The Seventh of Four

video upload by davidryle

"A new project idea to use the synthesizers.com Q170 MIDI GATES module to affect broad changes to the composition within the modular system.

The Q170 has eight output jacks for sending 5V gate or trigger voltages to the modular system. I used my DAW (Cubase) to construct timings for various parts of the modular.

The first four outs were used as pulse gates for the Delptronics and TipTop drum modules. The Kick, Snare and Open and Closed HiHats.
The fifth out is to the Q169 vco's AMP input. That vco is used for the bass line so controlling the on-board vca will mute or enable the voice.
The sixth out was to enable the Dove D900 sequencer to run/stop. The sequencer is feeding pitch voltage to the Synthetic Sound Labs Woven Spirits (MI Plaits). This is the chord pad sound. I used the DAW to pulse the gate info when I wanted the sequencer to reset at certain parts.
The seventh out was to send a continuous gate to the STG Soundlabs Time Buffer. The Time Buffer is receiving a sync-bus 24 ppq clock and run signal. I have a panel access to these with jack inputs so I sent the 5V gate to the RUN input. This allowed me to use this to start and stop all sequencer motion from the DAW.
The eighth out is to a Lower West Side Studios triple switch. This switch is used to add an offset voltage to the Woven Spirits Harmonic control.
The other fun part was playing the LWSS triple attenuator. I had three parts run through the module. The pair of STG VMS sequences were percussive background parts switched in and out as needed. The third part was a pulse version of the pad sound.

The Matrix duet in the mid section was clocked from the STG Time Divider module. Both Matrix were set with very closely aligned slider settings but the "Z" sliders were offset for variety. They sent pitch voltage to the TZ-VCO's from SSL. The duet were sent through the STG Post Lawsuit Filter and an Empress reverb/delay pedal.

Other outboard effects were the Meris Hedra for the bass line and the EMX Grand Canyon for the steady pad sound."

Velocité - full album (Mike Oldfield meets Air & Tame Impala)

video upload by Caught In Joy

"Inspired by the fluid energy of Tangerine Dream, the layered elegance of Mike Oldfield, and the dreamlike pulse of Air and Tame Impala, this album explores the strange intersections of speed and stillness.

Velocité is a deep, cinematic dive into motion, memory, and momentum—an hour-long journey shaped by analog synths, ambient textures, and hypnotic rhythms.

Created live and mixed with obsessive attention to detail, Velocité captures that fleeting feeling of being in transit—somewhere between the past and the future. Best experienced in one uninterrupted listen.

Composed, mixed and mastered by Caught In Joy. Karol Pokojowczyk uses Bitwig, Moog One, Moog Matriarch, Prophet-10, 3x Moog Mavis, TipTop Buchla modules, Make Noise Strega, Strymon Magneto, Arturia V-Collection and an army of guitar pedals. Performed and recorded live on tape with TEAC 80-8.

Timeline:
00:00:00 - 1. Velocité
00:10:16 - 2. Clockwork Pastoral
00:17:11 - 3. Microfilm Memory
00:26:36 - 4. Carbon Copies of You
00:28:12 - 5. Cigarettes and VU Meters
00:36:02 - 6. Beta Tape Ballet
00:44:34 - 7. Elevator to the Ether Pt.1
00:51:29 - 8. Elevator to Ether Pt.2
00:59:09 - 9. Terminal Lounge"

Buchla Tiptop 264T | ART protocol hacking with XAOC Drezno

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"According to Gur from TTA this was unlikely to work, but 'unlikely' is not impossible. The ART protocol is something like analog encoded digital data used to be transferred over regular patch cables. It carries information that can be used to play quantized notes on an ART capable VCO like the 259t (and obviously the ART series from TTA). I tried using XAOC Drezno to convert the ART signal to bits, and then scramble a few before recoding it back to analog. This is just an experiment and it was a bit too much off-topic for episode 14. It would also make the video too long and nobody's watching the end of long videos anymore. It makes me wonder if this could also work on MIDI data, but that's for another day."

