Bastl Kalimba: Expressive Hybrid Synthesizer with Tines

The Bastl Kalimba is an innovative new desktop instrument from Bastl Instruments, designed to offer an expressive and intuitive playing experience reminiscent of an acoustic instrument. This unique device seamlessly integrates internal microphones, touch sensors, and an accelerometer, all controlled via a user interface inspired by traditional kalimbas and their characteristic tines. The design aims to foster intuitive creativity and easy musical expression, allowing musicians to engage with the instrument in a natural, tactile way.

At its core, the Kalimba responds much like an acoustic instrument. When users pluck the Kalimba’s tines with varying intensity, internal microphones and touch-sensitive areas capture these nuances. This input then excites both a sophisticated physical modeling engine and an FM synthesis engine. Furthermore, in specific configurations, the sound engine can be activated by tapping or strumming on the unit’s casing or directly on the tines, offering a diverse range of interaction methods.

Dynamic Interaction and Sound Shaping

Motion and expressiveness are central to the Kalimba’s design philosophy. An internal accelerometer functions as an alternative exciter for the physical modeling engine. In addition, it dynamically filters the left and right channels of the FM engine as the device is moved or rotated, allowing for gestural sound manipulation. The front panel features dedicated touch points that enable functions such as creating pads, executing pitch slides, and modulating timbre. Moreover, two additional function-assignable touch points are located on the back of the device, expanding its interactive capabilities.

The instrument is equipped with a comprehensive set of features, including custom scales, octave shifting, and an arpeggiator. It also offers preset storage, an internal layering looper, and a tempo/metronome function. Furthermore, a suite of built-in effects such as reverb, delay, bit-crush, overdrive, filtering, and modulation are included, enabling extensive sound design possibilities directly on the device.

Development and Portability

Bastl Instruments dedicated over three years to the development of the Kalimba, a project they describe as their most challenging to date. This extensive process involved numerous iterations of casing shapes, tine lengths, materials, internal designs, features, and visual directions. The hardware interface, particularly the tines, underwent rigorous stress tests to ensure durability. Similarly, the casing was refined through several versions to achieve optimal ergonomic comfort for hands of all sizes. This meticulous development, supported by collaboration with artists, aimed to create an instrument that is both practical and enjoyable for musicians ranging from hobbyists to professionals.

For musicians on the go, the Bastl Kalimba is highly portable. Its internal microphones are precisely tuned to prevent feedback, even in loud stage environments. With a rechargeable battery via USB-C and a built-in speaker, it serves as an excellent companion for outdoor sessions or during commutes.

Features

• 12 tone tines with touch and velocity sensitivity, micro tuning, and light response
• 6 voices with a unique sound engine combining FM synthesis and physical modeling
• Stereo microphones for exciting the physical modeling engine
• Interactive macro mapping across 6 bipolar control knobs
• Octave switching
• Front panel touch points for pad, glide, SOIL, and WIND functions, plus advanced locking
• Assignable L/R touch points for various parameters (pitch bend, transpose, tempo, arpeggiator, etc.)
• Accelerometer for sound animation through movement
• Performative Arpeggiator with 5 modes, velocity control, and tempo divider
• Built-in looper with free-running or tempo-synced modes, time stretch, and destructive looping
• Built-in effects: Downsampler/Bit crusher/Distortion, Chorus/Flanger/Tape emulation, Filter, Reverb/Delay
• Tempo generator with numerical BPM input, tap tempo, and external clock sync
• 12 scales/tuning presets with micro pitch adjustments
• 16 presets for saving sound and arpeggiator settings
• 6-level sensitivity setting
• Built-in speaker and USB-C rechargeable battery
• Neck/wrist strap holes and ergonomic enclosure
• Connectivity: Stereo headphone/line output (3.5mm TRS), MIDI in/out (3.5mm TRS Type A), Analog clock in/out (3.5mm TS), USB-C MIDI and firmware updates
• Dimensions: 144 × 95 × 50 mm, Weight: 310 g
• Comes with a compact protective hardshell carry case

Price
Super Early Bird: 389.00 €
Early Bird: 420.00 €
Kickstarter Special: 489.00 €
Special Edition: 500.00 €
Retail (estimated): 550.00 €

More info: Bastl Instruments | Kalimba