By sourceofuncertainty

Welcome to episode 31 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode we got the opportunity to talk with David Kean about his time working, and being friends with Don Buchla. He commissioned a few modules (255, 297, 299) that eventually led to Don developing the 200e system. We then dig into the byproduct module that came from these commissions, the Duo…

Welcome to episode 30 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode we dig into the mighty and complex Programmable Spectral Processor Model 296. We were lucky enough to get our hands on a MEMS Project version of the module and did our best to put it through it’s paces. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 296M Feature Dive: 17:15 Envelope Follower Outputs & Feedba…

Our First Encounter L'incontro Cellule Il Suono Del Passato Un Momento Di Silenzio Staples Vicino Creating these soundscapes, partly feels as navigating through some fictive offshore territories emerging from Buchla, populated with forms of vivid matter — as speculative lifeforms— interacting under our ears. While balancing discipline and letting-g…

Welcome to episode 29 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode we talk to Mark Verbos from Verbos Electronics/Verbos & Associates about his decades long obsession with Buchla instruments. We also explore Mark’s Harmonic Oscillator and the Quantizer/Shift Register. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Harmonic Oscillator: 28:45 Quantizer/Shift Register: 56:00 M…

Hello, thanks for inviting me to participate on SoU, it's an honour to be part of it! In this mix I'm showcasing unreleased material I have almost exclusively performed on my 200e system, these jams illustrate some of the moods and sounds I'm looking for when making music on my own or collaborating with other artists here in London. The first track…

Welcome to episode 28 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode we explore the Kilpatrick Audio K4816 Pattern Generator, then we talk to Andrew Kilpatrick and Pat McMaster from A Yellow Sine about their joint venture: The Sextuple Quadraphonic Spatial Director! Show notes: Hello: 0:00 K4816 Pattern Generator Exploration: 5:45 Andrew & Pat Interview…

Welcome to episode 27 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode we talk to Alex Pleninger from Keen Association and dig into the Graphic Waveform Generator Model 268e and Quad Transevent Generator Model 282e. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 268e Exploration: 23:50 282e Exploration: 1:10:05 Alex Pleninger Interview: 1:57:00 Goodbye: 2:58:00 For more informa…

The Sonny Downs Quartet is proud to present a selection of music written for Buchla 200e. All pieces were composed and performed exclusively on the 200e, with no external MIDI sequencing and no multitracking. Everything was sequenced or played using a 252e, 251e, and 223e. None of the music uses 12-tone equal temperament. Since the release of Villa…

Steven Barsky Music is life. I feel inspired to record the sonic patterns and sounds that are running around in my head. Sometimes they come fast and furious, I don’t think I’ll get the Logic up and recording before the ephemeral soundscape spewing from the speakers is gone. It happens so fast sometimes… Here are some examples of those dreams that …

Welcome to episode 26 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Kyle fly’s solo and digs into the new Time Domain Processor Model 288r. He then talks with Steven Barsky about overhauling the v2 MARF’s firmware. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 288r Deep Dive: 8:00 Steven Barsky Interview: 1:11:44 Goodbye: 2:05:40 Check out Steven Barsky’s music: https://sou…

I am composer and performer based in Stockholm, Sweden. My work usually stays within the realm of electronic music both when performing as a solo artist and in different constellations, but I have also written for chamber ensembles, dance companies and some opera. Starting out with a basic Doepfer system in 1999, there have been modulars in my home…

Welcome to episode 25 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert and Kyle grab a joystick and dive into the Human Comparator’s Nested Vector Oscillator. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 NVO Exploration: 25:00 NVO + CV: 53:30 Goodbye: 1:12:00 Find out more about the Nested Vector Oscillator check out: https://thehumancomparator.net/ Purchase Robert’s m…

In the 1940’s, Pierre Schaeffer realized that the electronic medium opens up music composition to the whole domain of sonic phenomena. Technology enabled the composer to work directly with sound itself as opposed to an abstraction of it, operational signals on a sheet given to performers that could interpret them and realize the piece. For him, thi…

