Brand
Buchla is an American electronic instrument brand with a legendary status in the history of synthesizers, closely associated with the origins of West Coast synthesis. Founded in the 1960s by Don Buchla, the company took a radically different approach to electronic instruments, prioritising timbre, modulation, and experimental control over traditional keyboard-based design.
Buchla instruments are known for non-standard interfaces, touch plates, complex modulation sources, and an emphasis on evolving, organic sound rather than conventional melodies or presets. Their systems have been used extensively in experimental music, academia, sound art, and avant-garde composition, and they remain influential in modern modular synthesis.
For SynthForSale, Buchla sits at the high-end experimental and modular synthesis category — iconic instruments aimed at musicians and sound designers who want to explore unconventional workflows, generative sound, and the deeper artistic side of electronic music rather than traditional performance synthesis.
Category
A synth, short for synthesiser, is an electronic instrument used to create and shape sound using oscillators, filters and modulation. Synths can produce everything from classic analogue-style tones to complex, evolving textures used across many styles of music. If you enjoy exploring sound design and creating unique voices rather than simply reproducing traditional instruments, synths offer a deeply creative and expressive way to make music.
Tags
Desktop refers to instruments designed for tabletop or studio use rather than keyboard-based performance. Desktop units are compact, self-contained devices controlled via knobs, buttons, sequencers, or external controllers, making them ideal for studio workflows and modular setups.
Modular is a synthesis format made up of separate, interchangeable modules that are patched together to create custom signal paths. It allows complete freedom over sound design, sequencing, and modulation, with each system built to suit the user’s workflow and creative approach.
A module is a self-contained unit designed to perform a specific function within a larger system. Modules are commonly used in modular and Eurorack setups, where each unit handles tasks such as sound generation, modulation, filtering, or control, allowing systems to be built and expanded piece by piece.
New Gear is unused and in original condition, supplied as it leaves the manufacturer. It is chosen for guaranteed reliability, full functionality, and the assurance of manufacturer support. For example, buying new ensures access to the latest design revisions, included accessories, and official warranty coverage.
A synth is an electronic instrument that creates sound through electronic signal generation and shaping. It is used to produce basses, leads, pads, textures, and effects by controlling oscillators, filters, envelopes, and modulation. Synths are central to electronic music and modern production, offering flexible sound design for both studio work and live performance.