Hot topics in musical acoustics.

Abstract

Musical acoustics deals with the production, transmission, and perception of musical sound, as well as the scientific study of musical performance. It interfaces with physics, music, psychology, engineering, architecture, audio engineering, and neurology, and it is often at these interfaces that some of the hottest topics occur. For example, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electro- and magneto-encephalography (MEG and EEG) have made it possible to study music and the brain and to localize neural processing of musical activity. Digital computers have made it possible to synthesize musical sound with every increasing refinement using such methods as physical modeling, waveguide models, and commuted synthesis. Systems for real-time, high-quality, and low-latency audio over the internet have made it possible for performers at distant locations to play in concert. New acoustical musical instruments, as well as modifications of existing instruments, enrich musical performance, while new performing groups such as laptop and cellphone orchestras appear at many universities.