Why did medieval European instrument makers build families of instruments in different sizes?

During the Renaissance, instrument makers began building families of instruments in different sizes to create unmixed consorts. This practice was driven by a desire for a homogeneous sound that mirrored the texture of contemporary vocal ensembles.1

By grouping instruments of the same type—typically ranging from alto and tenor to bass—musicians could perform polyphonic music with a consistent tonal quality. This preference for unmixed ensembles became so strong by the late 16th century that even at large events, different groups of instruments would play in alternation rather than blending together. This development was a significant shift from earlier medieval practices, where musicians often preferred contrasting sonorities to help differentiate individual musical parts.123