General Buchla 208C thread

ddiamond84 · 2024-01-10T18:40:31.951Z

My knob came this way and I just got it new, so maybe some knobs are just a little too low. Do you happen to know if pulling the knob off is ok to do? I never know which knobs on synths can be pulled off and whether it will damage the unit or not!

chiasticon · 2024-01-10T18:57:39.877Z

I just checked that it could be pulled off just fine, and it can. but when I pressed it back on all the way, it did what you describe yours as doing. so I just lifted it up a tiny bit and it’s fine now. there’s plenty of resistance on the pot’s shaft that I don’t think the knob will slide down further without me expressly trying to do so.

ddiamond84 · 2024-01-10T19:00:51.691Z

Thank you so much for checking! Very appreciated

chiasticon · 2024-01-10T19:03:51.809Z

no worries. I knew it could be pulled off, actually. people love to swap these Selco knobs for Rogans, on this module and the 200e modules.

the pot/knob having this behavior is mildly annoying. but given how wobbly older Buchla 200e knobs are, I’ll take this over that any day.

HBIII · 2024-01-10T19:11:44.558Z

I’ve noticed quite a few synths put something on top of the pot shafts to avoid this issue… like a bit of electrical tape or a little plastic spacer. Not uncommon.

chiasticon · 2024-01-19T20:30:33.897Z

by the way, if anyone is interested in the 208c, it’s a great time to buy one. there’s tons of them up on Reverb in the low $2k’s. I actually just saw one with the LEM 218 for $3200. which isn’t bad considering the 208c is $3k brand new itself and the LEM 218 is another $1300!

I think we’re seeing an influx of them at great prices because Buchla should be shipping the new Easel soon. and likely people who bought the 208c but really wanted an Easel (so bought one) now have to pay off their balances for those and are a bit desperate for the cash. prices may go back up once that’s all kind of passed. or not…

chiasticon · 2024-01-24T19:39:16.474Z

Look Mum No Computer bought a BEMI era Easel and did a video walking through it. useful for anyone that doesn’t understand the instrument. also just an enjoyable watch because he’s fun.

wowzer · 2024-05-18T14:17:17.171Z

I am very happy with my Buchla 208c
Very good sound, always amazed about what comes out. Slowly (very slowly) understand what is going on, very pleasing all together

wGe23 · 2024-05-21T15:06:33.430Z

Just a quick question regarding the CV/GATE inputs on the back of the 208C.

Do the 3.5mm CV/GATE ports on the back of the 208c make it act like a regular tuned analog synth? (Regular as in using the standard 1V per octave tuning)

Many people sequence it using the 5-step pulser, but I’m considering sequencing it with a better sequencer, so I am curious to know if it can be tamed with a standard CV/GATE sequencer.

Any info on this is greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

wowzer · 2024-05-21T15:21:30.159Z

You can use it as a regular synth with gate and cv 1v/oct
Don’t underestimate 5 step sequencer

wGe23 · 2024-05-21T16:32:48.349Z

Great to hear, thanks for the info, Wou’!

v00d00ppl · 2024-05-21T19:51:02.702Z

If you’re interested in external options write to Roland about his Aux cards.

wGe23 · 2024-05-21T20:12:57.593Z

Not sure if an aux card is going to help with being able to control it externally, but it sure makes the 208C look nice and compact.

I was actually looking to sequence the 208C using my Roland MC-4b sequencer.

This sequencer only outputs in the standard 1V per Octave range and crazy hot Gate signals, so I had to make sure this was going to work before going for the 208C.

I’m not familiar with Buchla, so I had to ask about those obscure 3.5mm ports on the back that everyone seems to overlook.

The pulser is cool, but I think it’s best used for triggering destinations other than CV/Gate - but that’s just me!

:- )

wowzer · 2024-05-21T21:07:45.335Z

You can combine, every new note played from your sequencer brings you to next step in Buchla 5 step seq. This Buchla sequencer can be routed to black inputs / fader adjustment. Really cool!

v00d00ppl · 2024-05-21T21:15:52.937Z

So is it 8 steps + 5 steps = 13 steps ?

wowzer · 2024-05-21T22:16:52.359Z

Every note you play on keyboard or sequencer can trigger the 5 step seq to go to the next.
So many variations in sound
The 5 step seq can be adjusted to 3 or 4 steps
Every step has a fader, it can be routed From the blue output to for example ‘timbre’

wGe23 · 2024-05-21T22:34:11.784Z

I guess the better question to ask is this,

Does anyone have a video link to someone playing the 208C via CV/GATE?

All the videos I’ve come across are all standalone jams, and so the specific one I am after is hard to find.

v00d00ppl · 2024-05-21T22:37:12.508Z

My mind is blown brother . Thank you for explaining that to me

wowzer · 2024-05-22T22:48:51.325Z

wowzer · 2024-05-22T22:49:43.698Z

Ah, it is midi
Works the same. I use a4 cv