200e

"ezra buchla" <ezra.buchla@...> wrote:
> 
> the new oscillators do not drift and the input scaling is utterly
> consistent. the main problems now arising when attempting accurate
> tuning with CV are of a very different nature: jitter etc. arising
> from the digital components of the control circuit... but at least you
> never have to retune anything; scaling factor and base frequency can
> be stored in a preset and accurately recalled.

Hi ezra,

I do not dispute that you have a point.

It's true - the 259e and 261e don't drift, and the preset feature
allows for easy storage of the scaling settings, once set.  

But with only one scaleable CV input for the pitch of the VCO, it
means utilizing a 256e to add cv sources in addition to the
fingerboard.  By adding the 256e in the patch, you are  then need to
scale those inputs and store them.  If the 256 is not in the patch in
the first place, it will be an intermediate to advanced nightmare to
get the fingerboard added to the patch, playing in tune.  That is why
many systems (including the 70's Buchla 259s) feature such a Keyboard
cv input.


> 
> "without a 1.2v/oct scaled output on the 259e or 261e"
> 
> just out of curiousity, what does this mean?


A typical 1.2v/oct scaled input is the Keyboard Input on the original
259 or the 208.  (I suppose that the proper term would be
"prescaled".)  A simple preset cv input with no scaling pot, it allows
one to simply patch in the keyboard and accurately transpose patches,
playing the Easel or Buchla in tune via the keyboard.

So, let's say you have had a great time creating a cool 200e patch,
which has already used the frequency cv inputs and now you want to
play the sound with the Fingerboard.  Midi seems to be "the latter day
keyboard input" - allowing one to quickly interface the controller and
play it in tune.

gary