KASTLE DRUM 2 (Connections)

This video focuses on hooking up the Bastle Instruments Kastle Drum to other gear: the Teenage Engineering PO-14 Sub, the Korg NTS-1 (I also use it for reverb a lot), the Korg SQ-1 sequencer, the Bastl Instruments Kastle 1.5 synth, and the Korg Volca Modular. At the very end I show something simple with the Kastle Drum and the Arturia MicroFreak. Thanks for watching!
TIMELINE
00:00 STARTER
Kastle 1.5 and Kastle Drum. The patch is:
Drum in Easter Egg Mode (see below)
NOISES -- Waveshape
PLUS -- MODE
2ND OSC -- OSC OUT
OSC OUT -- DRUMS
PATTERN -- timbreMod
STEPPED -- pitchMod(Drum)
CLK -- drumMod
dMod(noon), pMod(noon), tmpMod(min), decay(max), drum(min), pitch(9:00), tempo(11:15)
pMod(min), tMod(12:30), rMod(min), waveshape(9:00), pitch(min), timbre(9:00), rate(2:00)
00:28 INTRO
Some general thoughts about hooking the Drum to stuff. Some thoughts about synchronization and music. Many thanks to a watcher, I think 2 years ago, who wrote to me about the merits of unlocking the clocks in some cases.
06:59 PO-14 SUB [SYNC1] (meh)
The PO sync signal is pretty low voltage, so it makes it kind of difficult to sync the Drum using that on its own. All you need is an aux cable, but the result is kind of meh. (See below about using SYNC4.)
12:00 PO-14 SUB [SYNC2] (better!)
Using the Drum to sync the PO is quite a bit easier and maybe the best way to go (but there are many ways to do this sort of thing). You might want a Y-Cable or some other sort of stereo-to-dualMono adapter. You really could do it with a standard aux cable (Drum i/o to the PO input for the sync, patch CLK to i/o_L) IF you have some sort of mixer that can take the PO audio and the Drum audio and put them together (or even just two different speakers can work if you aren't trying to record or something). You could also use the PO's SYNC4 mode and send both the Drum's sync signal and the Drum's audio into the PO input. Hook the Drum i/o to the PO input (by aux) and patch CLK to i/o_L and DRUMS to i/o_R. Then patch the Kastle Drum to make beats and use headphones on the PO (or you can even hear the Drum coming out of the tiny built-in PO speaker). This is the TRULY MINIMAL setup: PO, Drum, aux cable, and a handful of patch cables - that's it! The problem with SYNC4 is that you can't control the relative volume of the two devices - so one mix is all you get - but try it anyway!
17:39 NTS-1 (mainstay)
Pretty hard to beat this tiny team.
26:33 SQ-1 (Drum solo!)
So much flexibility. When the sequencer provides both timing and pitch signals it frees up the Drum's on-board assets to do other things. I'm using the NTS-1 as reverb, this sort of marginally atonal sequencing needs some.
38:11 EASTER EGG MODE (but first...)
A minor detail about LFO RST on the 1.5 vs. CLK IN on the Drum. Then a discussion of the Drum's Easter Egg mode, a little bit of noise using these methods.
43:13 PO-14 [SYNC1] (using easter egg mode)
It's weird, but you can sort of use the Kastle Drum to sync itself this way, get a melody out of the Kastle Drum - maybe your best option if you just have an aux cable to hook stuff up - or maybe go with SYNC4 as outlined above?
45:15 MORE EASTER EGG MODE...
48:51 KASTLE DUET [Waiting for the trio!]
The Kastle 1.5 and Kastle Drum combo is pretty amazing. Bastl Instruments should make a Kastle FX: same form factor, an I/O for bringing in other audio/cv, a main out, audio input patch points that let you mix in multiple audio signals, and some CV-controllable FX like filter, reverb, delay, bitcrush, that you can route things through and set parameters for. With these three you could basically do a track or a show or whatever.
55:29 VOLCA MODULAR (CV Motion Sequencing)
I show how you can sequence the Drum - and also how you can MOTION SEQUENCE the Drum. There is a lot more to this method: you can route the FOLD through the UTILITY and it lets you turn up or even INVERT the signal. You can save 256 steps of all of this on the VM. I feel like this makes the VM amazingly handy for Kastle owners (even if you don't like the VM sound). I've never done the thing with CLK to Ratio before - gives a real sense of movement!
01:11:10 OUTRO
Thanks for watching. I know this was a long one - but for those who are doing this stuff, especially people just starting out, I really hope it is helpful. I've included patch info for the first clip, not really sure about the last clip, and the rest are detailed in the video. Drop a comment if you have any specific questions about the patches.
01:11:55 ENDER
Arturia MicroFreak with Kastle Drum. I had a lot planned: pitch sequencing, pressure modulation, etc. but this simple scenario just sort of stuck. I find the Drum's melodic contribution here sort of haunting, and any changes I made to the MicroFreak line just seemed to detract from it.

