HomeTechnologyThe Bastl Kalimba is a wild synth that thinks it’s a thumb piano

The Bastl Kalimba is a wild synth that thinks it’s a thumb piano

TechnologyMay 10, 2026
1 min read
The Bastl Kalimba is a wild synth that thinks it’s a thumb piano
Make no mistake, the Bastl Kalimba is a synthesizer, you just play it like a kalimba. Its tines don't really make much sound. There is an internal mic that you can blend in for a little acoustic spice
Bast Kalimba, a synth in the form factor of a thumb piano, being played outdoors. It’s already raised over $700,000 on Kickstarter. | Image: Bastl

Make no mistake, the Bastl Kalimba is a synthesizer, you just play it like a kalimba. Its tines don't really make much sound. There is an internal mic that you can blend in for a little acoustic spice, but it's mostly driven by the synth engine that combines physical modeling and FM. The tines are actually touch and velocity-sensitive triggers. And, while it can sound somewhat like a real kalimba, it's a lot more sonically versatile and offers features you can only find on a synth.

Beyond the synth sounds that range from pluck to pads, there are also built-in effects covering basic spatial effects like delay and reverb, as well as distortio …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Source: The Verge

Share this article

Related Articles

Vivo’s X300 Ultra has the best cameras in any phone
2026May 10

Vivo’s X300 Ultra has the best cameras in any phone

A few months ago, I wrote that the telephoto camera is the only lens that matters any more, at least when it comes to Ultra-class flagships. As phones got better, cameras became where manufacturers tr

Article1 min read
Read More
Ashnymph’s Childhood EP is exhilarating dance goth rock
2026May 10

Ashnymph’s Childhood EP is exhilarating dance goth rock

I've got to thank my oldest friend and concert buddy, Tim, for turning me on to this one. Ashnymph is a London band that blends post-punk melodies with Krautrock rhythms and industrial grime. Their de

Article1 min read
Read More