What Bastl Instruments does

Bastl Instruments (legal entity BASTL s.r.o.) is a privately held, family-run manufacturer of hand-made electronic musical instruments founded in 2013 and headquartered in Brno, Czech Republic. The company designs and produces a portfolio of standalone desktop and pocket synthesizers (including the iconic Kastle pocket modular, its Kastle 2 successors, Thyme+, Softpop SP2, Bestie, Outsidify, and the Bastl Kalimba) alongside an extensive Eurorack-format modular ecosystem (Pizza, Basil, Cinnamon, Timber, Aikido, Dark Matter, Ikarie, Neo Trinity, 1983, CIAO!!, Buddy, ABC, Kompas, Clutch, and others). Several modules are co-developed with Peter Edwards of Casper Electronics, and the company also offers DIY kits, replacement PCBs, and components with publicly available open-source schematics and code on GitHub.

The technical platform combines analog and digital synthesis on shared hardware bases (notably the Pizza platform powering multiple modules), with most products running on programmable microcontrollers such as the Attiny 85. Bastl operates a community-led go-to-market model centered on DIY culture, hands-on workshops, and educational partnerships with SYNTH LIBRARY Prague and Vasulka Kitchen Brno, complemented by a global direct-to-consumer B-Shop, a network of international retailers, physical showrooms at HQ Brno and Luft Cafe Prague, and a presence at major industry events such as Superbooth.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through unit-priced hardware sales (Eurorack modules €120–€400, desktop instruments €160–€507, DIY kits €18–€194), supplemented by small contributions from branded merchandise, DIY repair services (Come to Daddy), and the in-house record label Nona Records. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding and serves two primary customer segments: electronic music producers/sound designers and DIY electronics hobbyists, with educational institutions as a secondary segment. The employee count is reported as 11–50.

Name

Bastl Instruments

Legal name

BASTL s.r.o.

Website

https://bastl-instruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bastl Instruments is a Brno-based, family-run manufacturer of hand-made electronic musical instruments founded in 2013, producing standalone synthesizers, Eurorack modules, and DIY kits for electronic music producers and DIY electronics hobbyists worldwide via a community-led, direct-to-consumer and retailer model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Musical Instruments

NAICS

Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992)

SIC

Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Production Hardware (Synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, MIDI Controllers) (MPAIAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA), Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)

Keywords

• Modular synthesizers
• Eurorack modules
• Analog synthesizers
• DIY electronics kits
• Sound design tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Brno

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Eurorack Modules: Sale of Eurorack format synthesizer modules including oscillators, filters, mixers, effects, and utility modules. Products include Pizza, Basil, Cinnamon, Timber, Aikido, Dark Matter, Ikarie, Neo Trinity, CIAO, Buddy, ABC, Kompas, 1983, Clutch, Crust, Déjà vu.
2. Standalone Instruments: Desktop and portable synthesizers and instruments including Thyme+, Softpop SP2, Kastle series, Bestie, and Outsidify.
3. DIY Kits and Components: DIY soldering kits for various modules, replacement PCBs, Atmega chips, jumper wires, and assembly materials.
4. Casper x Bastl Collaboration Products: Co-developed products with Peter Edwards of Casper Electronics including Aikido, Dark Matter, Ikarie, and Softpop SP2.
5. Merchandise: Branded merchandise including t-shirts, sticker packs, and anniversary items.
6. Come to Daddy Repair Service: Fee-based service for customers who need help completing their DIY kits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Bastl Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells handmade electronic musical instruments, including Eurorack-format modular synthesizer modules (oscillators, filters, delays, mixers, modulation, utilities) and standalone desktop/pocket synthesizers. The company also offers open-source DIY kits with assembly guides, branded merchandise, and a fee-based repair service (Come to Daddy) for DIY customers needing help completing kits.