[@Lomoholga2]

Hi, can this be connected to a guitar amp??

[@undulations]

Sure, you just need the right cable or adapter. Something that is mono 1/8" (3.5 mm) on one side and 1/4" mono on the other. As for volumes, my Kastle Drum isn't super loud (my Kastle Synth is), so I'd say just start with the amp settings low, volume tone gain or whatever. I frequently use a little Vox bass amp on stuff that I don't want to risk my main speakers on. I'm sure I've hooked thie Drum to the Vox at some point, several times. Anyway, I hope this helps!

[@Lomoholga2]

@@undulations thanks so much!

[@Lomoholga2]

@@undulations one last question- is the Kastle 1.5 an improvement over the Kastle drum?

[@undulations]

@@Lomoholga2 hey, actually the Kastle 1.5 (what I call the Kastle Synth) is an improvement on the original Kastle, but it's been out for quite a while. Then, more recently the Kastle Drum came out, different sounds and functionality, but the same layout and body type (I think they only really differ by the firmware code they run, but not positive about that). Then, much more recently, the Kastle Arp came out. Oddly enough, I just ordered one of them a couple of hours ago, hope to make some videos about the Arp sometime soon👍🏻!

[@YotamGalpaz]

So informative. Bless you!

[@kaleyedoskop]

So very helpful! Thank you for this video!

[@undulations]

Thanks for watching🙏🏼!

[@chperrone]

Consistently amazing synthesizer education. You rock!

[@SidRockett]

Thank you for this. You've put a lot of time and thought into this video.

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Thanks a lot for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@tplank216]

Really interested to hear this working alongside of the 0 coast. Great deep dive content as always. Thanks so much for your time and insight. You really do a great job of walking us through the capacity and explaining options for practical implementation of these instruments.

[@chperrone]

The modular and microfreak jams sounded amazing

[@promethiousb1489]

Thanks for putting this up,,,this will be most helpful....your insight into these instruments is exceptional...subbed.

[@undulations]

I appreciate the feedback! Thanks a lot for checking out the video🙏🏼

[@howardgreenwich490]

Love the final modular + b drum patch. You bring out both instruments organic sounds in a very musical, west coast sound.

[@undulations]

Thanks you very much🙏🏼! I really appreciate the feedback!

[@DauvitAlexander]

Brilliant, thanks! I have both a Kastle Drum and a Volca Modular as my starting tools for learning about modular synthesis. This is really helpful.

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Thanks for checking it out. The "Korg Volca" playlist on this channel has quite a few Volca Modular videos that might be of interest. Still very fond of both of these (using the VM in an upcoming video👍🏻). Thanks again!

[@DauvitAlexander]

@@undulations Thank you. I am terrible for just looking at specific videos and not looking too much into the other content by the maker - your whole series on Bastl is going to provide much interest, as well as the Volca stuff.

[@barryallen381]

Super educational, thank you!

[@undulations]

You bet!

[@davidgershwin4110]

It’s been said before by many, but thanks again for these incredibly informative videos you gift us. I’ve bought gear (model:cycles, kastle drum) specifically because you had tutorial videos available, lol. No regrets!

[@undulations]

Well, can't thank you enough for the kind words, means a lot🙏🏼! The M:C and KD are some favorites, glad to hear they're serving you well!

[@robbalbrecht]

I kinda wanted a Bastil Drum to pair with my Modular before watching this, now I really want one. Another great video!

[@undulations]

Thanks very much fir checking it out🙏🏼!

[@rodmcaldas]

Great video!!! Will help me in my tests

[@undulations]

Thanks a lot for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@sulate1]

My Kastle Drum has arrived in the post... So many things now to experiment with. I don't have a PO (or a Kastle 1.5...yet). But there is plenty of room for patching up different ideas. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

[@undulations]

Hey, that's exciting👍🏻! It's been such an interesting device to explore. Thanks a lot for checking out the video🙏🏼!

