Fun with a Buchla 200e

Title link takes you to a new Buchla 200e doodle, RoundMirrorRolling, via Chris Muir. Scroll down to "The Examples" when you get there. For those of you new to Chris' 200e doodles, be sure to check out the rest there as well.

BTW, Chris has two gigs coming up so if you want to see a 200e live, here's your chance. I wish I was in the area.

two gigs coming up at 21 Grand, in Oakland, CA.

Monday, August 27th with Mark Miller (drums), William Winant (percussion), Henry Kaiser (guitar) and Chris Muir (electronic music box)

and

Sunday, September 2nd with Weasel Walter (percussion), Danielle DeGruttola (cello), Henry Kaiser (guitar) and Chris Muir (electronic music box)

Chris Muir and His Buchla 200e Live, April 15 2007 SF

As you might recall, I've posted a number of Chris Muir's Buchla 200e samples. Well, if you want to see the 200e live, here's your chance.

"I'm playing a gig Sunday, April 15 at 7PM

The ensemble consists of:
Jennifer Hicks butoh/movement
Aurora Josephson Voice
Henry Kaiser Guitar
Chris Muir Buchla 200E
Damon Smith Bass
Weasel Walter Drums

This will be 96% improvisation. Chance of cacophony 100%.

It's my first gig with the Buchla 200e and a custom Max program
driving it, so I'm a little nervous about it. (but in a good way)

Jon Sims Center, 1519 Mission Street, San Francisco
(between 11th Street and South Van Ness)

Marginally more information can be found here:
http://www.xfade.com/gigs/Hicks.html

-C"

Buchla B-Sides via Chris Muir

As most of you know, I've been putting up Chris Muir's new Buchla 200e tracks as they come in. Each track get's added to Chris's 200e Noodles page. Well, it turns out Chris has more that's he's put on a B-sides page for the time being, while he thinks about what he wants to do with them. Until then, I say enjoy. Title link takes you to them.

If you are in the Oakland, CA area, here's your chance to see a Buchla Electric Music Box live. Chris Muir will be playing one with Remember the Toykillers. Note pictured here is the 200e.

"Saturday, August 2 Remember the Toykillers + Oaxacan 8pm, $6-10
The original toy killers consisted of Charles k. Noyes and Mark Miller (both on drums), featuring various cohorts like Arto Lindsay, John Zorn, Bill Laswell, Elliott Sharp, (as Mark would say, "anybody who would lower themselves to playing with us.") The band started as an improvised music duo of clattering percussion, fireworks and noise before transforming itself into a messy no wave band featuring the creme of the '80s NYC downtown scene. Tonight's homage paying ensemble, features Miller and Noyes, with Henry Kaiser (guitar), Allen Whitman (bass), Anantha R. Krishnan (mridangam), and Chris Muir (Buchla synth).

Flavorpill writes about Oakland’s Oaxacan 'Oaxacan understands that noise is a matter of texture and timbre not just plugging in your effects pedals and turning all the amps to ten. Like kindred experimentalists Double Leopards or Climax Golden Twins, Oaxacan prefer night swimming in murky, inky pools of gauzy per cussion and reverb-drenched vocal abstraction.'"

Click here and scroll to see the numerous posts featuring Chris here on MATRIXSYNTH.

AH Bay Area Gathering 2007 - Chris Muir's Buchla 200e

YouTube via therealretrosynth.
"Chris Muir's Buchla 200e at the Analogue Heaven Bay Area gathering in Oakland CA on Sept 9 2007."

Grace Against Gravity

All Buchla 200e track by Chris Muir. You can find it along with the story behind it on Chris Muir's Buchla 200e noodle page.

Buchla 4x4 radio

Published on Dec 22, 2012 by Todd Barton

"a little silly Buchla experiment using an FM radio and a Chris Muir Pendulum/Ratchet to chop up and beat-itfy things."

4x4 radio-the patch
Published on Dec 23, 2012

"Here's a brief description of how the Chris Muir Pendulum/Ratchet is creating this sorta funky beat for my previous post of "4x4 radio". And...you can hear a short remix of a seasonal tune here: http://soundcloud.com/user7621213/4x4-radio-medieval"

Chris Muir Pendulum/Ratchet Module 077

via eardrill modules where you will find more info.

