Buchla Lightning MIDI controller with 2 wands

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via this auction

"The very rare MIDI controller was designed and hand built by synethizer pioneer Don Buchla in 1991. The BUCHLA LIGHTNING is a unique MIDI controller that senses the position and movement of handheld wands and transforms this information to MIDI signals for expressive control of electronic musical instruments. The full set of pictures can be found here

Don Buchla stopped making synthesizers between 1990 and 2000 and started making amazing and unique MIDI controllers. These included the Lightning, the Thunder control surface, the Piano Bar, and the Marimba Lumina. This model here, the first Lightning, was the start of this journey.

First produced in 1991, I bought this unit (serial # 1037) from the original owner in 1993 with the original infra-red rings. I then bought a pair of brand new, upgraded "wands" from Don Buchla in 1998. (The rings no longer work and are not included in the sale.) Don Buchla himself gave this unit a tune-up (replacing batteries, etc) in 2003. I have used it carefully and sparingly. I just tested it today and it works like a charm. This package includes the Lightning itself, two (left/right) "wands," the original manual, and the power supply. Oh, also the original box it came in, with Buchla's return address on it (a PO box).

Please note that this is the original LIGHTNING, not the Lightning II or III, and is strictly a midi controller. This unit does NOT make any sound on it's own but can control any midi instrument or software synth via midi. It can work with any MIDI hardware instrument, any computer (with a MIDI to USB cable) and even an iOS devise (with the right connectors).

The bulk of LIGHTNING's electronics is housed in a metal cabinet designed to be mounted on a standard mike stand in front of a performer. Based on principles of optical triangulation, LIGHTNING gathers its information by tracking tiny infrared transmitters that are built into baton-like wands. Unencumbered by wires, these wands provide complete freedom of movement within a performance space.

Basically, LIGHTNING senses the horizontal and vertical position of each hand, for a total of four independent coordinates. From this information, LIGHTNING’s digital signal processor computes instantaneous velocity and acceleration, and performs detailed analysis of gesture. An easily mastered, musically oriented interface language allows the user to define relationships between various gestures and potential musical responses.

Frankly, it's not often you find a piece of electronic music gear that works great AND will increase in value. I am offering free shipping to the 48 contiguous states."

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Buchla Mother Load 1989-2019

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via this auction

Buchla Lightning II
Buchla Thunder
Buchla Marimba Lumina Gold
Nearfield Marimba Lumina 2.5
Buchla LEM Spider
Buchla 206e
Buchla 218e
Buchla 210e
Buchla 223e
Buchla 225e
Buchla 227e
Buchla 250e
Buchla 256e
Buchla 261e (X4)
Buchla 266e
Buchla 272e
Buchla 281e (X2)
Buchla 285e
Buchla 291e
Buchla 292e
Buchla 296e
Buchla 18 Space Case
Buchla 12 Space Case

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Buchla Lightning III

via Noisebug on eBay
"LIGHTNING III is a specialized MIDI controller that senses the position and movement of handheld wands and transforms this information to MIDI signals for expressive control of electronic musical instrumentation. In addition to functioning as a powerful MIDI controller, LIGHTNING III, with its self contained 32 voice synthesizer, comprises a complete, ready to play instrument.

The bulk of LIGHTNING III's electronics is housed in a half rack cabinet.

A remote head, designed to be mounted on a standard mike stand in front of a performer, contains specialized optics, as well as graphic and numeric displays.Based on principles of optical triangulation, LIGHTNING gathers its information by tracking tiny infrared transmitters that are built into baton-like wands. Unencumbered by wires, these wands provide complete freedom of movement within a performance space that can be as large as 12 feet high by 20 feet wide.

Basically, LIGHTNING III senses all three coordinates of each hand, for a total of six independent coordinates. From this information, LIGHTNING's digital signal processor computes instantaneous velocity and acceleration, and performs detailed analysis of gesture. An easily mastered, musically oriented interface language allows the user to define relationships between various gestures and potential musical responses.

In one sort of implementation, LIGHTNING's coordinates might be mapped to various MIDI controllers on multiple channels. Spatial pitch wheels, pan pots, level sliders and modulation wheels are easily defined and great fun to play. Performance gestures can be analyzed for direction and velocity and can be used to generate a variety of notes as well as other musical events. Multi-dimensional zoning capability can be used to create different musical responses in different regions. Everything you need to create the conceptual ensemble (an invisible, acoustic virtual reality).

