Buchla 200e series User manual

USER’S GUIDE for the
200e
ELECTRIC MUSIC BOX
by the staff of
Buchla USA
V1.6 10/21/17
©2018 by Buchla USA

Introduction
Welcome to the 200e system. These notes will acquaint you with your Buchla
system, followed by individual descriptions of the various modules.
Important Safety Precautions
Do not disassemble this equipment. Refer all servicing to a qualified service
engineer. But if you insist (or if you’re definitely qualified), be sure to follow the
next advice.
When installing, removing, or exchanging a module, please be certain to turn
off the power supply. These modules are not designed to tolerate “hot
patching” – power must be turned off before plugging in or unplugging
modules.
Please note that both e-series and h-series connections and cables are keyed
to be used in one direction only! Reversing the connectors can cause
significant system damage.
We are not liable for damage or injury due to lack of common sense:
Do not use the 200 system near water; do not take it into your bath, sauna or hot tub. Take
care not to spill liquids on or into the 200.
Locate the 200 away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, stoves or solar
cookers.
Exercise close supervision when using the instrument near children or when children are
using it.
The 200’s power supply is for indoor use only. Do not use a damaged or alternate supply.
Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. There are no user serviceable parts or
adjustments inside the 200h.
System/”Boat” set up
Retrieve the system from its case or carton, saving all packing materials, and
confirming the presence of a DC power adaptor with an AC cord, and
patchcords. If anything is missing, inform your source of the shortage. Place
the system on a flat surface with the connectors pointing to the rear. Unfold
and extend the support feet and unfasten any latches (if any) and prop up the
system. Connect the power adaptor to AC (110VAC or 220VAC) and the 12-
volt DC (center-positive) to the power input jack. Be sure to use the power
supply with the Amperage rating appropriate for your system. Typical systems
use power supplies rated 5.3A or higher. Systems fully loaded with 18 panels
or more use the supplies rated at 8.3A or more. Turn on the switch.
Connect Audio: If your system contains a 206e, 207e, or 227e, convenient
audio outputs may be located on the back of the case. If provided, these audio
outputs are redundant ¼” outputs to the Tini-Jax outputs on the front of those

modules. Connect to your sound system. If you have the ¼” output I/O panel,
use the top two connectors for a stereo system. If you don’t have a mixer
module like the 206e, 207e, or 227e you can use any signal output. The
common output of a 292h would be a good choice. You can use common
3.5mm mono audio cables for your final output, but they may be too loose. For
the best audio connections, use the Tini-Plug audio cables that come with the
Buchla system and adapt with a module that adapts from Tini-Jax (such as the
202h or 225h).
NOTE: Switchcraft “Tini-Jax” are the standard historical Buchla audio cable
connections and are just slightly larger diameter and longer length than
3.5mm connections. They are sometimes referred to as 1/8” in Don Buchla’s
manuals, though they are actually .140” diameter connections. Many synth
manufacturers now use 3.5mm cables. 3.5mm cables often work in a Tini-Jax
jack, but we encourage use of the Tini-Jax/Plug cables as the Buchla standard
within a Buchla system. Tini-Jax cables can cause damage to 3.5mm jacks.
Note: e-series and h-series compatibility: While the power supply cable for the
e-series and h-series is distinctly different than that in the Buchla e-series,
they are compatible and it is expected that e-series and h-series modules will
co-exist just as original 200-series and 200e series can coexist. Remote
Enable communicates harmoniously on both e-series and h-series.
COMMON BUCHLA SYSTEM STUFF
Before getting into the details of particular modules, lets pursue some items
that all 200 modules share in common. First the connections: Like its
predecessors--the 200, and 100--the 200e and 200h series differentiates
between control voltages, signals, and pulses.
Control voltages (C.V.’s) are used to specify parameter levels, range from 0
to 10 volts, and are interconnected with banana jacks and cords.
Pulses are used for timing information, and have two levels: 10 volt pulses
transmit only transient information; while 5 volts carries the sustain
information. Pulses, like C.V.’s, also employ banana interconnections.
Signals (audio signals) are the raw material of electronic music, and
ultimately become the sounds we actually hear. They are nominally 1 volt in
amplitude, but can range from infinitesimally small to 20 db in excess of the
nominal. Signals are connected via Tini-Jax connectors and shielded
patchcords.

