Downloads & Support Information

5/2023 iPad “Easel208Pad” app users:
This app is no longer supported or developed, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. The app is working again iOS15. We recommend not using IOS 14. Please either upgrade to iOS15 or stay with iOS13. iOS15 fixed what was broken in iOS14. Our tests indicated that the iProgramCard app works to up to IOS 14.1, but no other versions of iOS14. iProgramCard users should also consider updating the iProgramCard Firmware to take advantage of the new desktop app.

iPad “Easel208Pad” app compatibility and incompatibility with the new iProgramCard firmware and Program Manager:
The iPad app does work for remote control of the Program Manager over USB including using the keyboard on the app. If using the Program Manager with the iPad app please note that there are known issues with consistent downloading banks from the iPad app. Not all the presets will download unless you are using WiFi on the iProgramCard. Increasing the “Waiting time between messages” helps a little bit so you can still download most of the Programs over USB, but not all. Without a setting for wait time between Program downloads the timing is a little off. But since we don’t support the iPad app anymore, a future iOS update from Apple may leave you in the lurch. We recommend moving towards using the new desktop app for the Program Manager.

Firmware

iProgramCard
There is an iProgramCard firmware update (v73 or higher) that allows you to use the new Program Manager desktop app on the iProgramCard over USB. The only caveat is that if you will not to be able to use both the iPad app with the new firmware, it cannot consistently download banks from the iPad app over USB. Though it WILL download banks from the iPad app over WiFi. The other issue is that the file formats from the iPad app and the new desktop app are not compatible or easily translated. So you’ll need to either recreate your favorite user patches in the new app or if you want the option to use both apps, simply download full 24 preset banks from the iPad app over WiFi when you need to and send individual patches via the desktop Buchla Program Manager app so you don’t overwrite your work.

Firmware v60 and higher corrects scaling for the sequencer output, corrects scaling for the fader on frequency and pitch CV inputs, and adds a “Both” Mode for new or modified Easels. Downloading zip file includes a folder with all files, answers to questions, and instructions for modifying your Easel. See support video links on this page for videos on how to update the Firmware.

200e ELECTRIC MUSIC BOX
Occasionally, we make changes in a module’s firmware to fix software bugs or to add new features. The little firmware cards we used to supply with modules have been replaced by a single USB card. With a Macintosh computer running OS10.5 or higher, you can load the USB card from the web, and then transfer the firmware to the module.

There are now two versions of the firmware for each module. The old version numbers are between 1 and 29; the new versions are numbered 30 or more. All current modules are shipped with version 30 firmware.

ALL MODULES IN A SYSTEM MUST BE ONE VERSION OR THE OTHER – A MIX CAN RESULT IN IMPROPER OPERATION.

First you’ll need to equip your computer with the smarts to read the USB card. Just click on the “Buchla Firmware Utility” link below to download the appropriate program.

To download a module’s firmware to your computer, click on the relavent firmware link in the table below.

To program the firmware hex file into the USB card, plug the card into your computer and double-click the hex file’s icon in the Finder. The Firmware Utility application will launch and display info about the programming process.

Now plug the USB card into the memory card receptacle on your system and power up the system while holding the Remote Enable button on the target module. The LED on the card will blink rapidly while the firmware is being loaded to the module, then blink slowly when the load is complete. Some modules use alternatives to the Remote Enable button; see the exception list at the end of the next section.

NOTE: these instructions apply only to new systems (delivered after Dec 1, 2011) with all modules running version 30 (or higher) firmware.

DO NOT OPERATE SYSTEMS THAT MIX VERSION 30 FIRMWARE WITH PRE-VERSION 30 FIRMWARE.
(They won’t burst into flame, but they probably won’t operate correctly).

We recommend that when you add new modules to an older system you update all the modules to version 30 firmware.

ProductDescriptionVersionDateFileNotes
AuxCardMusic Easel Auxiliary Card2 9/13/17AUXDv02.zipFirst Public Release
iProgramCard Active Easel program card7312/10/22iProgramCard_v73_221210.hex.zipThis firmware allows the use of the new Program Manager sotfware with your iProgramCard.

