Ode to Gravity: Introducing the Buchla 700 (March 21, 1988)

"Donald Buchla's newest synthesizer, the 700, is introduced to the San Francisco community at a gathering held at the Sake Factory. Charles Amirkhanian interviews the inventor as well as numerous local composers about their experiences with Buchla's creations while we hear in the background people trying out the newest version."


via http://www.archive.org/details/OTG_1988_03_21 via ghostdog

Shasta Cults - Buchla Touché Waveshapes

Published on Apr 8, 2018 Shasta Cults

This is the first video ever featuring the graphic output of the Buchla Touché waveshapes, from currently the ONLY Buchla Touché with the ability to display them. This is as rare as it gets in the synth world.

"The Touché uses non linear wave shaping for timbre generation, same as the 360, 400, 700 and 259e (a distortion based wave shaping technique).  It has 9 native  wave shape tables (6 user programmable). A sine wave is generated digitally and then sent through the selected table. Timbre is effected by the amplitude of the sine wave, so it accents high and low harmonics more, based on sine wave level.  Timbre modulation was Don Buchla's wave shape technique. This particular Touché is a development model that will display wave shapes, as well as allow you can program your own…  if you can figure it out." See this page for some technical info on Waveshaping from ussb.edu.

The following was composed on the Touché using sine waves.



You can find previous posts featuring the rare Buchla Touché here.

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."

October by Shasta Cults

All Buchla 400 EP from Shasta Cults, available on Bandcamp and Hard Wax.

Shasta Cults recently released Configurations featuring the Buchla 700. Excellent album BTW.

Image of the Buchla 400 below via @buchla_archives

Roland System 700・Moog Modular IIIP・Buchla / Tokyo University of the Arts

Published on Dec 6, 2019

"「電子楽器100年展」企画「電子楽器プレシャス・コンサート」会場（東京藝術大学 第6ホール）にて。Roland System 700・Moog Modular IIIP・Buchlaのデモンストレーション。"

Googlish:

"At the" Electronic Musical Instruments Precious Concert "venue (Tokyo University of the Arts, Hall 6) Demonstration of Roland System 700, Moog Modular IIIP, and Buchla. "

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

What do These Have in Common?

Oberheim OB-Mx and Buchla 700

Note the OB-Mx pictured is the original pre-production design.

Update: aside from both of them being designed by Don Buchla.

Update: quad and rick got it in the comments. The connection is:

Lynx Crow

Scroll down to the two posts with the corresponding individual image. The other posts mention Lynx as well.

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"

Uber Studio

via sequencer.de where you will find more.

Check out the red Synton Syrinx minus keys, Blue Syrinx, and the Buchla wall!!!

Three 200es, a System 100 and the uber rare Buchla 700 on top of a Rhodes Chroma.

I spot an Oberheim OB-Mx in the rack as well.

What is the synth in the stand behind the red Synton Syrinx, under the Yamaha VL1? It's not a Waldorf Q.


Update: vid Brandon:It's an Alesis Andromeda A6. Gleeman Pentaphonic clear to the right of the Syrinx's

Memorymoog behind the VL1.

SmartAV Tango Control Surface 2

YouTube via audiomidicom.

Not directly synth related, but I'm curious if anything is assignable.

"Houston Haynes demos SmartAV's large-format touch screen surface mixer controller with Steinberg Nuendo. Part two of two. Call audioMIDI.com at (866) 286-4601 for more info!"

reminds me of the Buchla 700 - similar color scheme

SmartAV Tango Control Surface

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.

Buchla 700 - working!

flickr By rick604
(click for more)

Synthesizer Von Gestern - Roland System 700 Recording

This one via Jeff and Mark Pulver on AH. The direct link to the recording is here, courtesy of Jeff and posted on the MIDIWall gear page by Mark Pulver. Be sure to check out the MIDIWall gear page for more synth goodness. You might recognize the name Synthesizer Von Gestern from these prior posts.

Update via peterwendt in the comments:
"Great. I have the vol. 1 and vol. 2 CDs that include this track. I love listening to them and I think they give a good account of the characters of the instruments that I know. Vol. 2 includes the System 700 and a wonderful performance by Oskar Sala on his Mixtur-Trautonium.

There is a vol. 3 disc that I really want (Buchla, Prophet VS, ...).

The German CD label has interesting pages on the CDs and the project here:
http://www.originaltonwest.de/vintage%20synths%20vol.1.html
http://www.originaltonwest.de/vintage%20synths%20vol.2.html
http://www.originaltonwest.de/vintage%20synths%20vol.3.html

Dang. If only I had bought that System 700 cheap in Japan."

links also via Jeff on AH.

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.

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."

id700 Virtual Buchla 700 Update Coming

via @modoscdesigns

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

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.

Buchla 700 - first wave shape table by Shasta Cults

Published on Dec 29, 2017 Shasta Cults

"just a little trailer to celebrate my 1st wave shape table"

Zoom Sequencer Rhythm Machine 5317

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

via this auction

This one almost deserves the Synth Rorschach label. Reminds me of a Buchla 700 meets Behringer mixer.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Electric Parade

Title link takes you to Electric Parade's MySpace page. I obviously found this via the previous post. You'll find tracks featuring Serge and Buchla 700. Be sure to check out his pics if you have a MySpace account.