bastl-instruments/aikido
Aikido
Performative quad VCA mixer with flexible submix routing, two styles of integrated envelope followers (Side Chain and Spectral), clickless mute switches, level faders with 6dB boost, attenuverters on each channel, and patch-programmable cascading mix routing.183
Capabilities 4
- Envelope Followerenvelope-follower
- Side Chain follower monitors signal amplitude with 3 selectable response curves (FAST/MID/SLOW); Spectral follower monitors Channel D with 3 selectable frequency bands (BASS <100Hz, MID 100-650Hz, TREB >650Hz). Both outputs patchable anywhere.183
- Mixermixer
- AC-coupled main MIX output sums all four channels. Individual DC-coupled outputs cascade so Channel D carries all four channels mixed when no other outputs are patched.183
- Quad VCAquad-vca
- Four DC-coupled VCA channels, each with level fader (up to +6dB boost), clickless mute, attenuverter, CV input, and individual output with cascading mix routing.183
- Sidechain Compressionsidechain-compression
- Normalization chain (SIDE CHAIN ENV → A CV → B CV → C CV → D CV) enables instant sidechain compression without patching; attenuverters select compress (CCW) or expand (CW) response.183
Jacks 16 — 9 in / 7 out
| Name | Signal | Voltage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inputs (9) | |||
| A CV | cv | — | Linear CV input for Channel A VCA gain control. Normalized from SIDE CHAIN ENV output; Channel A CV is normalized to Channel B CV.183 |
| A IN | mixed | — | DC coupled signal input for Channel A, accepts audio and modulation. Normalized to SIDE CHAIN IN.183 |
| B CV | cv | — | 183 |
| B IN | mixed | — | 183 |
| C CV | cv | — | 183 |
| C IN | mixed | — | 183 |
| D CV | cv | — | 183 |
| D IN | mixed | — | 183 |
| SIDE CHAIN IN | mixed | — | Input to the Side Chain envelope follower. Normalized to Channel A input; patch any signal to override.183 |
| Outputs (7) | |||
| A OUT | mixed | — | DC coupled direct VCA output for Channel A. Part of the cascading mix chain; plugging in breaks the cascade at that point.183 |
| B OUT | mixed | — | 183 |
| C OUT | mixed | — | 183 |
| D OUT | mixed | — | DC coupled direct VCA output for Channel D; when no other outputs are plugged, carries the cascaded mix of all four channels. Also serves as the input source for the Spectral envelope follower.183 |
| MIX OUT | audio | — | AC coupled mix of all four channels. MUTE switch state is always reflected. Removes excess DC offset.183 |
| SIDE CHAIN ENV | cv | — | CV output of the Side Chain envelope follower, reflecting signal volume. Normalized to Channel A CV input and cascades to B, C, D.183 |
| SPECTRAL ENV | cv | — | Patchable CV output of the Spectral envelope follower. Focus frequency band selected by the SPECTRAL switch.183 |
Parameters 15
| Name | Type | Range | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attenuverter (A) | knob | — | Controls amount and polarity of CV input applied to VCA. Center (notch) = no effect. CW = positive CV attenuation/amplification. CCW = inverted CV. CCW with envelope follower = compression; CW = expansion.183 |
| Attenuverter (B) | knob | — | 183 |
| Attenuverter (C) | knob | — | 183 |
| Attenuverter (D) | knob | — | 183 |
| LEVEL (A) | fader | ≤6dB | Fader controls VCA level offset. Unity gain (0 dB) at approximately midpoint; amplifies up to +6 dB at maximum. Combines with CV input via attenuverter.183 |
| LEVEL (B) | fader | ≤6dB | 183 |
| LEVEL (C) | fader | ≤6dB | 183 |
| LEVEL (D) | fader | ≤6dB | 183 |
| MUTE (A) | button | — | Clickless mute toggle with LED indication. Light on = unmuted, light off = muted. Slow press/release creates fade in/out. Always affects MIX output; effect on direct VCA outputs is jumper-selectable (pre/post).183 |
| MUTE (B) | button | — | 183 |
| MUTE (C) | button | — | 183 |
| MUTE (D) | button | — | 183 |
| Pre/Post MUTE jumper | jumper | — | Back-panel jumper per channel. PRE: direct VCA output is not affected by MUTE switch. POST: direct VCA output is affected by MUTE switch.183 |
| SIDE CHAIN switch | switch | — | 3-position switch selecting envelope follower response curve: FAST (fast attack, fast release), MID (fast attack, slower release), SLOW (long attack and release for exaggerated sidechain effects).183 |
| SPECTRAL switch | switch | — | 3-position switch selecting the frequency band the Spectral envelope follower responds to: BASS (<100 Hz), MID (100–650 Hz), TREB (>650 Hz).183 |
Firmware history 0 versions
No firmware history recorded.
References 2
- [183]
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[184]
Bastl Aikido product pageproduct_page⚠ verified 2026-05-06 · manufacturer changed since last verified