If you love technology, electronic music or synthesisers in particular, you certainly should know more about the iconic Buchla synthesisers that had a great impact on the music industry. In the previous article, we have discussed the advent of Buchla which was created by Donald Buchla.
This time, we are going to delve deeper into the design of this synthesiser.
Buchla 100 series
The very first Buchla synthesiser series was Buchla 100 series. It combined components like Envelope generators, Oscillators, Filters, VCA or Voltage Controlled Amplifiers and analogue sequencer modules.
With the modular patch system a composer or musician are able to alter the pitch, timber, amplitude, spatial location of the sound were a mind boggling leap. There were another feature of Buchla series that would certainly give you the out-of-this-world, futuristic vibe and in fact, it was way ahead of its time, the classic Buchla Touch and Pressure sensitive surface.
You are able to play the sound and control the Buchla by this exclusive and outstanding feature of the time. With this Subotnick was able to finish his magnificent piece of work done by using Buchla series 100, called ‘Silver Apples of The Moon” released in 1967 was a major breakthrough of Subotnick’s first electronic music. Another influential electronic work was done by Buffy Sainte Marie’s ‘Illumination’ released in 1969.
Buchla modular synthesiser subsequently released series of Buchla Modular synthesiser. The very first series was released in 1960s called ‘Buchla 100 series’. You won’t be able to identify the 100 series by looking at as one of Buchla since there is no label on it. Neither, name of Buchla nor the name of San Francisco Tape Music Center.
Buchla series 200 Electronic Music Box
In 1970s, emerged the classic ‘Buchla series 200 Electronic Music Box’. With 200 series an advance technological aspect was installed and replaced most of the old 100 series components. You are able to control almost any parameter by an external control voltage or CV.
Somewhere in the middle of 1970s, the genius mind of Buchla was still at his peak and with the result of experimenting with new emerging computer-controlled systems and digital technology, ‘Buchla 500 series’ and ‘Buchla 300 series’ were born. This was the magnificent hybrid analogue and digital system movement of the time.
The sound of Buchla echoes forever in the heart of classic decades like the 1960s, 1970s. You can check out the other worldly sound created by Buchla series from the albums mentioned above.