Bastl Instruments Kalimba is a 6-voice hybrid synthesizer from Czech manufacturer Bastl Instruments, three years in development — unveiled at Superbooth 2026 at booth O385. The external form is literal: the instrument looks and plays like a traditional kalimba. Twelve metal tines sensitive to touch and velocity drive two simultaneous synthesis engines — FM synthesis and physical modeling with stereo digital resonators. Three internal transducers — two stereo microphones and an accelerometer — capture playing and physical movement as direct input data to the synthesis engine. Weight: 310 g, dimensions: 144 × 95 × 50 mm. Kickstarter active until June 6, 2026; first batch of 1,500 units shipping December 2026.
Microphones and accelerometer as expressive interface: acoustics as control data
Striking a tine is registered simultaneously by a touch sensor and the built-in stereo microphones. Both signals enter the FM synthesis engine and the physical model with stereo digital resonators as input data — meaning the intensity, dynamics, and character of the strike directly shape the timbre and behavior of the sound rather than simply triggering a fixed voice. The accelerometer serves a dual function: it acts as an exciter for the physical modeling engine and filters the left and right channels of the FM engine as the instrument is physically rotated in the hands — delivering full spatial control over stereo image and timbre without touching any additional controls. Each of the 12 tines has its own LED responding to playing and an individual microtuning offset, enabling custom tuning systems and scales directly on the instrument. Scales and an arpeggiator are onboard.
FM engine, physical modeling and effects: synthesizer inside an acoustic instrument body
The synthesis engine combines FM with physical modeling using stereo digital resonators — both engines run simultaneously and respond to data from the microphones and touch sensors. The effects section covers reverb, delay, filter, modulation effects (chorus/flanger/phaser type), tape simulation, distortion, downsampler, and bitcrusher. A built-in speaker and rechargeable battery enable field use without external power or an amplifier. The instrument has an audio output and USB-C for charging and data transfer, with MIDI support. Kickstarter pricing: €389 (super early bird, sold out) / €420 (early bird) / €489 (regular Kickstarter); post-campaign retail price minimum €550. A second batch of up to 750 units is planned for early 2027 if demand exceeds the first run.
KEY FEATURES
- 12 metal tines, touch and velocity sensitive — each with individual microtuning offset and LED responding to playing
- 6-voice synthesis engine: FM + physical modeling with stereo digital resonators — both engines active simultaneously
- 2 x built-in stereo microphones — capture dynamics and strike character as synthesis engine input
- Accelerometer: exciter for physical modeling engine + L/R channel filtering of FM engine on physical rotation
- Effects: reverb, delay, filter, modulation effects, tape simulation, distortion, downsampler, bitcrusher
- Scales and arpeggiator
- Built-in speaker + rechargeable battery — field use without external power
- MIDI, USB-C (charging + data), audio output
- Weight: 310 g; dimensions: 144 × 95 × 50 mm
- Result of 3 years of development; Bastl Instruments, Czech Republic
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Tines: 12 x metal, touch and velocity sensitive, individual microtuning offset, LED per tine
- Voices: 6
- Synthesis engine: FM + physical modeling (stereo digital resonators)
- Sensors: 2 x stereo microphone, touch sensors per tine, accelerometer
- Effects: reverb, delay, filter, modulation effects, tape simulation, distortion, downsampler, bitcrusher
- Additional: scales, microtuning, arpeggiator
- Audio out: yes
- MIDI: yes
- USB: USB-C (charging + data)
- Speaker: built-in
- Power: built-in rechargeable battery
- Weight: 310 g
- Dimensions: 144 × 95 × 50 mm
- Shipping: December 2026 (batch 1: 1,500 units); early 2027 (batch 2: up to 750 units)
- Superbooth 2026, booth O385
