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modules. Connect to your sound system. If you have the 

¼

” output I/O panel, 

use the top two connectors for a stereo system. If you don’t have a mixer 
module like the 206e, 207e, or 227e you can use any signal output. The 
common output of a 292h would be a good choice. You can use common 
3.5mm mono audio cables for your final output, but they may be too loose. For 
the best audio connections, use the Tini-Plug audio cables that come with the 
Buchla system and adapt with a module that adapts from Tini-Jax (such as the 
202h or 225h).   
 

NOTE: Switchcraft “Tini-Jax” are the standard historical Buchla audio cable 
connections and are just slightly larger diameter and longer length than 
3.5mm connections. They are sometimes referred to as 1/8” in Don Buchla’s 
manuals, though they are actually .140” diameter connections.  Many synth 
manufacturers now use 3.5mm cables. 3.5mm cables often work in a Tini-Jax 
jack, but we encourage use of the Tini-Jax/Plug cables as the Buchla standard 
within a Buchla system. Tini-Jax cables can cause damage to 3.5mm jacks. 

 
Note: e-series and h-series compatibility: While the power supply cable for the 
e-series and h-series is distinctly different than that in the Buchla e-series, 
they are compatible and it is expected that e-series and h-series modules will 
co-exist just as original 200-series and 200e series can coexist.  Remote 
Enable communicates harmoniously on both e-series and h-series. 

 
COMMON BUCHLA SYSTEM STUFF 

Before getting into the details of particular modules, lets pursue some items 
that all 200 modules share in common. First the connections: Like its 
predecessors--the 200, and 100--the 200e and 200h series differentiates 
between control voltages, signals, and pulses.  
 

Control voltages

 (C.V.’s) are used to specify parameter levels, range from 0 

to 10 volts, and are interconnected with banana jacks and cords.  
 

Pulses

 are used for timing information, and have two levels: 10 volt pulses 

transmit only transient information; while 5 volts carries the sustain  
information. Pulses, like C.V.’s, also employ banana interconnections.  
 

Signals

 (audio signals) are the raw material of electronic music, and 

ultimately become the sounds we actually hear. They are nominally 1 volt in 
amplitude, but can range from infinitesimally small to 20 db in excess of the 
nominal. Signals are connected via Tini-Jax connectors and shielded 
patchcords.  

Summary of Contents for 200e series

Page 1: ...USER S GUIDE for the 200e ELECTRIC MUSIC BOX by the staff of Buchla USA V1 6 10 21 17 2018 by Buchla USA...

Page 2: ...supervision when using the instrument near children or when children are using it The 200 s power supply is for indoor use only Do not use a damaged or alternate supply Refer all servicing to qualifie...

Page 3: ...lity While the power supply cable for the e series and h series is distinctly different than that in the Buchla e series they are compatible and it is expected that e series and h series modules will...

Page 4: ...le LED is on magical possibilities arise This is further explained in the 225e description in the 200e User s Guide but here is a summary In systems without a 225e or 206e the remote switch will be ab...

Page 5: ...Grey knob settings cannot be stored and will always represent the setting you see...

Page 6: ...dules with the latest firmware versions With the power off insert the card then while holding a module s reset enable switch turn on the power See the website for up to date instructions for each modu...

Page 7: ...nd vice versa That is modules that generate messages on the internal bus will also produce USB MIDI output on the 225m That includes the 226h or 218e note messages if enabled or the 252e clock start s...

Page 8: ...We hope that covers a basic introduction to the unique features of the Buchla systems We are always looking to expand and improve our designs So keep in touch For descriptions of individual 200e serie...

Page 9: ...m Resolving differences in visible knob settings with recalled patches Now obviously a knob without a motor cannot indicate the value of its associated parameter It has a mechanically indicated value...

Page 10: ...ent preset and your system will assume the appropriate state The switches last and next can also be used to instantly recalls the preset from memory Pulse inputs can also but used in this same way See...

