In analyzing the Hamburg Grand performance that was added to the Montage M models I discovered some programming that I don't understand the purpose of. The programming itself can be duplicated on a classic Montage or Modx as follows:

1. create an Init Normal (AWM2) performance

2. copy element 1 to element 2

3. make the following changes to element 2

  a. Osc / Tune screen set 'Coarse = +2' and 'Fine = -9'

  b. Pitch EG screen set all 5 level values to +64 and PEG Depth to -5

4. play middle C using only element 1

5. play middle C using only element 2

6. note that both elements sound 'nearly', but not exactly, the same pitch.

The Coarse detuning (+2) increases the pitch a full tone (2 semi-tones) so playing middle C would sound D above middle C.

The Fine detuning (-9) then decreases the pitch slightly below D above middle C. Note that a Fine setting of -64 would lower the pitch to C# above middle C (a semi-tone) so the -9 only lowers it slightly.

Then the level setting changes to element 2 move the pitch back down again.

QUESTION: what is the purpose of detuning by almost a whole tone but then counteracting that by increasing the pitch envelope levels?

I know that detuning is often used to get a 'fatter' sound but I've never seen the detuning mostly negated by changing the envelope levels. 

The above should produce the same result on other models but I will describe the genesis of the question.

Analyzing the Hamburg Grand performance shows that:

1. there are two parts

2. each part has 21 elements - 10 elements (and 10 different waveforms) for C-2 to G5, the same 10 waveforms for G#5 to G8 and a KeyOff waveform for element 21 of each part. The data list shows the 11 waveforms used: #186 to #196.

3. each of the 10 waveforms for each part is mapped to a different velocity range: 127-127, 115-126, 103-114, 92-102, 81-91, 71-80, 61-70, 51-60, 40-50, 2-39  

Haven't been able to determine what element 1 is used for with a velocity of 127-127. Maybe an arp or motion sequence.

4. the envelopes for each part/element are identical except for the level changes mentioned above.

5. By default only part 1 has keyboard control ON but scene 2 turns it OFF for part 1 and ON for part 2. The other 3 scenes have it ON for both parts.

I'm assuming there is a pretty good reason for doing the detuning and level changes since someone must have spent a lot of time doing it.

Any ideas?