Top 11 Best Buchla Format Synth Module Brands In The World

ByArthur Fox Updated on

  1. Buchla
  2. Studio H
  3. Vedic Scapes
  4. Verbos Electronics
  5. EarDrill
  6. Northern Light Modular
  7. Sputnik Modular
  8. 1979
  9. LA 67
  10. Keen Association
  11. Cynthia

Of course, any “best of” list is subjective by nature. I’ve done my best to make this as objective as possible. I’ve included not only my own bias but also the opinions of others (in real life; in online forums, and by which brands professionals use). I’ve also taken into account the number of models and the objective nature of the models in each brand.

We’ll get into each of these brands in greater detail to explain why they made this list. I’ll also include several module examples for each brand along with a link to their official website and a bit of the company history.

Click here to return to My New Microphone’s articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.

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Buchla

mnm Buchla Logo | My New Microphone

  • Specialty/Focus: modular synthesizers
  • Founded: 1963 by Don Buchla (the Buchla U.S.A. Company was founded in 2018)
  • Country: United States (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
  • Notable Module: 252e Buchla Polyphonic Rhythm Generator

Official Website: buchla.com

Studio H

Official Website: studiohsoftware.com

Vedic Scapes

Verbos Electronics

EarDrill

  • Specialty/Focus: modular synth modules
  • Founded: by Chris Muir
  • Country: United States (San Fransisco, California)
  • Notable Module: Pendulum/Ratchet
  • Official Website: eardrill.com

Northern Light Modular

Sputnik Modular

  • Specialty/Focus: modular synth modules
  • Founded: by Roman Filippov
  • Country: United States (Portland, Oregon)
  • Notable Module: Oscillator
  • Official Website: sputnik-modular.com

1979

LA 67

Keen Association

Cynthia

  • Specialty/Focus: modular synth modules
  • Founded: 2002 by Cynthia Webster (defunct in 2017)
  • Country: United States (Glendale, California)
  • Notable Module: Zeroscillator V2 VCO
  • Official Website: N/A

Synthesizers.com

Synthesizers.com was founded in 1996 by Roger Arrick in Tyler, Texas, where the company is headquartered today.

Official Website: synthesizers.com

Buchla

Buchla was founded in 1963 by Don Buchla in Berkeley, California, USA. In 2012, the company was acquired by the Australian Audio Supermarket Pty. Ltd. and renamed BEMI (Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments). In 2018, the company was acquired by an American entity called Buchla U.S.A, which is headquartered in Berkeley, California, USA.

Official Website: buchla.com

  • Instruo
  • Joranalogue
  • XAOC
  • Erica Synths
  • Strymon
  • Ritual Electronics
  • ALM Busy Circuits
  • Tiptop Audio
  • Korg
  • Arturia
  • Analogue Solutions
  • Dreadbox

Differences Between Eurorack, Buchla, Frac, Modcan A, MOTM, MU and Serge

  • Eurorack
  • Buchla
  • Frac
  • Modcan A
  • MOTM
  • MU
  • Serge

Moog Unit – also called MU or 5U, is a large, full-figured module format. This is the format built by Synthesizers.com. MU is 8.75″ tall (5U) and comes in widths of 2.125″ which is 8 spaces in a 19″ rack. Modern MU uses the same panel size as Moog modulars but uses the Synthesizers.com power connector which has become a standard. Power is +/-15v and +5v. MU uses large knobs and 1/4″ jacks. Panels are typically black with exposed metal flanges on each side. Enclosures can be hardwood, portable or 19″ rack.

EuroRack – is the popular small format at 128.5mm tall which is about 5″ and close to 3U. Eurorack uses the smaller 3.5mm jacks and usually smaller knobs. Power systems for Eurorack use a flat cable to provide +/-12v,5V. Panels are a variety of colors, often silver. Typical enclosures are boxes, foldable or 19″ rack.

Other form factors are less common but still available:

FrackRack – is 3U tall (5.25″), uses a power connector like MOTM with +/-15v and 3.5mm jacks. Frackracks are close to Eurorack and they can be used together with certain considerations. Panels are a variety of colors, often black. Enclosures are typically 19″ rack.

MOTM – 5U = 5×1.75″=8.75 tall like MU, but comes in different width increments and has a thick flat panel. MOTM uses a 4-pin power connector to provide +/-15v, later offering 5v. MOTM modules use 1/4″ jacks. Enclosures are typically 19″ rack.

4U – 4×1.75″= 7″ tall panels, typically flat and silver. These include Buchla, Serge and others. Connectors are often a combination of banana jacks for control signals and 3.5mm for audio. Power is typically +/-15v but vary in connector style. Enclosures are typically 19″ rack but sometimes foldable boats. 4U systems often are used without a traditional keyboard controller.

Full List Of Synthesizer Module Types

  • Source Modules
    • Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
    • Noise Source
    • Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO)
    • Envelope Generator (EG)
    • Sequencer
  • Processor Modules
    • Voltage-Controlled Filter (VCF)
    • Voltage-Controlled Amplifier (VCA)
    • Low-Pass Gate (LPG)
    • Ring Modulator (RM)
    • Mixer
    • Slew Limiter
    • Sample & Hold (S&H)
    • Sequencer
    • Custom Control Input
  • Effect Modules
  • Utility Modules
  • Digital Modules

  • Attenuator
  • Blind Panel
  • Clock Generator
  • Clock Modulator
  • Comparator
  • Controller
  • CV Modulation
  • Delay
  • Digital
  • Distortion
  • Drum
  • Dual/Stereo
  • Dynamics
  • Effect
  • Envelope Follower
  • Envelope Generator
  • Equalizer
  • Expander
  • Expression
  • External
  • Filter
  • Frequency Divider
  • Function Generator
  • LFO
  • Logic
  • Low Pass Gate
  • MIDI
  • Mixer
  • Multiple
  • Noise
  • Oscillator
  • Panning
  • Phase Shifter
  • Pitch Shifter
  • Polarizer
  • Power
  • Preamp
  • Quad
  • Quantizer
  • Random
  • Reverb
  • Ring Modulator
  • Sample And Hold
  • Sampling
  • Sequencer
  • Slew Limiter
  • Switch
  • Synth Voice
  • Tube
  • Tuner
  • Systems
  • Utility
  • VCA
  • Video
  • Waveshaper

Audio Engineer

Arthur is the owner of Fox Media Tech and the author of My New Microphone. He's an audio engineer by trade and has worked professionally in the audio industry since 2015 with experience in studio recording, radio, television, composition, sound design, music production, and content production.
He has a passion for music production and releases music as "Arthur Fox". This website is where he share his love and knowledge for all things audio.

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