Here is the link to the manual:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0388/9729/files/B248-manual-rev2.0.pdf
There are 3 sections to programming the beast.
They start from right to left (of course).
Level 1 programming
2a Output voltage levels
2b Internal Time
Level 2 Programming
3a Output pulses
3b Output voltage
3c Operating Mode
3d Time Range
Level 3 Programming
4d. Output voltage ports
4c. Time multiplier
4b Mode
4a Stage Address
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LEVEL 1 PROGRAMMING
2.a. OUTPUT VOLTAGE LEVELS
Analog control voltages are established by the slide pots. These are initial levels which may be
modified by LEVEL 2 digital programming. Access to the voltages are from the programmed
outputs (LEVEL 3) voltage output. The associated LED provides visual monitoring of the output
voltage levels.
2.b. INTERVAL TIME
These slide pots establish time (period) each stage will be active. Like the output voltages, theinterval times set by these pots may be modified by LEVEL 2 programming. Voltages proportional
to interval time are available from the time outputs on each of the programmed outputs
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LEVEL 2 PROGRAMMING
This section of the 248 attaches digital commands to the analog voltages set by the slide pots. These
commands are given by pushing the spring-loaded switches up; a programmed command will be
acknowledged by the associated LED. The command is removed by pushing the same switch down.
Each stage of output voltage or interval time can receive independent sets of commands, which are
only attached to that particular stage address.
3.a. OUTPUT PULSES (Level 2 Programming)
Each time the 248 moves to a new stage, a pulse is sent to the all pulses output of each
programmed outputs. Pulses may be assigned independently to pulse outputs 1 or 2 by
programming output pulse command on any selected stage. If a pulse is to appear at pulse output
1 on a particular stage, that stage is addressed (see section 5) and a pulse command is given. The
pulse is then stored at that address and will be activated only when that stage is addressed.
3.b. OUTPUT VOLTAGE (Level 2 Programming)
These commands qualify or modify the output voltage levels set by the pots and each stage can
carry its own set of commands.
3.b. (1) QUANTIZE/CONTINUOUS (Level 2 Programming)
The normal function of each output voltage level pot is to provide an analog sweep normalized
between 0 and +10 volts. A quantize command will divide the voltage range into twelve equal
intervals. Assuming control of frequency, the exact interval to be quantized is determined by
further LEVEL 2 programming and by the control voltage processor on the module receiving the
output voltage (see section 3.b 3). The command is removed, returning the status to continuous
mode, by pushing the switch down.
3.b. (2) SLOPED/STEPPED (Level 2 Programming)
The 248 output voltages normally step from one voltage level to the next, producing a digital
sequence of control voltages:
A sloped command integrates the output voltage, enabling the 248 to slope into the established
voltage level. The slope time is equal to the programmed interval time, reaching the established
output voltage level at the end of the period.
Sloped functions are useful for generating envelopes, pitch portamenti, filter sweeps, panning
patterns, etc. Sloped and stepped stages may be freely intermixed.
3.b. (3) RANGE (Level 2 Programming)
The normal (full) range of the output voltage levels (0 to +10) may be compressed to a 2 volt
range assigned to a reference offset by the switches marked +0, +2, +4, etc.
+0 = a stage bearing this command now has a voltage output range of from 0 to +2 volts.
+2 = +2 to +4 volt output
+4 = +4 to +6 volts
+6 = +6 to +8 volts
+8 = +8 to +10 volts
Full range is re-established by switching the range switch up to full range. The 248 is designed so
that if each 2 volt division is octave in terms of pitch control, the quantize command will then
provide 12 equal tempered divisions of the octave. The output voltage can, of course, be
processed to any desired interval range. Only one range command can be attached to a single
stage. For example, a +0 to +4 volt range would have to be accommodated by a 257 Control
Voltage Processor or by the processing pots on the module under control.
3.b. (4) SOURCE (Level 2 Programming)
The normal status of this switch is internal, meaning the initial voltage levels are established by
the output voltage level sliders.
An external command ignores the voltage level setting and allows
the 248 to accept an externally applied voltage and transfer it to the voltage output port. When
the stage carrying this command is addressed, the 248 will accept one of 4 external voltages
appearing at the external input ports marked A, B, C and D.
The external voltages may be quantized, sloped or range limited in the same manner as the internal voltage levels. In this mode the 248 can be used as a flexible control voltage processor.
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3.c. OPERATING MODE (Level 2 Programming)
These five commands deal with specific operations of the programmed voltages.