Welcome to episode 24 (or is it 23?) of Source Of Uncertainty. We are excited to welcome back Mark and Chip from the MEMS Project, and had a great time digging into their “Boat Of Uncertainty.” Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Boat Of Uncertainty: 1:37 Interview with Mark & Chip: 55:22 Goodbye: 2:22:52 Find out more about the MEMS Project at: https://memspr…

Kevin Rix is a film trailer composer, guitarist, and modular synth artist. His compositions have appeared in trailers for films such as Avatar, How to Train Your Dragon, Robin Hood, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aquaman, Frozen 2, Black Widow, Top Gun: Maverick, The King's Man, Joker, and Cruella. In 2015, Kevin was introduced to modular syn…

BIO Mathew Watson is a Melbourne (AU) based artist focussed on the exploration of electronic sound and the drumset. He has an extensive list of past and ongoing artist collaborations and has performed at arts festivals, music festivals, galleries and theatres in Australia, Japan and the USA. Watson began his musical life as a drummer, before turnin…

Welcome to episode 22 of Source Of Uncertainty. Get ready to phase in or phase out (whichever you prefer) with a long look at the Infinite Phase Shifter Model 297. Robert and Kyle then check in with Buchla USA CEO Eric Fox about the past year and a half since we last talked and chat about what’s coming in the future. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 297 Fea…

The first time I ever saw a Buchla system I was curious and intrigued. When I first heard a Buchla system I instantly fell in love with the timbres and have been exploring Don's circuits ever since. The sound of the Easel's Complex Oscillator or the Programmable Complex Waveform Generator Model 259 are unlike any other oscillator I have ever used. …

Welcome to episode 21 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert & Kyle talk to Nicoletta & Christopher from Passepartout Duo about their new album “Epigrams”. Kyle also digs into the Bandpass Filter Model 194F. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Kyle explores the 194F: 6:48 Interview with Passepartout Duo: 32:37 Goodbye: 1:36:26 Find out more about Pas…

About Mike Estlick: I'm an electrical engineer by day, and a Buchla player by night. I've been recording electronic music since I was a kid in the 80s. I was into raves, clubs, and MIDI sequencers in the 90s. In the 2000s I recorded quite a bit with the Nord Modular synths, and got into sequencing with modules instead of MIDI. In 2017 I got an Ease…

Welcome to episode 20 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert & Kyle talk about some module news, how they got into music/Buchla and the new albums they recently released. Purchase Kyle’s new album at: https://darksparkler.bandcamp.com/ Purchase Robert's album at: https://robstand.com/ Listen and subscribe to Podular Modcast: https://podul…

Seven .WAVs (pronounced “seven dot waves”) is an exploration of materiality in electronic music. The album comprises seven individual compositions, each a conceptual interpretation of “waves” and a logical manifestation of waveforms. The recordings of the compositions are materialized as .WAV files. All of the compositions use FM radio transmission…

Welcome to episode 19 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert digs into the Polyphonic Tuner Model 272e, and then we chat with Benge! Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Robert explores the 272e: 16:15 Interview with Benge: 42:37 Goodbye: 1:56:40 Links for Benge: myblogitsfullofstars.blogspot.com zackdagoba.bandcamp.com instagram.com/memetunestudio Pu…

There are two improvisations on each system, the first two on a vintage 100 and the second two on a cloned 200 There are some significant differences in sound between the two eras, most noticeably the tone of the VCOs and the filters. I would describe the earlier VCOs as being richer, fuller and brighter than the 200 series but not as stable, and t…

Welcome to episode 18 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert and Kyle talk about Kyle's new Buchla album: DARK SPARKLER - “Are You Working With Me, Or Against Me?” available at darksparkler.bandcamp.com. Kyle takes the ZORX Ribbon Controller out for a patch or two, and then they talk to it's creator Ellison Wolf. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 K…

