiter-Juno Roland® magic
Lord Tom Oberheim's 2-pole 12dB, boxy & boomy gem
Powerfully resonant, thumpy and mid-rangy ARP® 2600
Sharp-dressed and snappy, single or multiple triggering (VCA 2), envelopes hearken back to our MIDIMINI roots; drone and master modes update the tech.
All discrete circuity, with our trademark hand matched transistors in the filter and amp.
Control Voltage, Gate, and External input connectivity for old school interfacing, speed, MIDI freedom, and external source processing flexibility.
1. Refaced for clarity of function, signal flow and an overall visual/tactile assist.
2. Revoiced for purity of tone—more headroom into amplifier; browning-out is delayed.
3. Diode-based feedback circuit for greater dynamic range and harmonic distortion content.
4. Exotic and rugged hand-picked and handcrafted lumber/microlumber sides: Bocote, Marblewood, and Pau Ferro.
5. Lined, fluted knobs and lined quick-turn pot shafts top and bottom for more precise programming and patch recall.
6. Metal-shafted pots installed throughout, apart from the envelopes, where the custom taper plastic-shafted pots are strengthened with an added bushing.
SidesExoticia® Bocote, Marblewood, and Pau Ferro, end bells are hand selected, handcrafted one-offs, and will vary greatly in grain and attractive imperfections, but they are always character rich, and easily transcend exact appearance expectation. Expect a richly figured hardwood. Sides are now mounted with blind screws, for a devastating... prettiness. CAUTION! Micro-lumber may appear even prettier when immediately in front of you.
Pre-MKII Boomstars can be upgraded to MKII visuals and knob/pot improvements.
$499 with end bells: chassis with SidesExotica® Bocote, Marblewood, USA-only Indian Rosewood, and Pau Ferro.
$249 remove and replace MKI pots and knobs: "Tonestar" fluted knobs and metal-shafted pots installed
throughout, apart from the envelopes, where the custom taper plastic-shafted pots are strengthened
with
an
added bushing: proper ENV pot tapers are not available in metal; top and bottom quick-turn pot
shafts
are
now lined.
Order hardware upgrades
For OS upgrade information click here
SPECS AND FUNCTIONS
Beyond the pandemic, the santri community was at the heart of several pressing social debates in 2021:
The structural challenges of 2021 also exposed severe educational disparities. When the Indonesian government mandated remote learning, thousands of santri in remote regions lacked internet access and digital devices.
In 2021, many santri have taken to social media to express their support for marginalized communities and to condemn acts of intolerance. For example, the #IndonesiaToleran (Indonesia is Tolerant) campaign, initiated by a group of young santri, aimed to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.
The 2021 theme, (Santri Stand Ready with Soul and Body), conveyed a statement of santri commitment to always be ready to devote their entire being to defending the homeland, maintaining Indonesian unity, and realizing world peace.
Historically, the santri identity was defined by religious piety, strict adherence to clerical wisdom, and a communal life within the traditional pesantren . However, as Indonesia entered the 2020s, the concept of the santri underwent a massive evolution.
Some notable Indonesian cultural events and festivals in 2021 include:
Health Advocacy and Vaccination: In 2021, pesantrens played a crucial role in debunking vaccine myths. Prominent scholars and student influencers used religious frameworks to explain the importance of public health, significantly increasing vaccination rates in rural areas where government messaging was often met with skepticism.
The rise of digital entrepreneurship, the strategic response to COVID-19, the active counter-narrative against extremism, and the continued political influence all point to a santri community that is far from being a relic of the past. Instead, santri in 2021 emerged as dynamic agents of change—balancing spiritual devotion with technological savvy, local tradition with global awareness, and religious commitment with national unity.
Historically, the term santri refers to students residing in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) to study religious texts under the guidance of a kyai (teacher). By 2021, this definition had expanded. The "21st-century santri" is no longer just a traditional religious student but a "multidisciplinary learner".
A significant shift in 2021 was the rise of the —individuals who seek Islamic knowledge through social media rather than traditional boarding schools. While this democratized access to religious learning, it also introduced social issues like fragmented understanding and the potential for online sectarianism, prompting calls for better digital literacy among the youth. Navigating the Pandemic: Resilience and Vulnerability
The Santri Achievement Scholarship (PBSB) , a partnership between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and LPDP, began in 2021 to fund santri pursuing degrees in social work . This aimed to blend traditional religious values with modern professional ethics.
