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Modulisme: 20260323 Buchlaïsms 7 pt.3 (Audio)

Mar 23, 2026

https://modular-station.com/modulisme/itatiom/buchla/

Donald Buchla used to invent electronic music instruments. And though those instruments resemble what we know as synthesizers, and work in much the same way, Buchla insisted that they are not synthesizers. Each of his devices are part of the larger electronic music instrument family. Electronic instruments are a family of instruments, he claimed, just like the wind family, the brass family, or members of the string family:


« I like to regard an instrument as consisting of three major parts: an input structure that we contact physically, an output structure that generates the sound, and a connection between the two. The electronic family of instruments offers us the limitation, if we approach it traditionally, and the freedom if we approach it in a new way, of total independence between input and output. And in fact the necessity of some way of generating a connection between the two. Language becomes an important aspect in the electronic family of instruments, where it had played no part with all traditional acoustic instruments. The relationship between input and output is fixed with traditional instruments; it’s totally flexible thanks to the routing of the patch cords established by human intelligence working through sophisticated electronics. Therein lies the exciting possibilities of electronic instruments: the instantaneous remapping of the relationship between input gesture and output response. » 

"Modulisme," formerly "Early ElectroMIX," is a platform that aims to support original composing for analog modular systems but not only… A radio program airing music made using modular systems… Each program lasts one hour and is especially dedicated to one composer and features some exclusive music made for us.

https://modular-station.com/modulisme/sessions/