Buchla 100

Messing around on a Buchla 100 during restoration.
This instrument belongs to Tom of The Chemical Brothers and was built in the late 1960's.
It's one of two cabinets, the other now being finished.
It is an all discrete analog machine with not a single IC inside.
Even the sequencer is an all transistor design.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Buchla
• vintage
• synthesizer
• analog
• modular
• Chemical Brothers

[feedthebear51]

I have seen a lot of these analog synthesizers on youtube. But guys, why no one post a video with a real music song composed by these excelent devices?

[Synthfool]

I can't speak for others, but I'm a tech, not a composer.

These videos are simply for those that might never see or hear one,

Thank you for your comment.

I agree with you very much.

[sleestack808]

how much would this system cost?

[Synthfool]

This particular system, including purchase and all service cost about $34,000.

Crating, shipping and all that was extra.

Silly, I know.

But that's supply and demand.

There's very few of these in the world and they're still less than some vintage guitars. ;-)

[sleestack808]

what modular do you think sounds as close to the buchla 100?

[Synthfool]

You'll probably laugh, but with the older Buchlas being so crude and all, the closest tone-wise I've found is the old Paia modular stuff.

They're not made or designed nearly as well as the Buchlas, but do share some of the same tonal qualities.

Don is a brilliant engineer and it was the 200 line that, for me anyways, showed off some of that brilliance first. The 100 line is just too crude for me.

Still a lot of fun though and some amazing sounds possible.

[MrCamelneck]

Nice equipment and interesting sounds.

You should call this piece "Sounds of a Strangled Seal"! :)

[MrCamelneck]

@Synthfool

If you ever need your Buchla serviced, I've heard of this guy that live in Southern California called Kevin Lightner who suppose to be a real whiz at servicing and restoring Buchlas, Moogs, ARPs, etc. :)

[MrCamelneck]

@feedthebear51

Unlike Moog and ARP synths, which were more popular amongst conventional musicians, Buchla synths were/are used for creating weird noises. This includes noises and sound effects like you hear in the soundtrack of a film or a TV show. Most of the early Buchla synths didn't even have keyboards (or at least conventional keyboards). More often than not, they were triggered by sequencers and/or other modules.

[OChemLabs]

@feedthebear51 Buchla 200e is Deadmau5's main analog synth

[OChemLabs]

@Synthfool Buchla 200e is Deadmau5's main analog synth



[0octave]

@feedthebear51 hear deadmau5's tracks!

[gavincurtis]

Ahhhh..... nothing more comforting than knobs and sliders :)

[radiokid2]

Love this stuff...it was such a HANDS ON experience....also,a little grass didn't hurt either..!

[gryflett]

I was on the Buchla 100 from the very beginning at 321 then at Mills. I liked the 100 because it was crude and made much more interesting earthy sounds, which the 200 couldn't do.

gryflett