Page 11: ......

Page 12: ...implest selection is Last_Next Pulse inputs will act the same as the button press for last and next If instead you choose C V _Samp then the left pulse input acts as a CV input for random access of pr...

Page 13: ...e ID section below for a description Sofware versions Module ID s and Firmware updating Reading the software version and module ID A sustained press on most module s remote enable switch will display...

Page 14: ......

Page 15: ...nflicting module ID s a system with MORE than 4 oscillators of the same type e g five 259e s in one system or any multiples of modules without a module ID you can still use them independently in a sys...

Page 16: ...heir normal state See Exceptions to the remote enable are mostly for modules with 2 processors and therefore 2 programming procedures The same switch that when held displays the module s firmware and...

Page 17: ...ves similarly but with reversed response Gain adjustments are provided for each input channel Output levels for the left and right output channels are monitored with LED VU meters with 10 db levels oc...

Page 18: ...d for each input channel Output levels for the left and right output channels are monitored with LED VU meters with 10 db levels occurring just prior to clipping A headset monitor is also provided Its...

Page 19: ...inputs A push of the level knob will immediately connect the signal at full level or disconnect it at no level To route an audio signal use the upper select switches to choose a desired input and outp...

Page 20: ...r octave that means that the pitch C will be 0v 1 2v 2 4v 4 8v or 6 0v depending on the octave being played Notice how conveniently that relates the MIDI C notes 0 12 24 48 and 60 Every step higher wi...

Page 21: ...nge a parameter of a sound based on the octave being played 218e Input and output jacks Sustain The Easel comes with a connection labeled opt right sustain the factory jumper setting should be set for...

Page 22: ...2 3 then the velocity will always be the value set by 2 Pressure sensitivity is set by preset knob 4 Exit configuration mode the same way you entered the mode hold preset pads 1 and 2 until they flash...

Page 23: ...se the nature of the response you d like and the key you d like to serve as the source A blank in the first position of the field causes a pulse to be delivered upon touching the key a T causes a togg...

Page 24: ...e data entry knob to select from two to four voices The display will indicate which of the radio outputs have been stolen for application to polyphony These pages will become unavailable for editing b...

Page 25: ...be illuminated for pulses and control voltages to be produced This is the default value when the 222e powers on The left right position of a ring in the field determines the voltage emanating from the...

Page 26: ...lse the nature of the response you d like and the key you d like to serve as the source A blank in the first position of the field causes a pulse to be delivered upon touching the key a T causes a tog...

Page 27: ...nd 7 The 223e can implement polyphony by stealing radio outputs Page to Polyphony off Use the data entry knob to select from two to four voices The display will indicate which of the radio outputs hav...

Page 28: ...se to remove the selected key from the group To expediently create a group of keys to be arpeggiated cursor to the ky field and turn the data wheel clockwise thus capitalizing KY Now simply play each...

Page 29: ...hold an arpeggiation pattern press the add note button its LED will turn green and the run LED will turn green Press keys to add them to the arpeggiation pattern No need to sustain the keys simply tou...

Page 30: ...5e Busses Note and Controller message assigments to Pulses and CVs Note messages are applied to busses A B C D E F G and H Continuous Controller and Clock messages are handled by busses J K L M N and...

Page 31: ...ion is sent unaltered but if desired non linear transformations can be applied to velocity Velocity curves are displayed graphically with the normal linear response displayed as and other responses di...

Page 32: ...nd 281e h must be assigned to Module ID A Unlike the oscillators the 292e and 281e the Module ID is not the same as the Bus name but instead bus A D corresponds to the top to bottom on one module To r...

Page 33: ......

Page 34: ...ans every quarter note and 3 8 means every third eighth note Additional switches MIDI Reset button To restore all voltages and internal parameters to their nominal values hit MIDI reset This also send...

