Why did Buchla synthesizers use touch-sensitive control pads instead of piano keys?

The Buchla synthesizer, developed by Donald Buchla in 1964, utilized touch-sensitive contact pads rather than traditional piano keys to move beyond the constraints of conventional musical interfaces.12

While many synthesizers of the era, such as those designed by Robert Moog, incorporated standard keyboards to facilitate the performance of traditional music, Buchla’s instruments were specifically designed for experimental composition. By replacing movable keys with touch-sensitive metal plates, the interface functioned more like a violin fingerboard, allowing composers to initiate sounds and complex sound patterns in ways that were not limited by the mechanical structure of a piano keyboard. This design choice reflected a broader philosophy in electronic music where the instrument was viewed as a collection of configurable parts, enabling the creation of novel timbres and responses rather than merely imitating acoustic instruments.12