Bastl Instruments Citadel Series

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Modules: Wave Bard & FX Wizard

Overview and Interchangeability

The Bastl Instruments Citadel series brings the creative flexibility of Bastl’s Kastle 2 platform into Eurorack format. The two available modules, Wave Bard and FX Wizard, share identical hardware but offer distinct personalities through interchangeable firmware and a reversible front panel.

Both modules include the same physical circuitry, patch bay, stereo I/O, USB-MIDI connection, and built-in modulation tools. Users can flip the front panel to reveal the alternate design and load the corresponding firmware, effectively transforming one module into the other.

This means a single Citadel unit can function as either a stereo sample player (Wave Bard) or a multi-effects processor (FX Wizard). Owners can also install future firmwares from Bastl to extend functionality even further.

Key takeaway:

  • One hardware platform → Two functional identities.
  • Flip the panel and switch firmware to change the module’s role.
  • Both modes share the same modulation, LFO, pattern generator, tempo, and connectivity infrastructure.

Citadel Wave Bard — Stereo Sample Player

Wave Bard is an experimental stereo sample player and sequencer designed for expressive sound manipulation in Eurorack. It combines user-loadable samples, extensive modulation, quantised pitch control, and built-in effects in a compact 16 HP format.

Features

  • 8 samples per bank (adjustable from 3 to 32)
  • 6 factory banks, expandable to 32 custom banks
  • User samples can be uploaded via web editor
  • Total sample memory: 89 s mono / 44 s stereo at 44 kHz
  • 16-bit stereo audio engine
  • Pitch range ±2 octaves (±4 octaves total)
  • Quantised and unquantised pitch inputs (NOTE and FREE)
  • User-definable scales via editor
  • Trigger, Sample Mod, and Bank CV control with attenuverters
  • LENGTH control adjusts decay and reverses samples
  • Built-in envelope generator with CV output
  • Stereo effects: delay or chorus/flanger
  • Resonant filter with low-pass or high-pass mode
  • Built-in LFO with triangle and pulse outputs, reset input, sync options
  • Tempo generator with tap-tempo and external clock input
  • Pattern generator with patch-programmable rhythmic sequences
  • Stereo Eurorack-level input and output (DC-coupled)
  • Stereo headphone output
  • TRS-MIDI input (clock, notes, CCs, pitch bend)
  • USB-C for sample transfer, firmware updates, and MIDI I/O
  • Dimensions: 16 HP width, 24 mm depth
  • Power: +12 V < 60 mA (90 mA with headphones), –12 V < 20 mA

Citadel FX Wizard — Stereo Multi-Effects Processor

FX Wizard is a compact stereo multi-effects module featuring nine creative algorithms, deep modulation options, and MIDI/USB integration. It offers dynamic control of delay-based, modulation, and time-stretching effects — all within the same Citadel architecture.

Features

  • 9 effects modes: Delay, Flanger, Freezer, Panner, Crusher, Slicer, Pitcher, Replayer, Shifter
  • Stereo 44 kHz / 16-bit processing
  • Time, Feedback, and Mix parameters with attenuverting modulation
  • Filter in feedback loop (Low-pass/High-pass)
  • Stereo detuning per effect mode
  • FX Mode CV input for voltage-controlled effect selection
  • Trigger input for tempo-synchronised effects
  • Built-in LFO (triangle and pulse) with reset input and sync modes
  • Tempo generator with tap-tempo and clock divider
  • Pattern generator with gate and CV outputs
  • Envelope follower reacting to input audio
  • Stereo DC-coupled input and output
  • Stereo headphone output
  • TRS-MIDI input (clock, notes, CCs, pitch bend)
  • USB-C for firmware updates and USB-MIDI
  • Dimensions: 16 HP width, 24 mm depth
  • Power: +12 V < 60 mA (90 mA with headphones), –12 V < 20 mA

Interchangeable Operation Summary

AspectWave BardFX WizardShared Hardware
Core FunctionStereo sample player / sequencerStereo multi-effects processorCommon Citadel hardware
FirmwareWave Bard firmwareFX Wizard firmwareInterchangeable
Front Panel“Wave Bard” side“FX Wizard” sideReversible panel
Audio Engine44 kHz / 16-bit stereo44 kHz / 16-bit stereoShared DAC/ADC system
Built-in EffectsDelay / Chorus / Flanger9 creative FX modesShared DSP
Modulation ToolsLFO, Pattern, CV controlLFO, Pattern, Envelope followerCommon modulation sources
MIDI / USBFull MIDI + USB-CFull MIDI + USB-CShared connectivity
Inputs / OutputsStereo DC-coupled + headphonesStereo DC-coupled + headphonesIdentical
Power Draw+12 V < 60 mA / –12 V < 20 mA+12 V < 60 mA / –12 V < 20 mASame specs
Panel Width16 HP16 HPShared format

Summary

The Citadel series by Bastl Instruments is a modular powerhouse concept — a single platform that can be re-imagined as either a sample-driven sound engine (Wave Bard) or a multi-effects unit (FX Wizard).

Both offer rich modulation, stereo architecture, pattern sequencing, and full MIDI/USB integration in an exceptionally compact format. The reversible hardware design and interchangeable firmware make it an adaptable and future-proof choice for any Eurorack system.

Two for One! The Citadel has a reversible front panel with FX WIZARD on one side and WAVE BARD on the other side.

Pricing (Approximate)

CurrencyCitadel Wave BardCitadel FX Wizard
USD$319 USD$319 USD
EUR€279 EUR€279 EUR
GBP£219 GBP£253 GBP
AUD$450 – $500 AUD$450 – $500 AUD

(Prices may vary by region, taxes, and retailer.)

Link: https://bastl-instruments.com/eurorack/modules/citadel-fx-wizard and https://bastl-instruments.com/eurorack/modules/citadel-wave-bard

Modular Grid: https://modulargrid.net/e/bastl-instru