The Buddha Machine
Record-nerd fetish-object heavean
The Buddha Macine is the ultimate record-nerd fetish object, like an iPod custom-tailored for the too-cool-for-the-room set. Coming in a variety of colours, the Buddha Machine is a pocket-sized music player available from Staalplaat. It comes outfitted with drones by the duo FM3, a volume control/on-off switch, a 4.5V power jack, an 1/8” headphone/output jack and batteries. Drones are chosen by flicking a switch on the side of the Buddha Machine back and forth. The drones are short and pretty, dreamy and wave-like. The sound quality is not especially great, but that lends some charm to the object in this age of hi-fi everything.
In fact all of the limitations of the Buddha Machine are what lends to its charm. Unlike an iPod, It is willfully limited in selection – it will never hold more than the nine short drones it comes loaded with, it’s sound is poor with a fair bit of noise – such that if you turn the volume down enough to eliminate any traces of distortion, the hiss is actually louder than the drone, it’s speaker is quiet, and it looks rather primitive by today’s standards. All of these factors give the Buddha Machine a profile as an art object multiple, not as a functional tool for your digital lifestyle.
A friend and I discussed the possibility of an object like this years and years ago, as I am sure many people have, so it’s nice that someone finally went ahead and made this happen. And what a cute little job they have done.
The Buddha Machine is a great conversation piece and a marvelous addition to your collection of obscure music and art. It’s nice to plug the Buddha machine into your stereo and let the drones fill the room with blissful sound.