Product overview

Bastl Instruments is a Czech Republic-based synthesizer and modular instrument manufacturer founded in 2013. The company produces a portfolio of standalone analog and digital synthesizers, Eurorack modules, and DIY kits organized around several platforms. The core product ecosystem includes the Kastle platform (pocketable modular synths including Kastle v1.5 discontinued, and Kastle 2 variants: Alchemist, Wave Bard, and FX Wizard), the desktop instruments (Softpop SP2, Thyme+, Bestie), and the CITADEL Eurorack extension. The Eurorack module lineup is built on shared hardware platforms: the Pizza platform powers PIZZA oscillator, Basil delay, and other modules; the Casper x Bastl collaboration produces Ikarie filter, Dark Matter feedback processor, and Aikido VCA mixer. Additional modules include Timber wave-shaper, Cinnamon state variable filter, Neo Trinity modulation hub, 1983 MIDI-to-CV interface, CIAO!! output module, Buddy stereo mixer, ABC mixer, Kompas probabilistic trigger generator, and Clutch attenuator. All products emphasize open-source design with publicly available schematics and code on GitHub. The company also operates Nona Records for music releases and offers DIY workshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nona Records: Bastl Instruments' own record label, releasing music.

Products and services

• Kastle 2 Alchemist Desktop synthesizer and successor to the original Kastle, extending the pocket modular platform into a desktop instrument with enhanced synthesis capabilities and Eurorack compatibility.
• Kastle 2 Wave Bard Desktop synthesizer from the Kastle 2 family featuring wave-based synthesis and modular patching capabilities for creative sound design.
• Kastle 2 FX Wizard FX-focused Kastle 2 variant with effects processing capabilities integrated into the modular synthesizer platform.
• Softpop SP2 Desktop synthesizer developed in collaboration with Casper Electronics, featuring unique sound processing and generative patterns.
• Thyme+ Classic Bastl desktop synthesizer with unique sound generation and performance capabilities, part of the original Bastl instrument lineup.
• Bestie 5-channel stereo mixer with up to 20dB boost, mute switches, and a feedback channel. Also functions as a stereo distortion/saturator. Battery or USB-C powered for portable setups.
• Outsidify Bastl standalone instrument designed for sound exploration and creative sound design applications.
• Bastl Kalimba Bastl electronic kalimba instrument.
• PIZZA Compact digital Eurorack oscillator (8 HP) with powerful wave shaping applied to FM synthesis. Features 3 internal oscillators (Main, Octave, Ratio), phase modulation, wave folding, ring modulation, assignable CTRL knob/CV, and 3 different outputs.
• Basil Flexible digital stereo Eurorack delay built on the Pizza platform with Space section (chorus, flanger, vibrato, pitch shifting, reverb), V/OCT input for Karplus-Strong synthesis, stereo spread, ping-pong mode, and freeze function. Also available as a free VCV Rack plugin.
• Dark Matter High-energy sound processor and signal generator that unleashes audio feedback into Eurorack systems. Inspired by 'no input' mixer feedback techniques with voltage control over all parameters. Co-developed with Casper Electronics. 13 HP.
• Ikarie Stereo or dual peak Eurorack filter module that continuously transitions between lowpass and highpass filtering. Features two parallel filter cores, envelope follower, envelope generator, and stereo modulation. Co-developed with Casper Electronics (Peter Edwards). 8 HP.
• Aikido Performative quad VCA Eurorack mixer with flexible submix routing and two styles of integrated envelope followers (Side Chain and Spectral). Clickless mute switches, level faders, attenuverters, and patch-programmable cascading mix routing. Co-developed with Casper Electronics. 11 HP.
• Timber Flexible Eurorack wave shaping module with two circuits: WAVE DRIVER (overdrive with folding) and WAVE FOLDER (4-stage Serge-style wavefolding). Voltage-controlled crossfader between circuits, SHAPE and SYMMETRY controls. 7 HP.
• Cinnamon Voltage-controlled Eurorack state variable filter with drive and character switches. LP, BP, HP outputs, resonance control, can self-oscillate as an oscillator producing phased sinewaves. 5 HP.
• Buddy Four-channel stereo Eurorack mixer optimized for hybrid setups. Channels A/B boost eurorack signals ×2/+6dB; Channels C/D are line-level pre-amps with ×10/+20dB boost. NE5532 op-amp based. Multiple units chainable via jumper cables. 5 HP.
• CIAO! Quad line output and headphone amplifier Eurorack module. 2 balanced outputs (6.3mm), stereo output (3.5mm), headphone output with channel selection, line-level clipping indication. 55mm deep.
• Neo Trinity 6-channel Eurorack modulation hub combining LFO, envelope generator, and CV knob recorder functions. Algorithmic trigger fill generator, channel mutes, preset bank storage, clock sync, and META CV inputs.
• 1983 Polyphonic MIDI to CV Eurorack interface with automatic tuning, creative voice allocation, and microtuning support (equal temperament, just intonation, A=440/432Hz). Supports 4-voice polyphony, quantizer mode, and µTune scale editing.
• ABC Simple 6-channel Eurorack signal mixer with 2 outputs. Inputs A+B+C mixed into D+E+F if no jack inserted. Modifiable via solder jumpers for CV mixing or stereo operation. 35mm deep.
• Kompas Three-coordinate probabilistic Eurorack pattern navigator. 3×32 step pattern generators, 3 CV inputs, 3 trigger outputs, algorithmic trigger fill. DIY and hacker friendly with Arduino programmable hardware. Open-source. 5 HP.
• Clutch Quad Eurorack attenuator module with pedal interface. Each channel connects via stereo cable to act as voltage source outputting CV. Channel A can act as voltage source (max 9V).
• CIAO!!

