Morton Subotnick and the Buchla 100

video upload by Library of Congress

"Composer and electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick offers some background and insights into his work with the famed Buchla 100, which he used to create the genre-defining album "Silver Apples of the Moon." Recently restored, Subotnick's original Buchla 100 will be on display and some of its many possible sounds demonstrated by the members of the MEMS Project. The Buchla 100 was restored as part of a broader "knowledge exchange and innovation funding" project funded by University College London. This was a collaboration between Andrew Northrop (film and media technician at the Slade School of Fine Art), the Library of Congress and the MEMS Project (Chip Flynn and Mark Milanovich). This project saw the repair of the Buchla 100 as an opportunity to extensively research and document the unique and historic equipment, with high resolution photographs of each module and a short documentary created as part of its output. The repair was carried out in March of 2024.

For transcript and more information, visit https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-11601"

Follow-up to this post.

Restoring the Buchla 100 & Upcoming Morton Subotnick and the Buchla 100 Event

This one is in via Andrew Northrop of the Slade School of Fine Art at University College London (UCL).

"My name is Andrew - I work as a technician in the UK and I was recently involved in the restoration of the Buchla 100 synthesizer held at the Library of Congress (this was the system used by Morton Subotnick to compose Silver Apples of the Moon and other records) alongside the MEMS Project.

The Library of Congress have put up a blog detailing the project today.

The Buchla 100 will be demonstrated by Subotnick on the 5th Dec where we will be speaking and I will be presenting a film."

Click through the blue links above for additional details.

Update: see this post for video of the event.

MORTON SUBOTNICK • SIDEWINDER • PERFORMED LIVE FROM TOOL'S STUDIO (4K)

video upload by Peter Grenader

"MORTON SUBOTNICK'S SIDEWINDER:

Part 1 : in four movements (9 minutes 45 seconds)

Part 2: in three movements (6 minutes 45 seconds)

Performed live from Tool's studio Hollywood, CA by Jill Fraser, Shiro Fujioka, Peter Grenader, Thomas Klepper

Filming/Editing: K. David

Recording Engineer: Tim Dawson

Title Graphics: Hyejin Sunwoo

Produced, arranged and mixed by Peter Grenader

Morton Subotnick's seminal 1971 electronic work Sidewinder performed live at Tool's studio in Hollywood CA on March 26th, 2023 by Jill Fraser, Shiro Fujioka, Peter Grenader and Thomas Klepper, at the invitation of Joan LaBarbara, in celebration of his 90th birthday.

The idea of an adaptation of Sidewinder has been on the radar of zZyzx Society's Jill Fraser and Peter Grenader - both CalArts alumni who worked with Subotnick, for years. The process began with an abridged orchestration drafted by Peter Grenader, where the quartet was encouraged to both replicate his soundscapes and develop more interpretative timbres for the individual parts. With that, two general rules applied:

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Shasta Cults Self Titled Release Featuring the Buchla Touché

Pre-order on black and clear vinyl at IMPREC, and digital at BandCamp.

"Wonderful to hear such beautiful, billowing sound clouds emanating from the legendary Touché." - David Rosenboom

Shasta Cults is the musical project of Canadian electronics technician Richard Smith. For almost two decades, Smith was the official Buchla & Associates repair tech for studios, collectors, and musicians around the world. Having worked for artists such as Aphex Twin, Suzanne Ciani, Morton Subotnick and institutions such as The Library of Congress and Mills College, Smith has had the unique experience of restoring and interacting with nearly every model of Buchla instrument constructed over the past 50 years.

Recorded over the span of three months in the fall of 2018, this album was programmed using the only fully functional Buchla Touché. Developed in the early 1980s with hardware by Donald Buchla and software programmed by musician David Rosenboom, the Touché features waveforms generated internally by twenty-four digital oscillators and uses frequency modulation along with sophisticated digital and analog signal processing to produce complex timbres.

This LP is a continuation of themes first heard on Configurations, with more consideration given to the generation and recording of the pieces. The album's six tracks – a collection of sonic experiments and hypnotic drones – span almost forty minutes, showcasing not only the incredible fidelity of the Touché but also Smith's evolution as an audio engineer.

Put on some headphones, find a comfortable chair, and let this LP transport you to the mystifying southern cascades of Siskiyou County.

