Title link takes you to the pressmonome flickr set. I put up a link to the set on April 18th. It looks like there was an update with new shots including this one on April 25. That's Erza Buchla, Don Buchla's son with the Buchla 200e and three monomes. Pretty cool. Thanks to Music Thing for putting this shot up.
Update: Link to Erza's MySpace page. Via Doktor Future in the comments. Make sure to check out the comments.
Update: Ezra dropped by in the comments. It's worth noting that none of the music on his MySpace page (as of the time of this post of course) is 200e. Remember, unless the comments on a given piece of music specifically call out the synth used, never assume what it is.
I listened to a bunch of Ezra's music on his myspace site:
ReplyDeletehttp://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=52408227
I assume he is using the Buclha 200e.
For 2 years now I've been trying to find an mp3 of the 200e that sounds good. Still looking. Has anyone found any?
I feel it's an emperor has no clothes situation with this modular. The concept sounds great, but I have not seen evidence convincing me they pulled it off. I really *wanted* to love this modular -- SO BAD -- but as time goes on it's not impressing me.
That said, I do love the old Buchla stuff a lot. Wish I could afford it. It's the 200e generally that is not magical.
I do love Buchla controllers. Have a Marimba Lumina. Everyone loves it and runs right up to it.
Am saving for the Kinesthetic input device. It looks great, with a combination of thunder controller (rings on fingers) and buchla capacitive touch plates. Don told me a few weeks ago that it can be programmed to output any voltage, so it is compatible with any modular.
Please tho, someone stand up for this 200e and do something cool with it and share it?
Something that sounds better than the Buchla Low Pass Gates blipping like a banjo?
Cheers
The Buchla 222e (kinesthetic input device) can be seen here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.buchla.com/200e/222e.html
It's like the Thunder and Lightning rolled up into one.
Very awesome design. Trans-am like.
Like the TKB of 2006.
yes i too have a fascination for Buchla, though never seen on in real like....i do love subotnicks sounds and Cohens, but nothing really tells me about the 200e
ReplyDeletePoor kid did some cute Radioaphexhead music and the comments digress back to the father. I'm sure it's not the first time that's happened.
ReplyDeleteNow, to keep the tangent going, the elder Mr. Buchla's creations follow the output of all other creative people on Earth.. highlights, lowlights & happy accidents, speaking different ways to different people over the years.
That said, you're right. The 200e does one heck of a banjo.
I agree with Doktor about still not being able to find good examples of Buchla 200e sounds. If they're going to sell the Buchla 200e for 20k, it should sound like 20k. From what I've heard so far, this is no 20k synth. Maybe Buchla and company could put up some samples of it's best sounds on their website?
ReplyDeleteit sounds like 20k to me.
ReplyDeletei think most people that own them are serious musicians and too busy to post to users groups. those that do have the time probabaly shouldnt be posting.
so lame that people keep complaining about the price. any of you ever design an advanced progammable modular systemsizer from scratch? didn't think so.
I think it is well and fairly priced for the techno bits in it. Lots of complex circuitry.
ReplyDeleteI hyper-love Subotnick's (how awesome a name is that) and Cohen's work. Esp. Cohen. It's often on regular rotation.
However, the 'all _serious_ musicians are busy making music and don't have time to post 200e samples' statement is ... ahem ... questionable ...
And I mean, I've only been looking for 2 years. I look in my 200e directory, and only 20 or so mp3's.
ReplyDeleteAbout 5 of them are analysis of the audible aliasing from the ADC/DAC circuitry.
About 1/2 are buchla banjo plunks.
Some are preset walkthroughs.
Some are filter examples.
One or two performances.
The best I'd give any is B-. Average is 'D'.
I just wanna hear something really impressive come out of it.
"However, the 'all _serious_ musicians are busy making music and don't have time to post 200e samples' statement is ... ahem ... questionable ... "
ReplyDeleteI agree, very questionable.
Why doesn't Buchla just post some samples to show everyone how good the 200e can sound? Surely they can find someone who can rock a 200e? ? ? ? ????? ??
? Unless it's not possible.
i have discussed this with don
ReplyDeletehe doesnt want to post samples which would lead people to believe the instrument is only capable of one or a limited sort of sound ( banjo plucks for instance)
if you want to hear one, buy one or find a store or someone that owns one to demo it for you. it is a sophisticated instrument and can't be learned or mastered in 1 sitting or even the 2 years that it has been available for purchase.
it does sound great, I am sorry you haven't heard anything you like.
claiming it must sound bad becasue you havent heard anything good from one is like me saying space isnt cold because I haven't felt it.
I understand Don not wanting to post mp3's. However, most other modular maufacturers include several mp3/wav's that show _some_ of the things you can do with their gear.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going out on a limb here and suggesting most people buying a modular know that those sounds are not all they'll get :)
"Space Analogy"? While I have not been in Space, I *have* heard the 200e, I *have* heard other Buchla's, other modulars. I own a good size modular.
Please understand me: I'm not saying the 200e is bad, I'm saying I haven't yet heard anything really impressive come out of it, and *asking* if anyone has! I want to hear it rock.
The problem is that online most of the people are not the kind that have the money to get a buchla, for most it isn't even a 'save up for' situation. So any sound won't sound like $20k to many because they don't have it to hear what 20k sounds like.