Color-coding of cables and Banana Jacks:
Note that both types of patchcords are color coded to indicate their length-- a
handy feature in complex patches.
But more importantly, banana receptacles/jacks are color coded to indicate
their function:
C.V. INPUTS are black and sometimes grey.
C.V. OUTPUTS are blue, sometimes violet, and occasionally
green (such as velocity on 225’s).
Pulse INPUTS are orange*.
Pulse OUTPUTS are invariably red.
(*The Music Easel/208 includes some exceptions to the color-coding standard,
particularly for orange.)
REMOTE ENABLE: Saving and retrieving module parameters
Some 200e/h modules contains a switch titled “remote enable”.
When a preset manager (e.g. 206e, 225e) is present in the system and the
LED associated with the Remote Enable switch is off, the module functions
exactly as expected independent of changes to “presets”.*
When the Remote Enable LED is on, magical possibilities arise. This is
further explained in the 225e description in the 200e User’s Guide, but here is
a summary:
*In systems without a 225e or 206e, the remote switch will be able to store the current
preset, that on turn-on, will be automatically called. Presently, just a few modules include
this feature
Blue knobs of the 200e and 200h series can have their settings saved and
retrieved when directed by the preset manager. If the LED is off, the module’s
parameters will not respond to the preset manager messages. (Turning
Remote Enable off can be very useful if you want to keep the settings for this
module when you change presets, and then with Remote On on again, save in
the new preset.) Be aware that when recalling a new preset, the saved knob
setting will often not be the same as the current knob setting. But fear not.
Turn the knob in the normal fashion, and the value will change in the same
direction, eventually catching up with the current knob setting.
Switch settings will be stored and LEDs will show the setting accurately.

Grey knob settings cannot be stored and will always represent the setting you
see.

Ground reference connection:
On every Buchla boat/housing there is a black banana jack
(sometimes labeled “gnd”, often near the card slot. When
interconnecting/patching between two synthesizer systems, it is important that
the ground reference is shared between the systems--including between two
Buchla systems. The ground references should connect here through a
banana cable. Without this shared connection, control voltages will have
behave unpredictably. The connection is not necessary on an isolated system.
Card Slot:
This card connector is used for both Memory Cards and USB Firmware Cards.
Memory cards--used in conjunction with a preset manager (i.e.225e, 206e)--
can be used to store settings of all the modules in a system. Modules store
their own preset parameters, but there is a way to store these modules
parameter information on the Memory Card so that if your system was stolen
or damaged, you could replace the module(s) are rewrite all the saved
parameters onto the new module by writing to and from the memory card. See
more about this in the preset manager description.
USB Firmware Card: Firmware Updates
To allow improvements in firmware, we’ve come up with a USB card that can
upload the various modules with the latest firmware versions.
With the power off, insert the card; then while holding a module’s reset enable
switch, turn on the power. See the website for up-to date instructions for
each module.
These notes are also on the website: Reference Notes about exceptions and what to expect when
downloading firmware: 281’s are loaded twice with the same firmware card, depressing the quad
enable switches instead of the remote enable switch. Similarly for the 256e, with the breakpoint
switches for sections A and C serving to load this unit’s two computers. The 225e is actually two
completely separate modules. The top one, the 225M, is loaded as usual, using the remote enable
switch; the bottom module, the 225P has no remote switch. Use the data switch instead. Same for
the 206e. The 285e has a computer for each section, with the reference select switches choosing
the section. This module uses firmware cards 285F and 285B for the two sections. The 223e has
two computers; 223A is loaded by holding down the green “clock” button and 223M is loaded with
the “remote enable” button.
Wait up to two minutes or until the module’s lights return to their normal state.
Other indications of successful firmware downloading: You will the LED on the USB Firmware card
blinking quickly when it is downloading software and any preset manager in a system will suspend
it’s operation while the module downloads it’s firmware.