User definable scale and tuning tables allow one to determine the range and selection of notes occurring along a horizontal or vertical axis. Pitches can be in any order, and the boundaries can be set where ever desired, facilitating the creation of spatial instruments and imaginary orchestras.

LIGHTNING III features a conducting facility that can analyze a conductor's gestures, display deviations from a preset tempo, and signal errors such as missed beats. Simultaneously, LIGHTNING can transmit a synchronous MIDI clock for controlling external sequencers and output programmed note data to accompany specific beats within a measure.

Those tiny, postage stamp size boxes hanging out with the peace dove are memory cards for storing presets. As many as thirty presets can be stored on one card. An additional thirty presets can be stored in RAM, and yet another thirty ROM based presets are provided as tutorial examples (good places to begin the LIGHTNING experience).

To facilitate its use in conjunction with other controllers, LIGHTNING possesses intelligent MIDI merging capability. A complete system exclusive implementation enables LIGHTNING presets to be stored and edited via external computers and sequencers."

BUCHLA LIGHTNING Model 900

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via this auction

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Buchla Lightning II

Title link takes you to some shots pulled via this auction. They aren't the greatest, but there you have it.

Details:
" LIGHTNING II is a specialized MIDI controller with built in tone generator that senses the position and movement of handheld wands and transforms this information to MIDI signals for expressive control of electronic musical instrumentation. In addition to functioning as a powerful MIDI controller, LIGHTNING II, with its self contained 32 voice synthesizer, comprises a complete, ready to play instrument.

The bulk of LIGHTNING II's electronics is housed in a half rack cabinet.

A remote head, designed to be mounted on a standard mike stand in front of a performer, contains optics and numeric displays.

Based on principles of optical triangulation, LIGHTNING gathers its information by tracking tiny infrared transmitters that are built into baton-like wands. Unencumbered by wires, these wands provide complete freedom of movement within a performance space that can be as large as 12 feet high by 20 feet wide.

Basically, LIGHTNING II senses the horizontal and vertical position of each hand, for a total of four independent coordinates. From this information, LIGHTNING's digital signal processor computes instantaneous velocity and acceleration, and performs detailed analysis of gesture. An easily mastered, musically oriented interface language allows the user to define relationships between various gestures and potential musical responses.

In one sort of implementation, LIGHTNING's coordinates might be mapped to various MIDI controllers on multiple channels. Spatial pitch wheels, pan pots, level sliders and modulation wheels are easily defined and great fun to play. Performance gestures can be analyzed for direction and velocity and can be used to generate a variety of notes as well as other musical events. Multi-dimensional zoning capability can be used to create different musical responses in different regions. Everything you need to create the conceptual ensemble (an invisible, acoustic virtual reality).

User definable scale and tuning tables allow one to determine the range and selection of notes occurring along a horizontal or vertical axis. Pitches can be in any order, and the boundaries can be set where ever desired, facilitating the creation of spatial instruments and imaginary orchestras.

LIGHTNING II features a conducting facility that can analyze a conductor's gestures, display deviations from a preset tempo, and signal errors such as missed beats. Simultaneously, LIGHTNING can transmit a synchronous MIDI clock for controlling external sequencers and output programmed note data to accompany specific beats within a measure.

To facilitate its use in conjunction with other controllers, LIGHTNING possesses intelligent MIDI merging capability. A complete system exclusive implementation enables LIGHTNING presets to be stored and edited via external computers and sequencers."

via robert.

Buchla LIGHTNING III

"LIGHTNING III is about to strike!

Not a whole lot different than Lightning II, Lightning III features improvements in sensitivity, resolution, accuracy, and response time. Perhaps the biggest difference is in the addition of a third axis of sensitivity. Yes, Lightning now responds in all three directions, adding proximity to the horizontal and vertical dimensions brought to you by Lightning II.

As for appearance, not much change. The triangular remote sensor morphed to a rectangular shape; the control box stayed just about the same, and the wands are virtually identical.

Changes in software are minimal, the primary changes are to accommodate the third axis. The price is unchanged, remaining at $1995. Watch this space for a complete description and some pics."
http://www.buchla.com/lightning/index.html

Joel on Buchla Lightning: the "7 styles in 7 minutes" solo

YouTube via JJDavel
"Percussionist Joel Davel playing a demo Buchla Lightning solo circa 1999. The wands emit infrared light read as 2 dimensional location gestures by the optics in the foreground. Each hand is independent. Gestures are programmed to control MIDI events: strikes, virtual scales or volume controls along x-y coordinates.
Joel still does Lightning solos, though without any looping now, so no one gets confused about the real-time gestures. "Lightning is considered more of a new music tool, and I more of a new music player, but I've also played for hours at SF Bay Area parties especially 10 years ago when tech gigs were plentiful."