[@Name-rz5up]

That opening score was Awesome, its up lifting. nice melody.🙂

[@re8et355]

Another one bites the dust! Nice!

[@undulations]

Thanks!

[@re8et355]

@@undulations I've been listening to this again, the K drum sounds so nice in your wires...

[@undulations]

@@re8et355 Awesome, thanks😀!

[@MackntheBox]

This is Hella Dope! I think I need kastl drum needs a Kastl v1.5 🤘😈 thank you for sharing! 🔥🔥🔥

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@OpenRuimte010]

Great stuff! Learning a lot! Got my Kastle Drum working nicely, thanks to your channel. Kind regards. Love the hook up with the Wingie myself; produces nice sounds. Anyway, love your channel!

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼! I was on a list for the Wing Pinger but decided not to get it. I should look at the Wingie!

[@scrampop3353]

Another indepth gem.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼!

[@SonicVibe]

great info

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out😀!

[@denweth2]

Awesome

[@LORANBELTRAM]

you are a master !! .... thanks

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼!

[@iancain6647]

I love the "my kids are sleeping while I'm making synth vids for KZbin" voice

[@undulations]

Yep, especially during lockdowns and such back then. Crazy sleep schedules. ps If you are a Kastle Drum fan, I've posted quite a few things with it on Instagram since this video (dr_nim2014), possibly of interest.

[@Sicbay138]

This is so appreciated! Learned lots! Gonna have so much fun. Really the only possible downside is how much gear I now want to pair with bastl drum, lol.

[@undulations]

Glad to hear that! Thanks a lot for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Excellent, looking forward to my Kastle Drum arriving. I didn't know about the Easter egg mode so thanks for that. I got an SQ1 yesterday too, good point about the 10v output. There's great blog post I found called 'the real Volca Modular spec' which managed to get about 9v out of the VMod using fold by the way so I don't think there's anything to worry about connection wise there

[@undulations]

Wow, 9v - that's good to know! Awesome that you're getting an SQ-1 - I didn't show Step Jump at all but that really makes it quite a playable device too. Looking forward to seeing your work with all this stuff👍🏻!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

@@undulations Yeah we seem to be buying a lot of the same gear 😁 I got the SQ1 for a few reasons, but not least to add midi to my Ms10. Have you tried running midi to the Nts1 though? Works well, just needs a single mini jack cable between the two

[@undulations]

@@ChrisLodyMusic I have, love it when no breakout cables get involved😀! ps I did a short SQ-1 video on here that you might like. Things like using CV out to Sync-In (on NTS-1) might be of interest (can randomize the timing of an arp, control the density). Anway, have fun😀!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

@@undulations Cool I'll have a look for that 👍

[@andrecosta281]

this jam in the beginning reminds me of a fast version of nine inch nails closer somehow haha, great video ! ty

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Very cool trick using the fold input like that, I had no idea that was possible 😄 I was going to do similar using the output of the function 2

[@undulations]

Thanks man! I stumbled on it for the beginning of my first VM video on the channel (used it to control a LittleBits motor and spell some stuff...) I think I also used it to motion-sequence the VM's own pitch at some point🤔. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

@@undulations Oh that's a good idea, you could get totally off grid pitch wise with that. Excellent 😁👌

[@undulations]

@@ChrisLodyMusic I just remembered another thing that I want to try: routing the Fold motion-sequencing through the Utility, so it can be easily scaled/tuned and shut off / faded out (even inverted; it might take routing the Kastle's [+] to something to set a bias). Anyway, just thinking out loud🤔.

[@PhilanderingBastard]

I sense an inverse relationship between the size of the instrument and the length of the video. In six months, when Bastl release the Hovl you’ll be sitting there with a magnifying glass and the tutorial will be 8 hours long 😎

[@undulations]

Hilarious😂! I _do_ believe what's commonly said about constraints leading to unexpected results. I guess I should look into microscopes🔬!

[@stonedapesociety5628]

Hi this is great

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@ElectricCelt56]

Very hip. Some nice little tricks in there- must have taken a while to figure them all out!

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼! It did take a while, but it was not so bad because of the similarities to the Kastle 1.5 synth👍🏻

[@LimGiong]

Thanks.

[@undulations]

You're welcome🙏🏼!

