Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Volta with the Buchla 200e
YouTube via motuTV
"A demonstration of Volta controlling the Buchla 200e modular"
Volta Quadrature LFO
Volta First Look
15 comments:
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But... everyone knows that the 200e cannot play scales.
ReplyDeleteIt must be true because I read it over and over on the internet.
Sure it can. I order to learn how you just need this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.melbay.com/product.asp?ProductID=21775
Buchla - not just for bug music anymore.
ReplyDeleteDarn, I want a volta now.
The Volta is going to sell a lot of MOTU interfaces for sure. Its also going to make it easier for me to buy a 4 panel Buchla boat...
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the "not just for bug music anymore" comment is probably a joke, but just in case it's not, I feel that I should point out that the basic MIDI functionality that the 225e provides allows for most of the features in the demo, albeit not at audio rate. You've been able to play scales over MIDI on a 200e from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteA great shudder must have gone down Don Buchla's spine at the inception of that video.
ReplyDeleteWavedeform -
ReplyDeleteAgreed about the 200e and basic MIDI functionality. What Volta allows is to start (and integrate) a 200e system with a single module. A 261e can be useful without paying another $1200 for the MIDI decoder right up front. Plus, check out the portamento example, where I have the 261e and a non Buchla osc operating in unison with portamento. You can't do that with the MIDI decoder. Then, the ramp automation on top of that.
Mr. Array -
From a business perspective, Volta is nothing but good news for Buchla & Assoc as it lowers the barrier of entry from $10,000 for a basic system to $1700 (261e+boat). Think about it. What was once out of reach, can now be assembled module by module over time. There isn't that huge, up front investment. Personally, I could never have afforded my current eurorack system in one chunk. It only got to its current state over years of gradual accumulation. I like to think that Volta is a game changer in regards to the dream of Buchla ownership.
Oh, I'm all for expanding Buchla ownership. I was just referring to how the oscillator was actually being played :D
ReplyDeletefrom what I understood, with volta i could start a buchla system focusing on audio/audio dynamics/audio processing modules and avoid modules like 225e,250e,256e,266e and 281e...
ReplyDeletefor example a little 6-panel system with 261e(x2),291e, 285e,292e and 206e(for storing presets)...Am I wrong?
You're not exactly wrong, but I think you'll be missing a large-ish chunk of interactivity by relying on software to do things like envelopes & LFO's.
ReplyDeleteIf I was making this sort of decision, I would skip the 285e Freq Shifter or the 291e Triple Filter in order to get a 281e function generator.
Couldn't you use the Volta as the function generator?
ReplyDeleteSure you could, but it would not be nearly as interactive as having knobs and switches right there. The "danger" with something like Volta, is that it takes you out of the moment and sucks you back into the computer. I often have my fingers on several attack / decay knobs playing the rate/slope of LFOs. This sort of approach would be harder with something like Volta.
ReplyDeleteI recognize the irony of my taking this position, as I drive my Buchla with custom Max/MSP software. I use a funny little DJ control surface, though, and don't have to touch the computer much. My intent here is not to bash Volta. I think it is an interesting first step in a new direction.
in response to:
ReplyDelete"What was once out of reach, can now be assembled module by module over time. There isn't that huge, up front investment. Personally, I could never have afforded my current eurorack system in one chunk. It only got to its current state over years of gradual accumulation."
It seems kind of sad that saving up is not seen as a viable way to get something that is outside of a month or two of disposable income. If you could afford it piece by piece over a year or two, surely you could afford it in one chunk by saving for a year or two. Is it just that most people cant sit on a bit of savings without blowing it right away, or what? Seems very worthwile and rewarding to save up for a while for something really cool.
@nonymous
ReplyDeleteA 261e oscillator alone is $1400. That is a *single module* that is outside of 'a month or two' of disposable income for most people. A full 200e system costs as much as a car and you have to pay for it up front. How many people buy cars with cash? Buchla & Associates don't take credit cards.
Don't trivialize the magnitude of the expense, here. I don't see anything 'sad' about building a system gradually, on an installment plan, where someone could start using a module immediately while saving for the next. You can USE your investment, instead of using NOTHING. In this industry, you never know when something will be discontinued unexpectedly (259e) or have the prices increased (it happens) I fail to understand how anyone could not see the benefit of this.
i agree about the saving being worth it. too many people cant sit on money long enough to save up for truly amazing gear. I work at wal-mart for gods sake and im ordering the fifth module of my buchla system later this week. you just have to be patient.
ReplyDelete