BUCHLA LIGHTNING I MIDI MOVEMENT CONTROLLER w/four wands

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via this auction

"This unit was produced in 1993 and was only used for 2 - 3 years. It is in excellent condition and all the NiCad rechargeable batteries in the four wands have just been replaced. (Charging is done via the unit itself by plugging the wands into the two charging jacks on the back of the unit, all cables are included for this). Original manual also included.

LIGHTNING I is aspecialized MIDI controller that senses the position and movement of handheldwands and transforms this information to MIDI signals for expressive control ofelectronic musical instrumentation. Incredibly versatile in it’s MIDI programming, you can control sound onmultiple channels simultaneously and achieve remarkable triggering andcontinuous control of MIDI sounds using only the two wireless wands.

The bulk ofLIGHTNING’s electronics is housed in a half rack cabinet that can be mounted ona mic stand (comes with the fitting on the bottom). NOTE: this is a Lightning 1 and does not comewith any built in sounds. Lightingtriggers via MIDI sounds resident in your computer or external MIDI soundmodules. It also uses rechargeablebatteries and the battery charger is built into the unit (unlike Lightning II& III).

Very deep MIDIimplementation and user programmability to easily achieve complex triggeringand continuous control of ANY MIDI controller parameter in any dimension of thethe X/Y spatial axis. MIDI back-up andrestore via reliable MIDI SYS EX to any computer or MIDI storage device.


Based on principles ofoptical triangulation, LIGHTNING gathers its information by tracking tinyinfrared transmitters that are built into baton-like wands. Unencumbered bywires, these wands provide complete freedom of movement within a performancespace that can be as large as 10 feet high by 16 feet wide.

Basically, LIGHTNINGsenses the horizontal and vertical position of each hand, for a total of fourindependent coordinates. From this information, LIGHTNING's digital signalprocessor computes instantaneous velocity and acceleration, and performsdetailed analysis of gesture. An easily mastered, musically oriented interfacelanguage allows the user to define relationships between various gestures andpotential musical responses.

In one sort ofimplementation, LIGHTNING's coordinates might be mapped to various MIDIcontrollers on multiple channels. Spatial pitch wheels, pan pots, level slidersand modulation wheels are easily defined and great fun to play. Performancegestures can be analyzed for direction and velocity and can be used to generatea variety of notes as well as other musical events. Multi-dimensional zoningcapability can be used to create different musical responses in differentregions. Everything you need to create the conceptual ensemble (an invisible,acoustic virtual reality).

User definable scaleand tuning tables allow one to determine the range and selection of notesoccurring along a horizontal or vertical axis. Pitches can be in any order, andthe boundaries can be set where ever desired, facilitating the creation ofspatial instruments and imaginary orchestras.

To facilitate its usein conjunction with other controllers, LIGHTNING possesses intelligent MIDImerging capability. A complete system exclusive implementation enablesLIGHTNING presets to be stored and edited via external computers andsequencers.
"

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Buchla and Associates LIGHTNING III

"LIGHTNING III is a specialized MIDI controller that senses the position and movement of handheld wands and transforms this information to MIDI signals for expressive control of electronic musical instrumentation. In addition to functioning as a powerful MIDI controller, LIGHTNING III, with its self contained 32 voice synthesizer, comprises a complete, ready to play instrument.

The bulk of LIGHTNING III's electronics is housed in a half rack cabinet.

A remote head, designed to be mounted on a standard mike stand in front of a performer, contains specialized optics, as well as graphic and numeric displays.Based on principles of optical triangulation, LIGHTNING gathers its information by tracking tiny infrared transmitters that are built into baton-like wands. Unencumbered by wires, these wands provide complete freedom of movement within a performance space that can be as large as 12 feet high by 20 feet wide.


Basically, LIGHTNING III senses all three coordinates of each hand, for a total of six independent coordinates. From this information, LIGHTNING's digital signal processor computes instantaneous velocity and acceleration, and performs detailed analysis of gesture. An easily mastered, musically oriented interface language allows the user to define relationships between various gestures and potential musical responses.

