The Buddha Machine

FM3's Buddha Machine

I had to ask what a "Buddha Machine Music Box" was when I saw it written on a piece of paper at Wall of Sound. Jeffrey took me to the back and pointed to a picture on the wall.

His brief explanation coupled with a quick Google search led me to FM3. I wanted one. Bad.

My first Buddha Machine was orange. But being the minimalist I am, I wanted a white one too. Buddha Machines have 9 sound loops in them. I like the second one best. Lisa says it reminds her of an old school transistor radio. To me it's a non-iPod statement.

Read more about Buddha Machines in this interview with Christiaan Virant. This is another Virant interview. This article is about the making of the Buddha Machine. this article has pictures of both and more background material. Another site you should visit is Buddha Machine dot com.

Buddha Machines are hardware loop players in the tradition of Buddhist chant boxes sold by temples throughout Asia. I have several of them too.

Different versions of Buddha machines come in different boxes. To me, the packaging is part of the deal too.