DIY + Unusual Gear Modular-Analog Music tech Tech
Bastl’s Kastle 2 and Citadel Eurorack are now DIY kits, open source platforms
It started with Kastle 2, Bastl Instruments’ cute and clever handheld. It could be a multi-effect, a sample player, a synth. Then Citadel modules came along and did those things in Eurorack. Now, Bastl’s got a surprise: you can buy these as DIY kits, and a big chunk of the Raspberry Pi-powered platforms are being released as open source. Here are all the details.
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Stylophone Voice, AA-powered sound-bending sampler + sequencer + FX
Oh yeah, somebody remembered to make stuff that’s just fun. Stylophone (Dubreq) is adding to its Pocket Range with an AA battery-powered device that samples, sequences, and adds effects. That puts your sounds under the signature Stylophone stylus — and it looks set to be a breakout hit, if the price is right.
Peter Kirn - January 19, 2026
Gear Music tech Tech
What’s new in the DIY world of Music Thing’s Workshop System
It’s a Very Workshop System Jamuary. Music Thing’s patchable music lab-in-a-lunchbox has proved that small-batch personal hardware can attract a select, dedicated community sharing great stuff with one another. Let’s catch up with what’s been happening in that magical village of synth wonder in the past year. Don’t forget, the ideas and code here are all open — meaning this could inspire more.
Peter Kirn - January 7, 2026
DIY + Unusual Modular-Analog Music tech Stories Tech
JW-Modules free Grains, Buffer are must-downloads for VCV Rack
Peter Kirn - January 6, 2026
Modular-Analog Music tech Software Tech
Tweakbench plug-ins return after 20 years, from NES to ambient
Peter Kirn - December 18, 2025
Music tech Software Tech
Sinevibes Skew, 3-playhead reverse delay, improved and now free
Peter Kirn - December 17, 2025
Music tech Reviews Software Tech
Mudjaq TapeLeap, a freaky tape/lo-fi looper that can blink, be broken
Peter Kirn - December 11, 2025
Music tech Reviews Software Tech
Soundtoys is giving away free plug-ins for 12 days, starting today
Peter Kirn - December 8, 2025
Deals Music tech Software Tech
ADPTR Utopia: what makes this spectral reverb one of the best effects of 2025
Peter Kirn - December 3, 2025
Music tech Reviews Software Tech
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