Synthesized Strings for String Players

A system is introduced that allows a string player to control a synthesis engine with the gestural skills he is used to. The implemented system is based on an electric viola and a synthesis engine that is directly controlled by the unanalysed audio signal of the instrument and indirectly by control parameters mapped to the synthesis engine. This method offers a highly string-specific playability, as it is sensitive to the kinds of musical articulation produced by traditional playing techniques. Nuances of sound variation applied by the player will be present in the output signal even if those nuances are beyond traditionally measurable parameters like pitch, amplitude or brightness. The relatively minimal hardware requirements make the instrument accessible with little expenditure. Keywords Electronic bowed string instrument, playability, musical instrument design, human computer interface, oscillation controlled sound synthesis

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: NIME
• Authors: Cornelius Poepel
• Keywords: Bowed String Instrument, Musical Instrument Design, NIME 2004, Synthesis Engine