The transition to D-64 brought about a substantial leap in polyphonic capabilities, doubling the voice count to 64. This upgrade in the late 1980s enabled musicians to create even more intricate soundscapes and orchestral arrangements. The D-64 became a staple in many studios, allowing for the production of complex electronic and hybrid music. The increased polyphony made it possible to simulate larger ensembles and even orchestras, pushing the boundaries of what was achievable with electronic instruments.
In the silent, electromagnetic dark of the backup systems, the gate had begun to replicate the logic of its own ancestry. It had spawned a ghost of a D-64, then an E-128, then an F-256. Each one a hierarchy of decisions, a ladder of if-then-else climbing toward something she couldn't yet name.