New Buchla-Format Algorithmic Oscillator Is Like Mutable Instruments Plaits On Steroids

1979 has introduced the Algorithmic Oscillator, a Buchla-format VCO based on Plaits by Mutable Instruments.

The successor to the 1979 DAO, the AO has more knobs, more parameters, and more I/O than the DAO, plus features not available on the original Plaits module.

The company calls the AO “an ideal standalone voice module for small Buchla systems.”

Features:

  • High-fidelity digital oscillator (48 kHz, 16 bit)
    16 synthesis algorithms
  • Auxiliary output with complementary audio signal
  • Internal VCF/A with variable LPG mode
  • Voltage-controlled decay envelope*
  • Dedicated knobs for envelope decay and VCF/A amplitude*
  • Pitch quantizer (12-TET and Octave options)*
  • Inverting attenuators for all CV inputs (0-10V range)*
  • Envelope CV output (0-10V range)*

* Upgraded features not available on Plaits

Pricing and Availability

The Algorithmic Oscillator is available now for $775 USD.

8 thoughts on “New Buchla-Format Algorithmic Oscillator Is Like Mutable Instruments Plaits On Steroids

  1. Plaits CLONE. there, now it’s consistent.

    even Brains have more added features; four new algo’s and a fun-size scope, and 8 extra LED’s so it’s colorblind-happy, and it’s less than ONE FIFTH the price of this and it’s just software envelopes and a pot – simple to add. this is clearly a case of paying for just the Buchla looks. yikes.

    1. Not too mention these 1979 guys are selling Mutable Instruments work for 5 times the cost simply because it’s Buchla format

      To be sure the designs are open-ource thanks to the generous nature of Emelie

      Doesn’t seem to me like 1979 are passing the R&D savings they’ve made on to the customer

      Their original 1979 Plaits clone (which added nothing new to the Mutable design) was like $700 also

      1. As I pointed out to “John” above you guys should check the math, an OG Plaits is not $151 (that would be 1/5) but $259 and Plaits has a lot less hardware. Most importantly it does not plug into a Buchla case. You know these Buchla jacks are like $5 each right? You know that some people really dislike Eurorack and the cheap feeling parts?

    2. Looks like 1979 do release source of their old designs on github too, which is charitable. Would be nice if they released this one already, but maybe the Plaits license doesn’t oblige that. Also, it may be that Buchla just means very small production runs, so means faceplate and pcb fabrication are already unavoidably expensive.

    3. One fifth? Plaits is $259 USD, AO is about 3x but not 5x. But it’s not even the same module, this one obviously does a lot more and includes a lot more components.

      That’s the Buchla Tax that Buchla users are happy to pay for bigger and better modules with more features than the Eurorack versions.

  2. Yeah…. but I get the impression that “features” may be only one factor that makes this worth its weight in goa….errr electronics! It’s probably the quality of the sound it makes that will make this desirable … (to those that can afford it!) .. Not that Plaits doesn’t have a lovely sound… It does, but people will be paying for the buchlaness of this module. I’m tempted!

  3. Now that Plaits/Braids code has gone into a range of products, it is really interesting to see what different manufacturers do with the same synthesis engine in terms of integration and interface design. Personally, MI has a special place in my heart in terms of design and control-per-HP. That being said, I would love to see the engine break out of the modular world a little more, like with Minilogue xd and MicroFreaks.

    1. I only run Plaits models on my Prologue. they’re easy to modify with extra builtin envelopes and LFO’s and sound great right out of the box. working on Braids models now. and it’s FREE.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *