Buchla LEM218 V3 Touchplate Controller Keyboard

The Buchla LEM 218e Touch Activated Voltage Source takes Don Buchla’s iconic 218e touchplate and reinvents it for the modern musician, blending Buchla’s legendary expressiveness with today’s MIDI and Eurorack compatibility. Designed to seamlessly integrate with your modular setup or MIDI-equipped gear, the LEM 218e offers an intuitive, tactile interface that’s ideal for everything from ambient soundscapes to complex rhythmic patterns.

Buchla LEM 218e Touch Activated Voltage Source Features:

• Updated Touchplate Design: Redesigned for enhanced sensitivity and accuracy, responding to the lightest touch.
• Eurorack Compatibility: Four 3.5mm jack outputs for CV, gate, and pressure, bringing Buchla’s expressive control to Eurorack.
• Advanced MIDI Capabilities: Polyphonic MIDI mode, USB-C and 3.5mm MIDI ports for seamless integration with your DAW or MIDI instruments.
• Expressive Controls: Pressure-sensitive keys, a new touch strip for pitch bend and modulation, plus programmable presets and arpeggiator.
• Enhanced Tactile Experience: Adjustable sensors and automated calibration make playing smooth and responsive.

Innovative Capacitive Touch Keyboard
The LEM 218e stays true to Buchla’s original concept but improves on it with a piano-key layout that responds with unmatched sensitivity and control. This refined touch surface is designed to react to even the lightest tap, creating trigger and control voltages that respond dynamically to your playing. Each key provides velocity control when used with MIDI, allowing expressive nuances in performance. Additionally, the pressure output offers an added layer of control, giving you unique possibilities for shaping your sound in real-time.

Bridging Buchla and Eurorack Worlds
For the first time, the LEM 218e brings Buchla’s touchplate technology to Eurorack systems. The four 3.5mm jack outputs offer 1V/oct tracking, 0.5V gate, and 0-8V pressure, letting you easily integrate with Eurorack modules and control them using Buchla’s unique interface. This compatibility transforms the LEM 218e into a versatile performance tool that seamlessly bridges Buchla’s modular ecosystem with Eurorack, enhancing your creative possibilities.

Powerful MIDI and Modulation Capabilities
The LEM 218e is a highly capable MIDI controller. Featuring USB-C and 3.5mm MIDI ports, it sends comprehensive MIDI data including note, velocity, channel pressure, and sustain per note, making it ideal for controlling soft synths, external keyboards, and MIDI-enabled hardware. The touch strip serves as a mod wheel or pitch bend control, adding further expressive dimensions to your performance. With polyphonic MIDI mode, you can play chords and add intricate layers to your music, while the unit also functions as a MIDI-to-CV converter, opening up possibilities for both Buchla and Eurorack devices.

Flexible Arpeggiator and Preset Controls
The built-in arpeggiator takes rhythmic exploration to new levels, generating evolving patterns that can be tweaked with varied voltage settings to create complex, interlocking rhythms. The classic preset voltage knobs provide instant access to shifts in octave, arpeggiation modes, and quick transposition, making it easy to switch sounds on the fly. Whether you’re performing live or experimenting in the studio, these features ensure that the LEM 218e adapts effortlessly to your creative flow.

Tailored to Your Playing Style
Customizability is central to the LEM 218e, with adjustable velocity, pressure sensitivity, MIDI channel, and knob functions to match your unique style. With features like automated calibration and a reset button, this touchplate is designed for reliable, on-demand performance. Every aspect of the LEM 218e is crafted for maximum adaptability, giving you control over the most minute aspects of your playing and enabling you to make the instrument your own.

Buchla LEM 218e Touch Activated Voltage Source Specifications:

• Controller: Touch-activated voltage source with 218e piano-style layout
• Outputs: 4 x 3.5mm (1V/oct tracking, 0.5V gate, 0-8V pressure) for Eurorack and Buchla compatibility
• MIDI Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm MIDI, supporting polyphonic mode, note, velocity, pressure, and sustain
• Controls: Pressure-sensitive keys, touch strip for pitch bend/modulation, preset voltage knobs
• Power: 12V Grounded Power Supply (included)
• Accessories: Grounding strap, 3.5mm to 5-pin DIN MIDI adapters, Quick Start Guide

Included in the Box:

• LEM 218e Unit
• 12V Grounded Power Supply
• Grounding Strap
• 3.5mm to 5-pin DIN MIDI Adapters
• Quick Start Guide

Embrace Ultimate Expressiveness with the Buchla LEM 218e
The Buchla LEM 218e Touch Activated Voltage Source is more than a controller—it’s a bridge between past and future, combining Buchla’s legacy of expressiveness with modern compatibility. Available now at PMT Online, the LEM 218e is ready to unlock new creative pathways and offer the tactile, responsive interface you’ve been looking for. Dive into the Buchla world and control every aspect of your sound with an instrument designed for true musical exploration.