[@AltaMihartescu]

Thank you for this video. I have a question, I can't seem to be able to get different pitches on SQ1. When I rotate the knobs is only a single sweet spot that gives me a pitch or no pitch..there is basically no range. I am on 5V and on battery. Any other possibilities why I can't get that beautiful variety of pitches as in 1:12:55 ? Thank you again.

[@rainerd9890]

thanks for the demo, last time i commented was regarding the elektron model samples. i like it but find it over-complicated to use. there's something fresh and immediate about these bastl creations with some very interesting results. i finally ordered the drum and intend to use it with my eurorack with pamela's new workout as a clock/gate source. it's specs say 0-5v output, is that okay? (i believe kastle drum is 0-5v). and then there is the grounding question, i'm not really sure i understand what is happening there!?

[@undulations]

Yes, I believe that the 5V trigger signals are fine. I only suggest checking the (default) trigger polarity on PNW to make sure it's positive. You can also just see directly by putting the PNW signal into some 1v/oct input on an oscillator module of some sort, see if it gives a high-pitched tone on the triggers. As for grounding, think of 3 accessable ground points on a Kastle: (-)patch point, sleeve on the main audio trs jack, and sleeve on the i/o port trs jack. any will do. if you send Kastle audio into your modular (say, like a filter or mixer input) then that grounds it automatically. If you don't have one, I highly recommend a Y-cable that has a stereo (trs) plug at the "bottom" and dual mono (ts) plugs at the "top". With said cable you can take 2 signals out (or into or 1 of each) of the modular, run the trs end into the Kastle i/o socket and then use the tiny kastle cables to send the signals to/from the Kastle proper. Best of luck and lmk if anything comes up👍🏻!

[@zeyadbalushi]

Amazing work as usual.. thank you! How is it possible to sync the drum to microfreak? I have been trying for weeks and still can't get it right. Whenever I play a sequence or an arp from the microfreak, I get full noise on the drum. Is there anything I'm missing on the microfreak utility menu maybe?

[@undulations]

Hey, I'm away from my gear right now, and I couldn't find my notes about that clip when I was writing the video description. I _think_ I had an aux cable from the i/o on the Drum to the Clock In on the MF. Then I patched CLK to the left I/O (or maybe right🤔 i think left) to sync the MF from the Drum. The PATTERN to DrumMod for the beats. I don't recall changing a setting? I hope this helps, but if it's still not working then let me know - I can look at the settings later this week. Thanks a lot for the feedback🙏🏼!

[@hellf.o]

Hi! Awesome vid Subscribed How to synch bastl kastle to the kastle drum? I can't figure it out..

[@undulations]

Thanks! So, try this: patch minus on Drum to minus on 1.5 (for grounding). Then patch the pattern LFO on Drum to drumMod and turn up the drumMod knob, drum knob itself down. Medium tempo. Should hear a beat coming out of the Drum. Then patch from the Clock on the Drum over to the LFO Reset on the 1.5, use a medium rate on the 1.5 (sort of get close to the Drum's tempo). Hopefully this syncs them. Then patch from the stepped LFO on the 1.5 to timbreMod and turn up the timbreMod knob, timbre knob itself sort of low. Should hear a groove from the 1.5, synced to beats on the Drum. You can tell it's working if changing the tempo on the Drum causes the 1.5 to change rate along with it. Hope this helps!

[@bendudding]

Awesome video! Just what I need to know. Is it possible to send the sync out of the volca mod to the trigger in of the kastle drum to get a clock?

[@undulations]

Thanks very much🙏🏼! Yes, that should be good. Maybe some global parameters to tweak it. That will sync PATTERN. I you want the others stuff synced (CLK, LFO) it might be easier to use CLK to Sync In. Best of luck👍🏻!

[@dudekdenis7418]

Merci-thanks !. mini-modular's ! i love it and good...( excuse me i'm french ), demonstration !

[@undulations]

il n'y a pas de quoi (i speak very little French). Many thanks for watching!

[@dariusmorgan8302]

Awesome stuff as always. And, as happened with the Kastle 1.5, after watching i has to get one! It's amazing and so cool that my entire synth/modular journey began with a video of yours and a Kastle 1.5! Now I have a Mantis case full of modules and I love it! Thanks man. This all has enriched my life and music so much and been so much fun. Really glad I went down the rabbit hole and you have a special place in my heart for inspiring me at the beginning. I'd love to know if/when you use both Kastles into some modules like Branches and any tips you might have with that scenario. Thanks again Dr. Nim and warm regards from Illinois

[@undulations]

Hey (sorry it's taken forever to reply)! A comment like this really means a lot to me🙏! Modular can be such an amazing experience - I think part of that is because it feels so personal, like you're very likely doing something unique, even if it's nothing that anybody else ever hears. As for using the Kastle into Branches? I haven't done that - but I think it's a great idea⚡! Branches is such a cool module - upcoming video about my modular pod has got it in it!

