"700 Concrète"⚡️🎛️ - Buchla Thunder / Buchla 700

video upload by Stephano Gavilanes

"A new musique concréte improvisation with Buchla 700 emulations and my very own samples triggered with the Buchla Thunder as 8 simultaneous midi channels👌🏽

The album with recordings done only with both the Buchla Thunder and Lighting sets is happening💫

Headphones or loudspeakers suggested!

Music composed and recorded by Stephano Gavilanes.© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved."

1969 Moog IIIP Vintage Modular Synthesizer For Sale or NYC Studio Use

video upload by tonetweakers

"The Moog modular was one of the first commercially available synthesizers. Sold in different configurations, the Moog IIIP consisted of 3 portable cabinets. Containing ten (!) 901 series oscillators, the best lowpass and highpass filters in the biz, and a magical spring reverb that makes things sound more organic, we can't think of any other synth that matches the warmth and fatness of this genuine 1969 vintage Moog modular. Wendy Carlos’s classic album Switched on Bach and I Feel Love by Donna Summer were recorded on similar Moog modular systems. We just finished refurbishing this gorgeous example (assuming we don’t find any problems as we continue to test it). Restoration was done in stages and took many months to complete. Total tech time spent was around 85 hours. We hit a snag when some parts we ordered turned out to be fakes - a sadly common occurrence these days - but we eventually managed to track down some legit replacements. We originally planned to sell this system, but after spending some time patching it, we don’t know if we can let this one go! If this system was set up in a commercial studio here in New York City where it was available for use, would you be interested? If so, please email us. Or, make us a serious offer and if it's tempting enough, maybe we'll sell it. We'd also consider trades for similar vintage modular systems (Roland System 700, Buchla 200, Polyfusion, Emu Modular, ARP 2500, etc). We have a smaller (single cabinet) real vintage Moog Model 15 that's ready for sale.

We buy sell trade refurbish vintage synths and electronic musical instruments.

Tone Tweakers Inc.
http://www.tonetweakers.com"

“Fluidity” ⚡️🎛️ - Buchla Thunder

video upload by Stephano Gavilanes

"Another musique concréte piece with Buchla 700 emulations and my very own samples triggered with the Buchla Thunder as 8 simultaneous midi channels👌🏽

I’m considering releasing an album with recording dones only with both the Buchla Thunder and Lighting sets💫

Headphones or loudspeakers suggested!

Music composed and recorded by Stephano Gavilanes.© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved."

700 FM System x BOSS ME-50 – How Many People Still Use This Forgotten Classic?

video upload by Gm Xe

"The BOSS ME-50 is one of my favorite effects units — simple, expressive, and still inspiring after all these years.

In this setup, I combine the 700 FM System with the Buchla 208C in a four-voice configuration:

One voices from the 700 go straight into the Auratie (fully wet).

One more pass through the 208C’s LPG .

The 208C main output runs through the ME-50 to shape the core sound.

The other two voices pass through the Auratie

In this patch, I use the ME-50 for distortion, modulated pitch effects, and a spacious delay that blends with the Auratie

This is a cross-era collaboration: vintage guitar effects, FM synthesis, and West Coast analog character blending into one ambient/experimental performance."

Buchla 700 Synthesizer Description & Specifications Brochure

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

via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"This came in with the Buchla 700 we may or may not eventually part with."

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Melbourne's Synthtemple - 160+ playable synths, two studios, Atmos enabled, and available to hire!

video upload by mutech.media.australia

"Tony Osmond's Synthtemple is the ultimate destination for electronic musicians. This globally significant collection of more than 160 both genre-defining and rare synths is all patched and playable, enabling instant creativity. Its two studios, designed by acoustic engineers, are Atmos enabled, with top-end Genelec monitoring. Patching is both analog and digital, and recording via Logic or ProTools.

Highlights in the collection include the world's largest Roland 700 system, early Moog synths, rarities like the Buchla 406, three Yamaha CS-80s (and a DX1!) and much, much more.

Set in the inner-eastern suburb of Kew in Melbourne, Australia, and opening in early 2025, Synthtemple is set to be become a major international drawcard.

mutech.media's Paul Frech interviews owner and synth collector Tony Osmond about the collection, the studio, the long path to its creation, and what people can do with all this raw synth power!"

See the Synthtemple label below for more.

New Buchla 700FM Format Modular

video uploads by Gm Xe

This one is in via Soviet Space Child.

"Hi, I have been a buchla fan for a long time, and I have always been curious about buchla 700. I immediately bought the id 700 when it was available, which is really a great app. However, I like hardware instruments with intuitive operation. Thanks to my good friend kweiwen, who wrote the initial code for me, I opened this mysterious instrument. After half a year of learning and development, I finally completed this module. Although there are still some improvements to be made, I am very happy, the sound is really good, I try to make myself comfortable with it, so the design is based on personal habits.

