Nature-Symphony 21
— Deep ocean floor examining its own volcanics

Basic details

• Instrumentation —  One recording of a metal wind chime (Davis Blanchard Pluto) with a pair of bamboo chimes (large + small), plus another recording from same session of the same metal chime, solo (Layer 1).

• Original field recording locations / dates — Both recordings: on 16 February 2017, on steep ground just below the Hunter's Path, by Hunting Gate, which latter marks the highest point of that path on north side of Teign Gorge, Drewsteignton, Devon, UK.
  Listen to the original metal chime plus bamboo chimes recording to appreciate the subsequent transformation.

• Processing — Three layers were used: one for the solo metal chime recording, and two for the solo bamboo chime recording. The overall pitch reduction is huge, as the title might suggest.

  In this case layer 1 was reduced to a speed to make it an octave plus major sixth lower than the original, while layers 3 and 4 were respectively two octaves and two octaves plus a major sixth below original. I give some more specifics about the chimes used, and the subsequent processing, on my Freesound page for the work.

• Primary distinguishing features — The Davis Blanchard Pluto chime, with its bright steely timbre and tuning with an evocative 'modal minor' note sequence gives a powerful elemental visionary experience — though here the monolithic steely notes in the sky are transformed into deep ominous growls. The chime's note sequence incorporates straight minor chord, minor triad, minor-major seventh chord, and augmented triad. This level of speed and pitch reduction has transformed the original chimes sounds out of recognition, though the potent intervals and harmonies are still there it you're willing to listen within those ominous growls to see what they're made of.

  The normally innocuous-seeming bamboo chimes are now deep, dark and menacing, in this context very much suggestive of ocean-bed volcanic actions. Thrilling for those who are genuinely attuned to the wilder aspects of 'Mother Nature', and no doubt repellent or at least baffling for those not yet with such a level of attunement.