Bastl Instruments introduced a new product today at Moogfest 2016: the bitRanger, a handheld, patchable analog logic computer.

Designer Peter Edwards (at right, in Tyrolean hat) a.k.a. Casper Electronics, says the bitRanger “brings together the legacy of the previous products debuted at Moogfest: the Moog Werkstatt and the [Teenage Engineering] Pocket Operator and bridges both realms of these instruments together.”

Edwards recently moved to Brno, Czech Republic to “join forces” with the Bastl crew.

The bitRanger is a patchable analog logic computer which “sculpts sonic worlds,” ranging from data noise to melodic arpeggios. A handheld standalone synth, bitRanger has extensive connectivity makes it flexible for use in or out of the studio, able to connect to “almost anything:” CV control its unique sound, sync it with drum machines and sequencers, or use it as an algorithmic CV / GATE pattern generator.

Bastl describes the patchbay of the bitRanger (in the same style as the Moog Werkstatt) as “a place for exploration” where the user can experiment by connecting outputs to inputs “to see what happens,”  Battery power and a built-in speaker make the bitRanger portable, and its 4 knobs, 8 switches and more than 100 patch points make it, “highly tweakable.”

bitRanger Features:

• LFO clock oscillator for rhythmical modulation
• VCO oscillator is synced to the HFO oscillator
• 4 modes of operation selectable by 2 switches
• built in speaker with volume control
• 9V DC center positive power supply input
• 9V battery compartment from the bottom
• On /Off switch
• expansion connector
• package includes 3 photo resistors – make your oscillators respond to light by plugging these into the Bend socket

PatchBay

• 118 jumper cable patch points
• each oscillator has 3 differently slewed CV inputs, sync inputs, rate knob and bend points
• Divider Bits section – use clocks at different speed to create patterns
• Adventure Bits section adds irregular rhythmical elements
• MUX 1 and MUX 2 input sections to modulate data loops and waveforms
• stereophonic output from MUX 1 and MUX2 sections
• BYTE CV section is R2R DAC converter which takes bits and converts them to CV
• DATA modulation section witch a switch “adds more flavo[u]r”
• Utility Belt section adds advanced features
• Left and Right audio override section

External connectivity

• 3.5mm stereophonic headphone output
• Clock Input to sync the LFO oscillator
• Clock Output with selectable LFO division (2 or 64)
• CV Output from the BYTE DAC section
• CV Input for the VCO
• CV In and CV Out connectors can be routed to dedicated patch points on the patchbay

Pricing and Availability. Bastl bitRanger debuts today and is available exclusively at three locations: Moogfest 2016, which opens today in Durham, North Carolina; at the “freshly-opened” Bastl & Casper store, ­Detective Squad, in Brooklyn, NY; and the original Bastl store, Noise Kitchen, in Brno Czech Republic. The first limited edition of bitRanger will be available for sale at Moogfest for an introductory special price of $259 USD. BitRanger is available for pre-order at the noise.kitchen website for 222 EUR (excluding tax) and will be shipping in June.

For more information visit the Bastl Instruments website.