Bastl Introduces the Kastle 2 Alchemist 🧪 Compact Hybrid-Synthesis Instrument

video uploads by Bastl Instruments

Playlist:

1. Kastle 2 Alchemist 🧪 Compact Hybrid-Synthesis Instrument
2. No talking, just sounds - Kastle 2 Alchemist Hybrid-Synthesis Instrument
3. The most fun I've had making a video - Oscillator Sink and Bastl Instruments
4. ALCHEMIST: Bastl's super fun Kastle synth - Turbo Tambourine and Bastl Instruments
5. Bastl Alchemist Beginner’s Guide – How to Get Started - Shimmery.mp3 and Bastl Instruments



"We are stoked to introduce the Kastle 2 Alchemist – a patchable, hybrid-synthesis instrument that empowers you to explore melodies and even harmonic textures, despite being monophonic.

The Alchemist offers a range of Bastl-brewed Synth Modes – Filter, FM, Supersaw, Hypersine, and GlitchNoise – which can be combined with its internal effects and the versatile Pattern Generator. Rhythms and scales are fully customizable via the web-based app, and expanded MIDI USB compatibility adds even more flexibility.

The Kastle 2 Alchemist is the third firmware release for the Kastle 2 hardware platform, joining the FX Wizard multi-effects processor and the Wave Bard stereo sample player. The firmware is fully cross-compatible across all devices in the Kastle 2 Series – meaning the Alchemist firmware can be loaded onto previous Kastle 2 units and Citadel modules, and vice versa.

The Kastle 2 Alchemist is the spiritual successor to the original and widely popular Kastle Synth, introduced in the fall of 2016 and later updated to Kastle 1.5 in late 2017. It also inherits the DNA of the Kastle Arp from 2023, resulting in expanded musicality.

The Kastle 2 Series is often described as experimental and funky — and while the Alchemist certainly carries that spirit, this third medieval-themed instrument pushes the platform further. With carefully crafted synth modes and intuitive controls, the Alchemist expands the musical range, making it valuable in both beginner setups and complex studio environments."

Check with dealers on the right on availability.

CLICK FOR MORE »

This synth breaks number 1 rule...

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"I always promised myself that I'd never buy a banana cable synth - it's the niche and expensive end of an already niche and expensive passion, and yet, here we are with a Lorre Mill Double Knot v3 on the desk... Let's hope I don't enjoy it too much..."

Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:08 Overview and first patch
19:41 Generative Patching
30:26 Something rhythmic that goes weird
36:22 Summing Up

The Elmyra2 has never sounded like THIS before (version 2.4 update!)

video upload by Oscillator Sink

See the announcement post from earlier today here.

"The Elmyra2 continues to be one of my favourite, weird little drone synths, and over the last two and half years it has got better and better with each new update. Version 2.4 is arguably the best and most important update yet, not only for the huge number of sonic, creative and quality of life improvements, but it opens up an entirely new sound-world for the Elmyra for you to explore.

Transparency notice: the Elmyra 2 was kindly provided to me by Neutral Labs (back in 2023) for free for the purposes of making videos on it. No editorial oversight has been provided to Neutral Labs and no other payment has been received. As always I'm only interested in featuring instruments that I'm genuinely excited about on the channel.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:16 UX Improvements
02:50 General Sound Improvements
03:20 New Improved Default Filter Model
06:11 Improved Shortcuts
07:46 New "CHRM" Shortcuts
08:58 Voice Stacking
10:38 LFO Motion Recording
12:46 Short Envelopes
15:56 New Mod Mode: Oscillator Sync
18:03 New Reverb
22:29 Comb Filter Mode (physical modelling vibes!)
27:01 A little moment of sonic chaos
28:21 Voice Following Comb Filter
31:04 Final Thoughts"

Stylophone CPM DF-8 - What is a "Dynamic Multi-Filter" anyway?

