Six of the best West Coast-inspired virtual instruments

Arturia Buchla Easel V

One of Arturia’s latest software replicas of famous hardware. We like the up-to-five-step sequencer, rugged Complex Oscillator and experimental patching capabilities.

Propellerhead Complex-1

Propellerhead’s three-osc monster not only serves up a Complex Oscillator and Function section for West Coast timbres, but also throws in East Coast functionality, too.

Madrona Labs Aalto

Excelling at all types of West Coast sounds, this Buchla-inspired beast features a complex oscillator, sequencer per voice, vactrolemulating lo-pass gate and more.

Reaktor Blocks

NI’s accessible modular environment has the bundled West Coast Blocks: a DWG osc, LPG lo-pass gate, CFG modulation hub and XYS step sequencer/gate.

Gumroad Floats for VCV Rack

A combined envelope, LFO and osc for the free VCV Rack environment. Its USP is extremely quick envelope times – perfect for Buchla-influenced percussion patches.

Jaromir musicEasle

Max For Live users can install this Buchla Music Easel clone from the M4L online library. It lacks graphical flashiness, but it’s a powerful gateway into Buchla synthesis – and is free.