Don Buchla - How Complicated Could a Metronome Be?

About

"The contraption I'd like to show is part of a modular electronic musical instrument, called the 200e. This particular module, called the Polyphonic Rhythm Generator, when used in conjunction with some sound generating modules, forms a ridiculously sophisticated metronome that finds application in odd meter music such as commonly found in Eastern Europe and Africa, but has only occurred in Western music in the last century or so.

We shall attempt to explain various details of the device, and will demonstrate its application in various musical settings. I'll be assisted by virtuoso Rumen Sali Shopov, who will show you several complex rhythms from Eastern Europe, by my wife, Nannick, who is adding a piano bar to Rumanian music that traditionally eschews keyboard instruments, and by my associate, Joel Davel, who, if he is sufficiently mobile, will demonstrate some of those complex cross rhythms that I tried to learn, but could not come to grips with in a finite period of time."

Educated in physics, physiology, music, and astronomy, DON BUCHLA's multi-faceted creativity has been applied to fields as diverse as space biophysics research, musical instrument design, and multi-media composition. Much of his work has centered on the refinement of communication channels between man and machine, notably the invention of mobility aids for the visually handicapped, the development of instrumentation for bio-feedback and physiological telemetry, and the design of interactive electronic musical instruments and performance-oriented music languages.

Don founded the alternative band, Fried Suck, was a founding member of the 15 piece Arch Ensemble, and co-founded the Electric Weasel Ensemble, the Muse and the Fuse, and the Artist’s Research Collective. He served as technical director of the California Institute of the Arts, the San Francisco Tape Music Center, the Electric Circus, and the Electric Symphony. He has collaborated with such luminaries as Ami Radunskaya, David…