The main program is written in max/msp, using daisyseed to implement gen ~ code burning. buchla700 is a very complex instrument, although it cannot be perfectly reproduced, I think half of the core content is there."

Playlist:

1. 700VOiCE Buchal format Walk through new Updated version introduction

Previous devlopement:

2. I made an fm module similar to buchla 700
3. Play note#1 new buchla format modular demo
4. 700_FM_Voice_Note4
5. 700voice upgrade test demo 1
6. 700 buchla format modular note#5



Additional details via Mod Wiggler

"I apologize for the delay; the new images and information are still being prepared. The images feature three modules: on the left, the 3U modules include the 700 expansion and 700 voice, while the 1U module on the right is an effects module that will be introduced separately later. Thank you for your patience!

In the realm of synthesizers, the nearly forgotten classic Buchla 700 is celebrated for its unique sound design. We are thrilled to introduce our tribute module, showcasing a distinctive 700 FM Voice module powered by re-optimized algorithms. With its intuitive interface, you can dive in effortlessly, whether you’re crafting intricate soundscapes or vibrant melodies. This module is designed to inspire creativity and unlock endless possibilities.

This module is a monophonic sound source featuring four variable waveform oscillators and six specialized algorithmic index amplifiers, creating complex modulation patterns with twelve algorithms. Each oscillator and index group can be individually controlled via CV inputs, with dedicated CV attenuation for each. It provides a dual-path mix output for Group A/B, enabling CV morphing, along with a separate output for channel B. Both A and B channels offer independent wave shapes and drift modulation. Each oscillator supports wave morphing between sine, saw, and square waveforms, with the option to expand using an additional 12 control knobs. Two OLED displays showcase configuration algorithm graphics and a dual-channel oscilloscope. The DA output is 48 kHz/24-bit, with finely tuned oscillator algorithms. Outputs are carefully calibrated through analog amplification circuits, fully compatible with Buchla-format CV modulation, and support 1.2 V/oct and MIDI input.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Waveshaping in Buchlas - Timbre & Digital Nonlinear Waveshaping

video upload by Shasta Cults

Above: Shasta Cults - Buchla 700 - wave shape editor

For those interested The Buchla Archives have an extensive article on wave shaping in buchlas here: https://www.buchlaarchives.com/blog/timbre-digital-nonlinear-waveshaping.

Opening paragaph:

"Ask most modern modular synthesizer enthusiasts about the hallmark characteristics of Donald Buchla's instruments: no doubt, one of the first things they'll mention is the idea of a 'complex oscillator.' Today—generally speaking—the term 'complex oscillator' refers to a general synthesis structure typically composed of two oscillators, a waveshaper, and various forms of inter-oscillator modulation. Typically, one oscillator is treated as a 'primary' or “principal” oscillator, and the other as a 'modulator.' The primary oscillator's sine wave output is typically hardwired to the waveshaping section, which provides a series of controls for continuously altering the waveshape/sonic character of the sound. The modulator usually has the ability to modulate the primary oscillator's frequency, amplitude, and aspects of the waveshaping process."

25 Years of DiN (DiN86)

Featuring supporting members Bakis Sirros of Parallel Worlds, Dave Bessell of Node, & more.

via https://dinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/25-years-of-din-din86

1. Benge - Shadow - The Rest Of Light 05:06
2. Dave Bessell - All Is Now 08:35
3. Bluetech - Broken Prisms Still Refract Light 05:39
4. Erik Wøllo - Emergence 06:55
5. Lyonel Bauchet - A Perfect Day For Uncertainty 07:16
6. Robert Rich - Ornament Drift 05:37
7. d'Voxx - Vila Madalena 06:28
8. Parallel Worlds - Some Space 06:58
9. Ian Boddy - Small World 07:06
10. Polypores - Viridescence 07:36
11. Markus Reuter - Albatross 06:01
12. Field Lines Cartographer - Sea Of Grass 07:52
13. Scanner - Now There Was Nowhere 06:29
14. Chris Carter - Consonance 03:17
15. Bernhard Wöstheinrich - On The Cusp Of Lucid Dreaming 07:02
16. Radio Massacre International - Flying Colours 07:14
17. Surface 10 - Psyche Dio 07:59
18. Nigel Mullaney - There Is No Dark 06:13
19. Node - Rewind 10:08
20. ARC - System Six 11:33

"This is certainly a milestone release for the DiN label as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Needless to say, this is quite an achievement for a niche, independent label that has relentlessly ploughed its own path for quarter of a century. Its catalogue and release schedule has been carefully curated over all these years by label boss Ian Boddy, who launched the imprint way back in the spring of 1999. It is perhaps a reflection of his own musical identity which, whilst grounded in the Berlin School of the 1970s, has continued to evolve and grow to cover ever widening areas of electronic music, where sub-genres can be mixed and matched at will.

