If you've been putting off getting into the modular synth world because of concerns over cost and/or space, Bastl Instruments' new pocket-sized Kastle could be the synth that gets you involved.
Battery-powerable and designed for producing "unique modulations and lo-fi sounds," this mini marvel can be used on its own or interfaced with other gear. It features a "complex" oscillator and LFO with stepped waveform generator, and a mini patchbay.
Check out a video demo above and a spec list below. You can order an assembled Kastle for €79 (available in less than a month), and a DIY kit for €65 (available in November), both from the Noise Kitchen website.
Bastl Instruments Kastle specs
- Mini patchbay with 16 different patch points
- Complex oscillator
- 3 synthesis modes: phase distortion, phase modulation and track & hold modulation pitch control with offset and CV input with attenuator
- Timbre control with offset and CV input with attenuator
- Waveshape control with offset and CV input
- Voltage-controllable LFO with triangle and square outputs and reset input
- Stepped voltage generator with random, 8 step and 16 step loop mode
- 2 I/O CV ports are available and can be routed to any patch point
- The main output can drive headphones
- 3x AA battery operation with power switch
- Open source
- Possibility of exchanging different LFO and OSC chips
- Comes with patch cables
- The pattern on the sides varies and every unit is an original
