Music Easel Semi-Modular Analog Synthesizer - 50th Anniversary Edition.
The Buchla Music Easel, an iconic and groundbreaking electronic music instrument, paved the way as one of the earliest portable devices of its kind. Created in limited quantities fifty years ago in 1973, its influence extended beyond sheer scale and was driven by innovative ideas. The Music Easel revolutionized music creation by offering a comprehensive range of musical dimensions: timbre, melody, rhythm, and time. These dimensions were no longer dictated by acoustics and physical materials, but by signals and voltage. The 208 Stored Program Sound Source introduced a novel functional organization, enabling rapid patching and program storage using plug-in cards.
Inspired by the emerging field of cybernetics, the 218 touch plate facilitated real-time communication, unlocking the vast potential vocabulary of the Easel. Rather than relying on existing modes of musical virtuosity, the Easel encouraged exploration and new sonic possibilities. The inclusion of Stored Program Cards ensured quick repeatability and expanded repertoire on its own terms. The Easel's portability was enhanced by battery terminals, allowing musicians to take their music anywhere, just like with acoustic instruments. The name itself emphasized its artistic purpose, distinguishing it from purely scientific endeavors.
Buchla USA is thrilled to reintroduce the Music Easel for its third iteration in 50 years. Based on the revised 208C Stored Program Sound Source and 218e V3 Touch Activated Voltage Source, this might look at first glance like an original Easel—but it's bolstered with new capabilities, MIDI, and more.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original Music Easel's arrival in 1973, a limited run of Anniversary Edition Easels will be produced. These special editions are housed in a stunning powder-blue aluminum Zero Halliburton case, with custom Rogan knobs on the Stored Program Sound Source and a gold anodized Touch Activated Voltage Source. These versions of the 208C and 218e V3 are not available separately.
The 50th Anniversary Edition Easel will also include a host of commemorative items; additional details about collectible and commemorative items will be announced in due time, adding to the celebration of this significant milestone.
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Iconic West Cost semi-modular synthesizer
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Limited edition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Music Easel's release
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Includes the 208c and LEM218 v3
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Color-based interface associating sliders and banana jacks for intuitive patching
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Dual oscillators
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Dual Lo Pass Gates
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Mixer + spring reverb
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Abundant CV generators: 5-stage sequencer, envelope generator, quad random source, pulser
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Program card slot
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Capacitive touch keyboard controller
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Piano-style layout
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Pulse, pressure, and pitch outputs
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Touch strip and preset voltage sources
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Arpeggiator + portamento
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USB-C + TRS MIDI I/O
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Special blue aluminum case
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Exclusive golden serial number plate
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Commemorative accessories included