For those that don’t know about Buchla, perhaps you haven’t caught the I Dream of Wires Documentary that chronicles the history of modular synthesis. Perhaps you haven’t come across the subsequent interview on BBoyTechreport, for IDOW as well but Buchla is a pioneering super force in the world of modular synthesis and synthesis in general (along with the likes of Bob Moog). If this is something that you aren’t familiar with already, start here.

Fast forward to present day… Buchla shows a couple of new and more affordably priced modular synths at NAMM 2015. Our man on the scene, Upright (Beatmaker, Synth Nerd, Modular Enthusiast and BBoyTechReport Contributor), caught up with the folks at Buchla last week to get details on the LEM3 Spider and the LEM4 Snoopy. Check the video

Buchla LEM3 Spider

Desktop Polyphonic Rhythm Generator with Flexible MIDI and USB control to DAW’s, Eurorack and other devices.MIDI-CV interface: 5-pin and USB MIDI input for a single synth voice with 1-1.2V/oct voltage conversion, jack/multiple conversion and scaling buffers for interfacing. MIDI outputs for several standard controllers (re-assignable via MIDI) are available on the module. Multiples can convert between 1/4″, 1/8″, Tini-Jax and Banana jacks. CV-MIDI Interface: 6 channels of CV-MIDI conversion. Each channel accepts pulse, CV, velocity, and a CV input assignable to continuous controllers. This provides extremely flexible MIDI control to DAWs and other devices.

Buchla LEM4 Snoopy

Modular or Stand Alone Synth, with Dual Independent Oscillators, Dual Lowpass vactrol-based gate/ filters and Dual Function Generator.

Snoopy can be played as a stand-alone instrument with its core Complex Waveform Oscillator, filter and VCA functions with amazing power in a compact design, or integrated into a larger complex system. With its Dual Lowpass Gate consisting of two independent vactrol-based gate/ filters in the classic Buchla format, Dual Function Generator with two independent envelope generators with VC attack and decay, and ability to cycle and perform as an LFO, MIDI, comprehensive CV and USB control to allow interfacing with all formats including EuroRack, and the most desirable and unique timbre in the pages of synthesiser history, Snoopy is Buchla Power for now and the future.

The LEM3 Spider and the LEM4 Snoopy weigh in at $2999 and $2499, respectively.

For more information head over to the Buchla Website and LEM series product pages.

LEM3 Spider-http://buchla.com/shop/modular-systems/buchla-lem3-spider/

LEM4 Snoopy- http://buchla.com/shop/modular-systems/buchla-lem4-snoopy/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/BuchlaElectronicMusicalInstruments

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/buchlabemi

Product Overview Video Captured by Upright