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Bastl- Czech instrument brand – has launched an update to its pocket-sized synth range Kastle. Rather than being an update to the original synth, Kastle 2 is a completely redesigned unit with a new emphasis on effects and which, according to Bastl, offers “enhanced connectivity and significantly improved audio quality with a new stereo architecture”.

Kastle 2 FX Wizard is a stereo digital multi-effect unit that is re-routable via an assortment of mini patch points across its front panel. The unit itself is extremely compact but packs in an impressive spread of features.

There are nine effect modes to choose from, loosely grouped into three colour-coded ‘families’. From the Delay FX family, Kastle 2 offers a classic stereo delay, a phaser and a freeze effect. The Amplitude FX family consists of panner, bitcrush and slicer effects, while the Pitch-Shifting FX family has pitcher, replayer and shifter modes.

In all cases, Kastle 2 puts an emphasis on modulation, with an array of feedback, stereo and filter parameters that can each be modulated from a patch point. Internal modulation can be sourced from the onboard LFO or a tempo synced pattern generator.

“Kastle 2 FX Wizard focuses on processing sounds,” says Bastl. “Texturising or completely transforming them in a fun and unique way through its mini patch bay. With stereo input and output, along with sync input and output, it integrates smoothly with other gear, becoming a powerful, semi-autonomous co-creator.”

The unit has stereo mini jacks for input and output along with analogue sync in and out. It can be powered via AA batteries – which Bastl claims should last 15-18 hours – or via its USB-C port, which is also used for firmware updates.

Kastl 2 FX Wizard now available to pre-order priced at €160 excluding tax, shipping start by the end of November. Find out more at the official Bastl Instruments site.

This Bristol-based developer is headed up by film composers Will Slater and Simon Ashdown.

Slate + Ash’s latest release is Primaries / Strings, the inaugural instrument in a new series dubbed Primaries that “treats performance as a fundamental colour in the orchestral spectrum”.

At the heart of Primaries / Strings is an extensive library of multisamples made up of solo bass, cello, viola and violin recordings, with a focus on unique articulations, unconventional performance styles and extended techniques.

Primaries / Strings is built on a powerful sound engine that’s capable of layering multiple sound sources with individual settings for tuning, filtering, mic placement, key-zone and envelope controls for amp, filter and pitch, along with an onboard time-stretcher.

Four input modules can be used to create scale-locked harmonies, generative patterns and arpeggiated sequences, while an array of fifteen effects that includes a delay, reverb, tremolo, bitcrusher, pitch-shifter and much more can be manipulated using XY pads, modulated using the instrument’s LFOs, tweaked via external MIDI controllers or randomized completely.

The recording that make up Primaries / Strings’ library were re-amped in a variety of spaces to further expand the palette of sounds available; these include the echo chamber of Berlin’s Funkhaus Studio and Real World Studio’s Wood Room.

Individual sounds can be blended in virtual space using the instrument’s spatial mixer, enabling you to position sound sources on an XY grid to precisely control their reverberant characteristics.

Though the extensive sample library and the instrument’s 150+ presets should keep you occupied, a real bonus here is the ability to drag and drop your own samples into the instrument’s sound engine, giving you a versatile and powerful tool with which to manipulate and reimagine your own sounds.

Here’s the Preset Demo:

The instrument runs in Kontakt 6.8.0 or higher, or in the free Kontakt Player.

Primaries / Strings is priced at £249, but it’s available now at a discounted price of £149. Find out more on the Slate + Ash website.

The Plug ‘n’ Play device gives you a simple way to make high-quality recordings of your digital piano, and the built-in mic can capture your voice, as well

Korg has released PianoRec, a new product that’s designed to make it easy for you to record your digital piano performances to your phone. The Plug ‘n’ play device is designed to simplify the whole process.

Though you might be doing this already – either by using your phone’s built-in mic or via an audio interface of some sort – but PianoRec both simplifies the process and promises better quality than you might be used to.

It works by taking a direct audio output from your piano – the default connector is a 3.5mm one, but you also get a 1/4-inch adapter in the box – and placing a USB connector on the other end. This is USB-A, but a USB-C connector adapter comes supplied.

For monitoring purposes, there’s also a built-in set of earphones, complete with microphone that enables you to capture the sound of your voice as you play (the mic has a mute switch if you don’t want it on).

The whole setup promises to be totally plug ‘n’ play, and if you own an iOS device you can also make use of the Korg EZ Rec app. This offers both stereo recording and video capture, but you can also use the device with any other recording app, or for streaming purposes.

The PianoRec costs £59/€73,95. Find out more on the Korg website.