Buchla Bananas Explained

A brief history and description of Buchla banana cables and jacks and the pragmatic inspirations for their colors as presented by long-time Don Buchla associate, Joel Davel. (Plus a post-credit scene for Buchla 208 nerds.)

[@batchas]

Always a great pleasure to see Joel.

[@JoelDavel]

Just to be clear on dates: As 208 knowledgeable people know, the original was designed and presented in 1973, not 1974. And likewise the BEMI version was really 2013, not 2014. I know this, but for some reason as I spoke I hedged toward the year when I figured most of them were shipped. Though really by the end of both those years -- 1973 and 2013 -- they were likely shipping. In hindsight I probably should have referred to those years. For most people, a minor detail.

[@holiosys]

Great video :)

[@bauhnguefyische667]

Thanks, great video. I always wondered why the weird patch plugs. Now it makes sense. I have a Easel Command and it’s easily my favorite.
Having a Buchla Modular, is my goal, it’s just … Indescribable!

[@prestopatch]

Fantastic - thank you!

[@JoelDavel]

Glad you liked it!

[@darksparklermusic]

This was great. Thanks Joel!!

[@holiosys]

That 208 from 2013, is that wider or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

[@JoelDavel]

That's an illusion. Smaller fonts probably. And fewer ins and outs increase the space between IO. With the 208C I increased the font size and more IO. The 1974 208 likewise had bigger text.

[@JoelDavel]

Oh wait i see what you are talking about now. The 2013/14 208 looks bigger because it’s closer to the camera. It’s got those vertical daughter cards it’s sitting on. I made the 208C skinny enough to fit in a 200e boat.

[@vgermuse]

Awesomeness Joel! 💥

[@JesseLucas]

👏✨

[@EaselCat]

I cut my own hair Joel :p yeah its pretty bad and my bananas are all different colors.

[@TR-707]

i am so happy we moved away from this