"I always though that my Buchla system would benefit from a dedicated module to generate a bunch of correlated pulses. Sure, you can use sequencers and function generators for this sort of thing, but having a clock source generating a wide variety of pulses of different flavors was very appealing to me, so to that end, I came up with the Pendulum/Ratchet."

Update via wavedeform in the comments: "Just a note to say that this run is moving forward. I'm taking deposits until 6/15/09, after which I'll order board sets and panels.

-Chris"

Blackbird Played on a Buchla 200e

Brilliant. Title link takes you to the mp3 with some background by Chris Muir.

Previous 200e posts

Eigenharp Details and Pricing

Chris Muir wrote in to let me know pricing info and full details are now up at Eigenlabs

The Eigenharp Alpha to left is listed from £3,950 inc Vat
The Eigenharp Pico below comes in at £349 inc Vat
Details for the archives. See Eigenlabs for links and more.

Eigenharp Alpha
"A professional level instrument which allows the musician to play and improvise using a limitless range of sounds with virtuoso skill. The unique design of the keys makes this the most expressive electronic musical instrument ever made. The Alpha can play and record loops, change scale and key, transpose, alter tempo, program beats, create arrangements, switch and layer multiple sounds, all while the musician is performing live on stage.

Available in a variety of finishes, it has 120 highly sensitive keys, 12 percussion keys, 2 strip controllers, a breath pipe and numerous pedal inputs. This gives almost endless possibilities for flexible keyboard layouts, fast instrument switching and expressive musical control. The comprehensive software system provides a wealth of musical performance features, including playback of its own native instruments, many common software plugins, soundfonts or midi instruments.

The Alpha requires a Mac computer to run. Click here for full software specification.
What's in the box?

* Eigenharp Alpha
* Eigenharp Pro case by Hiscox.
* Product Activation card for website support and tutorial materials.
* Breath pipe.
* Two mouthpieces.
* Leather strap.
* Eigenharp Base Station.
* 6M Alpha to Base Station connecting cable.
* 3M Base Station to computer USB2 connecting cable.
* Eigenlabs laptop/Base Station and cables carry bag.
* Eigenlabs 8GB USB stick with latest install software (Macintosh) and getting started tutorials.

Hardware Specification

Keys
* 133 keys in all.
* 120 keys on the main keyboard.
* 12 percussion keys on the lower part of the instrument.
* Plus one mute key.

Key Properties:
* Sampled at 2000 samples/second, per key.
* 11 bit (2048 values) resolution.
* Sensitive to direct pressure and to lateral pressure in both directions.

Breath pipe:
* Sampled at 2000 samples/second.
* 12 bit (4098 value) resolution.
* Bidirectional, sensitive to blown and drawn breath.
* Removable, interchangeable mouthpiece for hygiene.

2 Strip Controllers:
* One on each side of the instrument, 480mm long.
* Sampled at 2000 samples/second per strip.
* 11 bit (2048 values) resolution.

Headphone output:
* 48kHz sampling rate, 24-bit DAC Sigma-Delta.
* Software programmable volume.
* Mute, soft ramp and zero cross detection for volume adjustment.
* SNR = 95dB.
* THD < 0.01% at 1kHz, 30-Ohm load at -3dbFS.
* Up to 750mW output on a 3.5mm mini jack.

Microphone input/preamp:
* Balanced input on an industry standard 4 pin LEMO locking connector.
* 24 bit at 96khz A/D converter.
* Low noise programmable gain from 10 to 55db in 1db steps.
* Software switchable 48V phantom power.
* 8.2V Electret polarisation power available, requires specific cable.
* Noise: EIN= (A-weighted) -120dBu with 150 Ohm source 20Hz to 20kHz, 50 dB gain. EIN Un-wtd= -125dBu with same conditions as A-weighted.
* 26dB software switchable input pad.

Recommended uni-directional (cardioid or supercardioid patterns) microphones:

* Sony ECM66BC, Audio Technica AT898C and AT831C, Sure WL184, DPA 4080 and DPA 4022. Note: Custom wiring for each microphone is required

Base Station:
* 2 inputs for continuous control expression pedals:
* Suitable for use with Boss FV50 and FV500 volume pedals.
* Suitable for use with Yamaha FC3 continuous control sprung sustain pedals.
* USB 2 interface to host computer.
* 2 inputs for foot switches.

Strap:
* Leather strap.
* Friction controlled multi axis instrument mounting.

Floor spike:
* 300mm retractable floor spike with removable rubber foot.

