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Photos: 3-D music

“It could be a pretty phenomenal experience for the human race,” he said. “That’s the thing you hope for.”

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“It could be a pretty phenomenal experience for the human race,” he said. “That’s the thing you hope for.” Visual Music Systems Inc.

Photos: 3-D music

Bill Sebastian is the founder of Visual Music Systems, which is developing technology to make music a fully visual experience.

Bill Sebastian is the founder of Visual Music Systems, which is developing technology to make music a fully visual experience.

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff | April 2, 2013

For years, the 1970s-era OVC lay ignored in the backyard of Sebastian’s home in Falmouth..

For years, the 1970s-era OVC lay ignored in the backyard of Sebastian’s home in Falmouth.

David Black | April 2, 2013

Sebastian has been working in a Boston office on his invention’s digital successor, which visualizes music three-dimensionally.

Sebastian has been working in a Boston office on his invention’s digital successor, which visualizes music three-dimensionally.

Visual Music Systems Inc. | April 2, 2013

The optical synthesizer called the Outerspace Visual Communicator, or OVC.

Visual Music Systems Inc. | April 2, 2013

The new synthesizer is his second attempt to take “the most powerful art form, music, and make it available to our most powerful sense, which is vision,” Sebastian said.

The new synthesizer is his second attempt to take “the most powerful art form, music, and make it available to our most powerful sense, which is vision,” Sebastian said.

Visual Music Systems Inc. | April 2, 2013

Sebastian plays down the notion that he’s a synesthete, that is, someone who “sees” or experiences sound as color.

Sebastian plays down the notion that he’s a synesthete, that is, someone who “sees” or experiences sound as color.

Visual Music Systems Inc. | April 2, 2013

Sebastian is well aware the concept can sound baffling, and more than a little nutty, to a skeptical audience.

Sebastian is well aware the concept can sound baffling, and more than a little nutty, to a skeptical audience.

Visual Music Systems Inc. | April 2, 2013

“My theory is, if you get people to use their minds differently, they’ll look at the world differently,” he said.

“My theory is, if you get people to use their minds differently, they’ll look at the world differently,” he said.

Visual Music Systems Inc. | April 2, 2013

“It could be a pretty phenomenal experience for the human race,” he said. “That’s the thing you hope for.”

“It could be a pretty phenomenal experience for the human race,” he said. “That’s the thing you hope for.”

Visual Music Systems Inc. | April 2, 2013