Before downloading and installing, here's what you need to know:

1) The iPad app will no longer send patches via USB connections (though it has virtual control); the iPad app WILL still work/connect and send patches via a WiFi connection.

1a) If you continue to use the iPad app via WiFi, consider for best WiFi patch sending connections to increase the "Waiting time between messages" to .04. (In "Settings" of your iPad under Easel208Pad.) This goes for previous versions of Firmware too.


2) There is no translator from the iPad patches to the newly formatted ones in the new app, so it's best to recreate your favorite patches by hand in the new app.


3) You still only get 24 Programs since the memory chip on the iProgramCard only supports that many.
iProgramCard Active Easel program card668/18/20iPgmCard_v66.zipA folder with all the files needed for the update. Corrects scaling for the sequencer output, corrects scaling for the fader on frequency and pitch CV inputs, and adds a “Both” Mode for new or modified Easels.

Version 66 updates: 1) Bug fix of version 60 restores virtual keyboard function of iPad app interface. This sends on bus A and therefore can be used for "keyboard" input on 208C in both & remote mode. For a 218e to respond to the virtual keyboard from the app requires the 218e be remote enabled. See manual. 2) Fixed bug when used in a 208C that could create mode confusion. 3) Recalls last preset on boot up. 4) Both/Local+ mode display update.
LEM218 V3 / 218e V336.82/19/24218ev3-Firmware-Flashing.zip218e-V3_User’s_Guide_v4.8.pdf

V. 36.8 - when MIDI Clock is active, arpeggiation does not trigger on first key pressed, it waits for the next clock.

Version 36 has arpeggiation clock fixes, a pitchbend pitch CV overflow fix, and improved MIDI handling. There is a new a latch function using pads 2&3, expanded the playable range in edit mode (slightly limiting MIDI channels assignment), and other small feature updates including allowing the other 2 pulse outputs and pitchbend to be controlled by MIDI input for a more comprehensive response to it's recorded MIDI output.
200e-USBFirmware Utility1.8.9 1/29/20BuchlaFirmwareUtility_1.8_build_9.zipUpdated for macOS 12.x and backward compatible to at least 10.12 (Sierra)