Instruments and soundfonts

You can load and play your own Soundfonts, Audio Unit Plugins and Midi instruments with the Eigenharp Alpha. In addition, the Alpha comes with its own native instruments (at present a software model of a Cello, Clarinet and a Synth engine). The Alpha also ships with a collection of loop libraries and several acclaimed instruments from our partners:

* 1500 AIFF format (timestretch and tempo change capable) varied Percussion and Drum loops.
* Sampletekk 'Black Grand Steinway D, sampled at 20+ levels in a 6 Gigabyte set that includes three recordings from dry to highly ambient.
* Sampletekk 'Tubed Rhodes', a multi sampled Rhodes Electric Piano.
* Sampletekk 'Wurlittzer' electric piano in a Gigabyte multi sample set.

System Requirements and Software

* Please see our Software page"

Eigenharp Pico
"The ultra-versatile Pico is simple to use and anyone can play it. Light and portable, it packs a powerhouse of features. Use it to play solo, play and record loops, change scale and key, transpose, alter tempo, program beats, create arrangements, switch and layer multiple sounds, all while playing live. It's ideal as a solo instrument or for playing in band.

With 18 playing keys and 4 mode keys, a strip controller and breath pipe, the smaller Pico has the majority of the playing features of the Eigenharp Alpha. It plays an unlimited range of sounds and is available in two finishes. The Eigenharp Pico, with its ease of playing and transformational approach to learning scales and music theory, represents a new and easier way to learn to play a musical instrument. The Pico gives you freedom to express your creativity through improvisation like no other electronic instrument in existence.

The Pico requires a Mac computer to run. Click here for full software specification.
What's in the box?

* Eigenharp Pico in robust cardboard carry case/box.
* Product Activation card for website support and tutorial materials.
* Breath pipe.
* Two mouthpieces.
* Neck strap.
* 3M Pico to computer USB2 connecting cable.
* Eigenlabs 8GB USB stick with latest install software (Macintosh) and getting started tutorials.

Hardware Specification

Keys
* 18 playing keys.
* Sampled at 2000 samples/second, per key.
* 11 bit (2048 values) resolution.
* Sensitive to direct pressure and to lateral pressure in both directions.

Breath pipe:
* Sampled at 2000 samples/second.
* 12 bit (4098 value) resolution.
* Sensitive to blown and drawn breath.
* Removable, interchangeable mouthpiece for easy hygiene.

Strip Controller:
* 180mm long.
* Sampled at 2000 samples/second.
* 10 bit (1024 values) resolution.

Other features:
* 4 Mode Switches.
* USB powered.
* Conformable, height adjustable thumb hooks.
* Neck strap.

Instruments and soundfonts
You can load and play your own Soundfonts, Audio Unit Plugins and Midi instruments with the Eigenharp Pico. In addition, the Pico comes with its own native instruments (at present a software model of a Cello, Clarinet and a Synth engine). The Pico also ships with a collection of loop libraries and several acclaimed instruments from our partners:

* 1500 AIFF format (timestretch and tempo change capable) varied Percussion and Drum loops.
* Sampletekk 'Black Grand Steinway D, sampled at 20+ levels in a 6 Gigabyte set that includes three recordings from dry to highly ambient.
* Sampletekk 'Tubed Rhodes', a multi sampled Rhodes Electric Piano.
* Sampletekk 'Wurlittzer' electric piano in a Gigabyte multi sample set.

System Requirements and Software

* Please see our Software page"

明和電機 「一番素敵な体で行こう！」

YouTube via musica95. Sent my way via Chris Muir.

"The robotic vocalist, dubbed “Seamoons,” is a combination of mechanical bellows and a computer controlled rubber vocal chord that’s monitored and modified in real time, sounding something like a tiny electric Yma Sumac."

Note the robot with a mic. The above quote is a snip from here, where you will find more info on the artist, Maywa Denki, and the tools they use. BTW, if anyone knows/finds more info on the "guitar" like devices feel free to comment.

Synovatron cvgt MM Buchla Translator ModuleModules Shipping

via Tone's aka Synovatron - note the different modular formats listed below.

"The first cvgt MM modules have started shipping to clients at the top of the pre-order list. If you want to be added to the list then please make contact on synovatron@btinternet.com

I will build in small batches and work through the list in chronological order and will then contact you when your order is ready to ship. Only at that point will I request payment (see prices below). Please note that this does not form any contract between us and you are not in any way commiting yourself to making a purchase until such a time that you make a payment.