The Buchla Music Easel has been one of my main instruments for about 3 years now. When I first got it I spent a lot of time making “Cortini-esque” patches and sharing them on YouTube. I considered trying to do a similar thing for this artist spotlight to really highlight the Buchla sound but eventually decided against it. I’ve gotten more and more …

Welcome to episode 17 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert and Kyle talk to Daniel Skevington who is behind Dunnington Audio and the “revised” Quad Function Generator and Dual Oscillator clones, and Kyle takes the 258D for a spin. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Kyle explores the Dunnington Audio 258D: 19:30 Interview with Daniel Skevington: 45…

Schliuuurkschplinkplonky, performed live on a BUCHLA 200 system using Dual Oscillator 258 ; Complex Waveform Generator 259 ; Rob Hordijk’s Benjolin adapted for Buchla ; Quad Function Generator 281 ; Source Of Uncertainty 266 ; Frequency Shifter 285 ; Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator 248 - 1602 ; Dual Equalizer Reverb 275 with Spring Reverb in …

Welcome to episode 16 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Kyle tries to figure out what to do with the 230 Triple Envelope Follower, and then the hosts talk to Johnny Woods about his new album and working in a solar powered studio. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Kyle explores the Triple Envelope Follower: 18:35 Interview with Johnny Woods: 40:50 Goo…

0:00 Dawn Two (from Pavilions) 6:21 First Flight (live) (from The Wild Vol. 1) 10:24 Sketch of Uncertainty 1 (live) (exclusive) 13:58 Sketch of Uncertainty 2 (live) (exclusive) 18:36 Sketch of Uncertainty 3 (live) (exclusive) The first two tracks are taken from two recent releases, and notably both use the same exact patch. The last three pieces ar…

Welcome to episode 15 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode we talk to Jacqueline & Augustus from The Galaxy Electric. We talk about the duo’s musical history, discovering Buchla, and the Kickstarter campaign for their new album. Before our chat, Kyle shows off a few thing’s he’s learned about the 208/Music Easel. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 208 Ti…

The Galaxy Electric are Augustus and Jacqueline - a husband/wife duo based in the US - who are obsessed with early electronic music that utilized magnetic tape to create new sounds no one had ever heard before! Together, they blend influences from 60s Psych pop and Retro Sci-Fi to make "Cosmic Tape Music.” Using Buchla style synthesizers, Reel to R…

Welcome to episode 14 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode we talk to Doug Clauder from Studio H about his modular beginnings and how he got into making modules to solve problems within his system. Before our chat, Robert show’s off the lovely Studio H Dual Programmable Oscillator. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Studio H Dual Programmable Oscillator:…

With a musical history rooted in experimental electronics, minimalism and techno, Jim has now found himself deep into Buchla. Drawn to the incredible sound and superior user interface, he started with a Music Easel and now is working with full 100 and 200 Series systems. In addition to his solo work, Jim had performed / recorded with: Sample and Fo…

In this very special 1 year anniversary episode of Source Of Uncertainty we talk to the legendary Morton Subotnick!!!! Before we talk with Mort, we explore 2 delay modules within the Buchla ecosystem, the 277r Signal Delay Unit, and the new 1979 DSD. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Kyle’s Signal Delay Unit Model 277r Demo: 17:30 Robert’s 1979 DSD Demo: 47:…

Tyresta is the experimental music project of social worker and musician Nick Turner. Nick is based in Chicago, Illinois and makes music utilizing various instruments including Buchla Music Easel, eurorack modular, mellotron, and guitar. He also helps behind the scenes with the ambient, drone, and experimental music labels Past Inside the Present an…

In this episode of Source Of Uncertainty we explore the idea of a “Base Patch” and share our findings. We then get to chat with composer Barry Schrader about teaching at CalArts, composing music for a sci-fi cult classic, and dig into how he made the seminal Buchla album “Lost Atlantis.” Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Kyle’s Base Patch: 13:10 Robert’s Bas…

Welcome to the first Artist Spotlight episode of Source Of Uncertainty! Today we feature music from Günther Steudel. Günther was the inspiration to start this series when he reached out to us with some music that he had recorded in the 1980's with his Buchla 300 series! We felt very lucky to hear these recordings from Günther, and now we're very ex…

