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Convention Paper

The Use of the Buchla Synthesizer in Musical Composition

Authors: Subotnick, Morton

AES Convention 38 · Paper 709 · May 1970

Abstract

I view the Buchla electronic music synthesizer as a set of flexible building blocks rather than as a musical instrument. The closest analogue to this is the symphony orchestra which, as a whole, can be viewed as an instrument but can become a unique musical instrument with each composition. However, the analogy does not go much further than that. A truer analogy would be the new materials of which each instrument is made and out of which the composer would construct any group of instruments he needs and then perform each together in order to realize his composition. It is my intention to briefly describe the way in which the composer uses the Buchla synthesizer to construct the instruments needed for his composition and how he performs these instruments in order to realize his composition. The system can be more or less divided into three general categories: 1. Sound producing modules, 2. Modifying modules, 3. Control modules.

Details

Published in
AES Convention 38
AES Convention
38
Paper number
709
Publication date
May 6, 1970
Affiliation
CBS Musical Instruments, Fullerton, CA (See document for exact affiliation information.)
Type
Convention Paper