Wavetables From The Periodic Table
We’ve uploaded our first series of wavetables, all based on the emission spectra of the elements in the periodic table of elements. Each wavetable represents a group of related elements, organized in order of atomic weight.
All of this sounds very scientific, but the bottom line is that we used code to read a database of spectra, then mapped the emission frequencies to audio harmonics. For each wavetable, we’ve generated a 64 harmonic version and a 24 harmonic version; the 24 harmonic versions are intended for use in instruments that can’t eliminate foldover harmonics in upper octaves. These have been tested with Arturia’s Pigments wavetable engine, and the Korg Modwave plug-in. Later on, we intend to introduce samples that will morph from one waveform to the next over the sample length, and which can be loaded into the widely used sample playback workstations and groove boxes. If anyone has suggestions on a relatively inexpensive groove-box plugin that we could test these with, we’ll take a look at it. There’s a lot of math involved in making all of this work, but the results are surprising and I’m rather pleased with it. There are other spectra sources we’re going to try out as well, and those will be forthcoming in the near future.
The elements sound nothing like I had imagined. Some spectra are fairly simple, but others generate complex waves, many of which have bell-like qualities with a lot of upper harmonics. Using various waveshaping and distortion tools, you can create some very interesting sounds that give an effects processor a good deal to work with. Formant filters (or filter banks) also seem to do well with these; using a 24-pole LP filter in series with a follow-on formant filter can make for interesting results. I’m trying to come up with a few demonstration compositions that give examples of what can be done; that will happen after I get over the Mount Everest-like learning curve of Ableton. Since most everyone else has more experience with modern synthesis engines than I do, I’m interested to get some feedback about what can be done and how all of these sound with the different wavetable engines out there.