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Buchla Music Easel

$2,114.42 to $4,999.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (14)

3 Reviews

BEMI

Find out who is using Buchla Music Easel

2 community setups

26 wishlisted

43 saved

Page last updated Jun 10, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated June 9, 2026.

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BEMI

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5.0 (2)

$4,999.00

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5.0 (2)

$2,114.42 4 available New

$2,799.00 10 available Used

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$4,999.00

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Average Price: $3,728

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Buchla Music Easel is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Buchla Music Easel". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Buchla Music Easel stands as a testament to the fusion of vintage charm and modern innovation. Born from the visionary mind of Don Buchla in 1973, this synthesizer continues to captivate musicians with its unique blend of portability and expansive tonal possibilities. The Modern Edition elevates this classic's legacy, bringing a sophisticated 10-panel design that expands compositional and connectivity horizons. Its 208C sound source, featuring a complex and modulation oscillator duo, offers diverse waveforms for creating rich, layered sounds. The capacitive touch keyboard controller, the 218e, is updated with 29 touch-sensitive keys and a ribbon controller, ensuring precise control and expressive play.

At the heart of the Music Easel, the EMBIO module serves as a central hub, offering an array of connectivity options, including USB-C, MIDI, and Eurorack compatibility. This allows for seamless integration into both studio and live settings, opening up new possibilities for experimentation and performance. The 5-step sequencer and random voltage generator enable dynamic soundscapes, while the color-coded controls ensure intuitive operation even in dimly-lit environments. Housed in a durable ABS plastic case with a metal frame, the Music Easel is built to withstand the rigors of the road, making it an ideal choice for musicians who demand reliability and versatility.

Key Features:

208C dual-oscillator sound source with complex and modulation oscillators
29-key capacitive touch 218e keyboard with ribbon controller
EMBIO module with USB-C, MIDI, and Eurorack compatibility
5-step sequencer and random voltage generator
Color-coded knobs and patch points for easy navigation
Durable ABS case with metal internal framing for robustness

Product specs

Type	Keyboard Synthesizer
Sound Engine	208C Sound Source
Analog/Digital	Analog
Number of Keys	29
Type of Keys	218e Touch-activatied Control Surface
Oscillators	2 x VCO
Waveforms	Switchable: Triangle, Square, Sawtooth, Spike
LFO	Lowpass
Filter	1 x ASD
Effects Types	Reverb
Arpeggiator	Yes
Sequencer	5-stage
Audio Inputs	1 x 1/8" (aux)
Audio Outputs	2 x 1/4", 2 x 1/8" (mix)
Headphones	1 x 1/8"
USB	2 x USB-C
MIDI I/O	In/Out/USB
Pedal Inputs	1 x 1/4" (sustain)
Other I/O	5 x 1/8" (patch points), 38 x Banana Patch Points
Expansion	2 x Empty Panels
Mod Matrix	10-panel System with EMBIO Module
Features	ABS Case with Internal Metal Frame
Power Source	12V DC Power Supply
Height	6.5" (with cover)
Width	23"
Depth	16"

FAQs

Is the Buchla Music Easel polyphonic or monophonic?: The Buchla Music Easel is monophonic, focusing on a single voice for rich and complex sound design rather than polyphonic layering.
What kind of sound engine does the Buchla Music Easel use?: The Buchla Music Easel uses an analog 208C sound engine, known for its distinctive West Coast synthesis capabilities and experimental sound design.
Does the Buchla Music Easel include a sequencer?: Yes, the Buchla Music Easel features a 5-stage sequencer, allowing for the creation of evolving musical patterns and sequences.
What connectivity options are available on the Buchla Music Easel?: The Buchla Music Easel offers extensive connectivity, including USB-C, MIDI In/Out, multiple audio outputs, and numerous patch points for modular integration.
What type of keys does the Buchla Music Easel have?: The Buchla Music Easel features a 218e touch-activated control surface with 29 keys, providing expressive and responsive control over sound parameters.

Videos

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BEMI - Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments

Buchla Music Easel Quick Start & Overview

BEMI - Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments

Buchla Music Easel Sound Demo (no talking)

Bonedo Synthesizers

Buchla Music Easel First Sound

Buchla

The Buchla Music Easel Quick Start Guide Featuring Todd Barton

Foxtone Music

Buchla Music Easel - Video Manual

Buchla

Reviews

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PROS

Unique, characterful, and organic sound
Complements other synths and productions well
High build quality with a balanced feel
No operational issues, even with MIDI
Designed for solo experimentation and immersive play
Integrates well in mixes due to its distinct sound
Quick and intuitive patch creation process
Excels in atonal, rubbery, deep, and ambient sounds
Encourages hours of creative exploration

CONS

Knobs wobble if forced, not bolted to faceplate
Requires effort to tune to specific tracks
West coast synthesis may be confusing for some

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Buchla Music Easel.

