Related Manuals for Buchla 218e-V3
Summary of Contents for Buchla 218e-V3
- Page 1 !"#$%"&'!()#&*+,&-./& 012.34&567/89:& by Joel Davel and the staff of Buchla USA V4.3 1/18/23 (JD) For 218e Software verion 33.9+ © 2022 Buchla USA...
- Page 2 These notes will acquaint your 218e. If you have a 218e-V3, then you have a more advanced version of the 218e. This is indicated by a “v3” in the upper right corner of the 218e, but also by the presence of a new strip and other features mentioned below.
- Page 3 Before getting into the details of the 218e modules, lets pursue some items that all modern Buchla 200 modules share in common. First the connections: Like its predecessors--the 200, and 100--the 200e series differentiates between control voltages, signals, and pulses.
- Page 4 The little lines on keys 1-29 of the 218e-V3 are also ground and can provide a minimal amount of ground connection in the absence of a good earth ground connection.
- Page 5 The “pitch” output corresponds to the 1.2v/octave pitch of the key. At the Buchla standard of 1.2v/per octave, that means that the pitch C will be 0v,1.2v, 2.4v, 4.8v or 6.0v depending on the octave being played. (Notice how conveniently that relates the MIDI “C”...
- Page 6 Welcome to the strip! New to the 218e is the additional of a strip. Many historic Buchla capacitive keyboards included a strip or two and so why shouldn’t this one! And its got a pulse! Try it out! The blue banana output is a 0-10v output range.
- Page 7 How to set the range in relative pitchbend mode: Hold strip and turn ARP knob. The strip CV range is always 0-10v and the strip CV will always snap back to 5 volts but the pitch banana CV will also be affected per the range of control over the pitchbend as set in edit/configuration mode.
- Page 8 TRANSPOSITION: the ADD TO PITCH switch Octave Transposition with pads: use the “octaves” switch setting for instant transposition of the pitch output using just pads 1 to 4. In monophonic MIDI the transposition will imitate the instant transposition of the pitch CV output and – if you are holding a key with a finger or sustain pedal –...
- Page 9 That is all you need to know to start playing. But if you want to change the response settings on your 218e-V3, or turn on and off various features, or take advantage of some of the MIDI output options, here’s how. . .
- Page 10 Keys 1-16: Assign the MIDI output channel 1-16 New to the 218e-V3 is channel output assignment. In edit mode, touch and hold keys 1-16 for a second until you see the pulse LED flash and that will reassign MIDI output to the respective MIDI channel MIDI channel settings are saved.
- Page 11 Pressure sensitivity Velocity sensitivity Minimum velocity value 200e Bus assignment (if touching pad 4) Knob 1: Pressure sensitivity If the pressure does not respond to your liking, move the knob and adjust the “pressure” sensitivity. 10 is the most sensitive setting and the output will jump to 10v with just your finger tips.
- Page 12 For new Easel users, consult with the EMBIO guide on how to directly the MIDI Input to the 218e instead of the default 208C. For older Easel cases, a 6-pin header and cable can be soldered to the 218e-V3 to make it compatible with the older BEMI 2013-2020 case. See Appendix VI...
- Page 13 3.5mm MIDI outputs and inputs. These use traditional MIDI signals and can be adapted to DIN cables. See the included cable adapter for a 3.5mm to 5pin DIN connection. (More available from Buchla USA.) USB: With the 218e-V3, USB-MIDI has been added and functions the same as the DIN/3.5mm MIDI in and out.
- Page 14 The LEM218’s 1v/octave trimpot can be adjusted to maintain 1 volt per octave at the 3.5mm pitch output. optional h-Power input: Power can come from a Buchla boat that has an accessible h-power outlet/connection. Use this 2mm 10-pin optional power to connect all the power needed including ground and the internal MIDI bus through an h-series power cable.
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Page 15: Appendix Ii: Troubleshooting/Faqs
Appendix II: Troubleshooting/FAQs My keys are not responding or my connected instrument is not responding to the 218e. Go back to edit mode to edit the configuration, or considering resetting to the factory default settings. In edit mode, hold down all four preset pads until the LEDs flash to reset the keyboard response and MIDI settings back to the factory defaults. -
Page 16: Appendix Iii: Firmware Updates
We like to get it right the first time, but if there are updated features or software fixes, downloadable firmware updates can be programmed via USB. There are a few steps to this. To find out how to update the 218e-V3 to the latest software, see the publication: How to do a 218e-V3 firmware update.pdf 218e-V3 updates are not compatible with the older 218e. - Page 17 Various older Easel cases include MIDI In and Sustain, and the LEM housing adds MIDI Out. The Buchla 218e can also be put in another housing and still retain those connections via the 6-pin SIP header. The old LEM218 pairs with the old 218e for power and I/O and includes this 6-pin connector.
- Page 18 Afterword As the director of the changes to Don Buchla’s 218e and as the 218e’s original and updated PCB layout artist, I hope you enjoy the updates! Special thanks to software developers Darren Gibbs and Dan McAnulty and the support of the Buchla USA team!
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