Bastl Introduces Kalimba - Physical Modelling & FM Kalimba Synth

Press release follows:

Bastl Instruments are very proud to announce the release of their new instrument - Bastl Kalimba, a unique desktop instrument that combines microphones, touch sensors, and an accelerometer, with a user interface inspired by the traditional kalimba and its main interaction element: the tines.

We believe that this combination of features and physical interface leads to intuitive creativity and easy musical expression.

Just play it, you already know it.

Treat it like an acoustic Instrument, it will answer like one Plucking the Kalimba’s tines with varying intensity is captured by internal microphones and touch-sensitive areas, which then excite both the physical modelling engine and the FM engine.

In certain settings, you can even excite the engine by knocking or strumming on the unit’s casing or directly on the tines.

Intuitive features with a Bastl twist Motion and expressiveness are central to this instrument. The internal accelerometer acts as an alternative exciter for the physical modelling engine, while also interacting with the FM engine by dynamically filtering the left and right channels as you move and rotate the device. The front panel features function-based touch points (for creating pads, pitch slides, and timbral modulation) and there are also 2 function-assignable ones on the back of the device.

Custom scales, octave shifting, an arpeggiator, presets, an internal layering looper, tempo/metronome, and built-in effects (such as reverb, delay, bit-crush, overdrive, filtering, and modulation) are all included.

3 years of development

Kalimba has been one of the most challenging development projects Bastl has endured so far. We have spent more than three years developing this instrument, exploring different casing shapes, tine lengths, materials, internal designs, features, and visual directions. We couldn’t be more grateful and proud of the entire Bastl team for what they have accomplished and how much heart they’ve put into this project ❤

Instrument’s hardware interface based on tines had to go through several iterations to endure uncompromising stress tests. Kalimba’s casing also went through several versions to guarantee the best possible ergonomic shape for a human hand of any size.

Close collaboration and hands-on testing with our friendly artists, such as Oliver Torr, Never Sol, and others, were essential in developing an instrument that is both practical and fun for everyone—from hobby musicians to professional artists and producers.

Take it Anywhere
Sensitivity of internal microphones is well tuned so you don't have to worry about feedback on a loud stage. With a rechargeable battery via USB-C and built-in speaker, the Bastl Kalimba is also a great companion for outdoor and commuting adventures.

Availability and Exclusivity
The Bastl Kalimba is launching on Kickstarter first to fund its production and will be available from 7th of May till 6th of June with super early bird price starting at 389 Eur for one unit and going up to 500 Eur without tax and shipping. There are also different tiers of backer awards that contain an extra custom strap, a shirt, a cap, USB-C wrist strap, stickers or a Keitai charm.

For those interested in getting a Bastl Kalimba after the Kickstarter campaign ends, you can join our waiting list via the official Bastl Instruments website to receive the latest updates on availability—both in our B-shop and at local retailers.

Come to see our presentation at Superbooth 2026 at booth O385

Kickstarter Tiers
Super Early Bird - 389 Eur - 500 units
Early Bird - 420 Eur - 800 units
Kickstarter special - 489 Eur - 1000 units
Special edition design (including neck strap) - 500 Eur - 500 units
See the kickstarter page for all add ons

As this is our most ambitious project to date, with great potential but also a significant risk, we believe Kickstarter is the right place to kick it off (pun intended).

The first batch of 1 500 units is expected to ship in December 2026. If demand exceeds this number, we plan to ship a second batch (up to 750 Kalimbas) in early 2027.

After producing and shipping the Bastl Kalimba to our backers, we will begin manufacturing units for our global network of retailers. You can expect to find the Kalimba in stores near you by the end of the first half of 2027 but the price will see an increase to at least 550 eur.

Complete list of Features

12 tone tines

touch and velocity sensitive

each holds tone with micro tuning adjustment

for plucking or touch sound playing

each with light responding to playing 6 voices - Unique sound engine

FM synthesis

physical modeling with stereo digital resonators

Stereo microphones for exciting the physical modeling engine

interactive macro mapping across 6 bipolar control knobs

Octave switching

Front Panel Touchpoints

Pad touch point for altering the behaviour of tines into manual volume fading

Glide touch point for touch based pitch slides between tines

SOIL and WIND touch points to alter the timbre, activate accelerometer and excite the resonators

Advanced locking feature for touch points, tines and arpeggiator

Assignable L/R touch points

can be assigned to any knob/effect

can also be assigned to: pitch bend (+/- 1 or 7 semitones), transpose (+/- 7 or 12 semitones), tempo, arpeggiator octave and rate, pad, glide, velocity add and sustain

Accelerometer

Sound animation with movement (rotating/shaking the device)

Performative Arpeggiator

5 modes: up/down/up-down/order/random

velocity is set with touch pressure

Tempo divider

set octaves

Built in looper

free running or tempo synced with unique reversing time stretch

double/half the looper time

up/down an octave

destructive looping (rerecord the looper thru the built in effects)

undo/redo (1 layer)

Built in effects:

Downsampler/Bit crusher/Distortion (RAT style)

Chorus/Flanger/Tape emulation

Filter that softly cuts high or low frequencies

Reverb/Delay
■ two models for each - day time/night time
■ adjustable decay/time and send level

Tempo generator

numerical BPM input

tap tempo

external clock divider/multiplier

half/double tempo

hi-hat style metronome
12 scales = tuning presets

tuning for each tine with micro pitch adjustments

Easy scale semitone transpose
16 presets - holds all sound and arpeggiator settings
6 level sensitivity setting for different climates and hands
Built in speaker
Built in battery charged by USB-C
Neck/wrist strap holes
Ergonomic enclosure

Stereo headphone/line level output -3.5mm ~ 1/8" TRS - 150 mW per channel
MIDI input: 3.5mm ~ 1/8" TRS (Type A)
Analog clock input: 3.5mm ~ 1/8" TS
MIDI output 3.5mm ~ 1/8" TRS (Type A) / Analog clock output TS (selectable)
USB-C MIDI input/output
USB-C firmware updates/charging

Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions: (L × W × H): 144 × 95 × 50 mm / 5.67 × 3.74 × 1.97 in
Weight: 310 g / 0.68 lb
Comes with a compact protective hardshell carry case

Come to see our presentation at Superbooth 2026 at booth O385.