Turn Up the Radios
Don Buchla’s design philosophy is rooted in era of sonic experimentation, and Sweetwater’s synthesizer sleuths agree that the 272e Polyphonic Tuner Module is an explorational vehicle that faithfully and intriguingly pulls from Don’s musique concrète roots. The premise of the module is simple enough: four stereo FM tuners can be sampled at will. Each tuner shares a data bank of up to 20 slots, with each slot storing a single FM station. Tuner A assigns new stations to slots, while all tuners can select slots through sampled or continuous control voltages. The 272e’s capacity for polyphony elevates it to a level of unparalleled intrigue. An ASR envelop generator is applied to the polyphonic output, with variable attack and decay times. The module treats the slices of radio-tuned sources as “notes,” which last as long as the inbound pulse remains at or above its 5-volt threshold. Coupled with an attachable antenna and a host of voltage controls, the 272e is a necessity for anyone looking to elevate their Buchla system to the fringes of sonic exploration.
Buchla: the crossroads of sonic excellence and game-changing technology
The name Buchla is synonymous with some of the most compelling, convention-breaking technology to emerge in the musical spheres of the mid-20th-century’s electronic awakening. A pioneer of electronic music and instrument design, Don Buchla founded his namesake company in the 1960s, following the success of a modular electronic music system that was commissioned by composers on a Rockefeller Foundation grant. For the next 50 years, Don lived on the bleeding edge of electronic music synthesis. He incorporated uncommon coding languages, touch- and pressure-sensitive surfaces, and spatial location modulation, eventually innovating for the likes of Oberheim, CBS, Zeta Music, E-Mu Systems, and Moog. Meanwhile, he also dedicated himself to make good on MIDI’s promise of the 1980s to be more than just a piano keyboard controller. By the 2000s, Don introduced his magnum opus with the 200e, a love letter to a half century of unparalleled innovation in modular and analog synthesis. Today, Buchla U.S.A. works diligently to uphold Don’s rich legacy and provide his classic designs alongside new iterations of products that are “designed to introduce the unique world of Buchla synthesis to a whole new generation of electronic music makers.”
Buchla 272e Polyphonic Tuner Module Features:
- 4 FM radio tuners provide near-limitless options for audio sourcing and sampling
- Polyphonic functionality allows voltage-controlled sampling of source noise across numerous stations in a linear sequence of tuners
- Onboard ASR envelope generator enables compelling sound-sculpting opportunities
- Station tuning banks can be loaded manually or automatically, convenient for mobile and stationary setups
- Stereo outputs for each tuner diversify audio playback and integration options
- Settings can be store and recalled for quick access*
*Note: Storing and recalling presets requires use of the “remote enable” function, which is only available with the inclusion of a 225e or 206e in your Buchla system. Please contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer with any questions or concerns.