Page 35: ...U meters on each channel 1 4 phone connections on the back of the system parallel the front mounted 1 8 jacks The top 2 jacks are A B Headphones A switch toggles between the front rear or all channels...

Page 36: ...d green LED will indicate the Swirl mode and the meanings of knob settings and applied control voltages will be radically altered The left location pots now affects the rate of rotation of an applied...

Page 37: ...e normally connected to the three mic preamps These internal normalled connections are indicated by circled N s on the panel If desired to use an envelope tracker independently simply patch the its in...

Page 38: ...age select to select a stage number Hit edit again to toggle between the two displays LED s indicate which display is being edited To program a voltage hit cv1 or cv2 an orange LED indicates that the...

Page 39: ...is enabled and as long as the pulse is active the sequence will progress normally Note that either a high start advance or a high strobe pulse or both cause this behavior The option key provides a sho...

Page 40: ...L C L o o p C o u n t e r 9 9 S e t L C 9 9 data entry sets the loop count in the third display jump sequences the following 4 displays and moves the cursor in displays 2 and 3 N o J u m p J u m p 2 3...

Page 41: ...ee addressing schema First is x y which allows a two dimensional controller to address the sequencer in a continuous circular fashion with the controls in quadrature Next is via a strobe pulse Pressin...

Page 42: ...well as the time can be quantized voltage in 1 volt increments time in binary rhythmic increments of 01 02 04 08 16 32 64 1 28 2 56 5 12 Time values may be modified through application of an external...

Page 43: ...iting PULSE OUTPUTS Pulse outputs are edited on the right side All stages produce pulses at the all output while pulses 1 and 2 are selected by toggling the associated switches while in the edit mode...

Page 44: ...ast stage then hit set and use the center knob to select the loop s first stage The jump to LED s in the bottom of the display will be on here Hit set again to activate the loop counter and dial in th...

Page 45: ...nce and not individual stages exceptions end cycle are displayed only for the last stage of a sequence and sync next causes the following sequencer to reset to stage 1 whenever it is encountered When...

Page 46: ...esetting it reverse plays the sequence in reverse retrograde order Reverse and sync interact peculiarly Use them simultaneously at your own risk copy copies the displayed sequence With the copy LED on...

Page 47: ...e pitch sensitivity will alter the oscillators pitch by one cent 1 100 of a half tone Push the adjustment knob again to return to the display of volts The right decimal point ignites if the output con...

Page 48: ...to copy to depressing it to activate the stage copy You may hold it depressed while turning it to address contiguous stages Complete the operation by pressing copy again Note that when copying a dura...

Page 49: ...s 1 2 and 3 of the ring respectively If you press the play stop button the playhead cursor will begin to step at the default 120 BPM and you ll see from the LEDs in the PULSE OUTPUT section that pulse...

Page 50: ...rform and knob distributes them in time Zero is an equal time distribution larger values group the pulses closer and closer together and push them further and further towards the end of the cell s tim...

Page 51: ...lidian mode so to avoid confusion the 252e automatically reselects the user defined edit mode But the 252e is more than a pulse generator All these cells can be associated with control voltages to be...

Page 52: ...le if you press the clear button when the subdiv display mode is active only the cell subdivide pulses will be erased from the current cell Similarly with the other controls and display modes If you w...

Page 53: ...selective transformations within a display layer Advanced Editing Randomize An extension of the R G B button as modifier technique provides a randomize function In the pulses display mode holding down...

Page 54: ...e master BPM from 5x 3x as does the knob s associated CV input Pressing the reset button will force all active rings to resync at cell 1 MIDI CLOCK The 252e supports MIDI clock sync receive and transm...

Page 55: ...matrix which works as follows With no breakpoint specified 2 LED s will be illuminated one on the left the other on the right of the display A press of the switch adds a single breakpoint indicated by...

Page 56: ...The first example is complete transparency the 256 does nothing to the applied voltage and the output is a replica of the input Next we take the product of two applied voltages and invert the result...