The USB Firmware Card’s alternate use is as a USB MIDI to internal MIDI bus
interface.
USB MIDI I/O Card (225m):
To Enable this facility, hook up the Firmware Card to a Mac computer and use
the Buchla Firmware Utility application to reprogram it’s function as a MIDI
interface for a 200e or 200h system.
In this mode, the USB device name for the Card becomes “225m”.
An example of the device listed in an Ableton “Live” MIDI preferences window.
MIDI note messages sent on channels 1-4 will be put onto the internal busses
A-D, as will MIDI clock/start/stop messages and vice-versa. That is, modules
that generate messages on the internal bus will also produce USB-MIDI
output on the 225m. That includes the 226h or 218e note messages (if
enabled) or the 252e clock/start/stop.
The example to the left shows the card being used to
send Ableton MIDI clips to the Internal MIDI bus A and
C as well as recording Internal MIDI bus B.
For more information on the internal busses
utilized by 200e and 200h modules, please see
the 225e section of the 200e User’s Guide.
If you loose USB-MIDI Port, use the
BuchlaFirmwareUtility to program the card
again and you should see the port reappear.
To return a Firmware Card’s function to do
Firmware Update’s, simply use the FirmwareUtility again to Enable/reprogram
the card for Firmware Update.

Conclusion and Further Development:
We hope that covers a basic introduction to the unique features of the Buchla
systems. We are always looking to expand and improve our designs. So keep
in touch.
For descriptions of individual 200e series modules, read the following pages.

The Preset Manager (225e or 206e):
Sharing the same panel on a 225e or 206e, but completely independent of the
mixer or the MIDI Interface is a facility dedicated to Managing Presets and to
Firmware Updating. First, we’ll deal with Managing Presets:
How it works:
Each 200e series module has a built-in processor that can read that module's
knob settings and switch positions. On command from the preset manager
this data is stored in the module’s LOCAL memory and associated with a
preset number. That stored data is retrieved and the settings are restored
when the module gets a recall command with that preset number.
Even though the modules preset parameters are stored on the module itself, if
you have multiple modules--all with remote enabled--they respond as a global
preset. A user can store up to 30 presets with each being retrieved by simply
transmitting its number to all the modules in a system.
Resolving differences in visible knob settings with recalled patches:
Now obviously, a knob (without a motor) cannot indicate the value of its
associated parameter. It has a mechanically (indicated) value, but what we
experience sonically is the underlying (virtual) value most recently received
from the manager. The dilemma is resolved by persuading the virtual value to
"catch up" with the indicated value. When you move a knob, this virtual value
will change faster or slower than normal, but in the same direction as you
turned the knob, eventually causing the virtual and indicated values to agree.
(Some modules implement an earlier version of the knob catcher, doing
nothing until the user catches the underlying value. We’ll update these.
Switch settings are simpler; LED's show the true status of each switch.
DATA MODE SWITCH:
Press the switch under the word "DATA" to cycle through the various
programming modes and displays. Now choose "select".
Select mode: Storing the preset:
Say you found that mouth-watering sound you want to save for posterity (or at
least tomorrow's gig). Here's how to save it as a preset:

The first line of the LCD display will contain the current (last recalled) preset
number followed by a name (if named). The second line points to a memory
location (from 1 to 30). Use the data wheel to select a memory location for
your preset---and with the system’s modules remotes enabled--press the
store button.
If the 206e / 225e's “store” switch is pressed, the current state of modules with
remotes enabled will be read into the current memory location. Parameters
can then be altered by moving knobs or switches, but this will not alter the
underlying stored values until store is pressed again. An LED indicates that
the current preset is not stored.
Selecting/Recalling a Preset:
Selecting a preset is equally simple. With remotes enabled, choose a desired
preset with the data wheel and hit "recall". The chosen preset will appear in
the first line of the display (the "current" preset), and your system will assume
the appropriate state.
The switches “last and “next” can also be used to instantly recalls the preset
from memory.
Pulse inputs can also but used in this same way. (See “Pulse input modes” in
global settings. This can be use to create chain of presets.
Note: You can selectively decide NOT to store or recall parameters on a
particular module by NOT having that module remote enabled. This is very
useful when coming up with variations of one preset.
Name mode: Naming the Preset:
Once stored in memory, a preset may be named (or renamed). To name the
preset, hit the mode switch, illuminating the "name" LED. Use the "last" and
"next" switches to direct the cursor position, and the data wheel to select
desired characters. When naming is complete, typically you return to "select".
But let’s explore the global setting.
Global mode: Global settings and memory card functions
You can use the mode switch to display three displays of that global option
that apply to the system. (This section assumes you have the Primo version
of the hardware and software.)