Buchla Easel V

Name: Buchla Easel V
Price: 149 USD
Author: Arturia

by Arturia · Synth · West Coast semi-modular synth

Not rated yet

A model of the Buchla Music Easel, the West Coast synth built around a complex oscillator with wavefolding and a modulation oscillator for FM and AM.

It adds up to 4 voices, a 32-step sequencer, extra looping envelopes, a physics-based Gravity XY modulator and 10 effects.

Best for: Sound Design, Keys & Synths. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Electronic & EDM.

Keywords: sequencer, sound design, modular, experimental, FM, polyphonic, analog, CPU-heavy, evolving, hardware emulation, heavy, modern, tempo-synced, arpeggiator, cinematic, lo-fi, plucks, preset-driven, steep learning curve, subtractive, textures, tweaker's playground.

What it does

Buchla Easel V is Arturia's model of the Buchla Music Easel, a "West Coast sound design playground." It recreates the Easel's oscillators, sequential voltage source and patch bay, and adds a layer of modern modulation.

Oscillators: a Complex Oscillator with harmonic wavefolding and a Modulation Oscillator for LFO duty or FM/AM.
Sequencing: the five-step Sequential Voltage Source with 76 modulation targets, a 32-step tempo-syncable sequencer, and the Model 218 keyboard with arpeggiator.
Extra modulation: five more envelope generators with loop, one-shot, free-run and tempo-sync modes, and the Gravity XY physics-based modulator.
Patching: a click-and-drag, color-coded patch bay.
Voices and effects: up to 4 voices, 10 effects including delay, reverb, EQ and a lo-fi processor, and 256 presets.

It is also part of V Collection.

Source: Arturia product page

When to use it

Buchla Easel V is the pick when you want the Easel's West Coast approach, with its complex oscillator, low-pass gates and sequential voltage source, plus modern extras that make it easier to play. It is less open than u-he Bazille and Softube Modular, modular synths where you build the patch yourself, and less conventional in layout than Pigments 7, which offers wavefolding and deep modulation.

Best for: evolving ambient textures, plucky West Coast tones, generative sequences and unusual sound design.
Genres: ambient, experimental electronic and film scoring.
Look elsewhere if: your CPU is limited; reviewers and users call it heavy. It also rewards patience rather than quick patching.
Standout: the Gravity XY modulator, which drives parameters from a simple physics simulation.

What producers say

Reviewers and users like its unusual sounds and depth; heavy CPU use and a learning curve are common caveats.

MusicRadar / Computer Music (2018) said "The results are quite unlike other synths in this collection," and good for evolving ambient backdrops.
Resident Advisor (2017) called it "Miles ahead of the original in terms of usability" but noted heavy CPU requirements.
Sweetwater customers average 3.8/5 from 4 reviews; one (2018) warned "this is a CPU hog," and a 1-star review (2018) felt the resemblance to the hardware was superficial.
KVR user (2022) rated it 5/5: "It's great for creating those modular, weird sounds."

Where to buy

Sweetwater: $149
AudioDeluxe: $149
Plugin Boutique: $149
Arturia: $169.19 (Listed at €149; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))

Tutorials and reviews

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