Which metals are used to build ALTUS flutes and which specific sound qualities do they feature?
For more than two decades, ALTUS has led the field in flute manufacturing with respect to the development of new silver alloys and the introduction of new and unique materials. With an ALTUS flute, every flautist has the chance to find an instrument which best corresponds with his way of playing and his musical perceptions.The increased density of the alloys and their particular composition offer an increased range of tonal colours and optimum possibilities of musical expression. Optional wall thickness is therefore not absolutely necessary in order to achieve projection capacity and response.
Nickel Silver
AS-807, AS-907, ALTUS Alto Flute and Bass Flute
Nickel silver is a material composed of copper, nickel and zinc. This material has been used for more than 100 years for manufacturing flutes and some of the most renowned flutes were made of this material. Nickel silver has a low density but is a very resilient material and quite resistent to damage. It is relatively inexpensive but nevertheless well suited to the manufacture of flutes. This material is an excellent choice for a musician who has to keep his budget in mind.
Due to the low density of this material, nickel silver instruments feature a light and clear tone and a precise response.
Why is a nickel silver ALTUS flute (Model AS-807) more expensive than a student flute?
All ALTUS flutes, no matter which material they are made of are entirely hand crafted. Nickel silver has certain properties of sound (very bright and clear) which are prefered by some musicians. An ALTUS nickel silver flute therefore is in terms of manufacturing and sound qualities (especially through the headjoint design) not less valuable than a sterling silver instrument. Because of the cheaper cost of material such an instrument presents an excellent choice for a limited budget.
Of course, such a flute is better than a mass produced student flute, since an ALTUS neckel silver flute features all typlical ALTUS quilities regarding mechanism, intonation and sound projection.
925 Sterling Silver
AS-1007, AS-1207, ALTUS Alto Flutes
This alloy consists of 92.5% pure silver with a small portion of copper and other metals in order to harden the material. The specific character of sterling silver makes it an ideal metal for building flutes by both professional craftsmen and the manufacturers of student flutes. The higher density of sterling silver results in greater sound projection,
Flutes made from sterling silver have a characteristic silver sound and a great capacity of sound projection.
958 Britannia Silver
AS-1107, AS-1307 and AS-1607
For more than 20 years, ALTUS is on the lead in the use of innovative alloys with a higher proportion of silver. This rare material with a silver share of 95.8% is distinguished from sterling silver by the fact that it contains various hardening elements. Because of it’s higher density (similar tot hat of zinc) this material has been used for a long time for manufacturing fine cutlery. In the creation of it’s own 958 ailver alloy, ALTUS discovered a precious metal which offers a sound quality refering back to the instruments oft he early French flute makers. This alloy offers a more powerful sound without the need for greater wall thickness. Instruments made of 958 Britannia silver offer a considerable harmonic richness and a strong resonance combined with a light and silvery tone.
958 Britannia Silber
Seit mehr als 20 Jahren führt ALTUS die Industrie in der Verwendung von Legierungen mit einem höheren Anteil an Silber an. Dieses seltene Material mit einem Anteil von 95,8% Silber unterscheidet sich von Sterling Silber dadurch, dass es verschiedene härtende Elemente hat. Vor langer Zeit schon benutzten Silberschmiede diese Legierung wegen seiner zinnähnlichen Dichte zur Herstellung von edlen Essbestecken. ALTUS kreierte seine eigene 958 Legierung und entdeckte letztlich ein Edelmetall, welches eine Klangqualität bietet, die an die Instrumente der frühen französischen Flötenbauer erinnert. Diese Legierung ermöglicht einen kräftigeren Sound, ohne dass eine stärkere Wandung notwendig ist.
Klangeigenschaften:
Instrumente aus 958 Britannia Silber bieten ein großes Obertonspektrum und eine große Resonanzkraft, der Klang bleibt trotzdem leicht und silbrig.
Modellempfehlungen:
ALTUS Sopranflöten AS-1107, AS-1307 und AS-1607.
ALTUS Metal™
AS-1807 (AL)
As a result of Shuichi Tanaka’s intensive study of historic French flutes, ALTUS offers an extraordinary innovative material to meet the expectations of musicians who need to play with extraordinary expression and a wide spectrum of tonal differentiation. ALTUS metal™ is an “impure“ silver alloy which, in addition to silver, consists of 20 different components. For a long time, flute makers have tried to discover the secret behind the composition of alloys used in the old French flute maker tradition (Louis Lot a.o.). With the presentation of ALTUS Metal™, Mr. Tanaka has arrived at an exceptionally convincing result. The composition of ALTUS Metal™ remains his personal secret and can be regarded as the peak of his work to date.
Instruments made from ALTUS Metal™ impress with their especially intimate, silvery tone, their very distinct character and the enormous richness in different tonal colours.
