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Episodes
A monthly podcast focused on Buchla electronic modular instruments.
Episodes
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
About Mike Estlick:
I'm an electrical engineer by day, and a Buchla player by night.
I've been recording electronic music since I was a kid in the 80s.
I was into raves, clubs, and MIDI sequencers in the 90s.
In the 2000s I recorded quite a bit with the Nord Modular synths, and got into sequencing with modules instead of MIDI.
In 2017 I got an Easel, and by 2018 had built up this Buchla system. Since then all my music is composed and performed on modular systems.
I find the 248/245/216 combo very productive for writing music, and it blows my mind that this stuff all was designed before I was born.
I've since got into Serge and LZX systems as well, and have videos up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeEstlick
When there's no global pandemic, I like to hang out with my friends at the Colorado Modular Synth Society: https://coloradomodularsynthsociety.com/
"January '21"
Patch Notes:
0:00 - 2:10 : Start
A little filter-sweep introduction with 2x258 and 212.
There is a pretty complicated feedback network going with FM into the filter and the oscillators.
The 248 MARF is modulating waveshapes with slow, sloped voltages.
2:10 - 7:40 : SeqVol
Krell variation on the Easel, with the pulser driving the sequencer and the sequencer modulating the volume.
The Easel pulser is also driving the Pendulum/Ratchet, which runs a patch on the 212 system.
EHX Deluxe Memory Man provides the echo.
Various parts of the patch were recorded into the Keen Association 287e.
The end of this piece is the 287e playing snippets into the 212 system.
7:40 - 13:00 : Scan
A 248 MARF and 245 based sequence driving 208 and 258/212 voices.
The Pendulum/Ratchet divides down for drum and bass sounds.
Again recorded parts of the patch into the 287e, and played that through the 212.
The Pendulum/Ratchet is triggering the 287e and 212 envelopes for the end of this piece.
13:00 - 15:06 : Ival
Another 248/245 sequence, with vocal percussion sounds from the 287e (recorded from the onboard mic).
The filtered notes are selected by the 216 Touch Controlled Voltage Source.
15:06 - 21:28 : 9Swing
Have you ever wanted to have a rhythm swing in 9/8, against a 5 chord progression in 7/4?
Well, the MARF is the sequencer for you!
The lead sound is the Easel, using pressure to modulate pitch and timbre.
I used a 257 so I could have the pressure change the amount of modulation oscillator to timbre.
The backing is from the 212 system.
The second section is the patch as I originally made it.
For the first section, I just swapped the envelopes around to change the levels of other voices in the patch.
The third section is the 287e playing samples from the patch.
21:28 - 26:56 : Glory
The lead is the Easel arpeggiator. The Easel clocks the Pendulum/Ratchet, which then drives the 248/245 and all the background sounds.
The 287e is playing snippets of a reading of a Rilke poem.
The 216 plays the clicky bleep sound.
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Welcome to episode 20 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert & Kyle talk about some module news, how they got into music/Buchla and the new albums they recently released.
Purchase Kyle’s new album at: https://darksparkler.bandcamp.com/
Purchase Robert's album at: https://robstand.com/
Listen and subscribe to Podular Modcast: https://podularmodcast.fireside.fm/
Listen and subscribe to The Deerhorn podcast:
https://thedeerhorn.podbean.com/
Listen and subscribe to Esoteric Modulation: https://www.esotericmodulation.com/subscribe-to-podcast
Subscribe to Waveform Magazine: https://www.waveformmagazine.com/
Get your source of uncertainty t-shirts at http://sourceofuncertainty.threadless.com/
Support the show and get access to exclusive videos and audio content through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sourceofuncertainty
Find us on Instagram @sourceofuncertainty
Contact us at sourceofuncertainty.audio
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Seven .WAVs (pronounced “seven dot waves”) is an exploration of materiality in electronic music. The album comprises seven individual compositions, each a conceptual interpretation of “waves” and a logical manifestation of waveforms. The recordings of the compositions are materialized as .WAV files.
All of the compositions use FM radio transmissions for theme and rhythm. In some tracks, the use of the radio is logical and relatively easy to distinguish. In others, the use of the radio is conceptual and the results are indistinguishable from synthesis. Using FM radio broadcasts as a foundational element of the composition results in a recording that captures a moment in time. It is left to the listener’s imagination as to what one would hear if the recording had started a few minutes earlier or later….
Wednesday Dec 30, 2020
Wednesday Dec 30, 2020
Welcome to episode 19 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert digs into the Polyphonic Tuner Model 272e, and then we chat with Benge!