RIYL: ELEH, Sarah Davachi

released November 13, 2019

Programmed, recorded and mastered by Shasta Cults - Fall 2018
Artwork by IMPREC

all rights reserved

Library Of Congress C1 Cassette Player - The Ambient Machine

Published on Jul 25, 2018 HAINBACH

"I take a look at what has quickly become my favorite machine for manipulating cassette tape loops, The Library Of Congress C1. I mod it for 9V and make a piece with it.
Cello player: http://ashiabisonrouge.com/"

New Documentary: SUBOTNICK - Portrait of an Electronic Music Pioneer

Published on May 22, 2017 Waveshaper Media

"An upcoming, official bio-doc on electronic music pioneer, Morton Subotnick. Fundraising NOW on IndieGoGo (from May 23 - June 21, 2017): http://igg.me/at/subotnickfilm

Waveshaper Media, the makers of 2014's acclaimed modular synthesizer documentary 'I Dream Of Wires,' is excited to announce that production is now underway for a new, official bio-documentary about revered avant-garde music composer, and electronic music pioneer, Morton Subotnick. Through a series of candid interviews and illuminating conversations with key figures from his past and present, "Subotnick" will provide an overview of this fascinating composer’s rich life and uncompromising career."

Note Waveshaper is still working on the upcoming documentary on Bob Moog, Electronic Voyager. The following are some details on SUBOTNICK captured for the archives.


"2017 is a milestone year for revered avant-garde music composer, and electronic music pioneer, Morton Subotnick. It not only marks the 50th anniversary of his iconic 1967 album “Silver Apples of the Moon,” but also sees the premiere of “Crowds and Power,” a new multi-media tone poem for voice, electronic sound, and live imagery, commissioned by NYC’s Lincoln Center, and premiering there in July.

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I Dream Of Wires Coming to VOD & Worldwide DVD Release - Berlin Screening with Morton Subotnick

I Dream of Wires is coming to video on demand via iTunes and Vimeo on Demand on August 10. The DVD will be released in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America on July 31st. To celebrate, there will be a screening in Berlin with a performance and Q&A session with Morton Subotnick.

"To celebrate the August VOD/DVD release of I DREAM OF WIRES, the definitive and acclaimed electronic music documentary about the rise, fall and rebirth of the modular synthesizer, MONODUO FILMS presents a very special screening and electronic music event in Berlin.

On Tuesday July 28, I DREAM OF WIRES will celebrate it’s release premiere in Berlin, followed by a live performance by the legendary Morton Subotnick. Taking place at Babylon Kino Berlin, Morton Subotnick, accompanied by his frequent collaborator, video artist Lillevan, presents FROM SILVER APPLES OF THE MOON TO A SKY OF CLOUDLESS SULFUR REVISITED: VI, marking Subotnick’s first live appearance in Germany since 2011.

Morton Subotnick’s contributions to electronic music cannot be overstated; as a founding member of the seminal San Francisco Tape Music Center, Subotnick played a key role in the conception and development of the influential Buchla modular synthesizer. Armed with his Buchla, Subotnick composed and recorded the landmark 1967 LP, SILVER APPLES OF THE MOON, widely regarded as a modern classic, and the first all-electronic music album to connect with popular music audiences. In 2010 SILVER APPLES was selected for the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. Long considered one of the essential milestones in electronic music, it continues to have great effect on later generations of artists.

Subotnick’s interview in I DREAM OF WIRES, alongside interviews with influential electronic musicians including Trent Reznor, Gary Numan, Carl Craig, James Holden and Vince Clarke, is pivotal in the film, and provides a revealing insight into this true electronic music visionary.

The film will be introduced by I DREAM OF WIRES' director Robert Fantinatto, who will also join Morton Subotnick for a post-screening Q&A. This July 28 event is more than just a celebration of the modular synthesizer; it’s a rare opportunity to learn and experience the historical roots of electronic music.

I Dream Of Wires is an independent documentary about the history, demise and resurgence of the modular synthesizer - exploring the dreams and obsessions of people who have dedicated part of their lives to this fascinating, esoteric electronic music machine. Over 100 inventors, musicians and enthusiasts are interviewed about their relationship with the modular synthesizer - for many, it’s an all-consuming passion.

Through tracing the history of the modular synthesizer, I Dream Of Wires also outlines the history of electronic music as a whole, from its very beginnings at the dawn of the electric age. The film provides a fascinating look at how technology has shaped the electronic music landscape. Today, the modular synthesizer is no longer an esoteric curiosity or even a mere music instrument - it is an essential tool for radical new sounds and a bona fide subculture.

Interviews include:
- Legendary electronic musicians: Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Morton Subotnick, Gary Numan, Vince Clarke (Erasure).
- Contemporary dance & electronica artists: Carl Craig, James Holden, Legowelt.
- Synthesizer manufacturers: Doepfer, Modcan, Make Noise.

