Buchla & Tiptop Audio 248t Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator

MUSICAL FEATURES

Tiptop Audio's Buchla Model 248t Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator (MARF) is an extremely flexible and programmable control voltage source. The original MARF is legendary as one of the most powerful control voltage generators ever made, and was ahead of its time when it appeared in the 1970s. Now, Tiptop has revived the MARF for the modern era, while also improving it to be suitable for today's modular environments.

At first glance, MARF looks like a sequencer, but that's only a small part of what it can do. While it does have 16 programmable control voltages, the 248t offers a great deal of flexibility in how you access the stages. You can step through them sequentially like a typical sequencer, but you can also interpolate (glide) smoothly from one value to the next. Using the switches and buttons in the center of the module, you can set each stage to be continuous, quantized, mapped to a specific voltage range, or held for a set period of time. Moreover, these settings can be done individually for each stage.

MARF can be used not only as a sequencer, but also as an ADSR envelope generator, portamento processing, and for a wide range of other control voltage applications.

One of MARF's most powerful features is its ability to group stages into subgroups. For example, you can create pitch sets or different envelope shapes. To do this, each stage can be assigned Stop and Sustain commands, as well as First and Last specifications that define the Cycle range. Stages are addressable both internally and externally via inputs on the left side of the module, allowing for flexible construction of complex relationships with other modules in the system.

Even more distinctive is its two output sections, despite having only 16 stages, allowing for simultaneous operation of different stages. The Time Multiplier control (with knob and CV input) allows scaling of the set time value from 0.5x to 4x. Pulse inputs for Start and Stop are also provided. The top panel features outputs including a stored voltage, a ramp reference corresponding to the stage, a voltage proportional to the stage time value, and two assignable pulse outputs. Furthermore, it includes a dedicated output for Tiptop's ART protocol, allowing for smooth tuning and (if compatible) polyphonic control when connected to ART-compatible modules such as the 259t.

Features

• Advanced programmable CV generator/processor

• A modern reproduction of the rare 248 model from the vintage Buchla 200 system.

• 16 stages and two independently addressable output sections

• Various actions can be individually configured for each stage.

• Capable of generating everything from step sequences to complex envelopes.

• Equipped with non-volatile memory (presets are retained even after power is turned off).

• It supports the Tiptop ART protocol, enabling tuning and polyphony control.