MATRIXSYNTH: Bastl Introduces CITADEL Alchemist Eurorack Module

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Bastl Introduces CITADEL Alchemist Eurorack Module


video upload by Bastl Instruments

Check with dealers on the right for availability and price.

Playlist:

1. CITADEL ALCHEMIST & Kastle 2+Citadel DIY Kits & more NEWS from Bastl!
We built a fantasy world of magical music machines with the FX Wizard multi-effect, the Wave Bard sample player and the Alchemist synth that live in battery powered Kastle 2 format and the Citadel eurorack version. We are excited to not only announce the late arrival of the Citadel Alchemist Eurorack module to the party, but to let everyone know that all the instruments are now available as DIY kits and that we are partially open-sourcing it so the world we started could be expanded by many others."
2. Bastl CITADEL Alchemist - All Synth Modes preview
"A complete preview of Alchemist's Synth Modes with a quick preview of the Dual FX and a small jam."

Chapters:
00:00 Filter
00:44 FM
01:32 Supersaw
02:25 Hypersine
03:24 GlitchNoise
03:41 Dual FX
04:27 Small Jam and patching
3. Hello Alchemist ! Bastl Citadel synth engine rave to experimental - Stazma and Bastl Instruments
Alchemist is now EURORACK... into the CITADEL!!!!!
So here we go checking out how this synth engine will play out with his other citadel friend the Wave Bard in breakbeat torture mode.
Also a cool oportunity to play around the Diktaat from Mzourack to trigger both units in a performative way.



Citadel Alchemist is a patchable hybrid-synthesis based eurorack module that empowers you in discovering melodies and even harmonies despite being monophonic.
Patch programmable sequencing via the control signals into the two PITCH MOD inputs opens up a world of melodic inspiration beyond classic arpeggios while staying in your preferred SCALE.

5 synthesis modes
The Alchemist has a carefully tuned wide timbral range spanning across 5 synthesis modes (FILTER, FM, HYPERSINE, SUPERSAW and GLITCHNOISE) accessed by main TIMBRE sweep that is refined by the RATIO control.

The ENV macro knob affects different parts of the synth and sequencing engine to maximize musicality and it even lets you continually morph between the synthesis modes and access truly unique sounds.
The timbral palette is further extended by the dual FX section which offers either a wide delay that will smear the arpeggios into echoed harmonies or a chorus-flanger-distortion-combfilter macro custom tuned for each synth mode.
You can also access gliding rubber textures with the PITCH SLIDE macro that applies pitch envelope and portamento.
You can customize its rhythms and scales with the web-based editor.
Modulate anything
All main parameters can be modulated and tightly sequenced by the surprisingly powerful CV and GATE pattern generator. Create groovy off-grid beats using the built-in LFO, which can be synced, reset, or left to run freely.

Midi Inside Out
Citadel Alchemist is not just a sound box—it’s a powerful MIDI controller and sequencer when connected via the USB port on the back of the module. Send finely curated USB MIDI data to your DAW or USB MIDI device, and discover new ways of playing and interacting through a modular interface. Citadel Alchemist receives TRS MIDI via front panel and both sends and receives USB MIDI via the connector on the back of the module.

Make it fun
Do not write melodies! Let them emerge from the behavior you set-up by the patch interaction of various modulation sources.

From Kastle to Citadel
CITADEL is a Eurorack reimagination of the popular Kastle 2 semi-modular desktop device. The CITADEL comes with a full 3.5mm patch bay that offers the flexibility needed in the eurorack format while maintaining the strengths of the Kastle 2 allowing it to stand on its own, and yet let it truly shine when patched with other modules. We’ve also added switches for hands-on control of the pattern generator.

The Citadel provides the basic infrastructure needed to integrate eurorack systems within the context of electronic music making: headphone output, TRS MIDI input and sync, tempo generator with divider/multiplier, USB MIDI (from the back of the module), stereo mixing, integrated LFO and Pattern generator and effects.

All that makes Citadel the perfect module for smaller and beginner systems while the fun and unique creativity of the Kastle 2 firmwares: the FX WIZARD multi-effect processor and WAVE BARD sample player will earn its place in larger setups.

Features
5 synth modes
— FILTER
— FM
— SUPERSAW
— HYPERSINE
— GLITCHNOISE

Hybrid synthesis
— 4 oscillators
— FM with feedback
— Raw Waveform mixing
— Ring mod
— Track and hold
— Stereo noise with track and hold
— Stereo Filter
— Transient shaper

Dual FX section
— Delay to the left
— Chorus/Flanger/Distortion to the right

stereo audio processing at 44kHz/16-bits

PITCH knob with range of ± 3 octaves from base note
PITCH MOD attenuverter knob for modulating pitch
— NOTE input: quantized pitch with selectable scales (updates on trigger)
— ►PLAY input: 3rd, 5th and octave above NOTE - triggers envelope on change, time quantized to PLAY GRID - great for arpeggios!
— user-defined scales via web-based editor
— BANK+PITCH MOD to change quantizer scale
— BANK+TIMBRE MOD for root note adjustment
— BANK+LFO MOD for fine tuning
— BANK+PITCH to change and preview octave

TIMBRE knob for main timbral sweep
— refine TIMBRE sweep with RATIO (oscillator detune ratios and wave mixing ratios)
— hit the SHIFT button to trigger the sound
— TRIGGER input to trigger sound
— TIMBRE MOD input with attenuversion

MODE input with attenuation to change synth MODE with CV

ENV knob
— turn right to set decay and focuses TIMBRE on transients
— turn left to reverse add attack and decay and focuses TIMBRE on BODY
— fully left and right enters DRONE mode
— slows down arpeggio at long envelopes
— MODE MORPHING to the left
— ENV MOD input with attenuverter
— ENV MOD updates only at trigger
— patchable ENV output of the envelope

LFO with triangle and pulse output, reset input, attenuverting modulation, synced or free
Tempo generator with tap tempo, divider, and external clock input
Pattern generator (tempo synced) with GATE and CV output, patch-programmable
GATE generator contains user-programmable RHYTHM patterns via web-based editor

stereo eurorack-level DC coupled input with input gain (up to +6db), accepts up to -10V to + 10V
input can be mixed at the output or run thru the built in effects
DC coupled stereo eurorack-level output, -5V to +5V
stereo headphone output capable of driving headphones up to 250 Ohm
analog sync input
analog sync output

TRS MIDI Input (clock, notes, CCs, pitch bend)
USB-C on the back of the module (firmware updates, USB MIDI in/out, uploading samples)

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