BAF 2024: MEMS And Associates - Buchla Modules

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2024, Sonic State had the opportunity to speak with Mark of MEMS and Associates, a research group that specializes in reverse engineering Buchla synthesizers found in universities across the United States. Mark explains that they have gone coast-to-coast, collecting rare Buchlas and have successfully replicated the David Tudor mixer from Wesleyan University. They also showcase their 132 waveform synthesizer, a 1965 module that offers complex waveforms. Mark shares that they have gained access to these universities simply by asking, and have formed collaborations to continue their work. He also reveals that these remade Buchla modules will soon be available for purchase through the licensed partnership with Analog Haven and Buchla as they aim to democratize access to these instruments.

In addition to the impressive remakes, MEMS and Associates also exhibited the rare 242 Programmable Pulser module, which allows users to program three different rhythmic pulses through a patch matrix. MEMS and Associates' future plans include hosting workshops for students to build their own modules and complete their university systems. This approach not only provides a more hands-on experience but also creates service records for these modules, as Mark mentions the lack of schematics and the need to trace circuits by hand. Mark told us the aim is to preserve and provide accessibility to these historically significant Buchla synthesizers."

See the M.E.M.S label below for more.

Buchla Sili Con Cellosax Model 298 By M.E.M.S. & Associates

video upload by Source Of Uncertainty

"A lengthy deep dive and demo of the Sili Con Cellosax module. I cover its functions, what it does within the specific patch it was designed for, and then I present an adaptation of the patch and perform with it using a guitar.

More information about the module: https://modularsynthesis.com/mems/298...

More information about The M.E.M.S. Project: https://www.memsproject.info/"

See the link above for additional info.

"This module detects musical phrases defined as continuous sound followed by a short period of silence It starts by counting musical phrases 1 to 7. They are indicated by the appropriate LED at the end of the phrase. After the 8th phrase the Go LED indicates and the mode switches to generating a Response pulse, End of Response pulse, and a Delayed End of Response output.

If silence is detected in this mode for approximately 15 seconds the Time Out LED indicates as a warning that this could be the last phrase. If silence continues for approximately another 15 seconds the Last Phrase LED indicates and the Response outputs no longer function.

Any new phrase detected either during a Time Out or Last Phrase reinitiates the Go mode where the cycle repeats. A System Initialize is required to restart the Phrase Counter."