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.
NEW Buchla modular system produced...
Now I know why good analog design is a dying fieldMy 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!!!!
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.
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.
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.
I spoke to Don Buchla the other day and he said it should be no problem to add some of his system 200e modules to the Voyager via the 351 and 251. Check out some of the Buchla system 200e modules there are some very good descriptions of what they will do on the website. They sound very wild with names like the "Dual Arbitrary Function Generator", and the "Source of Uncertainty" Modules. He will create a power-supply "boat" as he called it, which will allow room for several modules and several expansions, and its not $20,000. You can add on as you can afford them. Wow! Moog and Buchla together in one synth!!!
Imagine...
www.buchla.com
Sunsinger
Imagine...
www.buchla.com
Sunsinger
"Work with what you've got" Eno