Buchla Tiptop 264t | Buchla 200 Series | Episode 14 | Quad Sample and Hold / Polyphonic Adaptor

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"The original Buchla 264 is a very rare module, released in the 1970's. So it's important to realize it's a very primitive way of adding polyphony to a modular system. It's not that different from an early analog polysynth, where voice cards were used to activate two or more voices from a keyboard 'switch'. This is another fine example of doing easy things the hardest way possible, so there should be some reward in it. Apart from the polyphonic switching mechanism - you'd need four VCO's, four envelopes and four VCA's to switch between. I'll start with four Plaits, which can trigger their own internal LPG while distributing Marbles CV/GATE between them.

Then I used the Buchla LEM 218 keyboard to try and make chords. It didn't work so well, because the 264T is too slow picking the right voltage for the right key-down event. The 218 already outputs quantized notes in the 12-TET scale, so how hard could it possibly be to 'sample' the voltage from the played key and hold it? On the original Buchla 264, people used a gate lag (with the 281 envelope generator), to sample the voltage first, and trigger the hold with an end of cycle, just a few milliseconds later. Fortutnately, the 264 also has track and hold. In this mode, it can simply track the keys from the 218 keyboard, and hold it on key down. Works like a charm!

Regardless, this old-school analog polyphony is a lot of work and requires either a lot of modules, or specialized quad versions of your basic VCO, VCA and Envelope Generator. However, the module provides lots of cool resources you can use on a simpler setup, and results may be even cooler than trying to create polyphony. For instance, the polyphonic adaptor can double as a clock divider, which is missing from the current Buchla/TTA 200 series. It's super useful to clock a delay or sparse event. When combined with the 242 pulser, you could use a 11-step sequence, and pick every 2nd, 3rd or 4th event, creating all kinds of odd variations without changing the 'pins'.

Then there's ART, which is a new digital protocol for tuning a VCO, and sending quantized note and gate information. This requires an ART capable VCO like the 259T. While it's tempting to use two of those, it's much more fun to just use the principal VCO in ART mode, and use the modulation VCO in standard mode. Your voice will be in tune with other sources, but you'd still be able to create some new textures and leads. Quantized notes will steal some of the Buchla magic, so this is a best of both worlds. So if you're not pursuing polyphony (which isn't unwise), the 264 is a great source for stepped random voltages, divisions and quantized notes. Highly recommended for all you generative music lovers."

Buchla/Tiptop 292T RoHS | Buchla 200 series | Episode 13

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"This week, the 292t quad lo-pass gate finally arrived at the EU and the UK, but without the toxic vactrol components. As you may know, vactrols require the use of cadmium, which is mildly radio active and it should not end up in the environment. The 292t RoHS can safely be disposed when it turns out it ain't no Buchla anymore.

In this video I'll do a quick test using both versions but as always, TipTop Audio did a truly amazing job. It still has the magic of the original 292c, but it's a bit quicker because there's no vactrol memory effect. The bad news is that you can't strike it with a short blip, ping or trigger. The good news is that it sounds as tight as a doornail and when you use envelopes, you will not get the feeling it's not a 292.

Still, it's impossble they will respond in the exact same way. Even the original vactrol 292 would expose tiny differences from unit to unit, where the RoHS version will be consistent. I am a huge fan of LPG's and I always assumed you can't have a decent LPG without vactrols. The excellent Natural Gate from Rabid Elephant already proved me wrong a long time ago, and the 292t RoHS confirms it. There's no need to get yourself an 'original' 292t with an illegal import. The EU/UK version is fine!"

Buchla Zollstock

video upload by Ebotronix

"Buchla 200t TipTop Audio,
242t, 2x 292t, 4x 258t, 2x 281t ,2x 207t, 2x 259t, 257t, 266t, 2x 245t, 296t,
Doepfer R2m , Ribbon Controller,A 126-2, with Expander,
A 110-4, A 156, 2x A 177-2,
Mutable Instruments, 4x Shades,
Grendel Formant Filter
4ms, QPL, Peg, DLD,
Tunefish Modular ,2x Ornament and Crime,Dorian Scale,
WMD Time Warp,
Strymon Big Sky MX
12/ 8 time
10.04.2024
video # 2504"

264t snippets

video upload by Todd Barton

"Casual experiments with the new Tiptop Audio Buchla 264t Quad S & H.

