Starting a Small Buchla System

[rattlework]

I'm thinking of starting a small Buchla rack and eventually moving to a 18 panel case if all goes well.

261e
225e
281e
292e
201e - 4
201e - 4u

I'm not sure on the last module: 250e, 259e, 291 or 266e (i will eventually purchase them all but not to start out $$$)
I'm leaning more toward a 259e at the moment.

Also I should be able to get a sync from Ableton Live or SilentWay which is a priority to integrate this into my current computer setup.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[sandyb]

i'd think if you're going to be using silentway then a 291e would be a good move. lots to that module and it doesn't really replicate stuff that you could use software control for initially. for example the cv produced by a 266e could be approximated in your computer and sent via midi/silentway to the buchla system.

sandy

[prototek]

I think the there's one module in the 200e line that is obligatory for small systems (that is besides at least one oscillator) and it's the 291e. Every thread on here about small 200e systems mention the 291e. For good reason too! I would say that it's one of the most sonically diverse modules in the series. If I was starting small I would want modules that pack as much sonic "character" as possible. The 291e fits the bill. You can do some amazing stuff just with a 259e/261e + 291e.

[Oxix52]

I think the there's one module in the 200e line that is obligatory for small systems (that is besides at least one oscillator) and it's the 291e. Every thread on here about small 200e systems mention the 291e. For good reason too! I would say that it's one of the most sonically diverse modules in the series. If I was starting small I would want modules that pack as much sonic "character" as possible. The 291e fits the bill. You can do some amazing stuff just with a 259e/261e + 291e.

I very much agree with this statement.

[richardm123uk]

I agree on the 291e for a small system. I am still finding new stuff about this module and alone it makes an incredible drone machine. If you are going with a 291e in a small syatem just make sure you have a module with the preset function as it would be a pain to program from scratch every time you turn on the system (looks like you are going for the 225e so you will be fine).

[dkcg]

I agree on the 291e for a small system. I am still finding new stuff about this module and alone it makes an incredible drone machine. If you are going with a 291e in a small syatem just make sure you have a module with the preset function as it would be a pain to program from scratch every time you turn on the system (looks like you are going for the 225e so you will be fine).

I find the 291e easier to control with a 256e. If you're feeding the 291e CVs after you have the 291e programmed and running a sequence it can get out of hand sometimes without some attenuated CVs. Dngerously out of hand, I almost blew out my ears the other night just by plugging in a envelope and not being careful with my ranges.

For a small start, I'd get an oscillator 259e if you like sharper sounds, 261e if you like FM style sine sounds. a 281e, a 292e, and the 225e will give you a lot to play with and give you the "buchla sound" and a very nice voice. If you don't use midi too much, the 225e could be kind of a waste of space. I love using my Monomachine with the 225e, the LFOs work pretty well, even through midi, and the setup in the 225e is simple to set up, and works pretty well.

[jonkull]

As a small system owner myself (259e, 266e, 281e, 292e and 291e) I have to agree with the 291e. The 266e, 281e and 292e are kind of like necessary evils but it's the 259e and especially 291e that make the system worth it (for me at least).

As far as Silent Way goes I haven't had good results with it to be honest but it may just be me doing something wrong. Works great with my euro system and Voyager though.

[jfloftin]

I am considering a very small Buchla system myself. I recently went to a friend's house out of town and demo'd his system. I have an Animal panel. I used the 250e as a sequencer and it worked great. For tuning I could just use my strobe tuner or purchase a quantitizer...
James

[rattlework]

I finally ordered a system. Thanks all for your help.

The system will include:
261e
225e
281e
292e
201e - 4
201e - 4u

And the 291e after all the recommendations.

The wait seems to be around 3 months. This is going to be tough.

[bwhittington]

I finally ordered a system. Thanks all for your help.

The system will include:
261e
225e
281e
292e
201e - 4
201e - 4u

And the 291e after all the recommendations.

The wait seems to be around 3 months. This is going to be tough.

Help me here, I'm counting 5 modules and a four-space boat?

Cheers,
Brian

[dkcg]

I see 2 boats, one powered, one unpowered.

Congrats! 3 months will pass sooner than you think, maybe in time for the holidays.

[bwhittington]

I see 2 boats, one powered, one unpowered.

Screw loose!

[prscrptn]

Sounds like a great start; but with a 225e you should not need anything else for sync, unless you just want to use Silentway for additional modulation sources...

[rattlework]

I finally ordered a system. Thanks all for your help.

The system will include:
261e
225e
281e
292e
201e - 4
201e - 4u

And the 291e after all the recommendations.

The wait seems to be around 3 months. This is going to be tough.

I can hardly believe it but my system arrived today way ahead of schedule. I guess those delivery times are a worst case scenario. Now I need to spend a lot of time experimenting to get to know what I can do with it. I also now have more questions.

[solaris]

Hi all,
I venture to take advantage of this thread to ask a little question: there's no need for a mixer, even if it's a small system?

[Oxix52]

Hi all,
I venture to take advantage of this thread to ask a little question: there's no need for a mixer, even if it's a small system?

The 292e and the 291e both have "all" outputs that combine the signals. You don't get any panning but it works good. Of course, you can always use a regular mixer or multichannel sound card.

[solaris]

Hi all,
I venture to take advantage of this thread to ask a little question: there's no need for a mixer, even if it's a small system?

The 292e and the 291e both have "all" outputs that combine the signals. You don't get any panning but it works good. Of course, you can always use a regular mixer or multichannel sound card.

Thank you for this answer - i'm trying to figure out a minimal+ideal configuration. A Buchla is on my want list since years...

[tesla]

note if you want the buchla sound and so the ringing bongo style sounds you need the 291e,its not the 292e that will give you this effect.

[sandyb]

note if you want the buchla sound and so the ringing bongo style sounds you need the 291e,its not the 292e that will give you this effect.

i think you have your numbers muddled up

the 292e quad dynamics manager is the lpg module that gives you the characteristic ringing.

the 291e is the triple morphing filter.

[tesla]

Hmm,i don't have a 292e only the 291e (but i have LPG in other format),when i set the freq at 31 and BW at 100 on the 291e and throw some pulses into the Freq. controls its exaclty that bongo ringing sound i have

[dkcg]

Many ways to buchla bongo.

I like the FMed oscillator/292e/pluck with a 281e or pulse from 250e method. Filter after the 292e also sounds quite nice.

[Oxix52]

The 291e can do a good job on its own, but sending that through a stage of the 292e and then triggering it in sync with the 291e will give you that nice ringing thump.

[Oxix52]

Many ways to buchla bongo.

I like the FMed oscillator/292e/pluck with a 281e or pulse from 250e method. Filter after the 292e also sounds quite nice.

Oh yeah, filters in series! 8_) Sounds great! You end up running out of 281e stages quickly, though...

[dkcg]

Many ways to buchla bongo.

I like the FMed oscillator/292e/pluck with a 281e or pulse from 250e method. Filter after the 292e also sounds quite nice.

Oh yeah, filters in series! 8_) Sounds great! You end up running out of 281e stages quickly, though...

I get by using the 255 with some processing in the 256e when I run out of 281e channels. The 291e is an odd beast. Still taming mine.

[sandyb]

Hmm,i don't have a 292e only the 291e (but i have LPG in other format),when i set the freq at 31 and BW at 100 on the 291e and throw some pulses into the Freq. controls its exaclty that bongo ringing sound i have

ah - always good to learn new stuff. no 291e here yet.
sounds like the best plan is to buy them all!