Radio Interference

video upload by Todd Barton

"100% pure Easel. Not your typical Easel patch...I developed Click Textures for the Easel Program Manager Card, you can download all my patches here: https://buchla.com/programmanager/
This is that patch in Both mode which allows me to sculpt it in realtime.
Big shoutout to all my patrons on my Patreon that makes this exploration and all my tutorial/demo videos possible!! Love you!
My Patreon:
/ synthtodd

Buchla Easel Afternoon

video upload by Aleatoric Machine

"I'm still getting to know my Buchla Easel, but this was a pretty fun patch to play with. Also using the Triglav Modular Clockwork Card for rhythms and Northern Light Modular cardME Mobile Effect Engine for delay and reverb."

Original Buchla Music Easel iProgram Card

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via this auction

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Additional pics of the Original Buchla Music Easel iProgram Card. You can find demos in previous posts here. It made its first appearance on the site in a demo by Todd Barton posted here back in 2014.

"Original Buchla Music Easel iProgram Card - Communicates with the iPad via WiFi - Rare, Iconic Module - No Longer in Production

The Buchla Music Easel iProgram Card unleashes hidden functions of your Music Easel, and on top of that it bridges the gap between your DAW or other digital gear with its control functions and preset management.


NOTE: card has been updated with the latest firmware version: 73. Buchla developed that version on Dec 2022.

Here’s more info from Buchla Support dated April 13, 2023:

'Thanks for letting us know that the website descriptions are out of date.
Version 1.8 of the firmware utility appears to work fine with up to at least MacOS 12.5 (as I've been running).
The description needs to be updated.

Regarding the iProgramCard version. What are you running now? There have been a couple of users who preferred version 60 over version 66. I'm not sure why.

But also realize that there's a new version of the iProgramCard that we meant to post as well on the website.

iProgramCard Version 73 was created in December of last year. It was also an oversight that it wasn't released on the website. Version 73 works with the new app. It also works with the old iPad app but only over WiFi. The USB connection is broken in terms of sending banks to an iProgramCard with version 73 from the iPad app.

We will post that soon, but in the meantime I can attach you the file directly. Actually I can attach version 60 too.

This attached version 73 software allows the use of the new app with your iProgramCard.
Before downloading and installing, here's what you need to know:
1) The iPad app will no longer send patches via USB connections (though it has virtual control); the iPad app WILL still work/connect and send patches via a WiFi connection.
1a) If you continue to use the iPad app via WiFi, consider for best WiFi patch sending connections to increase the 'Waiting time between messages' to .04. (In 'Settings' of your iPad under Easel208Pad.) This goes for previous versions of Firmware too.
2) There is no translator from the iPad patches to the newly formatted ones in the new app, so it's best to recreate your favorite patches by hand in the new app.
3) You still only get 24 Programs since the memory chip on the iProgramCard only supports that many.'"

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Buchla 208, Triple Sequential Voltage Source expander card - Buchla 208 / Buchla Easel Aux Card

video upload by Roland Klinkenberg

"Buchla 208, Triple Sequential Voltage Source expander card, Roland TR-08 and a delay pedal.
Patch description:
Top sequencer - CO pitch
Mid sequencer - MO pitch
Bottom sequencer - MO waveform switch
Random Voltage Source - Decay time
Korg SQ1 serves as a 218 substitute and is used to modulate the basic pitch of both MO and CO."

Superbooth 2023: Buchla - Limited Edition Music Easel

video upload by sonicstate

"Nick from Buchla showed us their limited edition 50th Anniversary Music Easel. This special edition includes classic 208 voices and original old-school knobs and meter from the 70s. It comes with a gold keyboard and will be sold with its original Halliburton metal briefcase. The Music Easel has the same patching and control interface as the original, and the new edition even has some added extras like patch points and midi over USB-C.

Nick also demonstrated Buchla's Program Manager Card, which allows users to scroll through and select sounds. The card can be embedded below the surface of the module using the embedding kit offered by Buchla, perfect for those who are always using it and don't want it sticking out, or cards be inserted into the edge connector as usual. The new Music Easel is expected to ship in the fall alongside the special edition, which is available for order in June only.

Special Edition Music Easel Price: 8,000 - 10,000 USD"

Buchla Easel Command Standalone Desktop Synthesizer with MIDI and CV Control SN 0785 0830

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

via this auction

"Mint Buchla Easel Command with USB Host USB-A option installed. This option allows a user to plug most USB controllers directly into the Easel. This comes with many extra patch cords, BU-RPC retro program card, power supply, quick start guide and original box."