Show notes:
Hello: 0:00
Robert explores the 272e: 16:15
Interview with Benge: 42:37
Goodbye: 1:56:40
Links for Benge:
myblogitsfullofstars.blogspot.com
Purchase Kyle’s new album at: https://darksparkler.bandcamp.com/
Listen and subscribe to Podular Modcast: https://podularmodcast.fireside.fm/
Listen and subscribe to The Deerhorn podcast:
https://thedeerhorn.podbean.com/
Listen and subscribe to Esoteric Modulation: https://www.esotericmodulation.com/subscribe-to-podcast
Subscribe to Waveform Magazine: https://www.waveformmagazine.com/
Get your source of uncertainty t-shirts at http://sourceofuncertainty.threadless.com/
Support the show and get access to exclusive videos and audio content through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sourceofuncertainty
Find us on Instagram @sourceofuncertainty
Contact us at sourceofuncertainty.audio
Wednesday Dec 16, 2020
Wednesday Dec 16, 2020
There are two improvisations on each system, the first two on a vintage 100 and the second two on a cloned 200
There are some significant differences in sound between the two eras, most noticeably the tone of the VCOs and the filters. I would describe the earlier VCOs as being richer, fuller and brighter than the 200 series but not as stable, and the filters being more edgy and pure in nature. The 200 system introduced the LPGs, timbre-shaping and the Spectral Processor, all of which give the system a very distinctive sound that was absent from the 100
Personally, I like the overall tone of the 100 series very much, as it has a power and richness that puts it in the same league as other early systems such as the Moog Modular and the ARP 2500. I am not sure if there is a similar power in the original 200 series modules (as opposed to modern cloned ones) as I have never been able to compare them directly, but my guess would be that various filters, VCOs and other things that Don began to introduce in the 1970s took the sound away from the more basic and simple sound of the 100, exploring and pioneering other avenues as he went towards fully digital systems in the 1980s. It is a fascinating progression, and one that is mirrored in the development of synthesisers in general between the 1960s and 1980s, as digital technology gradually took over
The systems used were as follows:
Buchla 100
Vintage Modules:
102 Dual Stereo Locator
106 Six Channel Mixer
110 Dual Gate
111 Dual Ring Modulator
112 Touch Control
123 Sequencer
130 Dual Envelope Detector
140 Timing Pulse Generator
144 Dual Square Wave Generator
156 CV Processor x 3
158 Dual Sine/Saw x 2
160 White Noise Generator
165 Random Voltage Source
175 Dual Line Driver / EQ
180 Dual Attack Generator x 2
185 Frequency Shifter
190 Dual Reverberator
191 Sharp Cutoff Filter
194 Bandpass Filter
Cloned Modules:
110 Dual Gate
144 Dual Square Wave Generator x 3
146 Sequencer
180 Dual Attack Generator
205 Dual Matrix Mixer
Buchla 200
Cloned Modules:
205 Dual Matrix Mixer
208 Stored Program Sound Source
212 Dodeca Module
218 Touch Control
224 Patchbay
248 MARF + Expander
256 Dual CV Adder
257 Dual CV Processor
258 Dual Oscillator x 2
259 Complex Waveform Generator
261e Complex Waveform Generator
266 Source of Uncertainty
275 Dual EQ / Reverb
277 Signal Delay
281 Quad Function Generator x 2
285 Frequency Shifter
292 Quad LPG
296 Spectral Processor
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
Welcome to episode 18 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert and Kyle talk about Kyle's new Buchla album: DARK SPARKLER - “Are You Working With Me, Or Against Me?” available at darksparkler.bandcamp.com. Kyle takes the ZORX Ribbon Controller out for a patch or two, and then they talk to it's creator Ellison Wolf.
Show notes:
Hello: 0:00
Kyle explores the ZORX Ribbon Controller: 25:46
Interview with Ellison Wolf: 42:27
Goodbye: 1:48:40
For more information about the ZORX Ribbon Controller visit https://www.zorxelectronics.com/
Purchase Kyle’s new album at: https://darksparkler.bandcamp.com/
Listen and subscribe to Podular Modcast: https://podularmodcast.fireside.fm/
Listen and subscribe to Esoteric Modulation: https://www.esotericmodulation.com/subscribe-to-podcast
Subscribe to Waveform Magazine: https://www.waveformmagazine.com/
Get your source of uncertainty t-shirts at http://sourceofuncertainty.threadless.com/
Support the show and get access to exclusive videos and audio content through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sourceofuncertainty
Find us on Instagram @sourceofuncertainty
Contact us at sourceofuncertainty.audio
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
Welcome to episode 17 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Robert and Kyle talk to Daniel Skevington who is behind Dunnington Audio and the “revised” Quad Function Generator and Dual Oscillator clones, and Kyle takes the 258D for a spin.
