Virtual 208 (2017)

Virtual 208 is a further development on the prior Virtual Easel program developed in Max/MSP. Inspired by Don Buchla's classic instrument, Virtual 208 mimic's the Buchla 208's signal flow with an unashamedly digital sound.

Built to expound on the original instrument's ideas regarding "Metaprogramming," Virtual 208 features extensive options for localized and global randomization and performable patch storage and recall. The "keyboard" portion of the instrument present in Virtual Easel has been removed in favor of promoting use of the patch recall system as the primary means of performance. Randomization and patch storage features are all performable by ASCII keyboard, and every parameter is OSC addressable.

Special thanks to Don Buchla, Allen Strange, and Todd Barton for their perspective and inspiration.

Virtual 208 was retired in 2018 shortly after its creation. It was developed simultaneously with TCO (Temporal Conduit Oscillator), which utilized similar Metaprogramming concepts and employed what, to me, felt like a more distinct/personal approach to synthesis. Following the initial development of TCO, most software (and eventually hardware) designs focused on using chaotic synthesis methods as a means of complicating/exploring the relationship between performer and instrument.