At NAMM 2024, Sonic State had the opportunity to speak with Mark of MEMS and Associates, a research group that specializes in reverse engineering Buchla synthesizers found in universities across the United States. Mark explains that they have gone coast-to-coast, collecting rare Buchlas and have successfully replicated the David Tudor mixer from Wesleyan University. They also showcase their 132 waveform synthesizer, a 1965 module that offers complex waveforms. Mark shares that they have gained access to these universities simply by asking, and have formed collaborations to continue their work. He also reveals that these remade Buchla modules will soon be available for purchase through the licensed partnership with Analog Haven and Buchla as they aim to democratize access to these instruments.
In addition to the impressive remakes, MEMS and Associates also exhibited the rare 242 Programmable Pulser module, which allows users to program three different rhythmic pulses through a patch matrix. MEMS and Associates' future plans include hosting workshops for students to build their own modules and complete their university systems. This approach not only provides a more hands-on experience but also creates service records for these modules, as Mark mentions the lack of schematics and the need to trace circuits by hand. Mark told us the aim is to preserve and provide accessibility to these historically significant Buchla synthesizers.
modularsynthesis.com/mems/mem...
www.analoguehaven.com/
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