ReplyDeleteSo any sound samples will be met with "my microkorg sounds better" and other BS because people can't get past the price. Those who are in the Buchla target market and want what Buchla has on offer don't need sound examples since the Buchla is a box to realize their own sounds.
It would be nice to have music people have made with the 200e more readily available, but for Buchla as a manufacturer it makes little sense since those asking for the sound samples probably won;t buy one even if it sounds better than anything someone has ever heard.
oh, please... you're really full of yourself, aren't you? why don't you get back to your $20k doorstop and your 'deep' music. if you really think that musicians and people with lots of money don't post on or read forums, then you're really fooling yourself. it's real easy to talk shit when you're a trust fund baby or you got yours for free...
ReplyDeleteJust to make this thread longer ... :)
ReplyDeleteI can't say I ever listened to a sound and said "this is a 41,9350 sound" or, "this is a $45,125". Sometimes sound does sound "19.95" or blue-light special (and it can be good there too).
How good the music is, or how good something sounds has less to do with the cost of the equipment, and more to do with the skill of the people.
Kudos for Ezra to get a Buchla. I can't fault anyone for having a cool dad. Ezra's music is allright IMO.
Since I do like the Buchla tech, I wanna see this latest 200e thing paired up with some skill to make it shine.
The guy who keeps going on about it's 20k price is funny in that he's missing the point. Maybe this persons beef is from other forums where people ranted on its price. If they can't afford Bread, let them eat Starbucks.
Maybe the Buchla 200e is all about it's controler, looks, and legacy; not the actual sound?
ReplyDeleteI'm the one who made the 20k comment. It's a lot of cash, but I can afford it and would consider buying one IF there was a reason to spend the money on it. The Buchla name alone is no reason. Neither is the way it looks. I'm not that superficial, and neither are most people, EVEN those with lots of cash to throw around. So Don should post samples of what the 200e can do that sets it apart from other modular synths on the market. Samples that don't make it sound like a Microkorg if you don't want comparisons to the Microkorg.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with this comment:
"oh, please... you're really full of yourself, aren't you? why don't you get back to your $20k doorstop and your 'deep' music. if you really think that musicians and people with lots of money don't post on or read forums, then you're really fooling yourself. it's real easy to talk shit when you're a trust fund baby or you got yours for free... "
If you're going to defend this instrument then please put your money where you mouth is and post some samples of the great sounds you've made with it, or keep quiet. :)
Looks and legacy are meaningless when you're considering the worth of this actual instrument, the 200e.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the thing 20 grand mainly because its handbuilt and in very small numbers? It's the gold plated bentley of synths, and like a honda civic, a cheaper synth would also 'get you there', no? You just wouldn't attract the attention of as many chicks. Oh wait, we're talking about synths, there won't be any chicks.
ReplyDeleteA microkorg would be simarly priced if if Korg didn't crank a zillion of them out in China, no?
As for the sound, the buchla site sez the thing is basically the same as the buchlas of the 70s, just with lots of non-signal path midi and setting memory junk amd cosmic looking controllers, so any music made with them back in the day is probably representative of what the new thing sounds like, no?
maybe they dont post sounds, 'cause they just aint that interesting.
i don't want to get into too many of these discussions.
ReplyDeletebut it's probably worth saying for the record that i haven't made any recordings with the 200e. that assumption is incorrect and rather misleading for someone who wants to 'know what it sounds like.'
one of the tracks on my myspace page, for example, was made by a high school student in his beedroom with an korg er-1 and a casio c-100. i find it kindof pleasant and nostalgic.
the fact that this most naive and transparent of music is being evaluated as a product demo is disheartening.
i've made and released a lot of music over the last 10 years, using lots of different stuff, lots of custom software since that's my area of expertise. all of it is produced solely for my enjoyment, not to showcase a piece of technology, satisfy someone's taste, or impress people with my 'skills'.
lately i've been heavily involved with the design and production of the 200e (and future artifacts), which leaves little time for recording with it or anything else.
maybe i or someone will do something soon with the instrument. in the meantime none of us yet have much interest in cranking out 'samples' since they do little to represent the interactive and experimental capabilities of the instrument, which are tremendous. anyone who has used a buchla modular will know what i'm talking about.
plus there is the bizarre image of someone sitting on a computer comparing our wavetable synthesis to something they cooked up in max. this image confuses me.
i'm afraid there's no substitute for a little face-to-face time with the thing.
eb
Thanks for taking the time to drop by and comment Ezra. Definitely flattered. I've updated the post to reflect that none of the music on your MySpace page currently is 200e.
ReplyDeletePersonally what fascinates me about Buchla is the design - both physical and the esoteric sound options. There is a certain magic about it that brings out that fascination and wonder I seemed to only have as a child. Very few things in life bring that wonder back, so this is really big compliment in my book. When I think of a Buchla, I imagine sitting in front of one and just getting lost for hours in exploration. I dream of the day I finally get to try one.
Thanks again,
matrix
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteI got to this page after...looking for some 200e sounds. I would like to say something about the price, it is NOT too much for an instrument that is at the top of what you can build with today's tec. Like supercars and high end audio equipment, it is great that there is a synth available that is designed to deliver the best possible without the price and market considerations. This is not about if you can afford one, this is about what it is. It is good that there is a machine that is designed with different vision and drive than the utility crap in the stores for a grand or two.