Signal processing techniques in music synthesis based on a physical model.
Julius O. Smith · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1991
Advances in signal processing technology have enabled whole new categories of music synthesis techniques. One of the most promising is ‘‘physical modeling synthesis’’ in which sound is synthesized by algorithms derived from the physics of real musical instruments. The most successful models to date are those corresponding to linear systems with simple excitations, such as plucked or struck strings. However, progress has also been made in synthesizing bowed strings, woodwinds, and brasses, coupling a linear resonating element (the ‘‘string,’’ ‘‘bore,’’ or ‘‘horn’’) with a nonlinear excitation mechanism (the ‘‘bow,’’ ‘‘reed,’’ or ‘‘lips’’) derived from the physical equations. It is possible to simulate several simplified string or woodwind models on a single DSP chip, such as the Motorola DSP56001. This presentation will discuss signal-processing aspects of physical models for music synthesis and describe recent results.