In one sort of implementation, LIGHTNING's coordinates might be mapped to various MIDI controllers on multiple channels. Spatial pitch wheels, pan pots, level sliders and modulation wheels are easily defined and great fun to play. Performance gestures can be analyzed for direction and velocity and can be used to generate a variety of notes as well as other musical events. Multi-dimensional zoning capability can be used to create different musical responses in different regions. Everything you need to create the conceptual ensemble (an invisible, acoustic virtual reality).

User definable scale and tuning tables allow one to determine the range and selection of notes occurring along a horizontal or vertical axis. Pitches can be in any order, and the boundaries can be set where ever desired, facilitating the creation of spatial instruments and imaginary orchestras.

LIGHTNING III features a conducting facility that can analyze a conductor's gestures, display deviations from a preset tempo, and signal errors such as missed beats. Simultaneously, LIGHTNING can transmit a synchronous MIDI clock for controlling external sequencers and output programmed note data to accompany specific beats within a measure.

Those tiny, postage stamp size boxes hanging out with the peace dove are memory cards for storing presets. As many as thirty presets can be stored on one card. An additional thirty presets can be stored in RAM, and yet another thirty ROM based presets are provided as tutorial examples (good places to begin the LIGHTNING experience).

To facilitate its use in conjunction with other controllers, LIGHTNING possesses intelligent MIDI merging capability. A complete system exclusive implementation enables LIGHTNING presets to be stored and edited via external computers and sequencers."

via Lundi

Buchla Documentary by Connie Field Now on Kikstarter

Follow-up to this previous post.  via Kickstarter:

"With a passion for music and engineering, Don Buchla created electronic musical instruments the world had never dreamed of before.

When we've told people that we're preparing a documentary about Don Buchla, we get one of two reactions:

a) Wow! It's about time The man's a genius! Why hasn't this happened already?

or

b) Don who?

We want to make a movie that can live up to the expectations and desires and hopes for the people who answered a), and that can introduce Don in the best way possible to those who answered b).

Don Buchla is a legendary instrument maker whose inventions were part of the greatest musical transformation of the 20th century. His pioneering work laid the basis for what electronic music was to become by creating a unique analog synthesizer which completely changed the way people think about, compose, and perform music. The list of musicians and composers who have used the Buchla range from avant-garde composer Morton Subotnick to Nine Inch Nails, with plenty more along the way. Don hasn't stopped inventing since the arrival of the Buchla, and his other instruments combine an idiosyncratic sound with a sense of wonder and theatrical magic.

"Music is a mirror that we hold up to see how cultural structures are formed. Race, social hierarchy, class, national origin the twentieth century saw a questioning of these issues on a global level, and in a sense, electronic music was the soundtrack to that intense investigation into the human situation. Almost all traditional notions of space, time, and physicality have been reconfigured in ways that we are just beginning to understand. I think that electronic music has helped us understand the process we've lived through. Think about everything from the tones you hear coming out of your telephone to the frequencies underlying cellular communication to the algorithms used to route the information holding it all together -- most of this stuff has been explored one way or the other by the avant-garde."
--Paul D. Miller (DJ Spooky)

Don was definitely part of the avant-garde. He has been called a mad scientist, a genius, an innovator, a recluse, an iconoclast, and has gathered a horde of fiercely loyal admirers by following his own visionary path, and dancing to his own muse. His name and instruments are known from Indonesia to France.

We have begun to film because there have been performances and interviews to capture that we simply couldn't pass up, such as Morton Subotnick and Ramon Sender from the San Francisco Tape Music Center, who commissioned Don to build the first Buchla; French composers Jean-Baptiste Barrière and Marc Battier; and performances by Subotnick and Marimba Lumina player Joel Davel, who has assisted in Buchla's workshop for over a decade.

But now we need to raise production funding to complete the rest of our filming. Among the other people we will be including in the film are early Buchla composer/performer Suzanne Ciani, analog synth performer/music journalist Gino Robair, Lightning virtuoso Forrest Tobey, synth maestro Alessandro Cortini (of Nine Inch Nails and Sonoio), Marimba Lumina co-designer Mark Goldstein, and, of course, Don himself. Ideally, we're hoping you can support us beyond what we're asking for here so we can also edit and do post-production for the film.

With your help, we will be able to do the legacy of Don Buchla justice."

Buchla 222e MultiDimensional Kinesthetic Input Port

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via this auction

"Buchla 222e Kinesthetic Multi-Dimensional Input Port Module & Touch-plate with motion sensing Rings, USB charger and cable for rings, and Buchla passive 3 space boat for external Touch-plate.

Note: The 222e has recently been discontinued from production by BEMI. This Buchla 222e setup is offered at a steeply reduced low price (less $1000 from new) for quick sale.

