TipTop Audio Buchla 296 Programmable Spectral Processor

The 296t Programmable Spectral Processor is Tip Top Audio's recreation of the Buchla 296, and provides comb filtering, vocoding, envelope following along with 16 fixed-frequency filters.
Three audio output sections comprise of Comb Filter Outputs, Attenuator Outputs, and Programmed Outputs. The Comb Filter Outputs supply odd and even filter bands summed together. The Attenuator Outputs are controlled by the level sliders on the front panel, providing summed outputs of all the bands and the odd/even bands grouped together. The Programmed Outputs (even, odd, and all) are all controlled by the Program Control, Programmed Spectrum Transfer, and Local Program CV controls.

Essentially, the frequency and width controls of the Program Control enable the user to explore the filterbank and direct attention to particular frequency ranges at the programmed outputs, offering the flexibility of voltage control. The Local Program Inputs present voltage-controlled inputs that grant intricate command over the level of each specific band at the Programmed Outputs. The Programmed Spectrum Transfer segment permits the interconnection of envelope follower outputs from the odd bands to the CV inputs of the even bands or vice versa. Skillful utilisation of the Even and Odd audio inputs and outputs in conjunction with these features can result in a raw, yet efficient, vocoder-like behaviour. Additionally, each band is equipped with dedicated envelope follower outputs and audio outputs.

The 296t successfully incorporates the majority of the features from the original Buchla module into a the accessible eurorack format.