Presented by Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS), and previously at Steep St ARI, the presentation focuses upon the relationships between modular synthesisers, tape based music practices circa 1950 - 1965, and improvisation or live performance. I make an argument for Modular synthesisers through their historic development, and historic and contemporary use to have more in common with a DAW or 'whole of studio as instrument' approach than they do with fixed architecture synths.