Wow this looks incredable.
http://buchla.com/200e/index.html
Will it work with the Voyager? It must be able too…
$20,000
I would still like to have one.
buchla equip. costs way too much
For all those in Europe interested in the Buchla 200e, rlmusic.co.uk has just been apointed Exclusive UK and European dealer. There will be a fully populated 200e at RL’s offices in Reading shortly.
A very interesting machine, more complex and chaotic in it’s sound creation then a moog . . . perhaps we’ll see a new modular from Bob sometime soon?
Mal
I think they are a bit too expensive. If Richard is going to have a “display model” then I wouldn’t mind having a go on it.
Boeing
If you compare a Buchla 200e to an all-in-one polysynth then yes the price seems to be very expensive but remember this is a very high end modular system with feature not found on ANY OTHER SYSTEM.
You only have to weigh up some of the features to understand where your money goes . . just think about a modular system where all patch cord positions could be saved and recalled with the preset (This is posible with the 210e and 225e modules). This is a real “audio lab in a box” . . . set it up and the thing will compose and play all by itself!
What do you think a 35 year old Moog Modular would go for now? The Buchla comes in cheaper (only just though).
mal
Just to be specific, it can only store knob settings and switches, not the actual routings of patch cords. You’re going to have to use your digital camera for this 
In all, the mid priced system looks the best deal. Plus I read that Buchla hinted at the posibility of future modules being developed for the 200e.
I just wish there were some samples up or a freakin manual.
Buchla is very cool stuff indeed and you can find some exotic modules but the same goes true for Serge. As a matter of fact I consider these two Serge first and Buchla second, to be the best modulars. Really amazing.
Yannis
Just to be specific, it can only store knob settings and switches, not the actual routings of patch cords. You’re going to have to use your digital camera for this
monads
That’s not true . . . if you use the 210e and you permantly wire it as a matrix switcher, so a patch cord goes from each I/O array to the relevant other modules I/O then the 225e preset manager will remember the routing per preset . . . with enough 210e’s in the system it should be possible to control all the routing of the complete system meaning you’ll never have to re-patch it.
Moog had a system almost like this in the early days (a manual version) where it was possible to seperate a sound out through a “programmer” module . . Keith Emerson uses 6 of these modules in his monster moog, you can then switch from one set of patches to another via these 6 modules (so 6 sounds) . . . trouble is you have to have enough modules in the system to make up multiple sounds . . . so you would have to have 12 VCO’s, 12 enevelope generators, 6 filters etc, etc to make up 6 simple 2 VCO lead sounds. On Keiths system you can see different coloured patch cords for each preset sound.
Mal
Correct. But then the faq goes on to say the “210e Router can store and recall interconnection data for a small number of patches”? This left me confused. You’re right, you’d probably need additional 210e’s because on the CV section 5 outputs and 8 inputs is limited. At $1,250 a pop is it really worth it? I already find the 225e 50 preset manager a setback. Granted it’s amazing an option is even available but I already thought the Voyager was harsh for only allowing 128 recallable presets. Start adding more 210e’s and we’re getting up there and that’s not including patch cords or sales tax if you live in Cali.
I get the impression that the type of person buying this system won’t have to worry about cost and will rack up the modules they need . . . in multiples! For the likes of the rest of us I think the Voyager, or similar semi modular synth is much better value.
Mal
Don Buchla is such a maverick designer that many of his modules were pioneer stuff. Just when every modular maker comes up dry on new module ideas, Don comes from left field with the 210e and 255e modules. It was one of those things that made you slap yourself and say “why didn’t I think of that?!?”
Who else makes the equivalent of the 210e and 255e for modular synths? No one. With that kind of brilliant design, the price is worth it.
Look at the 249e Dual Arbitrary Function Generator - a two channel embedded version of the old 248 MARF. It is a high powered sequencer that includes time transients between stages, so it be used to generate complex envelopes, complex sequences, it can be used as a quantizer, and it has voltage control of stages. That last feature is rare but powerful - you drive a ramp input and it cycles between the stages; crank the ramp frequency high enough to get the stage cycling in the audio range and you have a VCO with the stages defining the waveshape.
This is a module with multiple uses - Don’s design philosophy for years. That’s worth the money he is asking for that module.
And the 259e Complex Oscillator - one serious VCO. Don takes nonlinear electronics to the max to provide controls for timbre that you won’t find on any other VCO. Basically it is a combination LFO/VCO with FM and waveshape modulation - but with waveshape in the form of two timbre controls so you can get the basic VCO waveforms and modulate them to get complex waveforms. I have had flight time with a Buchla Music Easel which had a Complex Oscillator, and trust me when I say you don’t need a filter with one of these.
