At Superbooth 2025, Bastl Instruments unveiled a new addition to their Kastle series – the Kastle 2 Wave Bard. This pocket-sized, patchable stereo sample player is designed for experimental sound work – from lo-fi sequences to advanced modular manipulation.
The Wave Bard offers up to 89 seconds of mono or 44 seconds of stereo memory (44.1 kHz), with the option to use lower resolutions for a lo-fi vibe and extended sample time. Samples are loaded via a browser-based app – the device itself does not record audio.
A bank holds 8 samples, selectable manually or via CV. The sample length can be adjusted using a knob or CV input, and the same knob also allows you to reverse playback on the fly.
Modulation and Sound Design
Kastle 2 Wave Bard features smooth pitch control across ±2 octaves with optional scale quantization – including custom scales configurable in the browser app. For sound shaping, it includes high-pass and low-pass filters, as well as stereo effects: delay and chorus/flanger. Additionally, the audio input allows you to process external sound through the Bard’s effects and filters.
Also onboard are an LFO with triangle and square waveforms (with reset and sync), a built-in clock generator, and a pattern generator for pitch, gate, and modulation – all programmable via the web app.
Main features of Bastl Kastle 2 Wave Bard
- Pocket-sized stereo sample player in the Kastle format
- Up to 89 s mono or 44 s stereo playback (44.1 kHz)
- Sample loading via browser-based app
- CV control over sample selection, length, and reverse playback
- Smooth pitch adjustment with optional quantization
- Effects: stereo delay, chorus/flanger, HP/LP filters
- LFO with reset and sync
- Built-in clock and pattern generator
- Stereo I/O, analog sync, USB-C port
Check it out at Wired Tunes
Bastl Kastle 2 Wave Bard is a perfect choice for creators of experimental, lo-fi, and performance-oriented music. Coming soon to Wired Tunes!