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Buchla Program Manager Card w/ 48 Patch Presets Now Available

video uploads by Buchla

"The Buchla Program Manager is available now! Store your best sonic memories on the Program Manager Card! The PMC takes full advantage of the program interface, storing up to 48 Easel presets and interfacing with your computer with a class-compliant MIDI connection. The Buchla Program Manager App for Mac and Windows gives you the power to manage banks, create programs, and import and export your presets for sharing. Also available is a optional embed kit to install the card into your 208, making it easier to view the screen and keep a lower profile.

Available Now from Dealers and Buchla direct!"

See dealers on the right for availability.

Playlist:
Program Manager Tutorial
Using the Embed Kit to install the Program Manager into the Buchla Easel Command
Buchla Program Manager: Using Both Mode
Buchla Program Manager: Preset Surfer
Buchla Program Manager: App Works In Realtime
Buchla Program Manager Available now!

Jomox Sunsyn MK2 SN 0126

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

via this auction

"The SunSyn features 2 analog oscillators (VCO's) per voice. The waveforms include sawtooth, square and pulse with pulsewidth-modulation. But in addition to these are the new Ramp Controlled Oscillators (RCO's). The RCOs follow the VCO characteristics like modulation, sync, tuning and frequency alterations. The RCO's use digital sounds which come from 4 wavesets, each with 256 waveforms each. In effect, these digital sounds get an analog treatment for nicer, warmer and fatter tones. There are 4 RCO's per voice and wavesets can be added via PCMCIA-card.

The filter section is also a true analog design but with very modern features. It is a 4-pole filter but fully configurable with independent high pass and low pass features available. Create filters that range from the sounds of a Minimoog, to the squelchy 303. Filter settings can be stored in one of two scene memories and real-time Morphing between scenes can be accomplished.

As for modulation, JoMoX has devised a clever Routing System for the SunSyn, turning it into an 8-voice modular! It is used to virtually patch between various modules or parameters. There are up to 4 Routing Elements per voice with 4,096 possible combinations per Routing Element. Modulation paths are configured using the front panel display screens. This modular approach to signal routing is a feature usually found only on the huge, expensive classic Modular synths by ARP, E-mu, Moog and Buchla. Unlike those, however, the SunSyn features complete patch memory (350 patches and 150 multi-patches) and multitimbral MIDI implementation. Most parameters can be controlled by MIDI, and controller/editor templates for most sequencers will be, or already are available. As for output, there are stereo outs, 8 freely routable individual outs and a stereo input to run external audio through the Routing system."

Buchla 252e Polyrythmic Delays

video upload by Kent

"This is a tough one to write up and summarize. It certainly evolved into something rather different than intended.
The primary reason being that the 252e and/or 251e lost their programming twice! Twice for the 252e (the core of the show) and once for the 251e.
I’ve never had the Atmel products lose their minds like this before. I think that they are rather sensitive to low voltage conditions (brown outs) as they power up as this when they lost their minds. The currently loading preset gets scrambled or wiped. As can be see in the short ancillary video below, the 252e became unresponsive.
That’s two trips to the 10-panel case in order to be reflashed with firmware and three runs at programming the damn thing.

I was so exasperated that I nearly pulled everything so that I could start on the other 3 ideas that I wish to explore and execute. I did promise myself that I would endeavor to be less concerned with perfection and be more concerned with simply getting anything of interest out into the world. It doesn’t have to be novel. It doesn’t have to be world-changing. It just needs to get out there if there is even anything 51% interesting in the recording; I do have some standards after all!
I brewed up a double espresso and hit ‘record’.

It started as an E Minor progression with evolution to… Fuck if I know anymore. That stuff got deleted. I eventually threw in some Whole Tone stuff (especially noticeable toward the end) and smashed it all together in gobs of delay via new toys from X1L3: a Shard, an Underwurlde (messed up delay), and a circuit bent and high augmented with Korg MS20-ish circuits (plus a delay) drum machine that used to be a Yamaha DD-7. It is now a rather more interesting and useful X1L3 DDX.

