Kastle Drum (Ghost Mode)

For noise and soundscape lovers. This video is about cross-patching the Kastle Drum and Kastle 1.5 from Bastl Instruments - but with the Kastle Drum turned OFF. This concept is sort of parallel to the circuit-bending concept of 'power starving' a device to get some different and interesting experimental sounds. To me, the somewhat shocking and sporadic noises of the Drum in 'Ghost Mode' go best with reverb using the Korg NTS-1 Space Reverb here). The voice of the Kastle 1.5 keeps things rooted with various drone and groove contributions, and this all leads us into the realm of space and soundtrack vibes. Thanks for watching!
TIMELINE
00:00 STARTER
"Traveler" (I decided to name the patches/clips in this video.)
Drum(-)-Synth(-), Drums-OscOut, dMod-Stepped, Pattern-timbreMod(but not required), pMod-lfoSQR, Drums-Drum(ioL), Noises-Drum(ioR), Synth(+)-Mode, Stepped-Synth(pMod). Audio out the Drum i/o into NTS-1. Drum - dMod(max), pMod(max), decay(0700), tempo(0300). Synth - pMod(1100), tMod(min), wave(1100), pitch(vary), timbre(1000), rate(vary).
00:27 INTRO
I apologize about the sound here. I didn't have the lav mic plugged all the way into the Zoom (so the sound is coming from the Zoom's built-in mics). I would normally re-shoot but I liked the take (and thought it somehow fit this video, idk). I discuss the overall concept of 'Ghost Mode'.
03:44 HANDS-ON
Let's patch. Using headphones really helps to hear the different sounds here, particularly with the way I have the devices separated (Drum on the left, 1.5 on the right). Also, there are some PHENOMENAL lows and timbres coming out of the Drum when it's used this way, and reasonable headphones or monitors are the way to go.
15:38 DEMO 1
"Probe Astray" I've been reading quite a bit of sci-fi this year, and these sounds make me think of some sort of space probe that has been sent out and knocked skittering off-course.
Drum(-)-Synth(-), Noises-Drums-Drum(ioL), 2ndOsc-OscOut-Drum(ioR), Synth(-)-Mode, lfoSQR-timbreMod, CLK-Drum(pMod), lfoSQR-Drum(pMod), Stepped-dMod. Audio out the Drum i/o into NTS-1. Drum - dMod(Max), pMod(0200), decay(0500), tempo(1000). Synth - pMod(1200), tMod(0100), rMod(max?), wave(1100), pitch(1100), timbre(min), rate(1100).
18:00 DEMO 2
"Distant World" This one is long, noisy, and slow-paced, but some of the sounds coming out of the Drum are kind of hard to believe. I've listened to it a lot, hearing sounds down in it like - vocals, chanting, some sort of fast tremolo strumming, and definitely a ney flute. I kind of grew up (musically at least) with 'world music' and an album like Passion by Peter Gabriel completely changed my musical outlook - I feel like some of those sounds are in this, a little at least. I did a bit of editing at the beginning and the end to give it a slight bit of narrative aspect.
Co-grounding via audio into the NADY Audio MM-242 mixer. Drums-Drum(ioL), Noises-Drum(ioR), OscOut-Synth(ioL), 2ndOsc-Synth(ioR). Then Drum io port to mixer A1 and A2, Synth io port to mixer B1 and B2 (via 3.5mm trs cable to dual 1/4" ts cable into each Kastle port). This puts Kastle 1.5 on the LEFT, Kastle Drum on the Right (opposite of the hands-on setup), and gives me mixing control over all 4 signals. Some mixer clipping in the loud parts but the Nady seems to handle it well, decided it was better not to mess with the mix. The rest of the patch is: lfoSQR-timbreMod, dMod-lfoSQR, Drum(pitchMod)-Stepped, Drum(LFO)-Synth(pitchMod), with this last being the 'backpropagation' type of patch that I mention in the video.

[@andrewnancarrow]

Don’t shortchange yourself on Demo 1. It’s actually wonderful. As always, I appreciate these videos- they are always very informative and inspiring.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼! Recently I was thinking about watching this video - I was doing something with the Kastles for the latest video and accidentally started making "ghost mode" sounds. It made me kind of want to take another look at it. Anyway, thanks again for the encouragement!

[@quantum_ocean]

Wow cool. Live demo 2! thanks for sharing!.

[@undulations]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@buddingsignal]

out of this world. wow. i want to thank *YOU* for convincing me to pickup these 2 beautiful instruments.

[@undulations]

Glad you liked it! Thanks very much for the feedback🙏🏼

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Instant sub. Cool stuff, love my drum kastle.

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Thanks for such a timely video. I normally take 3 weeks off work in January to do nothing but “me” stuff, this and your other Kastle videos are gonna be my guide for that period!

[@undulations]

That's great! Have fun and thanks for checking out the videos🙏🏼! Let me know how it goes!

