Buchla's 1966 system included light and projector modules to control visuals from the same patch

Buchla’s 1966 brochure lists ‘Light Modules’ that are mechanically and electrically compatible with the audio system for ‘total theater’ compositions. They include a Dual Projector Controller (Model 320) that uses control voltages to set 35mm slide-projector intensity and advances slides via switches or timing pulses; a CrossFader (Model 321) that dissolves one slide into the next at a voltage-controllable 5–20 s rate; a Flash Source (Model 350) strobe controllable by CV or pulse; and an SCR Driver (Model 311) that converts control voltages into pulses for dimming silicon-controlled rectifiers. Because they run on the same CV and timing-pulse standards as the sound modules, lighting and image are driven from the same patch — audio-visual integration built into the instrument from the start.

Examples

‘The following are representative of several modular instruments devised for controlling visual aspects of “total theater” compositions. All are mechanically and electrically compatible with the Modular Electronic Music System.’ Model 320 projector controller; Model 321 crossfader (fade 5–20 s).

Assessment

Name two Buchla light modules and explain why sharing the CV/timing-pulse standard lets one patch drive both sound and projected image.