Here’s another seemingly plain module - the 281e quad EG. Ah, but you can cascade each EG to get complex envelopes. Don provides pulse outputs at the final decay stage so you can trigger other events like gating sequencers and stuff. The EGs can be looped to get complex LFO waveshapes. There is also a quadrature mode which can be used in LFO mode - quadrature LFO waves are very handy for modulation sources on VCO and VCFs when processing stereo signals.
Don’s expertise is designing modules with multiple uses to them. And you thought “dual use” exports to foreign countries were dangerous 
Buchla and Associates must have price in mind otherwise they wouldn’t offer three suggested configurations. Just offer the bid daddy 20k unit and that’s it! You either can afford it or not. The fact that it’s Buchla, and his designs are esoteric, just makes you want to pick one up and learn/experiment. All I really wanted was Alan Pearlman to return to the game and update his 2600 
Hey Michael
I hope you got permission to use those photos from RL Music (and Don!)
(only kidding!)
Mal
Yes I did Mal, it cost me $20K for the permission to use those photos
. . . so far, does that mean 2 people have bought a 200e? 
Mal
I was completely unaware Don Buchla wa still making modulars!!!
When i clicked on the link to the 200e page of his site i nearly shat ma pants!
That thing is beautiful (but expensive)!
I’m an electrical engineering student down in Florida and got into the program because of the inspiration of synth mavricks like Don and Bob.
My intention is to follow in their footsteps and eventually build my own systems.
My professors at school hate the fact that every project i build for their classes are in someway related to the developement of analog (or perhaps digital) sound synthesis.
In fact, my electronics II professor shot down my idea to build an audio oscillator for the project in his class and the situation has gotten ugly and become personal!!!
Sorry for the rant! Anyway, does anyone know of a really good resource (i.e. books or websites) regarding the design of analog or digital synthesizers. Any help would be very much appreciated!
Best wishes and continue to VOYAGE on.
My professors at school hate the fact that every project i build for their classes are in someway related to the developement of analog (or perhaps digital) sound synthesis.
In fact, my electronics II professor shot down my idea to build an audio oscillator for the project in his class and the situation has gotten ugly and become personal!!!
Now I know why good analog design is a dying field 
You need to find a better school!!!
Try the Synth DIY search engine http://www.retrosynth.com/synth-diy/index.html
And at the bottom of this page are links to DIY circuits from knowledgeable synth DIYers http://www.till.com/articles/synthresources/index.html
One of the best books on analog and digital synth circuit design is Hal Chamberlin’s “Music Applications for Microprocessors”. A must read for understand hybrid synths like Prophet-5, Memorymoog, Oberheim, and Roland polysynths. http://www.directtextbook.com/prices/0810457687
Don Lancaster’s “Filter Cookbook” and Walter Jung’s “Opamp Cookbook” are still great resources.
You’ll also want a copy of Horowitz and Hill’s “The Art of Electronics” http://www.artofelectronics.com/
If you’re trying to comprehend the unorthodox and non-linear circuits of Don Buchla, good luck! 
Don has always designed synths for educational institutions. He has never been into mass production (or relatively so). As a result, his prices are very high…but not too high for universities with deep pockets and profs who can write up good requests showing a need for esoteric components.
University professors (and students) are often looking for unique sound creation, modification, and interface tools. The most interesting one I ever saw was designed by a prof I had at UCSD. Basically, it was an EEG device that translated brainwaves into voltages that could be used to modify voltage-controlled devices. The result was that he could quite literally control aspects of the synth directly by his brain.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying he’s always designed his instruments for educational institutions. Analog circuitry/components aren’t cheap period. Didn’t Don say somewhere he had no interest in updating or releasing a new modular/synth? Maybe he’s jealous of Bob’s anniversary
If anyone wants to hear some Buchla sounds from his early modulars, check out works by Morton Subotnick, “Silver Apples on the Moon”, “The Wild Bull”, etc. You’ll get a general idea.
I read about that brainwave/voltage instrument. Very weird, yet interesting.
Didn’t Don say somewhere he had no interest in updating or releasing a new modular/synth?
Yes he did - at winter NAMM2000. I was there and I saw him utter those words when he was giving a seminar at the Audities/Big City Music vintage keyboard display.
“Famous last words”