[@trevormalcolm4328]

@@undulations will do! I think I’ll throw in some Volca drum for good measure! 👍🏽🙏🏽🇬🇧

[@Zen_Mox]

Legitimately fascinating, thanks!

[@0228christian]

Great video, as always! Demo 2 was a joy to listen to. Some really incredible tones on that. :)

[@undulations]

Thanks much, very glad to hear that! I appreciate you checking it out🙏🏼!

[@alloutofsync]

Simple but great idea! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@undulations]

You bet! Thanks a lot for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@balloonhead61]

genius works once again

[@undulations]

Many, many thanks!

[@jackblackguard8908]

Thanks again for sharing your insights, your channel is consistently inspiring. I usually fall back on the same patterns when making patches, your videos help me to break out of those and get more out of these versatile little machines.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate hearing that🙏🏼 I feel like the Kastles are pretty amazing for the size and price :) ps sorry this took a while to answer, out of town for a bit.

[@cold_fashioned]

I love how you keep squeezing more and more out of these two little devices. When I heard back propagation, I thought I was about to get a free lesson in machine learning algorithms! Haha. 🙌🏼

[@undulations]

"...and now we will use the Kastle Drum to break the XOR problem that has plagued perceptron networks for so many years..." - Thanks very much for checking out the video😀!

[@mathmanmrt]

the kinds of sonic textures you're gleaning from those tiny instruments are truly noteworthy. i get the connection to *passion* but i also feel like there's something of merzbow at his most laid back in this as well. either way, this is good work you're doing here. i wish you a happy new year, sir. for myself, my wife gave me a strymon bigsky reverb for christmas and i've been busy listening to all the ways it can enrich the sounds of my microfreak. take care.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much; I appreciate the feedback🙏🏼! I don't have any Strymon pedals but have heard the Big Sky a lot on Instagram - sounds amazing and I'm sure it is very well made. I'm also sure it goes well with the MicroFreak (I've often wondered if the MF could have some synthesis modes with native reverb/delay, just a thought). Anyway, enjoy the new pedal and Happy New Year🥳!

[@sammywarren3070]

You rule dude. Like seriously I’ve learned so much from you and I’ve never even met you.

[@undulations]

Well, it would be a lot harder to do without the kind feedback😀. Many thanks - new double-Kastle video in the works👍🏻!

[@boop_e_]

SO NICE IDEA🔥

[@undulations]

Thanks much for checking it out🙏🏼! Hope you are doing well! Have been enjoying your Duos posts on IG🔥!

[@manmaas]

Really useful. Although I love 'em both but the unrelenting noiseness gets a little much when trying to record with them so good to hear how you've opened up space between the sounds. Tried it last night on my setup and got some nice divisions that I can mix with and tap off to a looper and slow down further.

[@undulations]

Fantastic! I've listened to the sounds slowed down - really cool textures. Thanks for checking out the video🙏🏼!

[@chiefatlarge]

Love these sounds! I am going to get the Kastle Drum. What's the make of the speaker and mixer please?

[@undulations]

Hey, thanks much🙏🏼! The mixer is a Nady MM 242, can run on wall power or 9V battery, is less than $30. You may also need some cables or adapters because the mixer is 1/4". Two Y-cables get the Kastles into the mixer here: 1/8" stereo plug (trs) to two 1/4" mono plugs (ts). I like the ones by uGreen. Then, for the mixer output, it depends on the goal: to go to speakers with 1/4" inputs then two basic 1/4" mono cables will work. But I use the equivalent of a 3rd Y-cable here to get it back down to a 1/8" stereo plug here, going into the NTS-1 in this case. Thanks again for checking it out!

[@RR-jb1hx]

Hi, thank you very much for sharing your findings. i have been following this video, and i have two questions. first, will this system work with two kastles? Unfortunately I don't have drums, but maybe the logic of the devices is similar and separate sounds can be achieved. The second question is, how do I read the instructions to make the patch? it seems a bit confusing. If you can give me some hints, I would be very grateful. All the best !!!

[@paullanctot9476]

Really cool- can you tell me what gauge wire are you using? Thanks

[@undulations]

Thank you🙏🏼! Unfortunately, I can't give you an exact number. I see values on the internet ranging from 24 to 30, but it's not entirely clear if something like 24 is an approximate total diameter and something like 30 is a strand diameter. A lot of these wires use something like a 10-12 core/strand bundle to make them more flexible. Some of my best cables came with an old electronics kit that I have. I like some that come with gear (Volca Modular cables are really nice). I prefer the cables with soft connector insulation, have had reliability issues with the hard connector shell type. Too me, one of the biggest issues is when you change a connection the other side pops out. So, even though small cables make a patch look nice and clean I have started using longer cables on connections I want to change a lot. Lastly, I've even made some of these cables, turned out pretty nice. A lot of times you probably only need 6-8 cables, so making some exactly how you like them might be another good option. Hope this helps, thanks again for watching!