ALTUS Silver™
AS-1407 (PSD) and AS-1707 (PS)
This almost pure silver alloy with a silver content of 99.7% is Shuichi Tanaka’s latest contribution to the art of flute manufacturing. This alloy is the closest to pure silver of all alloys currently found and only used for ALTUS flutes. Pure silver was long seen as being too soft to enable it to be processed into a flute suitable for playing. But ALTUS has developed a new and special process to harden this material, which is now used not only for the manufacture of flute tubes but also for particularly heavily-used mechanical parts of the instrument. The great density of 997 ALTUS Silver™ provides a remarkable capacity of sound projection and an evenly distributed brillant tone colour and a fiery response throughout the flute scale.
14 and 18 Carat Gold
AS-5207, AS-5607, AS-5407, AS-5707
These alloys are standard in the manufacture of gold flutes. Gold is a more precious metal than silver and has a greater density, which gives it projection capacity. Many musicians who perform predominantly in large concert halls prefer these instruments. The brilliance of a silver instrument and its exact response retreat in favour of a warm and full tone.
A flute made of 14 carat gold offers a warm and flexible sound. An instrument made of 18 carat gold offers in addition more darkness and warmth in tonal colour.
18 Carat Gold Plating
Optional for models AS-1200 – 1807
Gold plating provides added softness and darkness to the tone of a thus ideally complemented silver flute. Also the resilience of gold may help protect a silver instrument. The typical sound of a silver flute acquires a warm elegance when enriched with gold-plating. Gold plating can be an affordable option to buying a golden flute.
Platinum plating
Optional for models AS-1207-1807
Platinum ist the material with the highest density (21,5g/cm³) used for manufacturing instruments and favoured by orchestra musicians and contemporary music specialists. The fusion of platinum and silver adds brilliance and force to the characteristic sound projection of a silver flute. The sound qualities of silver offer the basis for such a concept, adding power and assertiveness as characteristics of platinum. The sound quality of a platinum plated silver flute is very direct and clear. A darker brilliance and excellent response characterize platinum-plated flutes.
What specific mechanisms are features of ALTUS flutes or optional available?
SP-1 Springs
SP-1 springs are an additional feature which distinguishes ALTUS instruments. Springs are normally made of steel, but ALTUS has developed a metal alloy which shows groundbreaking new qualities. This alloy is composed of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, copper and zinc and originally developed for the telecommunications industry. The material is very valuable and is tremendiously elastic. Highly resilient springs are manufactured from this material which are almost indestructible. SP-1 springs do not rust, are not subject to wear and tear and are therefore very durable. Due to SP-1 springs the mechanism of an ALTUS flute operates in highly precise way conveying an easy feeling, even when playing demanding and virtuosic passages.
Soldered and Drawn Tone Holes
The fist manufactured metal flutes were made with soldered tone holes, because oft he lack of machines, that could draw the holes out oft he tubing oft he flute. Nowadays, most flutes are manufactured with drawn tone holes because the manufacturing process is much easier and cheaper. However soldered toneholes provide the flute with an even scale (due tot he even thickness oft he tube), a more powerful sound projection and a more colourful spectrum of over tones. Drawn tone holes on the other hand account for a brighter sound, less resistance as well as a clear response.
Inline, Offset und Semi-Offset G
The terms Inline, Offset and Semi-Offset adress the position of both G-Keys. Offset G are ergonomically moved outward to support the physiology of the left hand. When all keys are in straight line this is called Inline G. The Semi-Offset option presents a compromise between Inline and Offset G.
Split E-Mechanism
The E-Mechanism High E, Split E, Split G divides the two G-Keys, which otherwise would be connected in order to improve the sound of the third octave E. Open G# presents an alternative to Split E-Mechanism.
C-Footjoint/B-Footjoint
A B-Foot increases length and weight of a flute changing sound projection and character. Therefore, the tone may sound darker and fuller with a B-foot, providing more stability fort he third octave intonation. A flute with a C-foot is characterized by a brighter sound and lighter articulation.
Trill Keys
High G/A trill facilitates trills between G3 und A3. C# trill enables trills between B and C# and allows for more trill possibilities.
Headjoint options
The headjoint oft he flute consists of screw, cork, lip plate, riser and headjoint tube. Each of these parts could be manufactured from different materials in order to modify the flute’s sound qualities individually.
Soldered Tubes
Since at that time the machinery did not yet exist for the manufacture of drawn tubes, soldered tubes were used right from the very beginning of the manufacture of metal flutes. Since they are easier and therefore cheaper to manufacture, most flutes these days are made with drawn tubes. Nevertheless, tubes made in the traditional manner have different qualities such that to-day it is once more worth incurring the costs and difficulties of manufacturing soldered tubes. There are ALTUS flute models made from both drawn and from soldered tubes.
Sound qualities:
Instruments with soldered tubes have a powerful dynamic expressiveness and a rich range of tonal colours. Its harmonic richness also enables a high tonal carrying capacity
Recommended models:
ALTUS soprano flutes AS-1607 and AS-1807 (AL).
Sinterized tubing
Made from 997 powdered silver compacted at a high temperature to fuse the particles together into a rigid tube. This produces adense and brillant hard tubing with supreme projecting qualities - a silver made possible only through innovative technology.
