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West Coast Synthesis for Eurorack Exploration





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The good folks at Tiptop Audio have forged an alliance with Buchla, the West Coast pioneers of synthesizer esoterica, to bring some of their formidable voltage to your Eurorack setup. A slew of design differences have long prevented the melding of these two worlds, but Sweetwater’s synthesists are impressed with Tiptop Audio’s engineers careful studying of Buchla’s classic 266 Source of Uncertainty module to Eurorack specs while preserving its historic potential. Modulation capabilities include a host of randomization techniques, noise generation, and sample and hold options. Like its predecessor, the 266t is a tool of vast sonic sculpting and aural excavation that brings an unparalleled element of controlled chaos to your Eurorack rig!





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Don Buchla’s core operating ethos was one of musical exploration, and this has been rightfully preserved in Tiptop’s dedicated research and engineering to reproduce the capabilities of the original 266 module. Like the original, the 266t has four subsections dedicated to unique functionality. Moreover, a color-coded I/O system allows you to quickly identify ports for audio, CV, and pulse signals.





Noise sources





Three dedicated outputs comprise this section, and each produces a distinctive audio signal. A -3dB/octave output produces integrated white noise that has a low spectral bias. Conversley, the 3dB/octave port produces electrically flat white noise that tilts toward the higher end of the spectrum. In the middle, a constant energy per octave, flat-spectrum signal is generated. These can be used for anything from pure noise to deeply integrated processing, adding plenty of color to your spectral array.





Random voltages





While this may seem self-explanatory, how random can random be? Don Buchla sought to answer this question across three different answers, all of which can be explored on the 266t. Fluctuating Random Voltages produce continuously variable fluctuations in voltage output, with CV inputs allowing you to control the bandwidth of a range of 0.5Hz to 50Hz. Quantized Random Voltages utilize pulse inputs to that are modulated from their own pulse information. CV inputs generate stepped random voltages for both outputs, allowing for spatial and temporal modulation between two and 24 different states. Stored Random Voltages use incoming pulse signals to generate totally random voltages between 0 and 10 volts, with CV signals changing the probability rate from a narrow to wide range of voltages from the incoming value. Each of the outputs dictate the distribution of these random voltages within the range of probability, from uniform to sporadic, chaotic randomness.





Sample, hold, integrate





The final two sections include the Sample and Hold and Integrator. The former includes options for pulse and CV input signals, and plenty of I/O routing for complex patching opportunities. The Integrator functions like a slew limiter, modulating incoming voltages to be time-dilated for unusual portamento or quick tonal shifts.





Tiptop Audio Buchla 266t Source of Uncertainty Eurorack Module Features:


Engineered in official collaboration with Buchla to preserve the unique functionalities of the original 266 Source of Uncertainty


Designed at 24HP for straightforward Eurorack integration


Voltage control of nearly all parameters allows for hyper-modular integration


Varied models of randomness provide opportunities to shape and fine-tune without sacrificing the core qualities of unpredictability


Visual graphics depict distribution of probability states for respective controls