In this episode of Source Of Uncertainty we chat with Steve Horelick aka Steve H about his lengthy history with using Buchla Instruments, his world of Logic, and creating one of the greatest ear-worms of the 80’s. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Interview with Steve Horelick: 26:10 200e Skylab Performance: 1:11:07 Music Easel performance: 1:56:17 Goodbye: …

In part 2 of episode 10, Kyle takes us through the rest of his trip to EMS. He then talks to Jon Nensen aka The Human Comparator who is behind the TTSH Arp 2600 clone, 73-75 Serge panels, Buchla USA 100 Series reissues, and some upcoming Buchla ecosystem modules of his own design. It was a great chat! Show notes: Hello: 0:00 EMS Day 4: 11:30 EMS Da…

In this episode of Source Of Uncertainty Kyle takes us on his journey to play on the iconic vintage 200 system at EMS in Stockholm. He also sits down to talk with the head studio tech Daniel Araya about the system and his own pocket sized feedback generator the Piezothing. Part 2 coming in 2 weeks! Show notes: Hello: 0:00 EMS Day 1: 18:53 EMS Day 2…

Welcome to episode 9 of Source Of Uncertainty! In this episode Robert and Kyle each patch with the Northern Light Modular h series modules. Then they talk to the people that made the system, Marc Borri & Sascha Haber. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Robert's patch with the Northern Light Modular h system: 16:25 Kyle's patch with the Northern Light Modular …

Welcome to the 8 episode of Source Of Uncertainty! In this episode we’ll explore the gnarliness of the Buchla Twisted Waveform Generator Model 259e, and we also check back in with Todd Barton to hear about his recent musical releases and what the future holds. Show notes: Hello: 0:00 Featured Module Twisted Waveform Generator Model 259e: 19:25 Todd…

On episode 7 of Source Of Uncertainty we dig into the Multi-Dimensional Kinesthetic Input / Tactile Input Port. We then talk with long time Buchla Associate Joel Davel about working with Don Buchla and all the controllers he helped develop, and finally Peter Nyboer from Sensel joins the conversation to talk about collaborating with Joel on the Morp…

On episode 6 of Source Of Uncertainty we get to explore one of the rarest Buchla modules, a replica of the Waveform Synthesizer Model 132. We then get to speak to Chip Flynn and Mark Milanovich about the recreation of the 132 (and many other modules), and their exciting M.E.M.S Project. Show Notes Hello: 0:00 Buchla Music Recommendations: 13:55 132…

On episode 5 of Source Of Uncertainty we bring it back to basics by exploring the ever-present combo of the Quad Function Generator and Quad Dynamics Manager modules. We also speak with the man of many hats: Nathan Moody! We dig in on the music he creates with his Easel++ and tips on recording Buchla Instruments. Show Notes Hello: 0:00 Velocity in …

We have reached the 4th episode of Source Of Uncertainty, and we're playing with Eurorack modules? YES! Buchla USA's RED PANEL system is now available and we explore this modular time machine with our podcasting brethren Tim Held from the Podular Modcast. We then talk to the head of Buchla USA Eric Fox about taking over the company from "BEMI" and …

On the 3rd episode of Source Of Uncertainty we talk to Wes Milholen about his Buchla adaptations of Clouds, Rings & Braids. Oh my! Show Notes Hello: 0:00 Buchlaish News: 10:00 1979 Chat: 15:45 Music Spotlight: 21:30 Featured Module: 27:50 Wes Milholen Interview: 45:00 Goodbye: 1:40:30 Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sourceofunc…

For the second episode of Source Of Uncertainty we tread into deep waters with the control voltage leviathan known as the Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator model 248. We are then honored to talk with the iconic composer and Buchla legend Suzanne Ciani! Show Notes Hello: 0:00 MARF Chat: 12:35 Music Spotlight: 21:50 Featured Module: 26:50 Suzanne…