West Coast Mayhem: The Unperson’s Eurorack Goes Full Buchla

The Unperson kicks things off with a quick history lesson: Moog on the East Coast, Buchla on the West, and a split in synth philosophy that still echoes through our patch cables today. Instead of sticking with the usual filter-driven subtractive fare, this video is all about the mysterious world of West Coast synthesis—think modulation, wave shaping, and complex oscillators. The plan? Build a rack from scratch and see if Eurorack can really channel that Buchla spirit.

The rack breakdown is refreshingly no-nonsense. Modulation lives on the left, with sequencers, LFOs, and function generators ready to go. The Make Noise DPO sits centre stage as the main sound source, flanked by VCAs, low pass gates, and a couple of effects modules at the end. The Unperson’s style is straight-talking and hands-on, with a promise to patch, tweak, and—most importantly—make some serious noise. If you’re after endless theory, look elsewhere; this is all about getting stuck in.

Complex oscillators are the beating heart of West Coast synthesis, and the DPO doesn’t disappoint. With two oscillators ready to modulate each other into oblivion, things get wild fast. The Unperson demonstrates how cross-modulation and feedback can turn simple sines into gnarly, unpredictable waveforms—exactly the kind of sonic street weapon you want in your rack.

But the real magic happens when the wavefolder comes out to play. The DPO’s final output features a built-in wavefolding circuit that adds that unmistakable West Coast flavour. Crank it up and you’re rewarded with harmonics and textures that would make Don Buchla grin. It’s not polite, it’s not clean, and it’s definitely not boring. Want to hear what this beast can really do? The video’s sound demos are essential—words don’t do the chaos justice.

No West Coast rig is complete without some serious modulation muscle, and The Unperson’s rack delivers. Maths takes centre stage as the function generator of choice, offering cycling envelopes, rhythmic weirdness, and enough patching possibilities to keep you up all night. Forget your standard ADSR—this is rise and fall territory, and the results are anything but predictable.

Alongside Maths, the Tango Quartet quad VCA handles mixing duties, while the Make Noise Mod Demix brings classic ring mod tones and mad scientist vibes. The LxD low pass gate rounds out the arsenal, blending VCA and filter functions in true Buchla style. The Unperson’s approach is playful and experimental, showing off how these modules interact to create evolving, organic sounds. If you want to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes, you’ll have to watch the patching in action.

It all comes together in a final jam that shows off the rack’s flexibility and character. With oscillators droning, Maths cycling, and the LxD’s dual channels adding subtle resonance, the setup delivers a performance that’s both hypnotic and raw. FM flavours shift with every note, envelopes modulate the fold, and the whole thing oozes West Coast attitude. The verdict? Eurorack can absolutely do West Coast synthesis—if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and embrace the chaos.