Methods for Modeling Realistic Playing in Plucked-String Synthesis: Analysis, Control and Synthesis

This paper summarizes our recent achievements in developing signal processing methods for model-based synthesis of plucked-string instruments. The methods discussed are applicable to a broad family of musical instruments, but this paper concentrates on a case study where we focus on the classical guitar. The real-time guitar synthesis engine is based on digital waveguide modeling and commuted waveguide synthesis. The paper provides an overview of our Lisp-based real-time synthesizer and how it is controlled. Furthermore, extended procedures to synthesize transients, pizzicati, and improved dynamics are presented.

Keywords: audio signal processing, computer music, physical modeling of musical instruments, sound synthesis, musical acoustics

This paper was published in the Proceedings of the 2000 COST-G6 Conference on Digital Audio Effects (DAFx-00), pp. 183-188, Verona, Italy, Dec. 7-9, 2000.

• Slide show for the presentation given at the DAFx-00 conference
• Sound examples played at the DAFx-00 conference
• More synthetic music examples are available on the Web site of the Sibelius Academy: Acoustic Guitar Synthesis
• Home page of the Sounding Score Project at Sibelius Academy

This URL: http://www.acoustics.hut.fi/~vpv/publications/dafx00-synth.htm
Last modified: December 19, 2000
Author: Vesa Välimäki