[@dariusmorgan8302]

@@undulations Awesome! I'll tune into that one for sure. Look forward to it. Yeah man, since the Kastle Drum is there to use for more percussive/pattern generation purposes and goes perfectly with the O.G. Kastle, I figured Branches would make some really cool things happen in combination with the two. I'm sure gonna try it. I just got my Kastle Drum & I'm gonna send them both into Ears and then use Branches with them...oh and the Little Nerd too. So excited to patch! Can't wait for your next video man!

[@undulations]

@@dariusmorgan8302 That all sounds great! Speaking of, I just got Ears a couple of weeks ago - it seems really well done! Love the MI modules!

[@dariusmorgan8302]

@@undulations oh man, you're gonna have fun with Ears! Can't wait to see the creative ways you wind up finding to use the envelope follower & gate along with being a perfect way to bring the Kastles into the eurorack with the audio input. Love MI...once I got Rings & Plaits it was over for me. I was fully into modular then. I'm excited to see how you utilize Ears...you always dig into things far enough to find the hidden gems inside modules & gear that aren't necessarily their main uses or functions. You'll love the contact mic and bringing in your acoustic instruments. It's super fun just hooking up a mic or separate contact mic. I use a Korg contact mic to clip on tambourines & little shakers etc. So fun

[@dariusmorgan8302]

Well, if you've had it for a couple weeks already, I know you've done all that and more! Is Ears gonna be in the video on your Pod also?

[@retrogawd]

Hi! Do you have the softpop 1? I would love a video on patching it with the Kastles and volca modular. I just bought an sq 1 so how to integrate this into the system would be great. I like your content.

[@undulations]

Hey, thanks for watching! I do have a SoftPop 1. Gotta say, I don't always understand it that well - But that is always a good reason to do a video on something :) Thank you for the suggestion!

[@aristide1476]

In my case the po' audio out of the y cable Is the Red minijack

[@undulations]

Make sure to check out Episode 1 ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/bajFepaKhNeAjKM ) for info about essential beats and noises on the Kastle Drum.

[@Tijsfastre]

Hmmm, thanks a lot for all the great videos! Maybe a weird question to just ask you, but when I try to send clock from my Korg Volca Drum to my Kastle Drum it seems like it follows the tempo but doesn't hold it steadily (like it'll do 2 beats in sync and then 4-ish faster and a bit off to then go back to the 2 normal slower ones constantly). In that way it seems like (unless I put the tempo really slow on the Volca Drum, weirdly ) the Kastle will never just sync with the beat but always do this extra fast thing will being kind of synced. Does this sound familiar to anyone around here as to what I might be doing wrongly?? (Sorry to just bother you on this vid here, but who knows maybe someone with more knowledge about this (as I'm still kinda new to it) has some ideas. (: Thanks a lot to anyone taking the time to respond

[@undulations]

Hey, no problem at all. The stuff can be kind of quirky/glitchy in exactly the way you are describing. One thing is that, if I recall correctly, the only thing synced by the Kastle Drum's clock in is the Pattern lfo. So the other two (square/clock and triangle lfo) are still set by the Tempo knob. So you may find that adjusting the relative tempos of both synths helps. Another thing to try is skipping clock in entirely and routing the Volca sync signal to the Kastle's Trig In or Drum Mod. Another thing to look at is the Volca's sync settings (see manual) - different settings might help. Feel free to update me with how it goes, I can try to set mine up the same and see if I have any other ideas. Thanks for watching!

