Derivation of a new banded waveguide model topology for sound synthesis

Abstract

Banded waveguide (BWG) synthesis is an efficient method for real-time physical modeling of dispersive and multidimensional sounding objects, affording simulation of complex interactions, such as bowing. Current implementations, however, use nonphysical design parameters and produce a range of outputs that do not match equivalently designed modal and digital waveguide (DWG) models. This letter proposes a new topology for implementing BWG models without arbitrary parameters. The impulse response of the proposed model is identical to that of equivalent Karplus-Strong type and lumped modal models. Test of a nonlinear bi-directional bowed-string model demonstrates improved attack characteristics relative to prior BWG models.