An album of pieces in extended 128 note/octave, 8th octave overtone tuning. This is synthesized computer music (no MIDI) that I created using a new Max 8 patch of my design. It is an exploration, using statistical and deterministic methods, of 128 note/octave, 8th octave overtone tuning.

Performing with the new patch, rhythms, and fundamentals for the overtone series, are generated by note list style sequencers, with each of the 6 voices having its own sequencer. A graphical interface constrains the random number generation that selects the pitches used for each note. The method enables me to eliminate the random aspect, constrain it severely, or open it up to almost completely random selection.

The sounds are created by crossfading between two wave shapes that are specified with a bar graph like display that allows the user to specify the amplitude and phase of the first 24 harmonics of the sound. An envelope is used to control the crossfading between the two resulting wave shapes or sounds, and a 2nd amplitude envelope is then used on the result.

All of the pieces explore an "extended" version of Johnny Reinhard's 8th octave overtone tuning. In Reinhard's tuning, the fundamental is always A 440Hz, or an octave thereof. In these pieces, I "extend" his tuning by using various harmonics of A for fundamentals. As a result, all of the notes are still harmonics in A's harmonic series, but they may extend far beyond the 8th octave of the series.

Sextet1 uses synthesized brass, string, and flute sounds, and is the first piece I created with the new patch. And still a favorite.

The Close Duo is a simple, long, melody, that is played by two voices, using identical scores. The voices are very high, and close to identical in sound, but not identical. It is like having a melody played by two violins, one violin playing only on the E string, and the other playing only on the A string. Pitch selection in this piece is entirely arbitrary and deterministic, and the creation a very intuitive and personal experience.

Quartet1 is a kind of synthetic brass quartet. It is a Nancarrownian style tempi canon, where each voice enters faster than the previous voices, and they all end together.

Sextet 2 is a response to a friend, who after listening to Sextet 1, asked if I would do a piece that was less linear, and would give him some idea of the harmonic potential of the tuning. Though statistical methods are not ideal for fulfilling his request, this is an attempt to do so using this patch. The six voices are split into two groups of three. These sound simultaneously at first, and then independently.

I hope you enjoy the album. If you have questions about the technical, or tuning aspects of this music, feel free to contact me on facebook messenger.

The patch used in this album is about to be released for others to use. The first release will simply be an open-source release of the Max8 code, and some documentation. There will be a release of a stand-alone version of the patch that will run on either MacOS or Windows without Max to follow. Contact me if you are interested in using this software.