Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments (BEMI) began in 1963 as Buchla & Associates, founded by pioneering synthesizer designer Don Buchla in Berkeley, California. Buchla's innovative approach was evident in his first "100 series Modular Electronic Music System," commissioned in 1963 by composers Morton Subotnick and Ramon Sender, which aimed to create entirely new sounds rather than imitate traditional instruments. These revolutionary systems featured touch and pressure-sensitive surfaces instead of conventional keyboards, allowing for unique manipulation of sound, famously used on Morton Subotnick's Silver Apples Of The Moon and Buffy Sainte Marie's Illuminations.
Buchla continued to innovate with products like the 200 series and later computer-controlled hybrid systems, integrating digital designs while maintaining his philosophy of new sound creation. The company underwent significant changes, being acquired by Australian investors in 2012 and renamed BEMI, before its assets were acquired by Buchla U.S.A. in 2018, ensuring the continued legacy of Don Buchla's distinctive electronic musical instruments.