Basically,
the BLUE rings on the 252e went to the upper macro oscillator of the 1979 DAO
The GREEN rings to the lower part of the DAO (ratcheted bell sounds)
Both using their internal VCAs, which I also used to modulate “Color” & “Timbre” at times.
Both voices went into the Analogue Systems RS-290 delay. The Blue voice also went, in parallel, to the Underwurlde which then went to the 290. It’s a cheat for keeping delay nonsense in synch even though the Underwurlde was hand synced to tempo.
RED rings were the 259e into a 292e LPG. Lots going on there and the Pendulum/Ratchet was acting as a burst generator. I was using the 251e for that but didn’t want program that again.

Studio.h

CSR doing its scaling job plus attenuation of audio signals along with manual muting of both audio and gates/triggers. Love it.
254e was being controlled by the Buchla 266e to quasi-randomly filter out some of the drum rolls/fills for the Green ring. It also had a manual Gate voltage connected to it so that I could inject tones into the X1L3 Shard.

Northern Light Modular 2TT
Taking the clock from a channel of the 251e and distributing it, mangling it, and doing its thing. All Eurorack connects to this as well.

X1L3 (pronounced “Exile”) DDX:
It provided percussion in 3/4 via Malekko Varigate 4. I also played it manually at times. It ran into the TipTop Áudio Z-DSP with the Valhalla “Shimmer” card but set to program #8 for pitched echo.

https://x1l3.bigcartel.com

Lots of Eurorack. Some mentioned specifically at the end of the video. I left out a lot as I wanted to get this video posted. Best Supporting Cast:
2x Folktek Matters. All Even Beat Count percussion.
Tyme Sefaris Mk1 & Mk2… Connected to Matters
Audio Damage (I know, right?!) Grainshifter on one of the Matters.
Lots of Eurorack sequencing.
As I look back on what was used, much of the processing was changed due to reprogramming things. All compression pulled and I just mixed it ‘live’ without multi-tracking.

Time to tear this patch down!"

Buchla 'Suitcase' System + Extras

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via this auction

"Complete portable 10U Buchla modular system in excellent condition. This system is akin to a Buchla Skylab with a bevy of extras: banana & audio cables, 1U boat, USB card, etc.

All in great shape excluding small scratch to paint on lid as shown. All modules should be running up-to-date firmware. No plans to break up the system. Thanks for looking!

Includes following:
(6) Buchla & Associates modules:
266e Source of Uncertainty
291e Triple Morphing Filter
206e Mixer/Preset Manager
230e Triple Envelope Tracker
250e Arbitrary Function Generator/Sequencer
259e Complex Oscillator
(2) BEMI half modules w/ bracket:
281h Dual Function Generator
292h Dual Lowpass Gate
(1) Studio.H Control Signal Router module
(1) EDV-Technik MUC810 Polyphonic Midi Converter module w/ DIY Altoids breakout box
(1) optional 1U boat, plate & PSU for MUC810
(1) Butcher 10U Easel-style case with detachable lid, power cable and extension cord
(1) Low Gain Electronics UTL-1/2 Format Jumbler Utility Box
(1) Buchla USB & Firmware card
(1) Buchla card jack
(2) Pomona patch cable holders (no mic stand included)
(35) banana CV cables 8"-36"
(4) shorting bars
(14) Tini-jax audio cables 8"-48"
(18) Tiptop stackable 1/8" cables
(2) Tini-Jax to 1/4" cable
(3) Buchla boxes (206e, 292h, 250e)
Assorted extra Rogan and Selco knobs"

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Model 416 Meta Expander V2

Model 416 Meta Expander V2 from gd2 on Vimeo.
Some Meta Patches on the new Model 416 Meta Expander.

With a surprise ending...

via http://guyd2.com/416/

"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.

Read on..." click through for additional details.

Pre-Orders on Muffs

"Two versions are available :

- Standalone, with Buchla-compatible 4U boat (by SaModular) and custom support stand (by CoverUp).
€1800 (euros), all in. (*)

- Panel, which is meant to be build into existing Buchla-compatible cabinets or boats.
€1650 (euros), all in. (*)"

Custom Buchla Electric Music Box / Music Easel

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

via this auction

"Expertly constructed portable Buchla modular system housed in a black metal Halliburton briefcase with tons of extras. Fully tested and fully functional.

-------------

System is composed of the following modules:

Buchla 208r rev2 - STORED PROGRAM SOUND SOURCE. Built with uA726s.

Buchla 258c - DUAL OSCILLATOR MODEL. Built with uA726s.

