"Hand-Built Buchla Easel by Constantin (Portabellabz)
This setup was meticulously hand-built by Constantin at Portabellabz, with all components in perfect working order.
Price: $8,000 USD (equal to my original investment). I’m open to reasonable offers. Location: Portland, OR. Local transactions are preferred, but I’m willing to ship if necessary.
Feel free to ask any questions—I’ll do my best to provide detailed answers.
Modifications and Features
208p Module (with Blue PCBs)
Flat red LEDs Tinijax connectors 1.2V/oct input On-off-on switch for CO CV Reverb mix CV input (replacing the rightmost pressure socket with a black banana socket) Dedicated LPG outputs (replacing panel signal out tinijax sockets) Infinite sustain functionality Noise generator (similar to the 208c; accessible via LPG2 when the routing switch is in the top position and the preamp is unpatched) Enclosure Features
Portabellabz ToolBox: Includes slew limiter Roland Klinkenberg Sequencer Aux Expander: Includes Mod Expander Custom Hard Case: Custom made by Road Cases USA Rare SAmodular Keyboard and Case
The 218 keyboard and case are from SAmodular, with specific modifications by Constantin to ensure peak functionality. Note that the keyboard is no longer in production, making this setup particularly unique and valuable.
This is a beautifully customized Buchla Easel, built and modified by one of the most respected names in the field. Don't miss this opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind instrument."
"My first recording with these Buchla clone modules from Portabellabz and Samodular. Just an absolutely incredible instrument. It feels alive!
I occasionally kick in distortion via EHX Overlord. A small amount of post processing and Fostex 3180 on the reverb send."
"Some wear on end cheeks. Otherwise works well with 200 series clones. For a 200e predominant system you will likely need a second PSU (I could provide this at additional cost) to prevent lockups... Please note that this sale is for the case only; sale does not include modules."
"A semi-generative piece of music. I recently built a 266 Source of uncertainty clone from Samodular which is sending random quantised notes to the Buchla Easel Command 208C. The range is set by the pitch sliders on each oscillator. The Easel sends the pulser signal to the 266 which splits them up and send them back to each lo pass gate with some random stuff added.
The chords comes from a Waldorf Blofeld and the bass from a Moog Sub 37. I used some pedals and a Roland Chorus Echo RE-301 for effects and recorded everything onto a cassette tape (Marantz PMD 430 recorder)."
"208 Roman v3 board, black panel, UA726 ICs. Just repaired & calibrated to 1.2 v/oct. Comes with the SAMODULAR 4U case & power supply. The bottom of both wood sides of the case were previously broken during shipping, and have since been repaired (barely noticeable, but look at last picture)."
"The Model 416 Meta Expander is a fully-fledged, standalone breakout box for the BEMI/BUSA Music Easel, which provides access to all of the Easel- and Program Card's patch points (effectively doubling the Easel's control voltage possibilities), and greatly extends the Easel's capabilities with useful, built-in modules.
Version 2 is available as either a "full option" build into its own boat, or as a "panel only" version which can be build into exisiting 4U Buchla boats- or cabinets.
The Model 416 Meta Expander communicates bi-directionally with the Easel by means of a custom-designed Edge Card and a 60-pin flat ribbon cable assembly.
A first prototype of a breakout box was developed in early 2014, right after BEMI's new Easel became available. Several iterations and a 2nd Easel later, I developed a one-off Twin Expander -- aptly named the Model 844 Expander (note the willful 208x4 error). After getting quite a few requests from fellow Weaselers, and realizing that it might be a better idea to limit a commercial version of the Expander to a one-Easel configuration, I designed the Model 416 Meta Expander V1, and brought it to market at the end of 2017. This was a one-run-only, build to order project. The last one left July 2018.
Since then I've gotten some more requests, so in August 2019 I decided to design a new version. Rebuilt from the ground-up and adding new features, it took more than half a year to finish. And then -- ready to be released on the 1st of March 2020 -- something weird happened to the planet...
Nevertheless, it's now August 2020, and Version 2 is here.
"Buchla 100 system