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"The Stylophone CPM DF-8 is the follow up to the well received (and for good reason!) DS-2 drone synth. Rather than being a synth first, the DF-8 is a dual/stereo filter at heart, but it has a good few tricks up its sleeve that might elevate it from being 'just a filter'.

The DF-8 will be released 20th November 2025 and the RRP is: £229 | €269 | $299

Transparency notice: I was sent the DF-8 prototype as a beta-tester, and was allowed to keep the unit to make videos about it. I wasn't otherwise paid, and Dubreq have had no editorial oversight on this video.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:19 Feature overview
06:03 Filter mode demo and comparison
14:46 DF-8 as an instrument (+ testing filter tracking)
18:13 The VCA and envelopes.
20:19 Audio Envelope Triggers (compression and transient shaping)
26:57 Building a Stereo Filter patch
37:59 Summing Up"

This Makes Anything Sound Amazing// Stylophone DF-8 Filter / Mutator and then some... Filter Demo

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Ever wondered what happens when Stylophone — the quirky British maker of those pocket synths from the ‘60s — decides to build a serious analogue filter with the remake of the classic Mutronics Mutator filter chip and the screaming madman from the *Stylophone GenR8*? Meet the *Stylophone CPM DF-8*, a gritty, super flexible and occasionally unpredictable beast that turns any signal into pure lo-fi magic.

THE STYLOPHONE CPM DF-8 ANALOG DYNAMIC MULTI-FILTER
RELEASE DATE: 20TH NOV '25
PRICE: £229 | €269 | $299

In this video, I dive into the DF-8 showing how it reacts to drums, synths, and even full mixes. Expect sweeps, growls, distortion, and plenty of Character. This isn’t your average boutique filter — it’s dirty, chaotic, and full of charm.

You’ll hear:

The raw filter tone and resonance range
How it shapes synths and drum machines
Drive, envelope and modulation tricks
Whether it’s worth adding to your studio or live setup

If you love sound design, modular gear, or just discovering weird musical devices, this one’s for you."

Additional Stylophone CPM DF-8 posts

The Haunted Arcade of the DecadeBridge Triad (Drones, Noises, Glitches and Rhythms)

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"The DecadeBridge Triad is a unique little Synth module that generates drones, rhythms, noises and glitches - it sounds, to me at least, like a haunted arcade in the 80s - malfunctioning machines, wailing, whirring and bleeping. It's based on a trio of analog oscillators arranged in a fairly unique, raw and unpredictable arrangement. It works great as part of a drone or noise setup, makes for excellent sample fodder, and thanks to the neat "reset" input it can play along with drum machines and sequencers (especially paired with a little low-pass gate).

Check it out here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DecadeBr...

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:31 - The Architecture
06:08 - Sound Demo (Solo)
13:17 - Paired with a sequencer to impart rhythm.
14:58 - Adding a Low Pass Gate for more percussive sounds.
19:00 - Paring with the Neutral Labs Scrooge
22:49 - Final Thoughs"

TRIAD - Drone/Noise synth 25 minutes

video upload by DecadeBridge

Timestamps:-
00:00 Dry sound
07:59 Resetting oscillators with an external gate signal
13:58 Running the output through the microcosm



Designed by DecadeBridge
TRIAD is a 3 oscillator square wave drone/noise/glitch synth.

The 3 oscillators drive and reset each other in different ways depending upon the switch/button settings. an external trigger, gate or clock can also be used to reset 2 of the 3 oscillators.

Download the manual here.

Knob style and knob/button colour may vary depending on stock.
A connector for a 9 volt battery is included with Triad. Triad can also run off a 9V !!CENTRE POSITIVE!! WALL ADAPTOR.

Designed and built by hand in Cheshire England

To keep up to date with product demos, prototypes and competitions follow me here:- instagram.com/decadebridge"

Stylophone Gen X-2 - Full Demo, CV Control, Integration with Eurorack, and more!

