This demonstration is a collection of up to 50 lazy and unaffiliated partials smoothly gliding between frequencies. Partials are turned on an off, and a rhythmic tremolo is applied, and that's it. Although simple in concept, writing the transition structure was tricky. The end result is hypnotic, potentially intriguing, probably annoying. This demonstration is algorithmic in that I did not choose specific frequencies or amplitudes. These decisions were relegated to a random number generator, and when I liked a result I saved the corresponding random seed. Frequencies were chosen from a fixed set, given by the harmonics of a repeating chord progression.
Here are some preliminary thoughts on Independent Portamento and this demonstration.
The composition Thin Air consists of 36 lazy and unaffiliated partials smoothly gliding between frequencies. The same software structure was used as the previous demonstration. Thin Air is a composition in that I chose when partials entered, and their initial amplitudes and frequencies. After that, the software structure chose the minimum-distance evolution through a repeating sequence of chords. Above Air is still a demonstration in that the arrangement of partials was systemztic and chosen to emphasize the method. I also introduce notes, partials that are enabled just for a single pitch. Notes were enabled in clusters, sometimes harmonic, sometimes not.