There have been plenty of compilation albums released on the DiN label in the past, most notably the iNDEX sampler albums, of which there have been eight to date. These cover tracks from existing albums and are certainly a great showcase for the label. However, this double album is different, in that Boddy invited the majority of the musicians who have previously been released on the main DiN catalogue to compose new pieces. Spread across two discs, this amounts to 142 minutes of sublime, varied and thoroughly original music. Ranging from beautifully ambient to dark brooding soundscapes, via cinematic electronica through to old school Berlin School sequencer workouts, “25 Years of DiN” is a wonderful distillation of the DiN label.

Presented in a stunning six panel fold out Digipak double CD package with 8-page booklet featuring an essay by Neil Mason (Moonbuilding), this release is a must-have for collectors of the DiN labels output.
credits
releases July 19, 2024

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Buchla 700 FM Ring implemented in Moselle Modular Synthesizer Software (Four Oscillator Algorithm)

video upload by Lantertronics - Aaron Lanterman

Moselle Software Synthesizer (free!): http://moselle-synth.com

0:00 -- Demo
0:48 -- Buchla's algorithm
3:01 -- FMAlgo block
5:32 -- Audio vs "Control" outputs
5:58 -- MakeBus for stereo output
6:41 -- Oscilloscope syncing
7:23 -- Resources to learn more

Support this channel via a special purpose donation to the Georgia Tech Foundation (GTF210000920), earmarked for my work: Support This Channel via a Special Pu...

Moselle patch:

[FMAlgo]
Freq1 = Pitch
Gain1 = BreathCtrl

Freq11 = 2*Pitch
Gain11 = CN3

Freq111 = 0.5*Pitch
Gain111 = FootCtrl

Freq1111 = 0.25*Pitch
Gain1111 = Balance
Plus1111 = Control1

[Voice]
PreGain = MakeBus( FMAlgo:PreGain1, FMAlgo:PreGain111)

[Osc]
Frequency = Pitch:Output * 0.25

[Scope]
SyncIn = Osc:SyncOut
Probe1 = FMAlgo:PreGain1
Probe2 = FMAlgo:PreGain111

Background Modulars No.5 - Buchla 200 & DK Synergy

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Don’t have a Buchla 200 and Digital Keyboards Synergy to hand? No worries! Just put this video on in the background (in full-screen mode), and have the next best thing 😁

Here is 10 minutes of self-playing modular synthesiser randomness. Why not put it on loop - then you can have it bubbling away in the background while you do other things. Or maybe check out the playlist I have made with all the Background Modular Series videos: [playlist below]

A note on the patch: The Buchla (cloned) MARF is sending note and velocity (ie CV) data to the Synergy via a Kenton CV to MIDI converter - a very handy unit if you have a lot of analogue sequencers!

The Synergy is extremely flexible and you can set virtually any parameter to respond to velocity - and using the Kenton you can send any CV to modify the velocity over MIDI - something I am exploring at the moment

The Buchla 200 chimes really well with the Synergy. Don spent most of the late 70s and 80s exploring digital synthesis - starting out with hybrid systems (the 500 and 300 Series) and later fully digital systems (the Touche, 400 and 700 Series). The Synergy was developed at exactly the same time taking fully digital ideas to their logical extreme. It is a very capable system and the pairing with the 200 Series is sublime"

Stereo Transfer Function Synthesizer - Proof of Concept (Teensy)

video upload by Ryan Gaston

"A simple demonstration of some of the sounds yielded from a simple Teensy-based synthesizer. This is a proof of concept more than anything else; ultimately, this will be integrated into a more complete instrument.

The internal signal path is based on a combination of phase modulation, frequency modulation, and digital waveshaping via arbitrarily constructed transfer functions. Three oscillators intertwine in various ways, each contributing to the sound's instantaneous timbre, pitch, loudness, and sense of spatial location. The use of many internal feedback/feedforward nodes enhances the potential for chaotic, unpredictable sonic structures.

Originally, the idea was to create a stereo oscillator with transfer function-based waveshaping; however, I found that with a sufficiently knotted internal signal flow, it was possible to achieve a pretty astonishing range of animated sounds using relatively limited means. Though very much inspired by the Hordijk Blippoo Box, Hordijk Benjolin, Serge Wave Multipliers, Buchla Touché, Buchla 400, Buchla 700, and Buchla 259e, and some experimental works by Larry Polansky, I'm finding that there's much more sonic territory to be explored utilizing the bizarre combination of feedback and waveshaping via arbitrary transfer functions.