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Casper Electronics (Peter Edwards)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Bastl Instruments (Václav Peloušek) and Peter Edwards of Casper Electronics resulting in co-branded products including Aikido (quad VCA mixer), Dark Matter (feedback module), Ikarie (stereo filter), and Softpop SP2. Products combine Edwards' attention to detail with Peloušek's expertise.
• SYNTH LIBRARY PragueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational collaboration with SYNTH LIBRARY in Prague for workshops and community education around electronic music and synthesis.
• Vasulka KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Vasulka Kitchen in Brno, an educational organization focused on electronic music, for workshops and community building.
• Anymade StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign partnership with Anymade Studio responsible for product design and visual identity across all Bastl Instruments products.
• Luft CafeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProducts on display at Luft cafe in Prague (Kamenická 656/56, 170 00 Praha 7-Holešovice) for local customers to view.
• Nona RecordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBastl's own record label for releasing music, complementing their synthesizer business and community culture. URL: bastl-instruments.com/bastl/label
• Umbrella Company JapanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese retailer and localization partner providing Japanese manuals for products and distribution in Japan market.
• AudiorialminorOthersCommunity contributor providing French translations of product manuals for Bastl Instruments.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Make Noise: US-based modular synthesizer maker whose Eurorack modules target the same electronic-music and experimental-sound designer segments as Bastl's Pizzeria/ABC/Neo Trinity lineup.
• Erica Synths: Latvian boutique manufacturer of Eurorack modules and desktop synthesizers with a similar DIY/community ethos and comparable product breadth. Closest direct comparable on size, geography (EU), and target customer.
• Mutable Instruments: French Eurorack manufacturer historically known for open-source firmware and modules. Directly comparable on open-source philosophy, Eurorack form factor, and target user (DIY/hacker musicians).
• Noise Engineering: US boutique Eurorack and desktop synth maker with a comparable mix of oscillators, filters, and effects modules aimed at sound designers and experimental producers.
• Intellijel Designs: Canadian Eurorack manufacturer producing performance-oriented modules and cases. Comparable customer base and module categories (VCAs, mixers, utility/sequencer modules like Neo Trinity).
• 4ms Pedals: US maker of Eurorack modules and standalone pedals; comparable on product-platform thinking (e.g., Stereo Triggered Sampler, Quad Pingable LFO) and shared electronic-music end-user.
• Doepfer Musikelektronik: German company that originated the Eurorack format; competes in the same utility/oscillator/filter categories (e.g., A-110 VCO, A-120 VCF) and serves overlapping hobbyist customers.
• Tiptop Audio: Eurorack ecosystem builder with modules, cases, and the 'Z-DSP' platform. Overlaps with Bastl on utility/mix/output modules (e.g., CIAO!!) and on serving the modular performance market.

Emerging players

• Cre8audio: Smaller boutique modular maker (sister company to Erica Synths) shipping semi-modular desktop synths and Eurorack modules to a similar experimental electronic-music audience.

Broad incumbents

• Arturia: Established French hardware/software synth maker with broad product line (MicroFreak, MiniBrute, Eurorack series). Overlaps with Bastl on desktop and Eurorack segments but competes from a much larger installed base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bastlinstrument
• GitHubgithub.com/bastl-instruments
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bastlinstruments
• Facebookfacebook.com/bastlinstruments
• Instagraminstagram.com/bastlinstruments
• TikToktiktok.com/@bastl.instruments
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bastl-instruments

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bastl Instruments