Bastl Kalimba

[ggriss]

I have no idea why but I really want to buy this thing. It feels refreshing to have a new/old interface to interact with synthesis.

[Microtribe]

Perfect.

[KleinKlang]

Did this thing surpass 400.000€ on kickstarter already?

[rooob]

I really like the design and the concept!
Good thing is I missed the super early bird deal so it’s now over a threshold price where I don’t buy stuff without thinking it really through

[CEKBEHTC]

I hope it doesn’t break fast …

[reeloy]

…this thing will sell…and once it did, since it’s a timeless and unique sonic gadget, bastl won’t need that kickstarter upfront financing concept anymore and can offer it as a fixed part of their product range…

and every price tag under 600 bux, once made in serial batches, 499,- something, will be more than worth it on each single buck…

[Y-NE]

Over half a million in one day😲
Hope the Super Early Bird will arrive for Christmas holidays

[dr_laemmerbein]

I was gonna order as well but then I have no spare money currently… It was mainly the combination of a very easy to use midi controller and a nice synthesizer in the same box. Looks like it’s very fun to jam with.

[Instant_Fidelity]

That’s the best part, Kickstarter don’t charge until June or something.

[Omar]

I’m not going to get it because I want to stay focused on my current setup, but this is hands down the most musical electronic instrument I’ve seen in a while.

This guy (Václav) is a genius.

[Dubcat]

Kickstarted!
I get the impression of a charming and lovely device in concept and execution. I really like how playable it seems (being a guitar and bass player).
And I think it will be great with my ableton move (or any sampler).

[icaria36]

First-hand feedback from the Superbooth topic:

@FNKSTRNG

The only things I really liked were Cyma Forma’s RND and Bastl Kalimba.

Superbooth 2026

I plucked and tweaked it for a minute or two Not for me, but it sounded surprisingly cool. Small but playable, and I got some cool timbres out of it very quickly.

Superbooth 2026

My experience was similar to @Nils’s. The Bastl booth was wedged into an irregular corner by a doorway into an antechamber before a larger room with many exhibitors, and on the other (larger) side of the antechamber was the Ableton booth. It was really difficult to get to play or even look at any of their gear. My partner and I happened to be passing through at a point where someone left the Kalimba closest to the door, so we just grabbed it. Too awkward to even don a second set of headphones (m…

[Jukka]

They’re right at the million dollar threshold almost twenty times the minimum, with almost 2000 backers, and well over two weeks left. No clear sign but it looks like they are ready for this to go much higher. ( Some other companies, keep the total number of systems sold more limited to minimize the risks and headaches. )

They are through ( at 1500 backers ) to their stretch goal of a web based editor. What they say is they will do that no more than one year after delivering the Kalimba hardware. The web editor is a nice addition, but not essential for operation.

I also see they are responding to comments and are considering alterations and options, which is a good sign. This is their only kickstarter ever, so there is a learning process in this for them, though they seem mostly prepared. The delivery schedule is set to December 2026. That is probably sufficient for a beta test phase, though not an extensive one.

I did a post on this in the Crowdfunding thread, if you’d like to respond to the crowdfunding process over there, or more specific comments here on this specific campaign.

[K7Dawn]

My issue with this is that they are talking about a 3 year process in designing this “kalimba” failing to mention anything but some superficial nods about the original instrument, which is around since at least 30 centuries give or take?
I dont know but its just a thumb interface for a synthvoice and a multifx really. A very funny gadget and also useful of course (you can make music with everything, this is actually designed to make sounds so it really is useful in that sense), but i think the comparison with something like the phase8 is very unfair, the korg being an hybrid of acoustic and electronic which from an interface and sound generating perspective (and also design and research) it is on a different level.

That said, i love Bastl. i think with this product they are trying to make something simple and fun that can generate a lot of hype and sells, which is not a bad thing (and also it is not easy) but i prefer their crazier side like the early wooden modules or things like microgranny, thyme and softpop.

Hopefully this will be a huge success so they make a lot of money and keep on making the other weird stuff🥰

[natehorn]

I don’t think it’s an unfair comparison.

This is to a Kalimba what the Phase8 is to an Electric Piano.

[K7Dawn]

I agree withe phase8-electric piano, but if i am not wrong there is no acoustic sound generation involved in the Bastl Kalimba, its just the user interface that is influenced by the original instrument

[K7Dawn]

you said it best before with the bastl being to a kalimba what a midi keyboard(+synth engine+fx) is to a piano

Phase8 is a different story

[natehorn]

It’s true, but in practice I’m not sure it really matters (maybe it does)

[K7Dawn]

Yes it doesnt really, just speculation.
GEAROSOPHY😅