[@Tijsfastre]

@@undulations Hey, thanks for the very fast reply (and apologies that I'm the tardy one here now)! Doodling around quite a bit with the Volca Drum and the Kastle Drum did indeed teach me that they are very syncable but that the Kastle Drum does kind of sync on its own terms, which is quite nice if you get used to it (which I clearly just still had to to) AND once you figure out that you can always find sweet spots in which it's actually 'casually' synced (as far as that's possible haha) but those depend on the tempo it's receiving, meaning it will indeed always require some noodling with the Kastle tempo knob! Probably going to browse your Volca Drum vids again now that I'm also getting more used to that machine. So many thanks for those as well as the quick reply here! ((:

[@scandinaviababybaby]

Silly question! in the sq-1 part on almost 28 minute. This blue cable is that two monos and one stereo? stereo going into the kastle and 2 monos into the sq-1? I want to buy this cable, just wondering ! :) thanks

[@undulations]

Hey, that's correct! It is a Y-cable, stereo (trs) on one end to dual mono (ts) on the other ends. The shield (i.e. conductor closest to the cables) is a shared ground of all 3 plugs. And then the tip and ring of the stereo become the tip and other tip of the monos. It's not a silly question at all because there are other Y-cables like a "headphone splitter" (trs stereo to dual trs stereo) or even a trrs (stereo+mic) to trs(headphones) and ts(unpowered mic). The one we're talking about is super handy for both audio and control voltage. Thanks for checking out the video🙏🏼!

[@scandinaviababybaby]

@@undulations Amazing thanks! well thank you sir! Been following your journey here. It is very informative and interesting to watch.

[@undulations]

Make sure to check out my recent "Floating Kastle" post over on Instagram (dr_nim2014). It uses a 'mirror patch' constraint to (sort of) levitate the Kastle 1.5 over the Kastle Drum. It's pretty interesting that the overall layout symmetry of the Kastles (destinations on the left, sources on the right - roughly speaking) allow this sort of thing. The title is also a reference to some of the amazing and different sounds you can get by letting one of the Kastles sort of 'float' in its off state (as shown at the beginning of the clip). - Nim

[@lars-fenin]

noice.. do you know wich ppq setting is good for the kastl drum..? i got it hooked up to my rd -8-sync out (i guess 5/v) but i cannot get it to sync right.. ?

[@undulations]

Watch at about 28:00, lmk if that does not help things👍🏻

[@lars-fenin]

@@undulations thanx .. but the 5 volts are sended out, if i understood the rd 8 sync out right.. the ppq settings i did not found in the vid. anay way i have to mess around with that a bit i guess.

[@undulations]

@@lars-fenin oh, those different knob settings _are_ the ppq. if you look at the Global Parameter Settings part of the SQ-1 manual they call it Sequence Step Resolution. so 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16, and then duplicates of that using some sort of different sync signal structure (which the KD seems to like better). Also the indicator lights are counting in binary, as another way to remember the setting that you want. Hope this helps!

[@lars-fenin]

@@undulations thanx.. you can choose on the rd 8 like 24 ppq (most common) 2 ppq and so on..

[@brokenscart7989]

Using the SQ1, mine never sounds as nice as yours. I can make it impact the sound but every step has a ‘pop’ ‘or ‘click’ which gets a bit fatiguing. I think it’s patched right but I’m probably misunderstanding something..

[@undulations]

Well, run me through the details of how you've got it set up (cables, sq1 settings, etc.) - I can try it here and see what happens👍🏻

[@barnabycross]

Hi I had a question about the blucoil aux cable in your video. Is the a standard 3.5 stereo jack or mono, or doesnt it matter when syncing?

[@undulations]

hey, it's been long enough that I'm a little murky on the exact syncing stuff of the video. That said, I think all blucoils that I have are stereo. I know that Volcas always ship with a stereo aux cable, but I think a mono will work. One thing you can always do is use the Kastle Drum itself as a sort of "scope": you can send a really fast CLK lfo signal to the trig in, tweak the Drum and release knobs to get a sort of tonal purr. Then send whatever (sync or otherwise) to the i/o jack, and use a cable to connect the left or right i/o to the pitch modulation (and turn up the pitch modulation). You'll hear the sync pulses as a pitch change (and you can set the Pitch knob up near the middle so that you can hear negative voltages too). Also, just remember if you do use a mono cable that one of the i/o channels will get grounded (ie just be dormant). Let me know how it goes, and thanks for checking out the video!

[@barnabycross]

@@undulations Thanks, thats really helpful. I guess it doesnt matter too much since its syncing siignal voltage asopposed to audio out. Im not really au fait with the details but I think thats right? Im playing catch up to a great extent re bastl instruments. I got a microgranny and kastl 1.5 and a drum quite recetly. Ill be getting the dude, already have a volca modular. The mini stuff is fascinating. Thanks again for your great videos and sounds. I find your delivery of the content very interesting and weirdly relaxing! Im synthiing away here in Nagasaki on the other side of the world! The next series of recordings are going to involve the bastl stuff and probably some other bits.