Show notes:
Hello: 0:00
Kyle explores the Dunnington Audio 258D: 19:30
Interview with Daniel Skevington: 45:15
Goodbye: 1:57:00
For more information about Dunningto Audio visit - https://www.dunningtonaudio.co.uk/
“Through Another Looking Glass” by Wavefreq
https://wavefreq1.bandcamp.com/album/through-another-looking-glass
“Spin Patterns” by Mat Watson
https://matwatson.bandcamp.com/album/spin-patterns
“Gypsy” by NYVVA
https://nyvva.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR0AYgf_4HeaLNSr5l6UDUA4YIYUDZsq39QjKJt5UunqyHMn9CX8urIyT-4
Listen and subscribe to Podular Modcast: https://podularmodcast.fireside.fm/
Listen and subscribe to Esoteric Modulation: https://www.esotericmodulation.com/subscribe-to-podcast
Subscribe to Waveform Magazine: https://www.waveformmagazine.com/
Get your source of uncertainty t-shirts at http://sourceofuncertainty.threadless.com/
Support the show and get access to exclusive videos and audio content through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sourceofuncertainty
Find us on Instagram @sourceofuncertainty
Contact us at sourceofuncertainty.audio
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Schliuuurkschplinkplonky, performed live on a BUCHLA 200 system using Dual Oscillator 258 ; Complex Waveform Generator 259 ; Rob Hordijk’s Benjolin adapted for Buchla ; Quad Function Generator 281 ; Source Of Uncertainty 266 ; Frequency Shifter 285 ; Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator 248 - 1602 ; Dual Equalizer Reverb 275 with Spring Reverb in large tanks ; Quad Lopass Gate 292 and the 207 Mixer.
Dramatically Yours, performed on a Buchla Music Easel K.
I am interested in soundtracks and like to be introduced as a "musical travel agent".
Since the early 2000s I have been performing the world, playing festivals all over Europe, Canada, USA, Mexico, Australia & Asia... Feeling lucky to release on several international labels such as Opa-Loka, Aagoo, Southern UK, Monotype, Beta Lactam Ring, Sub Rosa, HomeNormal, Important, Staubgold, etc...
I study Electroacoustic music at the CNRR Conservatory of Marseille where I am specialising in multi-channelled diffusion (Acousmatic spatialisation) and Modular Synthesis. I have initiated a platform/label aiming at promoting the genre:
https://modulisme.info/sessions
Relying on electricity/amplification to produce, manipulate, work on sound-material, but trying my best to explore various genres and make sure that each of my albums differs from the previous one, trying to avoid routine and surprise my listeners.
Not musically trained/educated I lie outside the Classical genre but my scores incorporate traditional classical components in a predominantly unconventional manner which allowed me to being asked by Iancu Dumitrescu & Ana Maria Avram to join forces as a soloist in their Hyperion Ensemble + being invited by Jean-Paul Dessy (Musiques Nouvelles ensemble) and Raoul Lay (Ensemble Télémaque) to become in charge of electronics/turntables in their ambitious E. C. O. (European Chamber Orchestra) formation comprising of 33 soloists...
Fortunate enough to work with what people call a dream-team of collaborators: joining Lydia Lunch, Murcof, Eugene Robinson (Oxbow), Edward Ka-Spel (Legendary Pink Dots), Simon Fisher Turner, Cosey Fanni Tutti (Throbbing Gristle), Foetus, Pantaleimon, Graham Lewis (Wire), Barry Adamson, Andy Diagram, Scanner, Machinefabriek, Mira Calix, Kammerflimmer Kollektief, Justin K. Broadrick, James Johnston (Gallon Drunk/Bad Seeds), Mark Cunningham (MARS), Cindytalk, Orkest De Ereprijs, Stephen O'Malley, Strings Of consciousness or Faust onstage and-or in studio…
Philippe Petit & Michael Schaffer: I (CD + Digital / Opa-Loka) https://philippepetitmichaelschaffer.bandcamp.com/releases
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Welcome to episode 16 of Source Of Uncertainty. In this episode Kyle tries to figure out what to do with the 230 Triple Envelope Follower, and then the hosts talk to Johnny Woods about his new album and working in a solar powered studio.
Show notes:
Hello: 0:00
Kyle explores the Triple Envelope Follower: 18:35
Interview with Johnny Woods: 40:50
Goodbye: 1:49:35
To purchase Johnny Wood’s album Pavillions visit - https://johnnywoods.bandcamp.com/
https://brettnaucke.bandcamp.com/album/ems-hallucinations - EMS Hallucinations, by Brett Naucke
https://boscio.bandcamp.com/album/if-we-seek-with-intent - If We Seek With Intent, by René G. Boscio - Out October 2nd
https://transversales.bandcamp.com/album/plein-soleil - PLEIN SOLEIL, by Jonathan Fitoussi
https://suzanneciani.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-denali - Music For Denali, by Suzanne Ciani
Listen and subscribe to Podular Modcast: https://podularmodcast.fireside.fm/
Listen and subscribe to Esoteric Modulation: https://www.esotericmodulation.com/subscribe-to-podcast
Subscribe to Waveform Magazine: https://www.waveformmagazine.com/
Get your source of uncertainty t-shirts at http://sourceofuncertainty.threadless.com/
Support the show and get access to exclusive videos and audio content through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sourceofuncertainty
Find us on Instagram @sourceofuncertainty
Contact us at sourceofuncertainty.audio