Again, I hope to continue to expand this into a more complete, performable instrument. But for now, enjoy some noise."

id700 Virtual Buchla 700 Update Coming

via @modoscdesigns

"new version of id700 submitted to the app store which includes a new algorithm ui."

Dave Smith Was an Ironman Triathlete

In case you missed it in this post, Roger Linn noted Dave Smith was "an avid athelete, cyclist and triathlete. He actually participated in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in his younger years..."

@birdkids reminded me of an article on the development of the Prophet VS archived on the WaybackMachine. In it, Chris Meyer mentions Dave was in Hawaii prepping for the tournament during that time. I thought it was interesting and worth sharing. I captured it below.

"Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 07:55:41 -0800
From: Xrystal
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: Birth of the Prophet VS

I thought the following might be of interest to you. Xrystal
_____________________________________________________________________


The Birth of the Prophet VS

By Chris Meyer, ex-employee of Sequential Circuits

reprinted from the VS WaveWrangler User Guide by permission of Interval Music Systems,
©1991 Interval Music Systems.

It all started somewhere in 1985. We were still working on the Prophet 2000 sampler,
and as resident historian (in other words, I had the most magazines and manuals) another
engineer was asking me to explain how various instruments performed crossfades. I had
finished discussing the Fairlight, and had moved on the PPG - explaining its wavetables,
and the ability for it to scan a group of waves first in one direction and then back again,
While I was scrawling this back and forth motion in my notebook, suddenly a little twinge
went off in the back of my head, and myhand drew the next line arcing down the page.. and the
concept of crossfading beween waves in two dimension, not just one, was born.

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ID700 polyphonic software synthesizer

video upload by Richard Devine

"@modoscdesigns Finally for Mac OS desktop the ID700 polyphonic software synthesizer based on the voice architecture of the Buchla 700."

Additonal ID700 posts. The MacOS version along with the iOS version going on sale was announced on December 10th here.

ID700 - iOS Application - Demo - Midiverse - TV

video by Midiverse - TV

"What's up everybody? Welcome to Midiverse - TV! In this video we're going to be checking out a new iOS application called ID700. Let's check it out!

ID700 is a software synthesizer based on the voice architecture of the Buchla 700. Sound generation is achieved primarily via FM synthesis and waveshaping."

ID700 - Vintage Digital Synth - Pre-Release Demo for the iPad

video by The Sound Test Room

"You can get the ID700 Synth here at the App Store
https://apps.apple.com/app/id1482698043​"

The ID700 is based on the rare Buchla 700. You can find additional posts featuring ID700 here.

modosc designs ID700 preset development demos

peff · modosc designs ID700 preset development

"The ID700 from modosc designs is based on the architecture of the Buchla 700. The sounds in this list are examples from preset development.

Available on the App Store here.

More information available at: modo.sc"

Follow-up to this post.

ID700 - Software Synth Based on the Buchla 700

via https://modo.sc/id700/

Available on the App Store here.

"In 1987 Don Buchla released the Buchla 700 synthesizer. It was the next logical step from Don's previous digital synths (the Buchla 400, Touche, Buchla 500) but was also influenced by the synth trends of the 1980's, specifically FM synthesis and the all-in-one workstation concept. As usual, Don was ahead of the curve and the 700 never took off. Very few were sold and even fewer functioning units exist today. I always loved the sound of Don's digital oscillators, and combined with the scarcity of the instrument it seemed like a fun project to recreate it in software and reintroduce its concepts to the world.

ID700 is a software synthesizer based on the voice architecture of the Buchla 700. Like many of Don's other designs, sound generation is achieved primarily via FM synthesis and waveshaping. Each voice is made up of sixteen individual modules:

four Oscillators
six Indexes
two Waves
one Morph
one Filter
one Amplifier
one Location

The Oscillators, Indexes, and Waves are configured in one of twelve preset Algorithms, all of which feed into the fixed signal paths of the Morph, Filter, Amplifier, and Location modules.

Each of the Oscillator, Index, Morph, Filter, Amplifier, and Location modules have their own dedicated complex Envelope for modulation.

The Wave modules provide wavetable synthesis using Chebyshev polynomials and include additional waveshaping functionality.

Arbitrary tunings are supported via the Scala Tuning File format.

MIDI and MPE are supported (note: not all hosts support MPE).

The iOS version supports AUv3 and IAA."

Update: demos posted here.

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Nihilist's Xmas by Shasta Cults

A future classic!

It's bleak.

released December 25, 2019

Programmed and Recorded in 2017 by Shasta Cults
Mastered by J. Stevenson


Outtakes from Configurations featuring the Buchla 700.

(pictured below)