Virtual wind instruments based on pulse forming synthesis

Abstract

A new synthesis method for wind instruments is presented, the digital pulse forming. The core of that principle is that every wind instrument sound can basically be put down to its excitation impulses, which independently of the fundamental always behave according to the same principles. By controlling the pulse width and shape it is possible to generate all sound nuances that can be produced on a real wind instrument. Based on the 1975 found principles of generating wind-instrument-like spectra with typical stable formant areas and spectral gaps evoked by the excitation pulses of double-reeds or lips [J. P. Fricke, Fortsch. Akust. 4(DAGA75), 407–411 (1975)], a virtual wind instrument, the Digital Variophon, is developed. The resulting software-based version of the original Variophon, the first analog wind synthesizer using the pulse forming principles, is a further step towards the intended scientific experiment system for analyzing and synthesizing (wind) instrument sounds. Trumpet, bassoon, and oboe modules are already digitally implemented in a flexible, realtime sound generating and analyzing framework. Acoustic analyses and hearing experiments show extensive concordance between the original instruments and the Digital Variophon. [Work supported by DFG.]