Comparisons

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The Make Noise Shared System can mimic many Buchla Easel sounds but not perfectly, with differences attributed to user skill and experience.
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A Doepfer and Make Noise-based Eurorack system can replicate the Music Easel's functionality for roughly $2,000 less, according to a user who built a clone.
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Compared to modular systems, the Easel offers a more self-contained experience, which some users prefer over the potential swapping of Eurorack modules.
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User experience

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Owners highlight the Music Easel’s inspirational nature, with its unique workflow and interaction between components being particularly engaging and creative.
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Some users find the Easel's ergonomics to be premium, comparable to decent Euro modules, but remain unconvinced without the touch keyboard integration.
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Some users experience reliability issues, requiring parts replacement, but the synth is still favored for its unique sound and playability.
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Value and pricing

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The Buchla Music Easel's pricing is compared to high-end instruments like custom shop guitars, emphasizing its status as a premium, niche product.
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Potential buyers contemplate the value of the Easel, considering its high price compared to more capable Eurorack systems or other high-end synths.
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Features and functionality

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The Buchla Music Easel's capacitive touch keyboard is likened to a concert grand, offering a superior playing experience compared to many Eurorack touch controllers.
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The Buchla Music Easel's modulation oscillator can bleed into the reverb tank; a DIY fix is available for this issue.
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The Buchla Music Easel Command's funky mix knob is integral to achieving its signature soundtrack/70s filmstrip/horror noise sound.
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The instrument has hidden features like individual gate outputs for each sequencer stage, which can be accessed via a third-party toolbox.
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Owners note the lack of a 'hold' function for the arpeggiator, although a DIY modification can address this limitation.
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Build quality

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The Music Easel's ABS case is noted as a positive feature, providing durability without adding excessive weight.
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BEMI's production quality is inconsistent; some Easels have poor build quality, especially those shown at events like NAMM.
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Use cases and applications

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The Easel thrives with the touch keyboard, enhancing its sound and playability significantly more than the module alone.
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The Easel is highly favored for ambient and sound design but can be integrated into house music setups for unique bass and stabs.
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Mods and upgrades

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Expander modules can unlock additional functionalities not accessible from the main panel, enhancing the synth's versatility.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

theweekendwarrior

552

almost 11 years ago

Inspirational.

A bit of work to tune to your track, but very accurate as far as analog goes. For atonal, rubbery, deep, bassy, clangy, resonant, zappy arpeggios and drifty ambient leads, nothing is finer. A soundesign/film atmosphere machine in a single box.

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Techno Dance music

From Gear Setup

john_withers

815

over 7 years ago

Latest addition to Arturia V Collection

West coast synthesis continues to astound and confuse me but this is apparently a good emulation. Sounds like a lot of tips and bops to me hehe.

will_morris

111

about 8 years ago

Buchla

Super creative instrument. As Sun Ra says, 'Space is the Place'.

Artist usage

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Alessandro Cortini

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Nine Inch Nails

Verified via YouTube

"I was lucky enough to have been offered to spend a few hours with a lovely 208 +221 combination. Here's what i came up with."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4jRmysLWkM

That's him posting about it. You can also see it in the other video URL, him performing live with it. He's been using it quite a lot over the last coupel of years, so you can see it in a lot of videos of his performances you'd find on Youtube etc.

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Keyboardist, Composer

Yellow Magic Orchestra

Verified via NIKKEI STYLE

Newly added the Buchla Music Easel in his studio.

Morgan Page

Music Producer

Verified via Facebook

In this picture posted to Facebook, Morgan Page is holding a Buchla Music Easel. He comments: "The latest addition to the studio! Can you guess what it is?"

Floating Points

Music Producer, DJ

A Pulse Train

Verified via Photo

Buchla Music Easel is in this video

Vitalic

Music Producer

Verified via YouTube

At 5:20, he explains his uses for the Buchla Music Easel for his Voyager album

Nathan Williams

Singer, Guitarist

Wavves

Verified via Photo

Wavves' Nathan Williams declares the new Wavves record (entitled 'V') to be nearing completion, with a shot of equipment, assumedly used in the record.

Kid Koala

Deltron 3030

Verified via Photo

Kid Koala seen using a Buchla Music Easel in his studio in a picture posted on his official Facebook.

Varg2™

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via YouTube

can be seen @1:16 in this video

Skudge

Verified via Photo

The Music Easel is visible behind him on the right.

"@skudge_elias_landbergIt was a Easel day today! #buchla #music #easel #musiceasel #roland #sh101 #inthestudio #jamming #autumn #2015"

Belief Detect

Composer, Music Producer

Verified via Native Instruments Blog

"We work differently, but I can speak for myself. I try to get the most out of something. I go to my studio, grab the Music Easel, take that out of the room, and just sit down and isolate myself with it. I’m just making music with this, just trying to push that thing as much as possible to get as many different ideas as possible out of it. Even this small Eurorack system that we have here. It’s not the most complex synthesizer – it’s got an oscillator and an envelope and a filter – it’s basically the structure of any other synthesizer. But I know how those modules work well enough to get the results I want from it."