The latest Cynthia gadget is the new ZOe ... a Buchla modular format Zeroscillator!Shown is the second front panel prototype with temporary LEDs and engraved graphics. They're still playing around with the choice of knobs while waiting for a large order of finished circuit boards to arrive.
The actual $1,500 production models will feature the familiar blue silk screened panel graphics and fit seamlessly into your Buchla modular both physically and electronically.
There are no digital connections to the ZOe as it is 100 percent all-analog, liquid-smooth, through-zero goodness - and designed to be a great compliment to any Buchla system.
This is a special limited run in this format.
They are shooting for mid May delivery, and now accepting orders. Please contact Cynthia directly through her website for ordering info!
http://www.cyndustries.com/
Update: note the Bob (MOOG) and Don (Buchla) inputs at the bottom right. Thanks to Richard Lianhart for calling this out in the comments.
I have one on order. Note the "Bob" and "Don" inputs in the lower right corner.
ReplyDeleteUm $1500.00 for just ONE vco? That is ridiculous. I can build an ENTIRE modular synth for that much. I know these sound great, but geez.
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ReplyDeletenow one for Serge
ReplyDeleteConsidering that Euro ZO's cost $995 which is 2-1/2 times an AFG for instance and a Buchla 261e Osc is $1400, The Buchla ZO at $1500 is a far greater bargain for those users.
ReplyDeletep23 said: Um $1500.00 for just ONE vco? That is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI'm really kind of tired of the price-driven mindset. If some is willing and able to buy a high-quality, feature-rich, oscillator like this, why ridicule them?
Do you really think that there's no difference between products at different price points? In many things, you get what you pay for.
What quality of a modular can you build for $1500, anyway?
What? No SK-1 format??! :(
ReplyDelete..maybe one day *sigh*
Synth couture guys. This ain't Filene's Basement.
ReplyDeleteWhat quality of a modular can you build for $1500, anyway?
ReplyDeleteA freekin' fantastic Blacet rack - $1306
VCO2100A - $275
VCA2200A $186
FilF2310A - 228
EG 2070A - 197
LFO2430A - 139
SB2780/2790 - 117
19" Rack - $65
PS500A - $99
Someone who owns both Blacet and cynthia gear care to comment on build quality comparison?
I'm sure the Blacet is a great system, but by my reckoning, the whole Blacet system you outlined has 55 jacks, 5 switches, 27 knobs, and 1 LED. (I did this count very quickly, so I may have missed something, sorry if so)
ReplyDeleteThe ZOe has 37 jacks, 8 knobs (one of which is a ten-turn), 4 switches and two leds. It has an internal VCA for the dynamic depth FM. There's a lot of hardware in the ZOe.
I understand some fairly heroic effort was involved to make the ZOe shallow enough to fit into the standard Buchla cabinet. The stock Zeroscillator has a lot of boards mounted perpendicular to the front panel, as you can see on the Cyndustries site.
All in all, I don''t think it's ridiculously expensive, just expensive.
Anyone know the difference between the Euro zeroscillator and the others? It seems to have fewer jacks...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the Euro version misses one 1v. / oct input, and one linear FM input.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the number jacks question, Buchla designates his jacks either audio (mini plug) or control voltage (banana plug). I believe the range is different and if so, making the jacks all range to each level might very well add significantly to the price.
ReplyDeleteAs to the boards being perpendicular I thought that was reworked at least to some degree long ago with parallel boards. I think some of the other module form factors, notably Eurorack had issues with the initial perpendicular boards, but who knows, the size might even be tighter.
The most compelling argument here was wavedeform's... clearly the scale tips on the side of 2 LEDs. For shame, Blacet!
ReplyDeleteI was merely pointing out that there is a lot that goes into a Zeroscilator.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not as much as in an SK-1, but a lot.
Now... don't go countin' jacks on me! You asked a question "what kind of modular synth can you build for 1500", and I outlined a full modular synth for $1300. The ZEo has loads of jacks... but you're comparing one specialized, very cool oscillator to a 1 osc, 1 eg, 1 vca, 1 filter, 1 lfo, 1 mixer, 1 powersupply, 1 rack synth, for $200 less.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it appears that the Buchla style ZEo has loads of multiples (bananna to 1/8" jacks) so you're double counting...
I'm not knocking the ZEo - it's beautiful - and Cynthia can charge what she needs to to make a living. Really, I'm more interested in the discussing the wildly different business models between Blacet who chose to sell large quantities of economical modules to make ends meet and Cynthia, who has begun to cater to the high end (Buchla)boutique crowd. Either model may be viable, but why choose the later?
I want to see someone do a Moog ladder filter in Buchla format.
ReplyDeleteThat'd be fun!
Either model may be viable, but why choose the later?
ReplyDeleteWhy not choose the later? Any way you approach it, making synth modules is probably not going to be a big business, and is likely more a labor of love than anything else. A manufacturer should be free do what they think is fun, if the market supports it.
If you get off on making inexpensive "modules for the people", that's terrific.
If what floats your boat is making complex, high-end modules, that's great too.
If there are people who enjoy the fruits of either venture, everybody's happy, no?
If there's a continuum of manufacturers catering to different segments of the modular synth world, why is that suspect?
Is the $1k frac-rack Zeroscillator also ridiculous? (or maybe just 66% as ridiculous?) I don't see why you care enough to complain. Either buy it, or don't.
Are there Paia users waiting in the wings, ready to tell the Blacet users that they're ridiculous for spending that much on a Blacet, when they could have gotten the same in Paia for much less?