Question about Easel Program Card

[Javier_modular]

Hi Buchla folks,
I am doing some research before deciding to take the shot on Buchla Easel command or the new easel, anyway, my question is about saving patches. I know that with the program card you can upload patches and I have seen videos on YouTube and it seems like it work exactly as it should, you choose a preset, press recall in the program card and your patch is loaded in the easel. But, how can we save the patches we make in the easel physically? I mean, I make a patch in the easel and I want to save it to the program card, is there a save button in the program card? Or do I have to remake the patch in the software in order to saved to the program card and then load it to easel? Can please some new program cards owner tell me how this work? Cheers!

[TheSynth]

Hello Javier,

No save button on the physical program card, any new preset must be done via Buchla’s software app, then loaded to the card for recalling. I had this same question before purchasing the card, and Buchla confirmed it.

I know it would be nice to be patching, and saving presets on the fly without using the app, and perhaps this could become a new feature through firmware updates, but for now, new presets can only be saved and loaded with the app.

Another options is the use of their retro programming cards with resistors,fun but that’s a whole different approach.

[Javier_modular]

Hello Javier,

No save button on the physical program card, any new preset must be done via Buchla’s software app, then loaded to the card for recalling. I had this same question before purchasing the card, and Buchla confirmed it.

I know it would be nice to be patching, and saving presets on the fly without using the app, and perhaps this could become a new feature through firmware updates, but for now, new presets can only be saved and loaded with the app.

Another options is the use of their retro programming cards with resistors,fun but that’s a whole different approach.

Hi and thanks for the quick reply, I see, is not optimal, but maybe like you said can be incorporated in a firmware later, but, if I make a patch and then connect the easel, with the card inserted of course, can the software read the cable connections and switch and fader positions ? So is just a matter of connecting to the app and saving then?

[TheSynth]

It is the other way around, from app to instrument. So, for new patches/presets, have the command and card connected to the app, and use the app to notice changes in the instrument (sound changes, not physical movement of switches/faders). I think the focus of the new program card is the use of their app, at least for now.

Here’s the link to the manual: https://buchla.com/guides/Buchla_PM_Manual_v1.0.pdf

[Javier_modular]

It is the other way around, from app to instrument. So, for new patches/presets, have the command and card connected to the app, and use the app to notice changes in the instrument (sound changes, not physical movement of switches/faders). I think the focus of the new program card is the use of their app, at least for now.

Here’s the link to the manual: https://buchla.com/guides/Buchla_PM_Manual_v1.0.pdf

I see, that is a bit of shame, because that means that in order to save the patch you have to start “patching” in the app, which is not very inspiring, dragging cables with a mouse . Or maybe you can make the patch in the easel and then replicate it in the software and the load it to the easel.. ?..

[TheSynth]

I get your point,I would also like to be able to patch on the easel and save it right there, but it is a matter of preference and plenty of folks (app oriented), like the virtual patching a lot.

Yes, you could patch on the easel, and replicate it on the app pretty quick, save it and load it as a preset.

It has potential for future firmware updates, so let’s see if Buchla allows for the easel to control the app in future updates.

[Javier_modular]

I get your point,I would also like to be able to patch on the easel and save it right there, but it is a matter of preference and plenty of folks (app oriented), like the virtual patching a lot.

Yes, you could patch on the easel, and replicate it on the app pretty quick, save it and load it as a preset.

It has potential for future firmware updates, so let’s see if Buchla allows for the easel to control the app in future updates.

I certainly hope so! I am really attracted to the sound of the easel, so I am almost there to buy it. Thanks for the link of the manual by the way :-).

[SonicAdventurer]

Sorry for disappointing you, but your wishes will never happen. Even if it would be nice, it is physically impossible.

First: the Music Easel (208e as well as 208c) is an analogue instrument. There is no firmware (except for the MIDI processing unit in 208c or in the 218e). There is no digital part monitoring switches or sliders (as in the 200e world) or detecting patch connections.

Second: according to my rough understanding it works as follows: there is a second circuit in the Easel, where resistors with their values act as switch or slider positions (and patch connections) through the Edge Connector, if in remote mode. And the digital Program Card does nothing else than the original Program Cards with resistors, simulating these resistor values and connections. Thus you can inject a patch (created elsewhere), but there is no possibility for the Easel to report/send the position of its switches and sliders or patch connections. This information doesn't exist and can therefore never be send to a program outside.

[Javier_modular]

Sorry for disappointing you, but your wishes will never happen. Even if it would be nice, it is physically impossible.

First: the Music Easel (208e as well as 208c) is an analogue instrument. There is no firmware (except for the MIDI processing unit in 208c or in the 218e). There is no digital part monitoring switches or sliders (as in the 200e world) or detecting patch connections.

Second: according to my rough understanding it works as follows: there is a second circuit in the Easel, where resistors with their values act as switch or slider positions (and patch connections) through the Edge Connector, if in remote mode. And the digital Program Card does nothing else than the original Program Cards with resistors, simulating these resistor values and connections. Thus you can inject a patch (created elsewhere), but there is no possibility for the Easel to report/send the position of its switches and sliders or patch connections. This information doesn't exist and can therefore never be send to a program outside.

I see, that is a bit disappointing, but is it possible to use the software (make a patch in the app) without connecting the app to the card and the easel?

[tarandfeathers]

Sorry for disappointing you, but your wishes will never happen. Even if it would be nice, it is physically impossible.

Second: according to my rough understanding it works as follows: there is a second circuit in the Easel, where resistors with their values act as switch or slider positions (and patch connections) through the Edge Connector, if in remote mode. And the digital Program Card does nothing else than the original Program Cards with resistors, simulating these resistor values and connections. Thus you can inject a patch (created elsewhere), but there is no possibility for the Easel to report/send the position of its switches and sliders or patch connections. This information doesn't exist and can therefore never be send to a program outside.

Actually, it would theoretically be possible, if you put the 208 into both mode, and the card were capable of switching its outputs into high impedance inputs, to detect the slider and switch positions and store them, but this would have to be designed into the hardware of the card and I doubt that is the case, because 1) it would add considerable cost and complexity, and 2) because if Buchla had done this I would expect "in a future version saving current settings will be possible" to be part of the marketing of the card, which it is not.

So, it would be possible for a device to do this, but not the current card offered by Buchla.

[SonicAdventurer]

I see, that is a bit disappointing, but is it possible to use the software (make a patch in the app) without connecting the app to the card and the easel?

Yes, it is possible to create patches in the App without being connected to the card (of course without hearing the sound results), if I remember correctly. You can then later load them to the card.

Likewise you can tweak sound parameters in realtime if connected to the card, thus create sounds with direct acoustic feedback.

[Javier_modular]

I see, that is a bit disappointing, but is it possible to use the software (make a patch in the app) without connecting the app to the card and the easel?

Yes, it is possible to create patches in the App without being connected to the card (of course without hearing the sound results), if I remember correctly. You can then later load them to the card.

Likewise you can tweak sound parameters in realtime if connected to the card, thus create sounds with direct acoustic feedback.

Alright, this is definitely a cool thing, making the patch in the app without listening and then testing in the Easel command can give for some surprises :-)