Softube Modular Sound Design Series: Buchla Oscillator

What You'll Be CreatingMoog and Buchla started the manufacturing of modular synthesisers in 1963. They started in building synths around the same time. Moog used a piano keyboard as a musically useful controller for a synth. However Buchla chose more exotic contollers, and didn't want a black and white keyboard.Since then Buchla's instruments became famous for experimentation with wild noises and sound design. Buchla's hardware equipments are ultra pricey. More than $16,000 for the Skylab system and around $1,600 for just a single 259e oscillator.Because of the extremely high prices, these were accessible by few people. With a software version of the hybrid oscillator, finally the Buchla sound became affordable for many more.I became interested in Softube Modular only after they released the Buchla Oscillator. I had high expectations and the sound and looks convinced me.'Three years ago I purchased a Buchla Easel and it really changed the way I compose my music. The Softube Buchla 259e makes me not miss my Easel too much while travelling.'- Andreas Tilliander, Producer, DJ, remixer and artist.'It's a glorious addition to an already outstanding synth.'- shroom81, kvraudio forum'After spending half the night virtual knob twiddling with a silly grin on my face this is a must buy now for me. Massively expands the range of timbres that Modular can produce. Chapeau Softube'- lnikj, kvraudio forum'I will probably never own a Buchla system in my lifetime, so a virtual one is the closest I'll get to the experience.'- Derp, gearslutz forumThe Buchla Oscillator comes with a number of features:Unique dual hybrid oscillatorMem skew modeTable scanning modesCreates unpredictable noiseGood for both aggressive and softer soundsPrincipal oscillator with selectable and morphable wavetablesModulation oscillator with several modesThe first Buchla plug-in, which is officially madeFor Modular and Eurorack compatibility the Softube team normalised the CV signal levelsIdeal for basses, leads and percussive soundsModule Sections BreakdownThe building blocks of the module. The main parts are: principal oscillator, modulation oscillator, modulation settings, principal oscillator settings, and finally the outputs.Principal OscillatorThe Principal Oscillator is a sine based sound, that uses wavetables at the timbre section.Modulation OscillatorThis part can modulate the principal oscillator. This is pre-wired together, so there is no need to connect the sections with cables.Low mode: the modulation oscillator acts as an LFOHigh mode: the modulation oscillator acts as an audio rate oscillator or HFO, high frequency oscillatorPitch track mode: the modulation oscillator tracks the pitch of the principal oscillator and offset by the mod coarse valueTimbre, Morph and WarpTimbre: selects the wavetable for the principal oscillatorMorph: pans between the two wavetable banksWarp: this varies the amplitude of the sinusoidal waveformModulation Type and DepthThe modulation section sets up the direction of the modulation the the depth of it.OutputsYou can get the principal oscillator's outputs in two instances and one instance of the mod oscillator's CV and audio.ExamplesFor simple LFO modulation, use the modulation oscillator, as well as an additional LFO module from Doepfer. There are cases when the modulation is different in each time: unipolar, bipolar and depth.Modulation LowI selected the low setting for mod osc Connect an output to the main left input.Modulation HighFor this setting, use the high mode of the modulation oscillator.Modulation PitchTo get this sound, set the modulation oscillator to the pitch mode.Principal PitchI modulate the pitch of the principal oscUse the previous exampleConnect a sine LFO to the principal oscillator's CV inputIn this case the principal oscillator's pitch is modulated by an external LFO.Bass1I used utility modules to set up note, gate and envelopeTo get this patch, follow these steps:Connect the Midi to CV Note signal to the oscillators CV inPatch the oscillator's output to the VCA inputWire together the Midi to CV Gate signal to the ADSR gate inputAttach the ADSR's output to the VCA CV inputConnect the VCA output to the main Left inputUse these settings:Green timbre 1Red timbre 2Warp 5Morph 5Modulation High + PitchMod Index 2.6Bass2Use these settings for bass2:Green timbre 1Red timbre 2Warp 10Morph 2.6Modulation High + PitchMod Index 2.6Bass3I modulated the Morph CV with an external LFOSettings for bass3:Green timbre 3Red timbre 4Warp 4.8Morph 8.4Modulation High + PitchMod Index 7.3Morph CV modulated by an external sine VCLFOBass4For the last bass sound, use these settings:Green timbre 3Red timbre 4Warp 7.6Morph 8.4Modulation High + PitchMod Index 7.3Warp CV modulated by an external sine VCLFODrone1I got a drone sound with modulating the Morph and Warp optionsTo set up the wiring, follow these steps:Connect the Midi to CV Gate signal to the ADSR's Gate input.Patch the oscillator's out to th VCA input.Wire together the ADSR's out to the VCA CV input.Attach the LFO sine out to the Morph CV input.Connect the other LFO's triangle out to the Warp CV input.Patch the VCA output to the main left input.Use the following Buchla settings:Green timbre 1Red timbre 2Warp 5Morph 5Morph is modulated by a slow sineWarp is modulated by a slow triangleAbleton Reverb is a great companion for drone soundsSet up the Ableton Reverb with these settings:Decay 9 secStereo 120Size 100Quality midDry wet 44%Drone2Use the following settings:Green timbre 2Red timbre 3Warp 5Morph 5Morph is modulated by a slow sineWarp is modulated by a slow triangleApply the previous Ableton Reverb settings for this drone as well.Lead1It is important to choose a suitable timbre for the sound you wantSet up the wiring in this way:Connect the Midi to CV Note to the oscillator's principal CV in.Patch the Midi to CV Gate to the ADSR's Gate in.Wire together the oscillator's out to the VCA input.Attach the ADSR's output to the VCA CV input.Connect the VCA output to the main left input.For this lead sound use these settings:Green timbre 1Red timbre 3Modulation type Low + MorphModulation Osc Coarse 45 HzMorph 5Lead2For a more varied lead sound, use this setup:Green timbre 2Red timbre 3Modulation type Low + WarpWarp 5Lead3A lot can be done just using the Buchla module with simple utilitiesFor the last lead line use these settings:Green timbre 3Red timbre 4Modulation type Low + Warp + MorphMorph 6.7Warp 6.5For all lead sounds, use these effects with Ableton plugins:Ping Pong Delay: feedback 33%, dry wet 33%, frequency default, bandwidth defaultReverb: decay 1.2 sec, size 100, dry wet 44%SummaryIn this tutorial to using the Buchla Twisted Waveform Generator for Softube Modular.I showed you how to createbasic modulationsbassesdrones, andleadsIn forthcoming tutorials, I'll show you how to use other add-on modules.