FM3

In 1999, Virant joined Zhang Jian to form FM3, a project that allowed the pair to experiment with music that combined the sound of Chinese classical instruments with modern digital techniques.

On March 22, 2014, Virant played at the EESE Experimental Electronic South East arts festival in Bangkok under the moniker "FM3v", used for his solo performances of the project's work.

[1] Roughly the size of a pack of cigarettes, the device features a single toggle switch to cycle through samples, a combined power and volume dial, and an integrated speaker.

In an interview with the public radio show Studio 360, regarding the creation of the Buddha Machine, Virant said he was inspired by a device found in a Buddhist temple.

According to the promotional material, the Gristleism features "thirteen original and uncompromising loops" and a “mix of signature TG experimental noise, industrial drone, and classic melodies and rhythms”.

[16] Additionally, in his online journal, Byrne compared the device to both the work of composer John Cage and oral literary traditions, writing in 2011:

[19] The original Buddha Machine 1 is slated to be re-released again, in November 2023, with upgraded sound quality (louder speaker) and user experience (two new individual side buttons make device control more direct and intuitive).

[26] In addition to the Buddha Machine, FM3 has a number of releases on CD and vinyl formats, and their music appears in various film and television soundtracks in China and the West.