2011/03/02 by Benoı̂t Fabre, Joël Gilbert, A. Hirschberg +1 · 3 citations
Computer Science · #Music Technology and Sound Studies #Music and Audio Processing #Speech and Audio Processing
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-fluid-120710-101031
openalex publication_date 2011/03/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We are interested in the quality of sound produced by musical instruments and their playability. In wind instruments, a hydrodynamic source of sound is coupled to an acoustic resonator. Linear acoustics can predict the pitch of an instrument. This can significantly reduce the trial-and-error process in the design of a new instrument. We consider deviations from the linear acoustic behavior and the fluid mechanics of the sound production. Real-time numerical solution of the nonlinear physical models is used for sound synthesis in so-called virtual instruments. Although reasonable analytical models are available for reeds, lips, and vocal folds, the complex behavior of flue instruments escapes a simple universal description. Furthermore, to predict the playability of real instruments and help phoneticians or surgeons analyze voice quality, we need more complex models.