◊ Historic Buchla Modules

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Model 299 Sili-Con Cello

Sili-Con Cello, a custom module, reportedly only a couple ever made. Custom-built for performances with Bay Area mathematician and cellist Ami Radunskaya in the late 70's. Based on several modified 200-series modules:

  • 270 Preamplifier
  • 259 Complex Wave Generator
  • 281 Quad Function Generator
  • 292C Quad Lowpass Gate
plus a one-of-a-kind "Sili Binary Counter" on a prototyping breadboard. Designed as an interactive synth to respond to performance gestures from acoustic instruments. Using a microphone connected through a preamp and envelope generator, control voltages and gate signals could be generated from acoustic sounds and used to control the synth. The unique binary counter module interprets the CV and gate signals and 'plays' the synth by instructing it to generate musical sounds.


DIY Resources

  • Schematic
  • Build docs
  • PCB/Panels