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"The Dubreq Stylophone Gen X-2 is here! I was always a big fan of the original Gen X-1 and the good news is that Dubreq have kept all the good stuff and added some "quality of life" upgrades as well as useful new CV features that help it integrate with other instruments.

This video is a full demo and exploration of the new features, with a focus on looking at those new CV features, integrating it with Eurorack and other instruments

Transparency Notice: Dubreq kindly provided the Stylophone to me for the purposes of making videos about it. I did not otherwise get paid, but I do get to keep the Stylophone for myself.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro and Overview
04:10 Features and Basic Demo
09:55 The "New" Touchstrip
11:49 Octave Switch
12:08 Control Voltage (CV)
12:46 Using a Sequencer
16:52 Filter Key Track Self Patching
18:15 Adding an extra oscillator with CV
21:08 Super Stereo Stylophone Duo
24:49 Controlling Modular (the pitch problem)
27:33 Using the Styolphone as a modular voice
32:22 Testing Filter Tracking
33:24 Physical Modeling Vibes
34:37 Final Thoughts"

Tempera - Generative Ambient Piano Bliss-Out For Study/Relaxation/Because Ambient Music is Nice

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"Transparency Notice:
The Tempura was provided to me by Beetlecrab Audio for the purposes of making content about it. Although I was not otherwise paid, I have been allowed to keep the instrument for myself. Beetlcrab have not been given, nor have they requested any editorial oversight to the content of this video.

Chapters:
00:00 - A little introduction
03:30 - Just the music"

The Granular Centerpiece of a Live Setup

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"I met the Beetlecrab Tempera in person at Superbooth this year and the sound (and blinking lights) had me smitten. After spending a number of weeks learning and using this extremely versatile granular instrument, I have landed upon the realization that it represents the missing piece for my live setup: part effect, part instrument, part looper, sitting at the centre of an ambient setup.

Transparency Notice:
The Tempura was provided to me by Beetlecrab Audio for the purposes of making content about it. Although I was not otherwise paid, I have been allowed to keep the instrument for myself. Beetlcrab have not been given, nor have they requested any editorial oversight to the content of this video.

00:00 What is Granular Synthesis?
01:19 Introducing Tempera
04:03 Tempera Architecture Overview
06:13 Emitter Parameters
13:15 Using Tempera as a Live Centerpiece
42:04 Final Thoughts"

The Alien World I Created with the Korg Opsix

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"Get the music and patches here: https://oscillatorsink.bandcamp.com/

"I'm releasing some new music on my bandcamp today, it's eleven alien soundscapes entirely made using the Korg opsix - one of my favourite synths when it comes to exploring sound design, and in this video I'd like to share some of the sound design ideas and techniques that sit at the heart of the album and give some context as to what this release actually is."

Lyra-8 - Everything I *Think* I Know

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"This is my 3rd attempt to make a 'guide' to the Lyra-8. It's an instrument that is, in some ways, difficult to talk about - it has a cyclical nature that requires you to explain ideas before you explain them. The approach I've settled on is to try and address 4 main areas as holistically as possible in order to share some useful tips, creative approaches and some practical and technical techniques that will, hopefully do some combination of: introduce some new ideas, problem solve and inspire some new approaches to this magical instrument.

Wish me luck!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:10 Tuning and Balancing
08:28 Playing Techniques
15:37 Embracing the Organismic
35:01 Rhythms and Pulses
53:01 Final Thoughts"

Polyend Synth 1.3 - New Synths + New Features

video upload by Polyend

Download 1.3 Firmware - https://polyend.com/downloads/synth-d...

Introducing DWA: All New Polyend Synth Engine
video upload by Polyend

"Download the firmware update, patches, and samples here - https://polyend.com/downloads/synth-d..."

Polyend Synth - NEW v1.3 UPDATE - New DWA Synth Engine!

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"The Polyend Synth just got a nice firmware update (v1.3) which incorporates a bunch of MIDI refinements, some new grid modes which open up new performance options and most importantly the new DWA engine which is a fun, dual sample based engine with a comb filter that can be approached in loads of interesting ways.