The listing includes the 222e Control Module with built in remote sensors, two wireless Buchla Rings for CV control of all 200e modular parameters, 4 channel polyphony; programmable CV location, pressure and impact touch sensitivity controls for all four 222e output channels; multiple programmable pulses out; 27 independently programmable touch surface pads that include dual CV and gate out in 4 channels over 10 octaves; and two virtual joystick X/Y directional sensing pads with CV controlled output from 0 to 10v.

Touch-plate may be installed in any Buchla boat or externally in the provided Buchla wood and aluminum tray. Sale includes cabling for in boat and external setup. The 222e setup is a wonderful way to interact with your 200e and legacy series Buchla and third party modular. Operates at 1.2v/octave.

Note - This module and Touch-plate for sale were recently inspected and calibrated by B&A at Curtiss Street offices. Sale includes original notes from Buchla and Associates describing operational capabilities of the 222e.

222e description from the Buchla & Associates Website (Note this Module is not listed on the current BEMI website):

Extend your performance technique beyond spaghetti tossing and knob twiddling to the caress of Thunder and the zap of Lightning.

This three panel unit tactile sensor responds to a feather-weight touch, or to several pounds of pressure. An accompanying spatial sensor, mounted in the third row and occupying 1 panel unit, tracks the movement of the hands as they leave the confines of the surface.

The tactile surface is normally mounted in the first row of a 201e-12 or 201e-18 cabinet: alternatively, it may be mounted in the recently announced 201e-3u frame, relieving spatial binds in crowded systems.

An ergonomic array of 27 keys sense pressure and velocity; fourteen respond to location in one or two dimensions. Arrayed into multiple user-defined groups ranging in size from 1 to 25 keys, they produce a variety of user-programmed control voltages.

Location, pressure, impact and tuned voltages, as well as pulses, are presented at a total of 30 outputs. The LCD based user interface is remarkably simple and flexible.

Trigonometric detection of 2 wireless rings provides spatial information in three dimensions, with additional data provided by ring-mounted switches. Charging of the rings is accomplished by plugging them into powered USB sockets.

All settings, including key programming, can be memorized and recalled by the 225e or 206e preset manager"

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Original Buchla Lightning II Brochure

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via this auction


"Original and vintage synthesizer controller brochure. The original Buchla Lightning II, Controller Wands, Controller Unit, and Sensor. Four page black and white, original brochure. Vintage and rare brochure as are all Buchla brochures. Brochure is 4 pages, black and white, no tears, no punch holes, no writing, no highlights, very good condition with exception of slight stack wrinkles on cover. Collectible and rare."

The Buchla Music Easel II from 2006

The 2006 Buchla Music Easel II that never was.

Today is Don Buchla's birthday. He was born on April 17, 1937, which would have made him 85. He passed away five years ago on September 14, 2016.

via @shastacults

"I was planning to save this until i got some more info from the parties directly involved but the Behringer announcement yesterday [posted here] kinda inspired me to just drop this one...

Years ago I sat down with Don to discuss ideas for a new 200e keyboard.. I mentioned that the system needed one, that it was his signature and completed the system... we discussed the merits of capacitance touch plates vs membrane before Don finally settled on membrane (I was pro capacitance). Before I got up I suggested a new Easel would really be the ideal way for people to experience his ideas without being sucked into the modular vortex.

Later while recovering from illness Don began design of the next instrument, one which went though the paces only to be shelved and never seen again.. instead we got low quality reproductions of a 40 year old design (the BEMI Easel) that were rushed into production to beat the inevitable DIY clone which was not so secretly being developed.

Let there be no mistake, Don was not happy about the 208e but slodged through it, making circuit and physical changes against the wishes of his new bosses who wanted an exact copy, something I don't think Don was capable of.. or just didn't want to do cause they told him to, both are possible.
here is the new Easel design which could have been..

Model 209e Matrix Potpourri
Model 222e Multi Dimensional Kinesthetic Input Port
the 209e responded to the lightning rings and was programmed via the 222e keys acting as virtual sliders , 24 stage MARF, Dual Envelopes, Mod and Princ Osc, Morphing Filter, Dual LPG, Random, Programmability... etc

The LEDs animated and depicted offsets and modulation activity, something we got later on the 296e. #buchla"



Don Buchla and the Buchla 200e at the 2006 NAMM Show via wikipedia.

The same here the Buchla Music Easel II was under consideration.

