Ursa Major StarGate 626 Digital Reverb + Effects

The Ursa Major StarGate 626 was developed as an enhanced version of the StarGate 323, retaining full compatibility with its core reverberation structure while extending its creative range through additional programs and memory. The original eight reverb rooms from the StarGate 323 are preserved unchanged, maintaining the same maximum decay characteristics and overall sonic behaviour. These foundational programmes provide the same room simulations, bandwidth, and dynamic performance as the earlier unit.

Beyond these original rooms, the Ursa Major StarGate 626 introduces a set of additional reverb and effects programmes made possible by increased internal memory. The unit employs 256 k RAM devices, allowing longer delay times and more complex processing structures than were possible in the StarGate 323. These additional programmes expand the machine from a reverb processor into a combined reverb and delay effects unit.

The extended programme set of the Ursa Major StarGate 626 includes fast-diffusing plate-style reverbs without discrete pre-echoes, long space reverbs with smooth decays extending well beyond the limits of the original rooms, and reverse reverb programmes with adjustable decay time and duration. Full-bandwidth delay lines are also included, offering adjustable delay time and feedback gain. Some delay programmes operate in mono, others in stereo, and some produce alternating or panned channel outputs, creating movement within the stereo field.

Certain delay programmes employ fixed delay times rather than continuously variable settings, with values determined by the selected programme. These fixed times vary between programmes and may use narrow or wide timing increments depending on the design of the specific effect. Feedback behaviour on these delay programmes allows anything from conventional echoes through to extremely long or near-infinite repeats.

All additional programmes include a freeze function that can be externally controlled. When engaged, the freeze function captures approximately two seconds of audio and holds it in memory, allowing sustained reverberant textures, extended ambience, or loop-like delay effects. This capability enables a range of creative uses, from infinite reverb effects to continuously repeating delays.

In physical terms, the Ursa Major StarGate 626 follows the same lightweight rackmount construction approach as the earlier StarGate units. Its internal design is relatively simple, reflecting Ursa Major’s practical engineering philosophy and contributing to ease of servicing. The overall character of the unit remains firmly rooted in early digital processing, with extended effects that favour darker, dense textures and evolving spatial movement rather than pristine realism.

The Ursa Major StarGate 626 occupies a distinct place within the Ursa Major range, preserving the original StarGate sound while significantly expanding its creative potential through longer decays, complex delays, and experimental effects made possible by increased memory and programme design.

Features

• Retains the original eight StarGate 323 room programmes with identical behaviour
• Additional reverb and effects programmes enabled by increased internal memory
• Fast-diffusing plate-style reverb programmes
• Extended space reverbs with significantly longer decay times
• Reverse reverb programmes with adjustable decay and duration
• Mono and stereo delay programmes with fixed delay times
• Delay feedback capable of very long or near-infinite repeats
• Freeze function capturing approximately two seconds of audio
• Lightweight rackmount construction with straightforward internal design