3.c (1) CYCLE (Level 2 Programming)
Cycle determines the first and last stage of a sequence. The total number of available stages (16
or 32) can be divided into sub-sequences and each sub-sequence may be addressed manually or
by analog address with external voltages (see section 4.a 3, 4 and 5).
be programmed for several different sequences. A first command could be issued on stage 1 and
a last command might be issued on stage 5. Stage 6 could then carry a first command and stage
12 could carry a last. A final sequence could be established between 13 and 16 in the same
manner. The 248 is then programmed for three sequences. The last command tells the 248 to
return to the closest numbered first command so the various sequences can be independently
cycled without overlapping each other.
3.c (2) STOP 3) SUSTAIN (Level 2 Programming)
When a stop command is attached to a stage, the sequence will stop and hold that voltage level
until a pulse is applied to the start input on the programmed output.
The start command may be manually activated by the start/stop switch (see section 3.b 2).
Stop commands are required for non-repetitive functions such as pulse activated envelopes.
The programming for such a function would be:
Time intervals may be set as desired.
Without the stop command the 2 stage sequence would continue to cycle. With the stop
command on stage 2 the envelope will not re-cycle until a start command (manual or pulse) is
given.
3.c.(3) SUSTAIN (Level 2 Programming)
The sequence will stop and hold on any stage bearing this command as long as the start pulse is
high. When a start pulse is not present, the sequence will move through that stage, ignoring the
sustain command. One obvious application is a sustained envelope.
A start pulse (perhaps from a keyboard) initiates the envelope. Stage 1 determines attack time by
programming stage 1 time interval to the desired period. Stage 1 also determines the attack
amplitude by adjusting the output voltage level. Stage 2 determines the initial decay time and the
sustain voltage level (output voltage level). The sustain command one stage 2 will hold the
envelope at this level until the pulse is released. Stage 3 will then determine the final decay or
release time. The stop command on stage 3 inhibits re-cycling of the envelope until another start
pulse is issued. This function could be expanded to give voltage control of attack time, initial
decay time, sustain level and release time by programming external voltages in the appropriate
stages and addressing the desired external input ports. Repetitive envelopes can be generated
by removing the stop command.
4) ENABLE (Level 2 Programming)
This command is a "reverse stop". The stage bearing this command will stop unless the start
pulse is high. If the start pulse is high, the sequence will continue to run or cycle until the pulse is
removed. This is needed for programming dynamic functions that always begin with a specific
value and continue for variable lengths of time. For example, suppose one needed to play trilled
pitches that always began with the upper auxilliary note (the standard Baroque ornament). This
can be done with square wave FM or a free running 2 stage sequence. There is, however, no
guarantee that the beginning of each pitch will coincide with the higher voltage level of the trill
program. An enable command can solve this problem.
Stages 3 and 4 provide a sustained envelope for a Lopass Gate (outputted by Programmed
Output 2). When no start pulse is present, the trill function holds on stage 2. As a pulse is applied,
the function is enabled and will continue to cycle as long as the pulse is present. The same start
pulse takes the envelope function out of the stop mode, stage 3 serving as an attack and hold
due to the sustain. When the pulse is released, stage 4 acts as a decay with a stop and the trill
stops due to the enable command. (This application is useful when the durations are long enough
to let the voltage function cycle to the stage carrying the enable command. In other cases analog
address techniques [see section 4.a 5] may be more applicable).
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3.d. TIME RANGE (Level 2 Programming)
These commands modify the interval times in the same manner output voltage range commands
qualify output voltage levels.
3.d. (1) DIVISIONS (Level 2 Programming)
Each stage has an initial period of 2 to 30 seconds as established by the slide pots. Each interval
time can be divided by:
10 = a ".2" to "3" second command
102 = a .02 to .3 second command
103 = a ".002" to ".03" second command
A "2" to "30" command re-establishes the original full time range. Time scale expansion and
contraction is facilitated by the time multiplier pot (see section 4.c).
3.d. (2) SOURCE (Level 2 Programming)
The period of any stage may be determined by any voltage applied to the external inputs. The
external input ports are addressable by moving the time interval slider horizontal with the A, B, C,
or D panel markings. External voltages used for interval times may be processed by the time
range divisions. A 10 volt control could equal .03, .3, 3 or 30 seconds, depending on the
programmed command. External time interval controls can be used to program voltage controlled
envelopes. The program used in section 3.b 3 can be expanded to include voltage controlled
parameters:
A keyboard is used to provide pitch control for an oscillator; a start pulse to two Programmed
Outputs and keyboard pressure voltages are applied to External Input B. The Output Voltage from
Programmed Output 2 is attached to External Input A. Function 1-3 is an envelope with voltage
controlled attack and decay times.
