Bastl Instruments softPop
A semi-modular analog synthesizer in a portable aluminum enclosure with built-in speaker and light effects
Overview
The Bastl Instruments softPop is a discontinued semi-modular light and sound synthesizer. It was designed as a portable, self-contained instrument. Casper Electronics and Bastl Instruments worked on it together for nearly a decade. The signal path is fully analog, built around two triangle-core VCOs, a state-variable filter, and modulation circuits. It was first previewed publicly at Superbooth, and its creators refined it before discontinuing it. The design carried on in the later Softpop SP2. The sound is unpredictable and textured, and it can do anything from delicate delays to massive drones. A reactive RGB LED orb gives visual feedback on what the sound is doing.
Specifications
| Fully analog core and signal path | |
| 6 faders for controlling two VCOs and VCF and their cross modulations | |
| Two wide range triangle-core VCOs 0 & 1 | |
| Quantizer for VCO 0 (auto-tuner) | |
| VCO 1 has variable waveshape via the modulation setting | |
| ∞ resonant state-variable VCF (bandpass, lowpass, highpass) | |
| External input with gain and envelope follower for intuitive sync of VCO 1 | |
| Track & hold circuit for stepped modulations | |
| Looping pattern generator with two patterns P1 and P2 | |
| RGB LED for a psychedelic experience | |
| 25-point patchbay | |
| Secret hack chamber at the back for adventurers | |
| Aluminum body enclosure | |
| Built-in speaker | |
| Additional wooden handle backplate | |
| Dimensions | 150 x 110 x 50 mm |
| Powered by | 4x AA battery, Micro USB, or external adaptor 7-9VDC |
| Flexible attack-decay cycling Envelope | |
| External input for processing audio | |
| MIDI input for sync and musical control |
Design
The analog core of the softPop is a strongly feedbacked system of dual triangle-core oscillators, a state-variable filter, and sample and hold circuitry. The enclosure is anodized aluminum with laser engraving, which makes it durable and keeps the look minimal. On the rear panel there is a secret hack chamber meant for experimental modifications.
Context
The softPop came out of a long partnership between Casper Electronics and Bastl Instruments. It was first previewed publicly at Superbooth, where the design was refined further. It was inspired by the cult-classic Benjolin synthesizer designed by Rob Hordijk. Its design directly influenced the Softpop SP2, though the original remains a separate, discontinued model.
Reception
Reviewer Hollin Jones (Ask.Audio) described it as "a very interesting portable music companion that will keep a curious mind busy," and noted it's not for those seeking predictable behavior. Orb Mag highlighted its portability, calling it "perhaps the most portable synth outside of Teenage Engineering's Pocket Operator line," and praised its "peculiar, wet gurgling sound full of activity and texture." It has been called a rare instrument that handles melody and noise equally well. It covers everything from massive drones to fine delays, and it can even be used as a no-input machine.
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