Morton Subotnick’s Buchla, Geological Soundscapes, Expert Sleepers: Synth Journal
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Morton Subotnick’s Buchla, Geological Soundscapes, Expert Sleepers: Synth Journal · Source: Shawn Miller, Library of Congress
Immerse yourself in the sound of geological formations with Archean, the upcoming new ambient synth from Nakedboards! Also in this week’s edition of Synth Journal: Discover how composer Morton Subotnick’s Buchla 100 modular synth from the 1960s was brought back to life at the US Library of Congress.
Synth Journal
Nakedboards Archean Synthesizer: Immerse Yourself in Geological Soundscapes
Nakedboards is back with Archean, a new patchable synth inspired by geological formations. The developer says he tends to associate ambient music with geology rather than with living nature. The idea for Archean was born out of a “certain romantic state” he found himself in after immersing himself in music and geology.
So how does one convey geology through synthesis? Archean’s unique oscillator produces three types of waveshapes: a randomly generated “landscape”, a constantly and smoothly evolving landscape, and a triangular wave. There’s a “Create” button for generating new landscapes. The oscillator offers a range of seven octaves, so it can produce anything from thundering drones to high-pitched textures.
These “landscapes” are then formed by a filter, LFO, VCA, ADSR envelope, and a CV-controllable delay. There’s also a mysterious circuit called “Element” that performs various functions, according to the manual. Most parameters are patchable, so there’s plenty of room for sonic experimentation.
Archean can be controlled via MIDI, USB-MIDI, or CV/Gate. You can also play the synth using the 22-key touch keyboard composed of various mineral shapes. As an additional modulation source, Archean contains a distance sensor that generates CV based on the distance to an object in front of the synth.
If you’re into experimental sound design (or geology, for that matter), Archean should be right up your alley. You can pre-order the synth on the Nakedboards website for $350. Shipping will begin in October.
Restoring Morton Subotnick’s Buchla 100 Synthesizer
Ever wondered what goes into restoring a vintage modular synth? Here’s an interesting read from the US Library of Congress about the recent restoration of Morton Subotnick’s Buchla 100, which the Library had acquired in 2008 through Michael Czajkowski, a friend of the legendary composer. Earlier this year, the system was brought back into operation through a collaboration between the Library’s Music Division, technician Andrew Northrop, the MEMS Project (Chip Flynn & Mark Milanovich), and Nova Labs, a maker space based in Fairfax, Virginia.
Subotnick purchased the system in 1966 for his Bleecker Street studio in New York City, where he used it on “Silver Apples of the Moon” and “The Wild Bull”. This was a few years after he had commissioned Don Buchla to create a modular synthesizer for the famous San Francisco Tape Music Centre. When Subotnick returned to the West Coast in 1969, the synth remained in NYC with Czajkowski, who set up the Composers Workshop at New York University. After a stint at Aspen Music School, the Buchla modular system was given to the Library of Congress when “Silver Apples of the Moon” was inducted into the National Recording Registry.
After sitting dormant for 16 years, the synth was brought back into working condition in the spring of 2024 by Chip Flynn and Mark Milanovich of the MEMS Project. The Library of Congress has published a detailed blog about the restoration process.
If you’re in the Washington, DC area and would like to experience the Buchla 100 in action, don’t miss this event on Thursday, December 5, 2024, where the Morton Subotnick himself will be speaking alongside some of the bright minds involved in the restoration.
- Library of Congress Blog
- More from Buchla
- Synth Repair: How to fix vintage synthesizers and drum machines yourself
Expert Sleepers ES-10: 8-in/8-out ADAT Interface for Eurorack
An audio interface with DC-coupled inputs and outputs is one of the best ways to control a modular system from your computer, or vice versa. The downside of this approach is that it tends to use up the analog outs and ins of your interface quicker than you can tune an oscillator – and constantly unplugging everything isn’t fun.
If you’ve got an unused ADAT expansion port on your interface, here’s a solution from Expert Sleepers that leaves your analog connectors free for other tasks. The new ES-10 plugs into your interface’s ADAT port and supplies eight analog inputs and eight analog outputs, all DC-coupled and right where you need them – in your Eurorack. The ins and outs can be used for both audio and CV, and you can choose between modular or line level per input. According to Expert Sleepers, the ES-10 uses AKM converters and low-noise op-amps for the best possible quality.
If you need even more outputs, you can expand the ES-10 via the ES-5 expansion module.
The Expert Sleepers ES-10 is available to order from Thomann* for $327 / £299 / €349.
*This post about Morton Subotnick’s Buchla and other topics contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
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