Meng Qi - Playable Patchbay 0

Published on Oct 13, 2014 Qi Meng

"This is an instrument I made to experiment with 'playable patchbay' principle.

Most modular synth controllers are made to generate expressive control signals in real time based on players’ controls. I decided to take a totally different approach of control by bringing the whole synth patching process onto playing interface.

Modular synth systems usually utilize an interface assembled with jacks, and some others utilize patching matrix such as EMS VCS3. The time and gestures involved for both interfaces are much, and in most cases it is not practical to alter multiple patch connections at the same time.

This instrument has an patching interface with springs and copper tape, not very much unlike a matrix patchbay. But now all points can be patched by simply pressing the springs onto the tape, similar to playing gestures of some string instruments, multiple signal connections can be done at the same time without effort.

CL Tetrax is chosen to take part for sound synthesis in this instrument. It’s an analog 4 voice engine based on Peter’s unique synthesis principle."