Bastl KASTLE 1.5 and DRUM KASTLE are really fun little gadget synths. I've found that by plugging them together I could make something that sounded much more decent than the sum of the parts.
Basically, it boils down to modulation sources. Each device has a stepped random voltage generator and an LFO/clock. The rates are tied through a rate control knob. I've found that multiple modulation sources with independent rates is key to making pleasant random sounds and beats.
So by sharing the two sets of modulation sources between the two units, basically one source can be used to set the tempo of a beat/rhythm, with the other source working at a much lower frequency to change the timbre, key, and energy level of the sound to reduce monotony.
The patch is as follows:
=====================================
KASTLE + KASTLE DRUM PATCH
DRUM KASTLE
DRUM MOD 1:00
PITCH MOD 10:00
TEMPO MOD MIN
DECAY 12:00
DRUM MIN
PITCH MIN
CLK 12:00
DRUMS L -> I/O L
NOISES -> I/O R
CLK -> TRIG IN
PATTERN -> DRUM MOD
PATTERN -> KASTLE TIMBRE MOD
PATTERN -> KASTLE PITCH MOD
KASTLE
PITCH MOD 9:00
TIMBRE MOD 10:00
RATE MOD MIN
WAVESHAPE 12:00
OSC PITCH MIN
OSC TIMBRE 9:00
LFO 10:00
WAVESHAPE -> LFO TRIANGLE
BIT IN -> STEPPED
STEPPED -> PITCH MOD
STEPPED -> DRUM KASTLE PITCH MOD
STEPPED -> DRUM KASTLE DECAY
LFO SAW -> WAVESHAPE
LFO SAW -> BIT IN
LFO SAW -> DRUM KASTLE FEED
So basically - the DRUM KASTLE is used as the tempo clock for both units. The clock from the DK is connected to TRIG IN, triggering the drum envelope.
The DK's STEPPED output similarly is connected to the DRUM MOD line in on the DK, changing timbre and pitch of the drum sound on every step. This output also goes over to the KASTLE, changing pitch and timbre on every tick. The STEPPED output on the KASTLE units is an 8 step random sequence that loops until the FEED/BIT IN lines are driven high, in which case a new set of values are loaded.
The KASTLE, on the other hand, is set to a fairly low LFO/clock frequency (several multiples of the 8 steps of the DK STEPPED output) and makes more macroscopic and undulating changes to the pitch and timbre of both units.
So - the SAW output of the KASTLE LFO slowly modulates the WAVESHAPE of the KASTLE, but also resets both units STEPPED sequencers. Similarly, the very slow rate of the STEPPED output modulates the faster STEPPED output of the DK to effectively transpose the faster STEPPED output of the KASTLE.
Basically, it boils down to modulation sources. Each device has a stepped random voltage generator and an LFO/clock. The rates are tied through a rate control knob. I've found that multiple modulation sources with independent rates is key to making pleasant random sounds and beats.
So by sharing the two sets of modulation sources between the two units, basically one source can be used to set the tempo of a beat/rhythm, with the other source working at a much lower frequency to change the timbre, key, and energy level of the sound to reduce monotony.
The patch is as follows:
=====================================
KASTLE + KASTLE DRUM PATCH
DRUM KASTLE
DRUM MOD 1:00
PITCH MOD 10:00
TEMPO MOD MIN
DECAY 12:00
DRUM MIN
PITCH MIN
CLK 12:00
DRUMS L -> I/O L
NOISES -> I/O R
CLK -> TRIG IN
PATTERN -> DRUM MOD
PATTERN -> KASTLE TIMBRE MOD
PATTERN -> KASTLE PITCH MOD
KASTLE
PITCH MOD 9:00
TIMBRE MOD 10:00
RATE MOD MIN
WAVESHAPE 12:00
OSC PITCH MIN
OSC TIMBRE 9:00
LFO 10:00
WAVESHAPE -> LFO TRIANGLE
BIT IN -> STEPPED
STEPPED -> PITCH MOD
STEPPED -> DRUM KASTLE PITCH MOD
STEPPED -> DRUM KASTLE DECAY
LFO SAW -> WAVESHAPE
LFO SAW -> BIT IN
LFO SAW -> DRUM KASTLE FEED
So basically - the DRUM KASTLE is used as the tempo clock for both units. The clock from the DK is connected to TRIG IN, triggering the drum envelope.
The DK's STEPPED output similarly is connected to the DRUM MOD line in on the DK, changing timbre and pitch of the drum sound on every step. This output also goes over to the KASTLE, changing pitch and timbre on every tick. The STEPPED output on the KASTLE units is an 8 step random sequence that loops until the FEED/BIT IN lines are driven high, in which case a new set of values are loaded.
The KASTLE, on the other hand, is set to a fairly low LFO/clock frequency (several multiples of the 8 steps of the DK STEPPED output) and makes more macroscopic and undulating changes to the pitch and timbre of both units.
So - the SAW output of the KASTLE LFO slowly modulates the WAVESHAPE of the KASTLE, but also resets both units STEPPED sequencers. Similarly, the very slow rate of the STEPPED output modulates the faster STEPPED output of the DK to effectively transpose the faster STEPPED output of the KASTLE.
