What a 259 actually does

[phdinfunk]

Mine is finally completed, calibrated, tested.

Here are some sound clips:

1) The basic sampling of those famous 259 sounds. I switch different kinds of modulation and change the frequencies of both oscs. I twist mod index and all the different settings on the wavefolder. There's nothing but the 259 and its raw output going on here.

At 4:17, I add cross synchronization. Of course, you could go on for days with all this. I decided to stop the clip and do some more organized sounds to give people an idea of what a 259 actually does.

https://soundcloud.com/phdinfunk/twisting-a-lot-of-knobs

2) There is a lot of confusion about what the Symmetry system does on this synth. Here you can hear the Symmetry Control go from all even harmonics, though a saw-ish waveform, to all odd harmonics. Many harmonically rich "plain" waveforms exist between these settings.

Order and Timbre at 100%

https://soundcloud.com/phdinfunk/symmetry-sweep-order-100

3) Timbre control at 100% so you can hear what "order" does. It fades from the plain waveform (Symmetry Control) to the wavefolded waveform. If you set Timbre at 0%, you are always getting a low harmonic waveform (sine). Check the panel of a music easel and you will see this labelled pretty well.

Order swept with Sym at 50 ("Saw" like) then at 100 ("odd") then at 0 ("even") then at 50 again.

https://soundcloud.com/phdinfunk/order-sweep

4) This is the Timbre sweep of the raw waveform from Symmetry control. Very nice for simple synth sounds fading from a sine into a high harmonic waveform. So, with The wavefolder mix set to 0%, Timbre will simply sweep from a sine to a wave like a square or a wave like a saw. Again, see the music easel for a bit more clarity on this.

Sym 50 ("Saw" like) Sym 100 ("Odd") Sym 0 ("Even") and then Sym back to 50.

https://soundcloud.com/phdinfunk/timbre-sweep-order-high

5) Symmetry is at 50% (Saw-like wave).

First sweep, order is "High" so you get the plain waveform. Second Sweep, order is at 50% so you get a mixture between the plain wave and the wavefolder. Third Sweep, Order is "low" so everything is wavefolder. So, order controls mix between raw clean waves and folded waves.

https://soundcloud.com/phdinfunk/timbre-sweep-with-wavefolder

I hope this clears up any confusion about what these controls actually do. I have seen a lot of odd theories throughout the years.

A lot of people want to hear some sequences and tweaking or EG applied to different parts, so I have a step sequencer on the way. I should have those sounds up in a week or so.

--JP

[MusicMan11712]

[phdinfunk]

It's a very rare vintage Buchla synthesizer Module. We can talk about it like a "303," but it's easy for us Buchloids to forget that not everyone is as into this type of modular as we are.

[elmegil]

http://www.buchla.com/historical/b200/259-complex.html

[MusicMan11712]

Thanks for the explanation, phdinfunk. Thanks for the link, elmegil. I am now elightened!

BTW, I just googled 303 and Roland TB-303 was the 3rd item in the search list. I think I looked on 3 pages when I google 259. The Buchla was not listed.

Anyhow, it looks like a handy module.

Steve

[jurekprzezdziecki]

great, i think it expands your explanation a little bit for those who aren't familiar with 259 and general Buchla concept.

https://vimeo.com/137706198