Study of Acoustic Principles in Nadaswaram using Spectral Analysis and Wave Functions
Sivasankar Subramanian · International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology · 2021
The Nadaswaram (a.k.a Nagasuram, Nagaswaram, Nayanam, Vangiyam) is one of the most ancient wind instruments of India.It is also the world's loudest non-brass wind instruments whose acoustic characteristics need to be studied along with other wind instrument such as trumpet, oboe, bassoon etc. Scope of this paper is to introduce for the first time the various definition governing acoustic engineering such as Input impedance, wave equation, pressure vs. flow velocity, horn equation and vibrating double reed with respect to design (construction) of Nadaswaram.To prove high amplitude sound waves originating from flaring bell, spectral content and frequency analysis were carried out on audio signals using specific type of Nadaswaram called Paari and its scale is 2 with audio signal processing tools such as Sonic Visualizer and Matlab's audio toolbox.Nadaswaram's sound intensity(decibels) under various spectra were also simultaneously investigated and all of these measurements were used to conclude that high pitch and high amplitude sound wave originating from this instrument is directly attributed to its current structural design or construction.Experiments to measure frequency, pitch and intensity were done in normal room environment hence its assumed that their values are affected by environment noise and other acoustic attenuation.