Reading Rainbow, the Buchla synth’s “MARF,” and a prototype’s live debut

Hold on for a wormhole between different nerd universes. Steve Horelick, the prolific composer behind the music for Reading Rainbow, meets the classic Buchla 200, meets a new prototype of an official recreation of the Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator (MARF). Also, Star Trek. Let’s explain what those things are for those who don’t know — and talk about how you can join a special event live online.

Thomas Dolby’s 1989 explanation of synthesis with the Muppets and a fly in a box is pretty ingenious

Thomas Dolby on Jim Henson’s little-known The Ghost of Faffner Hall manages an explanation of synthesis basics that is surprisingly original. And it involves a fly in a matchbox and a Minimoog.

Peter Kirn - October 12, 2022