Eardrill ModuleModule Chassis containing Eardrill VCA, Eardrill ADSR, and Jason Butcher VCBF 291 style Buchla filter, modded with a white noise generator output.

Jason Butcher 2U touch plate controller / Buchla 216 style.

-------------

System is powered by one standard 120VAC US plug and has 2 additional 12V DC output ports to power accessories such as a mini mixer (included), etc., and a banana out grounding port for connecting things such as a Kenton Pro Solo MIDI/CV connector.

Also included are banana patch cables, dual banana patch plugs, miniplug cables, miniplug to 1/4" cables, banana to 1/8" adapters, copy of the original music easel manual, and 1 resistor socket prototyping 208 preset card, 1 breakout 208 preset card with enveloper auto looper circuit, and 3 blank 208 preset cards.

Asking $5575 OBO Philadelphia area. Free shipping to US only."

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JoMox Sunsyn Mk 1 Ultra Rare

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via this auction

"Ultra Rare SUNSYN Mk 1 In Pristine Condition

JoMoX has a very powerful and easy to use matrix Routing System for the SunSyn, turning it into an 8-voice modular monster synth with the most unique and esoteric sounds for modern talented (and wealthy) musicians.

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Buchla Music Easel aux card exploration

Published on Apr 27, 2018 Honeysmack

"Little noodle with the Music Easel and Aux card. Nice to get lost in the patch, beautiful machine.

Kick drum from the TR-09."

www.honeysmack.info

New Model 416 Meta Expander for the BEMI Buchla Music Easel

via guyd2.com

"The Model 416 Meta Expander is a fully-fledged, standalone breakout-box for the BEMI 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 by having several useful modules build in.

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.

A quick rundown of the Model 416 Meta Expander's capabilities:

Doubling the Easel's patch panel CV's (pitch, timbre, period, etc), with modulation depth controls. This then allows to modulate these parameters with [at least] two sources simultaneously.

Bringing out extra patch points not accessible on the Easel's patch panel. Full control over the Envelope's Attack, Sustain & Release. Voltage control over the Complex Osc's Waveshape Level. Access to all of the Sequencer's steps, and control over its number of Stages. Access to Random Voltages 3 & 4 (the Easel's patch panel only provides RV's 1 & 2).

Trigger inputs for the Sequencer, Envelope, Pulser & Random, opening up the Easel to external synchronisation.
Full voltage control over most of the Easel's switches.

In addition, the Model 416 Meta Expander offers extra custom-designed modules to vastly expand upon the Easel's features:

Two fast Comparators, with threshold control, for pulse generation, with both 3.5mm & banana inputs, separate outputs (2ms @ 10V), as well as a combined output (A+B). They can drive any triggerable module in the Easel.

A Noise module with White, Pink-ish and Slow-Varying Random outputs. Since White & Pink Noise are simultaneously available at Tini-jax & banana outputs, they can serve as both modulation- and audio sources. Slow Random is available at several patch points across the panel.

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Jomox Sunsyn Analog Synthesizer

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

"PERFECT working condition and in near perfect physical condition. There are a few scratches on the removable wood sides. This can be setup and installed on a rack mount or used as a tabletop. The bottons, lights, LED readout, silkscreen are all in perfect condition.

Jomox's first major analog real-time synthesizer. It's a true analog with 8 voices, 40 knobs, 42 buttons and 85 LED's!

The SunSyn features 2 analog oscillators (VCO's) per voice. The waveforms include sawtooth, square and pulse with pulsewidth-modulation. But in addition to these are the new Ramp Controlled Oscillators (RCO's). The RCOs follow the VCO characteristics like modulation, sync, tuning and frequency alterations. The RCO's use digital sounds which come from 4 wavesets, each with 256 waveforms each. In effect, these digital sounds get an analog treatment for nicer, warmer and fatter tones. There are 4 RCO's per voice and wavesets can be added via PCMCIA-card.

The filter section is also a true analog design but with very modern features. It is a 4-pole filter but fully configurable with independent high pass and low pass features available. Create filters that range from the sounds of a Minimoog, to the squelchy 303. Filter settings can be stored in one of two scene memories and real-time Morphing between scenes can be accomplished.