Occasionally, we make changes in a module’s firmware to fix software bugs or to add new features. With the Firmware Utility app can load new firmware to the USB Firmware/Utility card, and then transfer the firmware to a 200e module.
Additionally you can change the USB Utility Card to function as a bi-directional MIDI interface for a 200e system. MIDI channels 1-4 will be sent to the internal 200e MIDI busses A-D respectively and MIDI beat clock can also be sent to the bus system, or output by the 252e. The 218e can also be used to output MIDI note and velocity data.
200e-USBFirmware Utility downgrade.1.7.14/28/17BuchlaFirmwareUtility_171.zipUpdated to add more recent modules.
200e-USBFirmware Utility downgrade1.6710/29/15BuchlaFirmwareUtility167.zipApplication for macOS 10.5 to 10.14
206eSix Channel Mixer30.21/12/12206Ev302.hex.zipFirst public release
206e/225e Preset Manager32.31/17/16225Sv323_Primo.hex.zip Required to recognize latest set of modules including the 252e and h-series modules. NOTE: Before updating from a version prior to 31.3 backup the 225 to a card to retain preset names. If you have a 251e take it out of Remote Enable before backing up!
207eMixer / Microphone Preamp30.21/12/12207Ev302.hex.zipFirst public release
210eControl and Signal Router30.42/7/24210Ev304.zipCV Resolution improvement with 45x oversampling on existing hardware
Snappier UI response
210eControl and Signal Router30.21/12/12210Ev302.hex.zipFirst public release
218e31.12/29/20218Ev311.zipThree sustain pedal related fixes: 1) The 218e now senses the polarity of the sustain pedal on boot up
2) The keyboard re-triggers notes even if the key pressed is already sustained. 3) Pressure is assigned the last key pressed rather than trying to average the pressure over all the sustaining keys. This is particularly useful way to get full pressure values when arpeggiating multiple keys with the sustain pedal.
218e30.92/9/19218Ev309.zipVersion 30.9 fixes a scanning bug with key 11 on version 30.8
Version 30.8 Changed MIDI channel input from Omni response to Channel 1 response, saves configuration settings, and adds remote enable and software version reporting
223eTactile Interface Port30.11/12/12223Mv301.hex_.zipFirst public release
223eArpeggiator30.21/12/12223Av302.hex.zipFirst public release
225eMIDI Decoder30.510/7/13225Ev305_Primo.hex.zipThis update fixes the "brown out" issue where the MIDI portion of the module's firmware fails resulting in loss of functionality and a corrupted display.
225hMIDI & CV interface30.14/21/18225Hv301.zipBug fixes to internal bus channel assignment
225hMIDI & CV interface3.005/30/17225Hv300b1.hex.zipFirst public release of h-series 225h
226hCV-MIDI Interface30.112/8/18226Hv301.hexFixes a global remote enable response bug
227eSystem Interface30.11/12/12227Ev301.hex.zipFirst public release
230eTriple Envelope Tracker/Pre amp30.31/12/12230Ev303.hex.zipFirst public release
249eDual Arbitrary Function Generator30.33/7/12249Ev303.hex.zipSequence changes happen immediately.
250eArbitrary Function Generator30.6 12/10/15250Ev306b1.zip
250eArbitrary Function Generator30.51/12/12250Ev305.hex.zipFirst public release
251eQuad Sequential Voltage Source30.76/16/12251Ev307.hex.zipMore reliable button debouncing. NOTE: Make sure your Preset Manager has been updated to 31.7 or greater BEFORE updating the 251e.
252eBuchla Polyphonic Rythm Generator30.212/20/15252Ev302.hex.zip
256eControl Voltage Processor30.35/7/12256Ev303.hex.zipFix for knob changing multiple values after preset load.
257eControl Voltage Processor30.21/25/18257Ev302.zipBug fix to properly recognize the Module ID switch.
257eControl Voltage Processor30.11/12/12257Ev301.hex.zipFirst public release
259eComplex Waveform Generator30.85/7/12259Ev308.hex.zipFix slew on pitch CV.
260eDuophonic Pitch Class Generator30.11/12/12260Ev301.hex.zipFirst public release
261eComplex Waveform Generator30.21/12/12261Ev302.hex.zipFirst public release
266eSource of Uncertainty30.11/12/12266Ev301.hex.zipFirst public release
267eUncertainty Source / Dual Filter30.11/12/12267Ev301.hex.zipFirst public release
272ePolyphonic Tuner31.010/1/18272Ev310b1.zipWith version 31.0, slots are permanently assigned upon scanning. But the frequency at the time of the preset save (even if not a saved slot) will be restored initially when the preset is called up. (With 30.8, changing stations by hand will remain saved but are not assigned globally.)
272ePolyphonic Tuner30.812/29/11272Ev308.hex.zip Some users prefer the flexibility of version 30.8, while others prefer the stations globally assigned radio frequencies of version 30.9
281eQuad Function Generator30.21/12/12281Ev302.hex.zipFirst public release
281hDual Function Generator30.2h3/31/16281Ev302_is_h.hex.zipSame as 281e code but ensure h-series 281 uses internal bus A&B
285eFrequency Shifter30.21/12/12285Fv302.hex.zipFirst public release
285eBalanced Modulator30.21/12/12285Bv302.hex.zipFirst public release
291eTriple Morphing Filter30.11/12/12291Ev301.hex_.zipFirst public release
292eQuad Dynamics Manager 30.411/2/14292Ev304.hex.zipBug fixes
292hDual Dynamics Manager 30.44/25/19292Ev304h.hex.zipFixes issue where crackle in channel A could heard when turning knob B
296eSpectral Processor30.34/11/16296Ev303.hex.zip