Buchla Easel Command / 208C Synthesizer Is Now On Kickstarter

Buchla Easel Command / 208C is a further development of the legendary modular Synthesizer by Don Buchla & now on Kickstarter

The following news is a bit unusual, but it is nice that the West Coast synthesis family continues to grow. Buchla USA announced today that the new Buchla Easel Command / 208C Synthesizer can now be pre-ordered on Kickstarter. Yes, a real Buchla not a clone is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter.

The Buchla Easel Command is the newly updated 208C in a standalone desktop form with MIDI and CV control. The 208C is the module itself for use in a Buchla 200e system. For $2999 USD including a limited edition t-shirt, you can pre-order now the desktop Buchla Easel Command/ 208c Synthesizer. A bit cheaper is the module version.

<h4>What’s New Compared To The Previous Easel/208?</h4> <ul> <li>MIDI input(USB B/DIN) standard on Easel Command, optional on 208C.</li> <li>2 – 1/4″ Audio outputs (Easel Command only)</li> <li>1 – 3.5mm 1v/oct input (mixed to keyboard input) (Easel Command only)</li> <li>1 – 3.5mm Gate input (turned into Buchla keyboard pulse with sustain) (Easel Command only)</li> <li>MIDI A (USB Host) optional expansion port.</li> <li>Five additional audio connections to get independent inputs and outputs from the oscillators and the gates, plus an FM input to the modulation oscillator.</li> <li>Five additional banana CV connections to control knobs and faders and ability to send pulses independently to different inputs.</li> <li>If no aux input is present, analog white noise is generated (using the 266 circuit).</li> <li>A more logical layout of of the top row.</li> <li>A power/control mode LED indicator.</li> <li>Pulser now has a dedicated single pulse switch and mode distinction</li> <li>The modulation oscillator section is now green, so that each main section has its own color.</li> <li>The listed oscillator frequencies are more accurate and the scaled fader input range is trimmable from the old range to 1.2v/oct.</li> <li>You can trim the new modulation oscillator and envelope generator inputs to work with the typical input ranges you desire.</li> <li>You can trim the oscillators to your desired volts per octave range for both the keyboard and the fader inputs.</li> <li>You can also reduce the gain on the gate 1 input if you have an unusually hot, non-Buchla input.</li> <li>One single circuit board allows it to be modular case friendly and easier to service; the 208c module can fit into a 200e case.</li> <li>Switches and jumpers for those who want to use the new banana inputs —those for the modulation oscillator and sustain— to control the sequencer stages instead.</li> <li>Standard headers for the program card connector that allow us to develop future iProgramCard-like preset control from inside the unit.</li> <li>New connectors allow our plug-in MIDI interface and provides an optional stereo digital fx option (coming as an optional add-on in the future)</li> <li>Actual stereo. The 208 was always a mono synth, but if you plug in a stereo digital fx (coming as an optional add-on in the future), you’ll get stereo outputs on the MIX OUT and headphones.</li> <li> A new power connector for more cable length and case flexibility and removability and one that’s already compatible with the more recent revisions of the Easel power board.</li> </ul> The 208c module will begin shipping December 2019. Easel Command will begin shipping January 2020.

Also in 2019 where there are a lot of synthesizers on the market (analog, FM, wavetable, Eurorack modules…), the Buchla Easel remains a very special instrument with a unique sonic timbre, which is hard to compare with another synthesizer.

For me, the Buchla Easel remains a dream, for a Buchla t-shirt the money may be enough.

What’s New Compared To The Previous Easel/208?

MIDI input(USB B/DIN) standard on Easel Command, optional on 208C.
2 – 1/4″ Audio outputs (Easel Command only)
1 – 3.5mm 1v/oct input (mixed to keyboard input) (Easel Command only)
1 – 3.5mm Gate input (turned into Buchla keyboard pulse with sustain) (Easel Command only)
MIDI A (USB Host) optional expansion port.
Five additional audio connections to get independent inputs and outputs from the oscillators and the gates, plus an FM input to the modulation oscillator.
Five additional banana CV connections to control knobs and faders and ability to send pulses independently to different inputs.
If no aux input is present, analog white noise is generated (using the 266 circuit).
A more logical layout of of the top row.
A power/control mode LED indicator.
Pulser now has a dedicated single pulse switch and mode distinction
The modulation oscillator section is now green, so that each main section has its own color.
The listed oscillator frequencies are more accurate and the scaled fader input range is trimmable from the old range to 1.2v/oct.
You can trim the new modulation oscillator and envelope generator inputs to work with the typical input ranges you desire.
You can trim the oscillators to your desired volts per octave range for both the keyboard and the fader inputs.
You can also reduce the gain on the gate 1 input if you have an unusually hot, non-Buchla input.
One single circuit board allows it to be modular case friendly and easier to service; the 208c module can fit into a 200e case.
Switches and jumpers for those who want to use the new banana inputs —those for the modulation oscillator and sustain— to control the sequencer stages instead.
Standard headers for the program card connector that allow us to develop future iProgramCard-like preset control from inside the unit.
New connectors allow our plug-in MIDI interface and provides an optional stereo digital fx option (coming as an optional add-on in the future)
Actual stereo. The 208 was always a mono synth, but if you plug in a stereo digital fx (coming as an optional add-on in the future), you’ll get stereo outputs on the MIX OUT and headphones.
A new power connector for more cable length and case flexibility and removability and one that’s already compatible with the more recent revisions of the Easel power board.