Genesis of an Instrument: The Pioneering Work of Donald Buchla at New Form's Festival

via the New Forms Festival website:

"Genesis of an Instrument: The Pioneering Work of Donald Buchla

VIVO Media Arts Centre, 1965 Main

Instrument Exhibition open:
Thursday, September 12, 7-10 pm
Friday, September 13, 12-7 pm
Saturday, September 14, 12-7pm

Donald Buchla Performance / Q&A:
Friday September 13, 7-10
with: Sarah Davachi and Richard Smith

In 1963, Berkeley-based designer and instrument builder Donald Buchla began constructing his first electronic musical instruments. This year celebrates the 50thanniversary of his pioneering and highly innovative contributions to the field of electronic music, and New Forms Festival is very excited to welcome Mr. Buchla to Vancouver for what is sure to be a highly-anticipated performance at VIVO Media Arts Centre. This historic event will also feature an extensive exhibition of the most complete collection of Buchla instruments in existence, offering the public a unique and extremely rare opportunity to experience the union of the maker and his creations.

Reflecting a background in music, physics, and physiology, Buchla’s approaches to instrument design and sonic experimentation are known for being multi-faceted and highly inventive, particularly in relation to his interest in interfaces that bridge the communicative gap between man and machine. His work includes early voltage-controlled systems such as the 100 and 200 modular series, the Music Easel performance system, digital-analog hybrids such as the Touché, gesture-controlled instruments such as the Lightning, Thunder, and Marimba Lumina, and his most recent project, the 200e Electric Music Box. He has worked with storied institutions and organizations such as the California Institute of the Arts, the San Francisco Tape Music Center, and New York’s Electric Circus, and has collaborated with a number of prominent experimental musicians including David Rosenboom, Suzanne Ciani, Morton Subotnick, George Lewis, Anthony Braxton, and David Wessel."

Follow-up to this post.

Richard Scott and Buchla Lightning/LiSa

YouTube via funkychorlton. Buchla Lightning
"snippet from a caretakers gig with James Edmonds at Berlin's Salon Bruit, Dr Scott is suddenly attacked by a swarm of electronic mosquitos. thanks to ellie for camering "

WiGi/Buchla Lightning Demo

Vimeo by richard scott

"sooo, here is the first stable prototype of the WIGI (Wireless Gestural Instrument) instrument I have been working on at STEIM for what seems like forever. Its a Buchla Lighting with heavily modified hardware and software. Software is STEIMs JunXion and LiSa."

Richard Scott - More Wigi Fun

"WiGI = Wireless Gestural Instrument = Buchla Lighting modified at STEIM"

Richard Scott and Rebekka Uhlig Live in Berlin

"our first meeting, recorded at the Interaktion Festival of Improvised Music December 2009"

Buchla Multi-Dimensional Kinesthetic Input Port

Buchla Thunder take 2. Title link takes you there.

More on the orginal Thunder here, and a green one here.

Gotta love the Buchla naming convention.


Updates via the comments:

"It's the thunder and the lightning take 2, you forgot about the rings you put on and wae around the air to modulate stuff."

"Thunder is a MIDI instrument with a specialized software language called storm.. the software allows Thunder to do things the 222e cant... the 222e is CV/Pulse and can of course do things Thunder can't

the input interface look the same but i wouldn't call the 222e Thunder 2"

And Doktor Future praising Buchla? Can this really be him? : ) - see comments here and here.

"This is tremendous. I loves it. I am saving for it. Don told me it can be programmed to output any voltage, so it's not just the 1.2 volt/octave. This means you can use it for any modular, which is just super great.

It seems to be a merging of thunder and lightning, which is sooo fantastic.

I am actually saving for this. Totally worth it.

Oh, and it makes no sound on its own, so I won't bother asking for an mp3 ;)"

The Lyre inauguration

YouTube via parhansson

"Using midi wands (Buchla Lightning) to play real-time generated audio and control "The Lyre", a LED-based light sculpture. See more at http://www.sics.se/ice/projects/elecled/"

WiGI Improvisations

WiGI Improvisation 45 Feb 2013 from richard scott on Vimeo.
"The WiGI is a heavily modified Buchla Lightning midi controller and wireless Arduino boards plus JunXion, LiSa, Aalto software. Thanks to STEIM for all their help!"


WiGI Improvisation 43 Feb 2013 from richard scott on Vimeo.

Buchla Lightning with 2 Wands

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via MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS

Note this one is also listed on eBay, but for $210 more. No commissions on MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS passes the savings on to you. Pics and details at the listing previously captured here.