Buchla 259e Twisted Waveform Generator: Softube Modular Add-On

Rated 4.5/5 on Plugin Boutique (183 ratings)

Buchla 259e Twisted Waveform Generator is a dual-oscillator add-on for Softube Modular, the first officially licensed Buchla plug-in. It is built for metallic, harsh, digital and screeching sounds.

VST3VST2AUAAXRTASWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Buchla 259e is an expansion module for Softube Modular and the first plug-in officially licensed from Buchla. Its Principal and Modulation oscillators share an unusual design that can be pushed into cold, digital and aggressive territory. Softube says the plug-in reproduces the original hardware's digital waveshaping, aliasing noise and foldover frequencies. Because it requires Modular, it is best suited to producers already working in that ecosystem.

Best for

Harsh digital leads
Metallic percussion tones
Screeching sound design
Experimental synth patches
Cold ambient textures

Developer: Softube
Category: Generators
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Dual Principal and Modulation oscillator design
Eight waveshape tables with morph and warp controls
Mem Skew mode with three non-traditional tables
Digital waveshaping and aliasing noise from the original hardware
Ported digital parts line by line and wavetables byte by byte
Analog parts modeled component by component
First officially licensed Buchla plug-in
Available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats

03In depth

Oscillator Design and Sound Character

The 259e uses two oscillators. Principal produces a sine wave that is sent to two of eight waveshape tables, and a morph control pans between them. A warp control changes the amplitude of that driving sine. The Modulation oscillator can either modulate Principal or play as a separate generator of audible notes.

The module is strongest on metallic, harsh and digital timbres. Softube also notes that it can be tamed into smoother, organic tones and morphed between soft and aggressive settings.

Mem Skew Mode and Workflow

Three of the waveshape tables are not classic wavetables. Softube describes them as sections of the original operating program, full of unpredictable noise and frequent silences. Selecting one of these tables activates Mem Skew mode, which reassigns the FM controls to table scanning and turns the FM inputs into table modulators.

This mode is the most distinctive feature of the module and is where its unusual behavior is most apparent.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Softube
Type	Plugin
Category	Generator
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is the Buchla 259e used for?

It is a dual-oscillator module suited to metallic, cold, harsh, digital and screeching sounds. Softube says it can also produce smoother, organic tones.

What formats and operating systems does it support?

It is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats, running on Windows and macOS. The plug-in is 64-bit.

What do I need to use Buchla 259e?

It requires Softube Modular, a Softube account, an iLok account, and a compatible AU, VST, VST3 or AAX host. Softube recommends VST3 and officially tests in Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One and Reaper.