Event Details
Babylon Kino
Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 30,
10178 Berlin
28.07.2015 | 8PM
20€ Presales
25€ At the Door
+10€ w/DVD

Tickets Available:
Yapsody: https://wires.yapsody.com
Babylon Kino: http://www.babylonberlin.de

RELEASE INFORMATION

VOD and DVD Release of I Dream of Wires in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America will start as follows:
* DVD available July 31 through Cargo Distribution / Amazon
* VOD available August 10 through ITunes and Vimeo on Demand

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Buchla 100 Series Analog Modular Synthesizer for Auction

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. via this auction
via the seller/listing:

"This particular Buchla system has been thoroughly restored, tested, and calibrated.

Over the last twelve years, I have worked as an analog repair and restoration technician, including an apprenticeship under Don Buchla. I've had the opportunity to restore over a dozen complete vintage Buchla modular systems, and also worked on over a hundred modules from both the 100 and 200 series. Additionally, I have worked on virtually every other Buchla instrument, as well as rare and historic synthesizers from EMS, Moog, Korg, and Sequential Circuits. I 've restored modular systems for reputed institutions such as New York University, Mills College, The Library of Congress, and the Cantos Music Museum, and have worked on Buchlas for notable artists such as Aphex Twin, The Chemical Brothers, Suzanne Ciani, and Morton Subotnick.

Don't miss the opportunity to acquire this extremely rare instrument.

Please carefully read the Auction Details at the bottom of this page and contact me with any questions regarding payment methods and shipment prior to bidding.

This system includes:

101 two-piece 25 Panel Unit Cabinet
115 Power supply
110 Dual Gate (2 VCAs)
160 Dual Noise Source
175 Dual Equalizer (2 Filters)
194 Comb Filter (Filter)
190 Dual Reverberator
171 Dual Instrument Preamplifier
111 Dual Ring Modulator
106 Six Channel Mixer
196 Phase Shifter
192 Dual Lopass Filter (2 Filters - SUPER RARE MODULE)
158 Dual Sine/Saw Generator (2 Oscillators)
158 Dual Sine/Saw Generator (2 Oscillators)
156 Dual Control Voltage Processor
107 Voltage Controlled Mixer (10 VCAs!)
140 Timing Pulse Generator
123 Sequential Voltage Source (8 Stage Sequencer X 3)
180 Dual Attack Generator (2 Envelopes)
170 Dual Microphone Preamplifier (transformers!)
130 Dual Envelope Detector
114 Touchplate

All modules have been cleaned, recapped, and tested, the power supply has been refurbished, and the wood cabinet has been restored. This system has four VCOS, twelve VCAs, several filter varieties including the rare 192 Lopass Filter (which was one of the first Buchla modules with Optos!), an 8 stage sequencer, a number of processors, and excellent stereo reverb. please contact me for specific details and additional high res photos of the restoration prior to bidding.

AUCTION DETAILS :

Photos are of the actual Buchla system for sale.

The instrument has been described as thoroughly and fairly as possible, and is available for check-out before bidding in Vancouver, BC, Canada."

Motherboard TV: Morton Subotnick, Father of Electronic Music

via Motherboard.TV via Scott Sharon on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge
"What kind of music would robots make? Blips and bloops, most likely, with a whole lot of abstract tones and soundwave manipulation. You know, droning stuff that sounds like auditory binary. I mean, come on. How musical could a robot be?

Such were the early days of electronic music, whose early proponents put much more emphasis on the “electronic” than the “music.” That’s not to denigrate the incredible complexity of wave generators or tiny bits of tape spliced together on splicing blocks. It’s just to point out that what we see as electronic music today was once well and truly the sound of electronics themselves.

So who’s responsible for turning the electro tide towards real music? Why, Morton Subotnick of course.

As is often the case in music, it was a bicoastal thing: Subotnick, Ramon Sender, and Don Buchla spent the 60s in San Francisco developing what may be the world’s first analog synthesizer, the ‘electronic music easel’ BUCHLA 100, while Robert Moog was putting together his incredible keyboard on the East Coast.

BUCHLA 100 was brilliant because, instead of a keyboard, it relied on pressure sensitive touch-plates. Those controlled keys that could be individually tuned, allowing for an unlimited number of sound-producing possibilities. It freed musicians from the sine, sawtooth, and square bonds of the past, and allowed electronic music to flourish.

