Phonogene 1.2

Phonogene is a digital model of three of the earliest tools of musique concrète, devloped by Pierre Schaeffer and Jacques Poullin while heading the GRMC {Groupe de Recherche de Musique Concrète}. The original phonogenes were magnetic tape recorders modified for varispeed playback. The chromatic phonogene used an array of 12 capstans to pull the tape across the read head to produce the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale. A second version, called sliding phonogene, allowed for continuous modification of speed all the way to a stopped position. The continuous variation of speed creates a proportional adjustment of duration and pitch, as well as modification of the spectral distribution of the sound.

Almost a decade later a more complicated version, the universal phonogene, was able to dissociate playback speed and pitch via a rotating drum fitted with multiple read heads that could scan the tape even when stationary, creating an model for later developments in harmonizing, pitch shifting and time stretching.

This software models a 3 head tape recorder with a positionable read head and continuously variable motor speed. A max external coded in C allows for varispeed recording and playback, meaning that adjustments made while recording input are captured to the “tape” allowing for interesting effects, such as starting the tape :”motor” after the program is record enabled. Phonogene can function as a traditional delay, a sound on sound varispeed looper, a time-stretcher, a pitch shifter or a more unorthodox combination of the above.

How was MAX used?

Max is used as a graphic interface for a custom C external.