Buchla Ziggy Synth Combines Analog Sound With Digital Control
Ahead of Superbooth 2026, Buchla USA has introduced Ziggy, a self-contained analog synthesizer designed to distill key elements of West Coast synthesis into a desktop form factor.
Ziggy features a ‘West Coast’ complex oscillator paired with a modulation oscillator, a low pass gate, and depth-focused modulation sources, including the unique Cycler and an extra LFO. Cycler can function in a variety of ways, from producing punchy percussive envelopes to cycling like a classic LFO, and can also be triggered for single-cycle modulation via MIDI or CV. It also has an ‘uncertainty’ parameter, for creating randomised modulation variations. A further XLFO provides an additional triangle wave modulation source.
Digital control over its analog signal path enables onboard preset memory and external editing via WebMIDI, while integrated effects broaden its sonic palette.
At the heart of its sound engine is a complex oscillator, a sine wave generator that can be shaped via audio-rate modulation of either its amplitude or frequency. This is paired with a second modulation oscillator with a wide frequency range that allows it to function like both an LFO and audio source.
The oscillators are shaped using a low-pass gate, another classic feature of West Coast synth design, which is based around a Sallen-Key filter and combines the functionality of both an amp envelope and low-pass filter.
According to Buchla, “Ziggy incorporates many of the Buchla innovations that have long been taken for granted: digital control over the analogue audio, additive synthesis, unique and musical interactions, and the focus on making an ‘instrument’ rather than a ‘synthesizer.”
The instrument accepts MIDI (USB-C, 5-pin DIN, and TRS), 1V/oct CV, gate, and modulation inputs for integration with modular setups and external controllers. Stereo audio outs, headphone output, and an auxiliary input complete its connectivity.
Here’s the official intro video:
Features:
- Fully analog Complex and Modulation oscillators. The Modulation oscillator can operate at low frequency or audible rates. The shape is selectable from Sawtooth, Square, or Triangle.
- The Complex Oscillator’s initial shape is a sine wave. It can be frequency or amplitude modulated by the Modulation Oscillator, distorted by the Timbre wavefolder, and blended into a spike, square, or sawtooth wave.
- Create, Save, and Recall over 100 available factory and user programs.
- The low pass gate (LPG) operates as a VCA, Filter, or Both, with a Sallen Key filter architecture.
- Envelopes are blended shapes, rather than traditional ADSR, encouraging discovery, rather than precision.
- The Cycler modulator has a variety of shapes that can be mixed. The Cycler is easily assigned to parameters to create living, breathing, electronic music. Uncertainty can modify the Cycler as much or as little as you like, encouraging surprise. The XLFO is an extra LFO with a triangle shape, applicable anywhere.
- CV modulation, gate, and 1v/oct pitch make it easy to coordinate with eurorack synthesizers and the Buchla LEM218 controller.
- MIDI control through USB-C, five pin DIN, and type A mini gives you complete control over playback and sound.
- External audio can be mixed into the LPG with a mono 3.5mm input jack.
- Creative tuning and quantization for western and non-western scales.
- Digital effects include reverb, delay, chorus, pitch shift, and flanger variations, with a wet/dry control and simple macro “size” parameter.
- Stereo sound is accessed through 3.5mm headphone output and two ¼” jacks.
- Powered over USB-C – use a power bank, computer, or wall adapter (not included). (When adapting USB-C to older USB connections with less power, Ziggy’s second USB-C input is provided for power if necessary)
- A web browser with WebMIDI can be used to edit and archive patches as well as update firmware as we improve it.
The Buchla Ziggy is available for preorder with a list price of USD $999/£915. The first units are estimated to start shipping in August/September of this year.
Ziggy is also designed to pair with Buchla’s own LEM218 touch keyboard, and can be ordered as a bundle for $1,999.