The attack time (stage 1) is controlled by External Input B,
pressure voltage from the keyboard. The harder the key is pressed, the longer the attack (up to 3
seconds as programmed by the time divisor). Stage 2 is the initial decay set for 1/2 second into a
sustain level which can be manually adjusted as needed. Upon release of the start pulse, stage 3
is activated, determining the final decay time of the envelope. This Interval Time is controlled by
External Input port A, which receives a sequence of voltages from functions 4 through 7 from the
other Programmed Output. Stage 4 provides a 3 second decay, stage 5 a 2 second decay, stage
6 a 0.5 second decay and stage 7 a 0.2 second decay. Each decay time is called up sequentially
due to the "stop" command on each stage of this function (see section 4.a 3 and 4 for techniques
on non-sequential access to various stages). Interior Times for stages 4 - 7 are not needed due to
the "stop" commands. In this case the period is controlled by the start pulses.
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Level 3 Programming
4. LEVEL 3: PROGRAMMED OUTPUTS
The Programmed Outputs are played in real time and used to address the various voltage functions
programmed into the 248. Each Programmed Output can independently address and output any
programmed function, and visual display of the data being outputted is possible with the "display"
switch. In addition, each Programmed Output has its own local clock so it may operate on an
independent time base. The programming in Level 1 and 2 then comprises a library of functions called
forth synchronously or asynchronously by the different Programmed Outputs.
4.a. STAGE ADDRESS
This section determines what stage number the Programmed Output will select and also defines
the nature of the command used to make the selection.
Activation of this switch displays all of the data of the function being addressed at that moment.
The different Programmed Outputs can be displayed at any time to check the address and data
and fgr monitoring before re-programming (see section 5). The top red LED in Programmed
Outputs section indicates which Program Output is being displayed.
2) RESET
This switch resets the stage address for that Programmed Output to stage 1 (not especially the
first stage of a function).
3) INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
"int" - the addressing is controlled by the Stage Address pot.
"ext" - the Stage Address pot is defeated and address is governed by an external voltage applied
to the Stage Address "ext" input - higher voltages address higher numbered stages.
4) CONTINUOUS/STROBE
This is a three position switch with the lower pole being spring-loaded with return to the central
position. The "cont" position defeats the local clock making stage address manually selectable if
in "int" position, or voltage selectable if in "ext" position.
Address pot ("int" or by an external voltage - "ext") and a strobe command (either manual or
pulse) will then address that stage.
To clarify this function, try the following procedure: set the
Stage Address section to "display", "cont" and "int". The various stages can now be dialed up by
the pot. Apply a floating random voltage from a 265/266 Uncertainty Source to the Stage Address
"ext" input and set the switch to "ext". The random voltage will now move the stage address
around in a random manner.
Set the "cont/strobe" switch to the central position (keeping it in
"ext" mode). The Stage Address is still scanning the external input, but it will not react to the
input voltage until a strobe command is given. Upon receipt of a manual or pulse strobe
command, the Stage Address will regis ter the external voltage present at that point in time and
make the appropriate stage selection. In this mode the Programmed Output will react only to an
external voltage when a strobe command is given. Once the strobe is issued, if in "start" mode,
the 248 will continue to function with the programmed Interval Times and associated data.
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The Buchla catalogue for the MARF states that it's offered in several versions of different densities but identical function, and that expansion to larger versions can be done at any time.
Version Number Stages Outputs
248-1602 16 2
248-1606 16 6
248-3206 32 6
248-3210 32 10
I have never seen a MARF 248-1606, 3206 or 3210. I'm more familiar with the 248-1602.
I can only imagine that the 248-1602 had an extra output board ... maybe in 2U panel size ??
So these pics are just wild stabs at what each would look like.
Please email me if you have one or can help me out on these details
The standard 248-1602 first. It has 16 stages & 2 outputs
The 248-1606 . This has 16 stages & 6 outputs
Consists of a normal 1602 + a 4 output expansion module?
The 248-3206. This has 32 stages & 6 outputs
Finally the 248-3210. This has 32 stages & 10 outputs
OR:
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This page will be under constant revision ... I will try to add to it as I learn more about this module.
I think this article about how to use oscilloscope this will do
ReplyDeleteso helpful, thank you!
ReplyDeletesome examples of the 3206 on mark verbos’ blog
ReplyDeletehttp://buchlatech.blogspot.com/2010/01/marf-making.html?m=0
http://buchlatech.blogspot.com/2008/11/just-for-fun.html?m=0