Download the Bastl Cinnamon Manual (PDF)
The Bastl Cinnamon is a highly characterful and flexible state-variable filter, perfect for pushing into creative sound design territory. Here are several ways you can integrate it with other Eurorack modules for inspiring results:
Cinnamon can self-oscillate and yields different sine-like, saw-like, and edgy waveforms via its Character switches.
Combine with:
- Quantizer module (e.g., Tiptop Audio Quantizer, Doepfer A-156): Patch Cinnamon's self-oscillating output into a quantizer for filtered melodies that track 1V/oct when Character is off.
- Envelope generator (e.g., Make Noise Maths, Intellijel Quadrax): Modulate cutoff to add vibrato or filter sweeps to your "oscillator."
- Waveshaper/distortion (e.g., Mutable Instruments Warps): To further sculpt unique tones from the self-oscillation output.
The Character switches drastically change the resonance behavior—you can automate them for live performance FX.
Combine with:
- Manual gate/sequential switch (e.g., Doepfer A-150, Mutable Instruments Branches): Trigger the switch positions using gates for dynamic filter timbre shifting during a sequence.
- Envelope follower (e.g., Endorphin.es Airstreamer, Doepfer A-119): Extract dynamics from a drum loop to automate Character switches or CV cutoff for responsive filtering.
The Right CV can be deeply attenuated, while the Left CV offers predictable pitch tracking.
Combine with:
- Dual LFO (e.g., XAOC Batumi, Befaco Rampage): Animate both the Left and Right CV with different shapes and speeds for rich, morphing filter movement.
- Random/chaos CV source (e.g., Make Noise Wogglebug, Mutable Marbles): Inject randomness into one CV input for organic evolving sweeps.
With the Drive switch, you can easily push the input into rich distortion.
Combine with:
- Audio rate oscillator (e.g., classic VCO/complex oscillator): Run through Cinnamon with Drive enabled for overdriven tones.
- Audio feedback path (patch HP or BP out back into its own input, maybe via an attenuator like ALM S.B.G or Mutable Shades): Creates wild, self-modulating soundscapes.
With simultaneous low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass outputs, use Cinnamon as a multiband signal splitter.
Combine with:
- Crossfader/matrix mixer (e.g., Happy Nerding 3xMIA, Intellijel Triatt): Blend LP, BP, and HP outs dynamically for unique filter morphs.
- Multi-effects system (e.g., Mutable Instruments Clouds, Make Noise Mimeophon): Send different filter outs to different effects, then recombine or pan separately.
Push an envelope or fast LFO into cutoff, especially in BP/HP modes, for snappy percussive sounds.
Combine with:
- Envelope generator/sequenced gates: Use fast AD envelopes to "ping" Cinnamon for organic percussive blips (try Make Noise Maths, ALM Pip Slope).
- Noise generator or sample playback: Filter noise or pitch-quantized samples to create lo-fi percussion.
Use the input gain and drive controls to heat up and filter any line-level or modular-level audio—guitar, drum machines, DAW sends, etc.
Combine with:
- Input interface (e.g., Intellijel Audio Interface II): Properly boost and impedance-match external gear for smooth integration.
TIP: Remember that extreme Character modes may disrupt proper 1V/oct tracking—a feature you can exploit intentionally for organic instability in sequence and drone patches!
For more inspiration, video demos, and the official manual, visit Bastl Instruments Cinnamon page.