Transparency Notice: Polyend sent me Synth when it was first released for free in order for me to make a release video. I have not been otherwise paid for any follow-up content made about Synth, although I was given early access to beta versions of the firmware.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:33 Layered Grids for Layered Sounds
04:34 DWA Engine - Intro
05:51 DWA Engine - Setting Expectations
08:07 DWA Engine - Controls
12:16 DWA Engine - Play Modes and Looping
16:20 DWA Engine - Crossfade
17:34 DWA Engine - Single Cycle Synthesis
20:39 DWA Engine - Comb Filter
23:58 Breaking down the lovely piano patch
28:06 DWA Engine - Old Skool Time Stretching
31:59 DWA Engine - Getting crazy with the comb filter
34:20 DWA Engine - Velocity and Aftertouch
37:05 Outro"

Polyend Synth

video upload by Luca Longobardi

"Had the pleasure of trying the new Polyend Synth firmware 1.3 ahead of release. The new DWA engine opens up a world of textures — fragile loops, glitchy fragments, resonant feedbacks, all waiting to be shaped. It’s a reminder of how beautifully unpredictable sound can be."

Elmyra 2 - 2.3 Firmware Update! New Features, New Sounds

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"It's 2025 and the Neutral Labs Elmyra 2 has just received a new firmware update. In this video we take a look at the new features and explore some of the new sounds and textures they provide.

https://neutral-labs.com/

Transparency notice: the Elmyra 2 was kindly provided to me by Neutral Labs for free for the purposes of making videos on it. No editorial oversight has been provided to Neutral Labs and no other payment has been received. As always I'm only interested in featuring instruments that I'm genuinely excited about on the channel.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:47 Save States
04:56 Delay Updates
09:06 Voice Volume Controls
10:07 New ModP Modes
12:28 ModP Chaining
17:06 Sequence Randomization"

Stylophone DS-2: Seven Fun Patch Ideas to Spark Your Dronespiration!

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"From the comments on my last DS-2 video it seems that a lot of folks are having fun exploring sounds on this little box - me too! Because I'm a nerd, I've been making notes on some of the fun things I've found and I'll share seven with you in this video to try out on your DS-2!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:52 Beautiful Sines
04:20 Filthy Filter Self Modulation
09:21 Stoopid Arcade Sound Patch
11:07 More LFO Shapes
14:00 Always Be Pingin'
19:11 Delay Pitch Shifter Sequencer Thing
24:01 The Inevitable Groovebox Patch"

Stylophone CPM DS-2 - A Drone-Head's First Impressions

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"I don't tend to do review videos - there are others on YouTube who do it well and I don't usually feel like I have anything to add... but the Stylophone DS-2 is an analogue drone synth with built in effects, released by a company usually more well known for more conventional offerings and, I don't know if you've noticed this, but I really like making music with drones.

This video is a real-time documentary of discovery, it arrived earlier on the day I recorded the video and, other than 5 minutes in a noisy exhibition hall last year, I've not had an opportunity to explore this synth until today. Let's see what lurks inside..."

Presenting the Polyend Synth: A Revolutionary Multi-Engine Polyphonic Synthesizer

video upload by sonicstate

Update: new videos & pics below. Check with dealers on the right for availability.

CLICK FOR MORE »

MicroKORG 2 - Let's Build: an Automatic Acid Bass Machine

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"Apparently I'm all about that bass as in this video I'm designing an Acid Bassline patch. We dive into how we can affect the behaviour of the appegiator to build slides and accents into the patch and then explore the powerful distortion effects.

Transparency notice:
I have had this synth since early this year as I worked on the factory patches for this synth, which was a paid job. I have not been asked to make any videos about the synth and am not being paid to do so, but obviously there is an existing relationship between myself and Korg as far as this synth goes, which I feel is important to disclose."

Check with dealers on the right for pricing and availability.