My Patreon: / synthtodd"

Buchla & Tiptop Audio Introduce the Quad Sample & Hold and Polyphonic Adapter Model 264t

TipTop Buchla 264t – What is a quantizer anyway? video upload by Dexba

"We finally have a quantizer in Buchla form, but that poses some questions: what even is a quantizer?
Why is not called that? And how did they handle polyphony in modular 50 years ago?"

264t Quad Sample & Hold & Polyphonic Adapter module demo - Tiptop & Buchla

video upload by Stazma

"Today we are going to check out the new module from the Tiptop & Buchla 200t serie: the Quad Sample & Hold & Polyphonic Adapter Model 264t!

So we will talk about ART a lot, and even play around with TWO 259t to create four voice polyphonic patches."


264t Poly Patch video upload by Todd Barton

"This patch was first unfolded by Kyle Swisher on his Source of Uncertainty Podcast: https://www.amazon.com/Colour-Ink-Jas..."

Also see Todd Barton's original Buchla 264 experiments: • Buchla 264
You can find his Patreon with additional resources here: / synthtodd

via Tiptop Audio

Message from the Mothership to all 200t users on Planet Earth!

We are thrilled to bring you the Quad Sample & Hold and Polyphonic Adapter Model 264t. The module is now shipping, and pre-orders are open at our dealers. Price: $265. [check with dealers on the right for availability]

Don Buchla designed the original 264 in 1970, but only a few were ever mad,e. This module features high-speed sample & hold circuits that can also switch to track & hold, delivering the exceptional performance you’d expect from a Don Buchla design. To push the boundaries further, Don added a groundbreaking feature: the Polyphonic Adapter. This was a bold vision at a time when polyphony was virtually unheard of, synth pioneer Tom Oberheim wouldn’t introduce the world’s first polyphonic synthesizer, the SEM, until 1975. With the 264t, we’ve taken Don’s polyphonic concept one step closer to full realization. We’ve added ART outputs that can drive multiple oscillators equipped with ART, such as the 259t Complex waveform generator. Plus, we’ve incorporated built-in scales, adding a complete ART quantizer working seamlessly alongside Don’s original analog circuits.

Abandoned Prairie Town

video upload by davidryle

"A Vector Sequencer project running the large format modular.
The slow pace was the experiment basis and the Vector Sequencer really handles that perfectly. I also added the Jack Expander module to the Vector so I had four sequence lines this time to send to the modular.
The drone bass is a Mos-Lab clone of the Moog 901. No need for a sequencer there as it is a single pitch.
The opening sound is the pair of Matrix modules. This sound effect is heard again at the closing passage.
The opening slow pad note sequence is the STG vco's and G294A filter through a Strymon Blue Sky pedal.
The swell pattern is two Q206's to the Q150 filter. The stereo signal is routed through a Lexicon MX200 for pitch shift and chorus.
The distant ghostly piano sounding sequence is two lines from the Vector to a pair of TZ vco's and the Yusynth Arp 4072 filter. The final effect chain is the Stasis Leak delay module and the Z-DSP signal processor.
The flutter sounding noise is the Dove WTF to a Tau Pipe phaser and an Oakly SVF in high pass mode.
The wind effects were the West Coast Noise Source to the MOTM 440 filter and the Q110 noise module to the Dove D502 filter in band pass mode."

Simple Things

video upload by Todd Barton

"A simple patch with a lot of variety.
My Patreon: / synthtodd"

Buchla & Tiptop Audio 292t quad LPG (vactrol-free version) demo

video upload by Signal Sounds

Update: (Reuploaded with improved sound!)

"Tiptop Audio have finally released the long-awaited RoHS-compliant version of their Buchla 292t quad low-pass gate for the UK and EU market. The classic module has been redesigned without vactrols, which are now illegal in these territories - but how does it sound? Spoiler alert: pretty good. Tom puts it through its paces in this demo. Buchla bongos ahoy!"

The 292t is vailable here: https://www.signalsounds.com/tiptop-a...

A Cure for Boredom | The Modular Classroom | Lesson 04

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"In this lesson, we'll explore chaos together."

