PolyTuba explores real-time pitch manipulation and the sonic possibilities and glitchy limitations of so-called auto-tune processing. A custom-built environment utilizes 12 units of a monophonic auto-tuning plug-in to create a polyphonic world of auto-tuned tuba. The tuba player uses an extensive range of techniques while a keyboardist is responsible of real-time harmonizing and manipulation of the tuba.

Tuba: Ville Niemelä
Keyboard: Kaj Mäki-Ullakko

“Kaj Mäki-Ullakko’s two experimental pieces for tuba and electronics (7 Chromium Shadows and Poly Tuba) expand the tuba’s expression register far beyond the ordinary. In Poly Tuba, Niemelä blew his instrument while Mäki-Ullakko processed the sound in real time using auto tune, and the impression was very strange.”

Hufvudstadsbladet 28.11.2018