As for modulation, JoMoX has devised a clever Routing System for the SunSyn, turning it into an 8-voice modular! It is used to virtually patch between various modules or parameters. There are up to 4 Routing Elements per voice with 4,096 possible combinations per Routing Element. Modulation paths are configured using the front panel display screens. This modular approach to signal routing is a feature usually found only on the huge, expensive classic Modular synths by ARP, E-mu, Moog and Buchla. Unlike those, however, the SunSyn features complete patch memory (350 patches and 150 multi-patches) and multitimbral MIDI implementation. Most parameters can be controlled by MIDI, and controller/editor templates for most sequencers will be, or already are available. As for output, there are stereo outs, 8 freely routable individual outs and a stereo input to run external audio through the Routing system.

Actual pictures shown."

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208 ToolBox 09 Figure 21

Published on May 18, 2017 Todd Barton

"Continuing explorations of the Portabellabz' ToolBox card for the Buchla Music Easel. This time looking at the Allen Strange patch Figure 21 from his Easel Manual replicated using the Toolbox"

All parts here.

Buchla Easel Manual Patch 18

Published on May 9, 2017 Todd Barton

"With this patch I begin Part 2 of my series on Allen Strange's manual for the Buchla Easel. This section is devoted to Meta-Programming, i.e. using the Program Card to store and recall patches."

All parts here.

BEMI Easel Aux Card Overview Tutorials

Published on Mar 8, 2017 Todd Barton

"Here is the first batch of tutorials, or maybe best described as a video manual, for the new BEMI Easel Aux Card.

You can download the .pdf manual here: https://buchla.com/downloads/
Enjoy! http://toddbarton.com"

Playlist:
BEMI Easel Aux Card 01 Overview
BEMI Easel Aux Card 02 Audio Oscillator
BEMI Easel Aux Card 03 Mod Oscillator
BEMI Easel Aux Card 04 Tuning
BEMI Easel Aux Card 05 Pulse In
BEMI Easel Aux Card 06 Envelope CV
BEMI Easel Aux Card 07 To Card 1
BEMI Easel Aux Card 08 To Card 2
BEMI Easel Aux Card 09 Mod Osc Tip
BEMI Easel Aux Card 10 Timbre Tip
BEMI Easel Aux Card 11 Krell Card Patch
BEMI Easel Aux Card 12 Tip
BEMI Easel Aux Card 13 Noise Glitch Tip


Buchla Aux Card Experiments and Explorations

Published on Feb 28, 2017 Todd Barton

Playlist:
Buchla Easel Three Oscillators
BEMI Easel Aux Card Simple Patch
BEMI Aux Card Mod Switching

Jomox SunSyn version 2.02 Analog Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"Perfect working condition. The latest and best version 2.02

From the Jomox website:

'Jomox introduces their first major analog real-time synthesizer. It's a true analog with 8 voices housed in a classic looking desktop-style case with wood end-cheeks, 40 knobs, 42 buttons and 85 LED's! It's also rack-mountable if you prefer.

The SunSyn features 2 analog oscillators (VCO's) per voice. The waveforms include sawtooth, square and pulse with pulsewidth-modulation. But in addition to these are the new Ramp Controlled Oscillators (RCO's). The RCOs follow the VCO characteristics like modulation, sync, tuning and frequency alterations. The RCO's use digital sounds which come from 4 wavesets, each with 256 waveforms each. In effect, these digital sounds get an analog treatment for nicer, warmer and fatter tones.
There are 4 RCO's per voice and wavesets can be added via PCMCIA-card.

The filter section is also a true analog design but with very modern features. It is a 4-pole filter but fully configurable with independent high pass and low pass features available. Create filters that range from the sounds of a Minimoog, to the squelchy 303. Filter settings can be stored in one of two scene memories and real-time Morphing between scenes can be accomplished.

As for modulation, JoMoX has devised a clever Routing System for the SunSyn, turning it into an 8-voice modular! It is used to virtually patch between various modules or parameters. There are up to 4 Routing Elements per voice with 4,096 possible combinations per Routing Element. Modulation paths are configured using the front panel display screens. This modular approach to signal routing is a feature usually found only on the huge, expensive classic Modular synths by ARP, E-mu, Moog and Buchla. Unlike those, however, the SunSyn features complete patch memory (350 patches and 150 multi-patches) and multitimbral MIDI implementation. Most parameters can be controlled by MIDI, and controller/editor templates for most sequencers will be, or already are available. As for output, there are stereo outs, 8 freely routable individual outs and a stereo input to run external audio through the Routing system.'"

CLICK FOR MORE »