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 …
This sounds like an exciting innovation! The combination of a synth and a thumb piano is intriguing, and it’s impressive to see such strong support on Kickstarter. Looking forward to seeing how it evolves!
I completely agree! The fusion of traditional instruments with modern technology can lead to some really unique sounds. It’ll be interesting to see how musicians incorporate the Bastl Kalimba into their performances.