Cinematic Laboratory Modular Classroom

Tiptop Audio Polyphonic Modular System - In The Studio

video upload by Tiptop Audio

"To celebrate the release of the first set of Polyphonic modules, the Vortex6, Octogain, Octostages, Octopus, Octovert, and the Polytip Patch Cables—we invited Simone Miceli to join Piero Fragola in his home studio in Florence, Italy, to compose a song. This piece demonstrates how a violin, vocals, and these new Eurorack modules work together to create music.

Except for the vocals and violin, which were recorded separately, all synth voices were captured in a single take from the system in the video. The leading sound in the track is the Vortex6, with all six voices gliding seamlessly between notes.

In a polyphonic synthesizer, we know that the key building blocks like oscillators, filters, and LFOs are hard-wired under the hood of the synth. In modular poly, we open up all the possibilities that modular synthesis provides--IN POLY!
Welcome to the future."

Check with dealers on the right on availability.

TipTop Audio Polyphonic Modular System - "Calypso's dream" by gattobus

video upload by gattobus

"This song was born playing around with TipTop Audio ART Modular System.
This system is so inspiring! It gives you the flexibility of a modular but at the same time the playability of a classic synth.

It's a dream come true for me.

Special thanks to Gur Milstein for giving me the possibility to play it in advance!

These are the modules in my system:

Vortex 6 Oscillator
ATX-1 VCO
Octopass Poly Filter
Octostages Poly Envelope x2
Octogain VCA
Octopus USB/MIDI interface
Octo I/O
Octovert
Resonator
Z-DSP "Halls of Vallhalla" Card.
Mantis Case (black)"

242t Random Start Stop

video upload by Todd Barton

"a little exploration of Start-Stop functions.

My Patreon: / synthtodd"

242T Programmable Pulser | Buchla 200 Series EP.12 | By Tiptop Audio

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I've been wondering how to approach this episode. If this were a module review, the 242 would not be able to stand up against modern 21st century sequencers. It's basically a 12 step sequencer with three rows of pulses so you can't even do a four on the floor. We need to remember we didn't have those in the late 60's, so let's not worry about that too much.

The classic pin-controlled 242 was custom made for CBS and it didn't carry the Buchla name. CBS (California Broadcast Systems) was licensed to build and distribute the 100 series and it eventually stopped because CBS didn't see a future for electronic instruments. I guess you need to have a long term vision, and CBS clearly had a different one. Regardless, the 242 is extremely rare. Fortunately, the 242T is not. Tiptop abandoned the pins and fancy illuminated buttons in favour of small buttons and a LED matrix. The 242t is a Tiptop first, and a CBS/Buchla later.

The 242 is a retro-futuristic trigger sequencer with some weird outputs. The ABC pulses are extremely short, but the alternating outputs are longer. Then, there's this SAW CV output which is tied to the master clock. There are start/stop and reset inputs and a CV controlled Period which is not unlike a frequency when pushed to audio rate. I tried to ping the 296 Spectral Processor with the ABC outputs, but these are barely audible. If you want to ping a rhythm on the 296, you'll need to use 281 envelopes and patch from there. Using them to ping a 292 vactrol is just wonderful.

Stazma and Todd Barton made excellent video manuals, so I am not going to explain the module in this video. Since nearly every Buchla module is either quad or dual, I used two 242 modules. I had to. Imagine it's the early 70's and it's the Dawn of Synthesis. We have no idea what the future will bring."

PULSER 242t #tiptopaudio #buchla #eurorack

video upload by RandomVoltage

"First patch with the new Pulser 242t and Frequency Shifter 285t"

200t texture 6

video upload by Todd Barton

"A little patch with the Tiptop/Buchla modules. Enjoy!

My Patreon: / synthtodd"

Custom - 3 x Tiptop Audio Z-DSP on Custom Plate with Cards

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

"I had these custom plates designed by Grayscale. Theres 3 in existence! I’m scaling down to … 3 zdsps .. hehe!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

242t PingPong et al

video upload by Todd Barton

"what began as a simple ping-pong patch developed a bit.

My Patreon: / synthtodd"