Buchla - 259e Twisted Waveform Generator

The 259e is a rather drastic digital dual oscillator. Good doesn't always have to be beautiful and beautiful doesn't always have to be good. With bad it's no different! In Don's words: "The Twisted version introduces some radically weird timbres.  It is definitely not recommended for those over 25 years of age or for anyone with golden ears." This oscillator is special and comes with features you wouldn't expect. Especially in combination with a lowpass gate it can be magical.

The 259e consists of two separate oscillators. One of these oscillators, called "Modulation Oscillator" serves mainly to modulate the other, called "Principal Oscillator".

The modulation oscillator can be switched between two frequency ranges. In "Low" mode it oscillates between 0.25 Hz and 64 Hz, while in "Hi" mode it covers a frequency range between 27 Hz and 7040 Hz. In a third mode , "Pitch Track", it follows the pitch of the main oscillator and can be shifted relative to it regarding ist pitch. If it is set to 440Hz, it will vibrate at exactly the same frequency. A two-color LED helps to hit this frequency. The modulation oscillator can be switched between the waveforms triangle, rectangle and sawtooth. It can be synchronized to the main oscillator by classic Hard Sync or Soft Sync, in the form of a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). Synchronization to incoming MIDI Note On messages is also possible. To modulate the frequency it offers a CV input with attenuator as well as an audio-FM input with simple attenuator. The output signal of the modulation oscillator can be tapped separately as CV or audio signal.

The Principal Oscillator generates a sine signal that oscillates between 27Hz and 7040Hz. This sine signal is simultaneously fed into two digital wave shape tables. The wavetables 1-5 of the green and red bank are "classic" wavetables. The parameter "Morph" fades from the green table to the red table. With the "Warp" parameter you increase the amplitude of the sine signal that goes into the waveshaper, which increases the effect. Both warp and morph can be controlled by CV. However, they can also be modulated by the modulation oscillator without the need for a patch connection. FM, Warp and Morph can be modulated in any combination by the modulation oscillator. The CV-controllable parameter "Index" controls the modulation depth. Like the modulation oscillator, the main oscillator offers a CV-input with an attenuator for the pitch, and an audio-FM input with a simple attenuator.

Beside the tables 1-5 there are the memory banks a, b and c. These are not "classic" wavetables. These are parts of the program code from the oscillator operating system. These banks lead to unpredictable noise, abrupt changes and sometimes also to ...silence. As soon as one of the banks a, b or c is selected for the red or green table, the behaviour of the audio FM-input and its attenuator also changes. With it you now drive / scan the table. The FM-input becomes a Wavescan modulation input. A red and green LED give an overview of this state.

All parameters can be stored and recalled with the Preset Manager of the modules 206e or 225e.

Please note: Buchla 200e products may have lengthy waiting times, as they are manufactured in small quantities only.