For over a decade, Bastl Instruments has been producing a variety of modular and standalone sound devices, available both as kits and pre-assembled units. Their latest offering, the Kastle 2 FX Wizard, is designed to live up to its “magical” title as a versatile all-in-one effects box. While it shares some similarities with the Kastle 1.5 in terms of format and approach, the Kastle 2 shifts the focus from synthesis to effects processing, making it a new and distinct product.
The unit is compact, roughly the size of two packs of playing cards, and can be powered by three AA batteries or via a USB-C connector. It’s important to note that the USB-C port is used solely for power and firmware updates, with no sophisticated audio or MIDI interfacing available.
On the rear panel, users will find four mini-jack sockets for audio and analogue clock sync duties. Notably, both the audio inputs and outputs, as well as internal processing, are all stereo, enhancing the versatility of the unit.
The top panel features knobs and a few switches, including one dedicated to a “shift” function that grants access to additional parameters. While the controls might appear relatively spacious, the area between them is covered with extra text and numerous miniature patch points. These patch points allow users to divert, manipulate, and expand the signal flow of the FX Wizard with the 10 supplied patch cables. Outputs are marked with a white outline, but it’s clear that using the unit will be easier for those with smaller fingers and sharp eyesight.
Announced in mid-November 2024, the Kastle 2 FX Wizard became available for order at the end of the month, priced at €160 excluding tax, directly from the Bastl Instruments website. Since its launch, the price has remained relatively stable.
Each unit includes a pack of 10 short jumper wires, but batteries are not provided.
Once the unit is connected, users can start experimenting with the effects. The effects themselves are primarily derived from the internal delay, down-sampler, or VCA modules, which are routed through an adjustable low- or high-pass filter. The processed signal is then mixed with the dry signal and routed back through a feedback loop, which is also adjustable. This setup results in nine distinct color-coded effects, including delay, modulation, freezing, panning, crushing, shifting, and more.
Given the diverse range of effects, it’s worth noting that the Time and Feedback controls change their function depending on the effect selected. Bastl provides a small, quick reference booklet to help users navigate these functions, as well as other features that may be difficult to remember. While the effects are highly usable right out of the box, it is when users start patching and utilizing the LFO, Pattern Generator, and Envelope Follower that things become more unpredictable and engaging.
For Eurorack users, the FX Wizard could be a valuable addition to their setup, despite its own unique cable-patching system. However, it is likely to appeal most to desktop synth and drum machine users looking to expand their setups without fully committing to modular systems. Additionally, it serves as a compact entry point into patchable effects processing, making it an excellent complement to other Bastl instruments, such as the Kastle Drum and Kastle 1.5 synth.
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