Costing upwards of $100,000, the dream machine of the ‘80s was unattainable by most. Used by countless prominent artists including Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Herbie Hancock, Jean Michel Jarre, Thomas Dolby and many more, it remains a highly regarded and sought after instrument.
Suffering a fit of nostalgia as we often do, we decided to set about making a new instrument inspired by this legendary studio icon and we ended up making three: a digital synth, a digital drum machine, and a multi-phraser. Each instrument with its own unique quirks and personality, suited for different tasks, all with the raw, lo-fi character of the original machine. The result is an extremely fun and flexible set of instruments that gives new life to classic sounds and pushes these old voices into new sonic territory.
Explore Darklight IIX
Trailer
Overview
Trailer
Overview
Instruments
Page P - Digital Synth
Immediate access to hundreds of sounds and instruments including: Bass, Brass, Bells, Strings, Guitar, Orchestral Hits, Synth, Drums, Percussion, FX, Keys, Piano, Organs, Winds, Reeds and Voices. Efficient and versatile control set allows for everything from quick tweaks to deep sonic exploration. Enjoy accurate reproduction of the original hardware's aliasing characteristics across 250+ ready-to-play presets. A multitude of effects, including Sparkverb™, allow you create sounds from your favorite cult records from the '80s or something totally new!
Page B - Digital Drum Machine
Let Darklight power your rhythm section as an '80s-style beatbox with built-in retro step sequencer. Featuring hundreds of authentic vintage drum and percussion sounds in one place. Includes 250+ sounds and 25 ready-to-play configurations that evoke pure '80s nostalgia. Utilize the per-instrument filters to sculpt your kit or draw from the included UVI effects to transform it.
Page U - Creative Multi-Phraser
A fun and creative twist on the digital sampling workstation, build and layer sounds to create your own loops and progressions with a distinct old-school digital flavor. Over 100 sounds available across 3 parts each with it's own featured sequencer lane. Create original melodies, loops, phrases, drones and more, all with that authentic vintage digital bite.
Powerful analog modeled filters, LFO's, envelopes and effects in a beautiful old-school interface await you in this tightly packed and massive sounding collection.
Listen
UVI
Reviews
Bryan Loren
Singer-Songwriter & Producer
Michael Jackson, Barry White, Whitney Houston, Sting, Mariah Carey, Rick James
"
The machine that Trevor, Herbie and Stevie were using, that had me saying, "What!?" And without the weight.
"
Armando Avila
Multi Grammy & Billboard Award-winning Producer, Musician, Arranger & Mixer
Gloria Trevi, Thalia, Aleks Syntek, Malu, DLD
"
One of my favorite virtual instruments is Darklight IIx. Being a big fan of the original Fairlight CMI IIx this one always gives me a big smile, it’s the best recreation of this great system.
"
Juan Carlos Moguel
Producer & Musician
Gloria Trevi, Luis Fonsi, La 5ª Estación, Carlos Baute & Martha Sanchez, Yuri, JNS, Dvicio
"
It's awesome how it sounds. You can make a lot of crazy stuff using this synth, all the patches are great, the fair voices are great [...] in fact all the presets are great! The limit of this synth is your creativity! Darklight IIx sounds like the 70s original sampler. I love it!!!
"
Bryan Loren
Singer-Songwriter & Producer
Michael Jackson, Barry White, Whitney Houston, Sting, Mariah Carey, Rick James
"
The machine that Trevor, Herbie and Stevie were using, that had me saying, "What!?" And without the weight.
"
Armando Avila
Multi Grammy & Billboard Award-winning Producer, Musician, Arranger & Mixer
Gloria Trevi, Thalia, Aleks Syntek, Malu, DLD
"
One of my favorite virtual instruments is Darklight IIx. Being a big fan of the original Fairlight CMI IIx this one always gives me a big smile, it’s the best recreation of this great system.
"
Juan Carlos Moguel
Producer & Musician
Gloria Trevi, Luis Fonsi, La 5ª Estación, Carlos Baute & Martha Sanchez, Yuri, JNS, Dvicio
"
It's awesome how it sounds. You can make a lot of crazy stuff using this synth, all the patches are great, the fair voices are great [...] in fact all the presets are great! The limit of this synth is your creativity! Darklight IIx sounds like the 70s original sampler. I love it!!!
