Bastl Instruments Softpop SP2: Collaboration, Chaos and the Glowing Orb

The Softpop SP2 isn’t your typical desktop synth—it’s the result of a deliberate attempt to rethink what a synthesizer can be, both in form and function. Peter Edwards describes how his aim was to create an instrument that challenges expectations, not just in terms of sound, but also in how and where it’s used. The SP2 was designed to be collaborative, inviting users to interact with it as a musical partner rather than a mere tool. This ethos is evident in its handheld format and minimal-yet-maximal control set, which encourages exploration and play.

Working closely with Bastl’s Vašek Peloušek, Edwards recounts how the project evolved from a series of experimental ideas into a fully realized instrument. The team sought to balance accessibility with complexity, ensuring that the SP2 could produce both straightforward musical results and unexpected sonic detours. The result is a synth that doesn’t just follow the rules of music-making—it invites you to bend them, offering a platform for both structured grooves and wild experimentation.

Central to the Softpop SP2’s design is a philosophy that embraces both control and chaos. Edwards explains that while the instrument can be tamed for precise, musical outcomes, it’s equally capable of veering into unpredictable territory. This duality is intentional, giving musicians the tools to create familiar patterns or to stumble upon new, uncharted sounds. The SP2 is described as a ‘musical friend’—one with its own behaviours and surprises, keeping even its creator on his toes.

The challenge, as Edwards puts it, is to design an instrument that consistently sounds good, even when it’s misbehaving. The SP2 achieves this by providing multiple pathways for discovery, allowing users to walk down well-trodden roads or wander into the unknown. Its ability to be both noisy and musical, controllable and wild, makes it a rare breed in the synth world. As users become more familiar with its quirks, they can harness its chaos for everything from techno bangers to abstract soundscapes.

Peter Edwards’ live setup is a testament to the Softpop SP2’s versatility and its role within a broader ecosystem of gear. At the heart of his rig is a mixer, which he uses not just for blending sounds but as a feedback generator—feeding outputs back into inputs to create rich, distorted textures. This approach pushes the mixer to its limits, resulting in a characterful, sometimes unruly foundation that underpins his performances.

Layered atop this are two Softpop SP2 units, each serving a distinct musical purpose. One typically handles bass duties, while the other provides ambient pads or melodic lines. Edwards uses a Bossa Popcorn sequencer to offset the melodies between the two Softpops, ensuring a constantly evolving progression. Drum duties are split between a classic Roland machine and the LXR drum synth, offering a contrast of familiar and exotic percussive elements. The result is a dense, evolving soundscape where feedback, melody, and rhythm intertwine.

No discussion of the Softpop SP2 would be complete without mentioning the glowing orb—a feature that’s as enigmatic as it is captivating. Edwards explains that the orb emerged from his live performance practice, serving as a focal point that draws both performer and audience into the experience. Its pulsing light is more than just eye candy; it responds to internal system states, creating a tangible connection between what’s seen and what’s heard.

The orb’s allure lies in its ambiguity. While it’s clear that it’s linked to the music, its exact function remains somewhat mysterious, inviting ongoing investigation and engagement. Edwards likens it to a ‘dirty trick’—a visual lure that’s impossible to ignore. By integrating the orb into the SP2, Bastl and Casper Electronics have given the instrument a unique visual identity, reinforcing its role as both a sonic and performative centrepiece.