Page 57: ...of the transfer function The actual voltages are calculated to a high degree of precision and are appropriate for application to pitch and other variables Switch status and pot settings of the 256e ca...

Page 58: ...urning up the other knob you will get something more like a sawtooth wave Note You can never get a true sawtooth or square wave output since the slew rate does not go to 0 It will always have some sle...

Page 59: ...chieve synchronization The Principal Oscillator The principal oscillator generates a sine wave varying in frequency from 27 to 7040 Hz The frequency can be modulated with an externally applied signal...

Page 60: ...most useful if each oscillator in a system has it s own Internal Bus I D Potentiometer Calibration Generally unneeded there is a calibration procedure for the input potentiometers on the 259e It elimi...

Page 61: ...olled pitch class generators A pitch class generator produces a singular pitch in every perceivable octave Frequency modulation inputs and a five band spectrum shaping facility are provided When switc...

Page 62: ...hen enabled forces synchronicity with the principal oscillator With no control voltage applied to the modulation oscillator its pitch will precisely track that of the principal oscillator The offset w...

Page 63: ...t Pitch will be completely determined by MIDI signals So when you wonder why your oscillators tuning controls seem dead check the 225e s fine tuning field for the bus that s driving your oscillator Yo...

Page 64: ...thing to the random voltage but when turned left or right the average voltage will move accordingly with the probability distribution reshaped skewed in one direction Degree establishes the degree of...

Page 65: ...h unmodified or may be randomized to any desired extent With nothing connected to the inputs the both filter inputs are normalized to the flat white noise described above Connect a signal to the input...

Page 66: ...hat automatically assigns the stations with the best signals to the twenty slots The display will read SCAn until the assignment is complete This will overwrite all previous assignments For SCAN to wo...

Page 67: ...With the CV and pulse inputs in the Polyphonic section each tuner will overlap with the others starting at Tuner A With the CV and pulse inputs in individual Tuner sections the polyphonic section will...

Page 68: ...ulse out A If in the cyclic mode the cycle now repeats Same for section B The time range for both attack and decay is from 001 to 10 seconds The scale is linear from 001 to 03 seconds input value from...

Page 69: ...bus A D respectively To perform this function the device select switches on back of unit MUST be set to device A To read the device select code depress either of the quadrature switches for a couple...

Page 70: ...modulation plus adds some new tricks As in the frequency shifter the internal reference frequency is voltage controllable can vary from 1 to 1kHz and can be modulated with an applied signal The extern...

Page 71: ...s may be employed To edit a stage select a desired stage with the red edit select switch A red LED indicates the selected stage and the green LED in the ninth position signals the play mode The green...

Page 72: ...advanced only if an applied pulse is high extending the time until the pulse goes high Sust is the opposite permitting advancement only with a low pulse and inhibiting it when high A Puls or a Stop i...

Page 73: ...gain is changed Frequency domain gating can impart a dynamic tonal variation to sounds that gives the listener a sense of absolute loudness This quality is characteristic of all acoustic instruments...

Page 74: ...ed the left side will drive only the odd numbered filters while the right will drive only the even Split filter even and odd outputs By monitoring only the odd or even outputs we ve effectively split...

Page 75: ...esented at the COMB OUTPUTS The level controls have no effect on these outputs Spectral display With the DISP section on envlps the potentiometer LED s will display the real time spectrum of the appli...

Page 76: ...ound applied to its input and apply the spectrum to an internal bus To complete the operation illuminate the ext all LED in the first unit The spectrum will now be transferred to the signal applied to...

Page 77: ...al phase shift effect All parameters phase shift notch depth sweep rate sweep depth resonance are voltage controlled with processing control inputs where appropriate A built in envelope follower facil...

Page 78: ...header at The 10pin of the h MIDI board is NOT compatible with the 225e But this 2 pin option leaves open the possibility of the connecting the 226h 225e and even the 225h simultaneously If the 225h i...

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