Basic 4 panel Buchla setup

A friend of mine is considering entering the Buchla world and asked for some ideas about where to start.
He is considering a basic 4 unit setup.

These are some of my suggestions.
Just personal ideas ... I'm no expert but have had some experience over the last few years.

Of course he could just buy an Easel, which is a great way to begin as it has all the basic modules.
But if you're keen to buy modules, then here goes.

Before Buchla started producing half modules, this was always my preferred basic system.
It has what I feel to be the essential Buchla modules:
1. a VCO ... 261e
2. a envelope generator (EG)...281e
3. a  LPG....292e
4. a SOU (source of uncertainity)..... 266e

The 261e VCO could be swapped for another VCO of your choice .... such as a 258, 259e,
or a 100 series such as the 158 or 144.

Basic system 2:

We have added two half modules the 291h & 292h.
These are the EG & LPG.
The SOU hasn't changed but I've added a preset manager module,
the 225e, which allows you to store presets and also adds MIDI to your system.

Basic system 3:

This is essentially system 2 but the 225e has been swapped for two half modules: the 202h (which is a adapter module) and the 225h which is a midi - CV interface.


Basic 4 is an evolution of the basic 3 configuration

We have swapped the 266e (SOU) for a 267e which adds a dual filter, but retains a basic uncertainity module.

Basic 5 drops the 202h (adapter module) and the 225h (midi-CV interface).
In its place we have the 225e midi-CV / preset manager.

If you come from the Euro world, you probably already have MIDI to CV converters
and might be tempted to drop any of the MIDI-CV modules.
But be aware that Buchla uses a different standard to Euro .. 1.2V/ Oct. and 10V gates generally.
Plus the CV and audio section are separated.
CV uses banana & Audio use Tiny jacks.

 Basic 6

If you have got this covered then swapping the 225e for a 206e would be a great choice.
You have added a mixer & retained the preset manager.

I hope these ideas help you make a good decision.
Cheers J