Initially the cvgt MM will be only available directly from me but if there is enough demand then it is possible they will become available at all the usual distributors in due course.

The current variants are:-
Buchla-Euro (round or hex nuts on 3.5mm jacks; please select)
Buchla-Serge*
Buchla-BugBrand*
Buchla-Fenix*
*These are banana socketed variants and only the colour of the banana sockets is different (to match the target system); All are variants (inc. Euro) are to translate from Buchla to 1V/octave systems.

The User Manual is being worked on and will be ready very soon and will posted here in an update. Please checkout the Eardrill website for more info on the ModuleModule concept and other great products from Chris Muir..."

Garden of Memory

via Chris Muir on the Buchla 100e list:

"I will be playing my Buchla 200e in a duo performance with Henry Kaiser on guitar at this year's Garden of Memory event.

The Garden of Memory is a really fun event, held in Oakland every year on summer solstice (6/21/07). It's described as a "walk through concert". There are many performers in many areas of The Chapel of the Chimes, a large columbarium in Oakland.

Having played this a couple times, and attended it a few times, it's a toss-up as to whether it's more fun to play or to attend. I think this year's event has a typically interesting lineup: http://www.gardenofmemory.com"

BAY AREA SYNTH MEET 2012 Pics by Ivo Ivanov

You'll find the full gallery on Facebook here.

Some of the makers in the order pictured here:

1. Josh Thomas of Toppobrillo
2. Dan Green of 4ms
3. Paul Schreiber of SynthTech/MOTM
4. Eric Barbour of Metasonix
5. Tom Oberheim, Scott Rise of Division 6 and George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular
6. James Husted of Synthwerks
7. Scott Jaeger of The Harvestman with Chris Muir and his Eardrill-heavy Buchla.
8. Zerosum Inertia

If I missed anyone, let me know!

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Nightly News With M. C. Escher

Buchla 200e track on Chris Muir's 200e B-Sides

"This one is pretty much a one-trick pony, but I think it's a pretty good trick. I plan on revisiting this idea soon. The title is a reference to this sort of sounding like a news theme of a certain era, and the fact that the progression seems to always be rising. It was almost called 'The Nightly News with Roger Shepard', but I think fewer people would have gotten the reference."

Linus and Lucy - A Snoopy Buchla 200e Christmas Tune

"Matrixsynth asked for contributions of synth-oriented holiday music, and my sister was in town and wanted to go to the Charles M. Schulz museum, so this Vince Guaraldi song was buzzing through my head, anyway. I grabbbed a MIDI file off the web and tweaked it just a little. I couldn't decide if this was a good thing to do to this poor song, but it was sort of fun."

You can find the track on Chris Muir's http://www.xfade.com/Buchla/B_Sides.html

Morphun Function Tests

YouTube Published on Apr 22, 2012 by djangosfire

"Here is a walk through of the basic functions of the Eardrill "Morphun" Module Module. Chris Muir of "Eardrill" makes wonderful Buchla synthesizer format/compatible modules.

Module info can be found here: http://www.eardrill.com/"

RadioModular Back Up

"After a long delay, due to an equipment malfunction, RadioModular is back up (hopefully stays up). Right now, it's pretty much all ZeroOscillator.

Modules used: Two Modcan 01a's modulating Zero Oscillator, A Dual LFO, Modcan Super Delay. (No Filters). It's then sent through some light digital processing for ambiance and out through the Internet.

I tried to get some 'buchla-200esque' Chris Muir-ian Timbers out of it.

Listen to it at:
http://paulsop.com:8000/radio1.m3u

SMS Salamander Modular & Voice 400

via It's Full of Stars where you'll find more pics.

"As it turns out Chris [Muir] worked on the design and manufacture of the SMS synths back in the day, and this was his personal system. Nowadays it gets a little bit neglected in favour of the Buchla, but it sure looked pretty. SMS's most successful product was the Voice 400, pictured at the bottom."

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Mill

via Chris Muir:

"A granular file player. Great for warping XMas music, enabling you to enjoy songs in a new way. This current version does some calculations based on a 44.1K sample rate, so if you use other sample rates things will be a little wacky.

There are two versions here, a Max patch and a stand-alone Mac OS X application. If you are on a Mac and you don't have Max, you can run the application. If you're on Windows and don't have Max, you can run the patch version, if you install the Max Runtime for Windows."

link