The Bastl softPop was one of the highlights of our Superbooth days (see the video below), and we’re happy to see it’s finally ready for pre-order – with an improved aluminum body enclosure.
What Is It?
softPop, created by Peter Edwards, is a playfully organic, semi-modular light and sound synthesizer with a wide variety of sounds: from random dripping water pops to heavy subtractive basslines.
This compact (and battery-operated) synth boasts an analog core with of a heavily feedbacked system of dual triangle-core oscillators, state variable filter and sample and hold, played through an intuitive interface of 6 faders, for controlling two VCOs and VCF and their cross modulations.
It also offers a quantize feature (auto-tune) and pattern generator with two memories P1 and P2,
That’s not all: softPop can also process external audio thru the filter while using the envelope follower to intuitively synchronise to the incoming signal. Extensive mini patchbay offers lots of reconfigurability and 3 jacks A,B,C can be used to send signals in or out of the patch bay.
Accessories and hacking
You might have seen softPop’s cute wooden handle. Well, this accessory is sold separately (if I were you I would get it, we all know synths sound better with some wood, right?).
If you’re into hacking and modding your devices, Bastl tells us that softPop has ‘a secret chamber’ in the back for these purposes.
Pricing and availability
softPop is available now for pre-order at noise.kitchen and select dealers for 309 EUR excl. Tax The first batch of preorders will ship late August 2017.
