CROSS FADER MODEL 321
321 Cross Fader panel artwork, photo courtesy of Richard Bugg
The Model 321 Cross Fader was designed to crossfade two slide projectors. One projector specifically, in fact, the Kodak AV-900 Carousel Slide Projector. It couldn’t do this alone, as the module was meant to be conjoined with a Model 320 Dual Projector Controller unit.
The Kodak AV-900
The 321 provides voltages and pulses to move slides forwards and backwards, at an adjustable display time interval of 1 to 10 seconds, with crossfading dissolves.
The early 300 series modules that were made around this time were designed for Electric Circus, a futuristic and psychedelic discotheque located in New York’s East Village.
Rear of 321 pcb, photo courtesy of Richard Bugg
Recreating the 321 would be a loss without the 320, so no attempt has been made yet. However, we are slowly pulling in more information about these modules, so at some point we may be able to get a working system of visual effects.
The idea would be to recreate the experience of Electric Circus so we can fully conceptualize the immersive analog experience.
Here is an unedited film roll shot in 1967 by visual artist extraordinaire Ed Seeman, one of the rare glimpses of the inside of Electric Circus at peak lysergic haze.