Subotnick himself was the first to put his creation through its creative paces. Recorded over the span of a year in New York, his album Silver Apples of the Moon stands as the first all-electronic LP, and effectively declared the era of computer music dead. The album has since been inducted into the Library of Congress.

As part of our Electric Independence series, in 2011 we paid a visit to Subotnick at his Lower East Side studio to chat about the past and future of electronic music. Remember one thing the next time you’re in a club with some cyborg DJ poking away at a booth full of weird gadgets: If it wasn’t for Subotnick, you’d be stuck listening to robot chatter."

"Famous Musicians" FIlmstrip featuring Morton Subotnick

via Peter Grenader of Plan B: "When I was in my last year in high school I worked in the school library. One day screwing around in the backroom I came upon a series of filmstrips which highlighted famous 20th century musicians and to my surprise, delight, whatnot found one from the series on Mort. I had just been accepted to CalArts and was looking forward to beginning my studies there so this was a big deal for me. Truth be told, the only image I had a visual memory of was a shot of his door bell. Years later I spoke to to Mort about this - if he remembered doing it, he did, but mentioned regrettably he no longer had a copy. I then set off to hunt one down. There were a few weeks there with only moderate progress but i finally tracked down the woman who made it; Jane Beethoven (that's actually her name). A few months later after returning from a trip to europe she graciously sent one and the stills from that presentation have been uploaded to his site.... including the infamous close-up of the door bell! This is a unique glimpse into the studio where some of the most influential west-coast music of the 20th century was created, including SIlver Apples, Wild Bull and Touch. Check it out, it's great.

Go to mortonsubotnick.com, select the archive gallery and scroll to the bottom of the page.

In the next few months the Library of Congress will be transferring the entire show replete with the audio track to modern technology and I'm confident Mort will be adding it as a quicktime presentation. Until then, enjoy..."

PAiA 2700 Series Schematics

"The following book contains ALL of the PAiA 2720 series schematics and design explanations except for the 2720-2A improved linearity VCO and the 2720-9 Glide/Retrofit for the
2720-8 keyboard. It also
has the Gnome schematics and all of PAiA's really early kits (Synthespin, Infinity Plus sustain, etc)

Electronic Music Circuit Guidebook by Brice Ward
TAB books #743 ISBN Hardcover 0-8306-5743-6 Paperback 0-8306-4743-0
Library of congress card # 75-20843

David Hillel Wilson
Curator,
New England Synthesizer Museum
DWilSynth@aol.com
_www.synthmuseum.com/nesm_ (http://www.synthmuseum.com/nesm)"

Moog Updates

A couple of bits from the June 19th Moog News Letter.

-New Little Phatty Samples are up: link.
-The Little Phatty goes into production on July 19. Hand built.
- Wendy Carlos' Switched on Bach Honored by the Library of Congress - Librarian of Congress names 50 recordings to the 2005 National Recording Registry including Switched on Bach: "'This meticulously recorded album introduced the Moog synthesizer to a much wider audience than it had previously reached. Many of the separate synthesizer voices on the album were recorded to tape individually and carefully mixed to create the final product. After the recording, Bob Moog’s musical circuitry enjoyed an enormous boom. Within a decade the synthesizer was well established in the idioms of rock music, dance music and Western art music. Wendy Carlos went on to record several more well-crafted Bach recordings.'"

For those of you in New York this Wednesday, here's your chance to see a Little Phatty before anyone else:
"6/21/2006 5:00:00 PM - 6/21/2006 6:00:00 PM

Sam Ash and Moog Music cordially invite you to attend a special demonstration of Moog products by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater, accomplished solo artist) and Roger O'Donnell (Formerly of the Cure and now with a new solo album, The Truth in Me).

The demonstration will include the latest new product from Moog Music, the Little Phatty Analog Synthesizer. This will be the first in-store demonstration of this soon-to-be released product.

For more info, contact Sam Ash.

Download Map."

Also:
"Moog Music has introduced a new photo gallery called Uniquely Moog: A Pictorial Journey. To be supplied by Moog subscriber submissions, we hope that it will grow quickly. Send in your photos to help build up the gallery. We are looking for creative images with the only prerequisite being that are Moog-centric. Take a look at a few current examples. Please send images to jared[]moogmusic.com"

And finally:
"The Lothars will headline the Saturday night concert, August 5, 2006.

Well respected in the theremin community, the Lothars promise to entertain. We are very excited to bring them to Asheville.

For more information about them, check out their website- The Lothars.

Most importantly, visit Moog Music to read more about this event and register today!"