Two New MicroKORG 2 User Videos

MicroKORG 2 - Let's Build: a Classic Bass Patch!video upload by Oscillator Sink

"The MicroKORG2 is finally here! In this first video of a series building patches from scratch on the Korg Microkorg 2, we're starting at the bottom and building a classic, thick, dirty, west coast bass patch."

Check with the dealers on the right for availability.

microKORG 2 Production Model Review // How it competes with today’s synths // Tutorial
video upload by loopop

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:05 Overview
5:25 I/O
6:40 Keys
7:05 Osc shapes
9:35 Cross mod
10:25 Noise
11:10 Filter
13:10 Envelopes
14:10 LFOs
15:45 Patches
17:00 Effects
17:20 Routing
17:45 Mod FX
19:40 Delays
20:50 Reverbs
22:25 EQ
22:55 Arp
24:20 Looper
27:05 Vocal proc
28:00 Vocoder
29:40 Hard tune
30:45 Harmonizer
31:35 Voice params
32:45 Trophies
33:25 Global params
33:45 Pros & cons
37:40 Live looping
38:55 Outro 2

The Uncompromising Sound and Philosophy of the LEP Lumanoise Series

video upload by Oscillator Sink

https://www.leploop.org/

"One of the things that gripped me at Superbooth was the LEPLumanoise series of instruments. They seemed to possess that arcane electronic magic that interests me these days. So, I got in touch with LEP and they kindly agreed to send me across some of the instruments in the series to make a video about, namely: the Lumanoise v4, the Monocassa and the Lumamix resonant mixer.

In this video we’re going to get to know them individually and in concert with each other and other instruments, explaining the features and exploring their sounds.

Transparency Notice: LEP prvided the units shown in this video for free, but I have not otherwise been paid to make this video and they have had no oversight into the video's content.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:42 A moment of madness
02:08 Introducing the Lumanoise V4
03:22 Lumanoise v4 - Architecture
10:23 Lumanoise v4 - The art of internal saturation
12:02 Lumanoise v4 - Sub-audio saturation as animation
14:55 Lumanoise v4 - XXX
19:12 Lumanoise v4 - Various patches
21:54 Lumanoise v4 - Summing up
24:26 Introducing the Monocassa
29:51 Monocassa - With a low-pass gate
31:40 Monocassa - With a sequencer
37:01 Monocassa - The trigger delay trick
43:19 Introducing the Lumamix
48:03 Lumamix - Dancing in dirt
55:17 Lumamix - Glorious Extreme Distortion
59:04 Final Thoughts - Being Uncompromising"

The DecadeBridge Sn is a Perfect Synth

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"It's exceedingly rate for me to buy something on release day and almost unheard of for me to pre-order an unreleased product, but when small UK based synth maker DecadeBridge announced a small, self-contained lo-fi, FM-based drone synth with CV control, I clicked the buy button instantly."

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
03:20 - What is it, how does it work and how does it sound?
14:35 - FM Percussion
18:39 - FM Melodies with All The CV
22:15 - Lo-Fi FM Drones

Lep Lumanoise / Crows Electromusic Ovum / Magpie Pedals Wet - A Study of Cronch

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"I'm working on a video about these neat Lep Lumanoise devices, but while I was getting to know them, I ended up with this small set-up that I was finding quite inspiring, so I thought I would record a short performance.

The percussive element is the Lep Monocassa, and I'm routing its internal trigger through a delay to get additional rhythms when required. The drones are the Lep Lumanoise v4 and the Crows Elecromusic Ovum. The Lep Lumamix is bringing everything together, gluing and smooshing the signals in a way that makes each instrument feel interactive with the others as they dance and fight for dominance at the edge of distortion. The Magpie Pedals Wet is on the send of the Lumamix and is vibrating, clanging and resonating along with the other signals - it really is glorious in this setup.

I'll be speaking more about most of the things on the desk soon, but for this one, I'll shut up and let them do the talking.

https://lumanoise.blogspot.com/"