[@Hasserfyllt]

tried this to sync my POs with the bastl drum - its not working :( i hear a high skreaking tone when i turn the bastl on with the jump-starter-cable thingie, but after this, they are not in time... :( any idea, sir? PO is in sync1 mode (using a po33) kastl is connectec via i/o, left channel to clock in left - then from noises (slot on the right end) to clock in (right slot)

[@undulations]

Well, I think the first thing to do is confirm that your Drum is in Easter Egg Mode (EEM). It can be kind of fussy. Drum knob maxed, Pitch knob maxed, Decay knob maxed, then [+] patched to Trig In, and no other wires. Turn on, remove the one wire, turn Drum back to min, turn Pitch to about 9:00, and turn Decay to about 3:00. Then, set up a beat using Pattern patched to Drum Modulation with the Drum Modulation knob turned way up. Reasonably fast Tempo. Then turn the Pitch Modulation knob way up and patch from NOISES (the EEM envelope) to Pitch Modulation. It should make the drum sounds "chirp". If they aren't chirping then it's not in EEM. If they are chirping then you can proceed to try the syncing thing. Let me know how it goes👍🏻.

[@Hasserfyllt]

@@undulations thanks for that fast response sir!

[@undulations]

@@Hasserfyllt Nice work👍🏻!

[@MonitorSmith]

53:30 Zawinul would def dig it.

[@undulations]

Thank you🙏🏼! High praise! I'm always surprised by the swing on the Kastles, as in that part - a pretty organic feel for just tweaking one knob. Thanks again for checking it out!

[@MonitorSmith]

@@undulations I am a big fan of your proceedings. :)

[@adeniranbalthazar5700]

the volca mod made the kastle sound like r2d2

[@undulations]

lol, yeah😂! the motion sequencing on the volca can start to make some crazy sounds! in one of the volca modular videos i used it to control a motor and spell out things (like in The Martian). Thanks a lot for checking this one out🙏🏼!

[@adeniranbalthazar5700]

@@undulations thanks for sharing it!

[@Congasjones]

The kastl drum and sq-1 section is inspired!❤

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼! I keep coming back to the SQ-1 for so many different things: sweet spot of simplicity and functionality. Thanks again😀!

[@Congasjones]

@@undulations totally currently loving it with my moog Mavis

[@undulations]

@@Congasjones Ahhh, I bet that is very nice!

[@Cactusman1960]

Please can you get closer? I want to see your expressions and the synths

[@undulations]

Well, sometimes I do, but the wide shot is partly just because it's a GoPro and also because I like catching the cats in-frame (but it doesn't always happen). As for the synths, in the opening shot they're really just props to help keep me on-script (but then there's like an hour of extreme close-ups of the synths). Thanks for checking out the video👍🏻!

[@khasmadeign4698]

Once again deepdiving. I hardly see any videos about the Drum,

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼! I've enjoyed the Drum a lot - I feel like the Easter Egg Mode opens it up to many other uses👍🏻

[@khasmadeign4698]

@@undulations I'm still not figuring out how to get it to work.

[@undulations]

@@khasmadeign4698 Hey, well, I can lay it out here: 1) Start with the Drum off. 2) Patch [+] to TRIG IN. 3) Turn the Drum knob (upper right), Decay knob, and Pitch knob all to their maximum. 4) Turn on the Drum. 5) You are now in Easter Egg Mode and can pull out that patch cable and turn the knobs down. Note: if you want out of EEM then just turn the Drum off and back on. To test it: set up a basic beat like patching PATTERN to drumMod, turn up drumMod all the way, turn Drum knob (upper right) down, turn up Tempo until it's nice, turn Decay all the way clockwise, turn Pitch up until you can hear the kickdrum hits. Now there are voltage envelopes (shaped pulses) coming out of NOISES with the beats. You can use those a lot with other gear (like a Kastle 1.5), but there are even things to try with the Drum alone (with the above patch running): 1) Try patching NOISES to pitchMod and turning up pitchMod. The hits will "chirp". 2) Try patching NOISES tempoMod and turning up tempoMod a little. You can get some crazy beats! Hope this helps! ps for some crazy feedback noises, you can also patch NOISES to drumMod. The envelopes cause more envelopes.