Model-Based Sound Synthesis of the Guqin

Title
Model-Based Sound Synthesis of the Guqin
Authors
Henri Penttinen (1), Jyri Pakarinen (1), Vesa Välimäki (1), Mikael Laurson (2), Henbing Li (3), and Marc Leman (3)
(1) Laboratory of Acoustics and Audio Signal Processing Helsinki University of Technology Espoo, Finland
(2) Centre for Music and Technology, Sibelius Academy Helsinki, Finland
(3) Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music, Department of Musicology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Abstract
This paper presents a model-based sound synthesis algorithm for the Chinese plucked string instrument called the guqin. The instrument is fretless, which enables smooth pitch glides from a note to another. A version of the digital waveguide synthesis approach is used, where the string length is time-varying and its energy is scaled properly. A body model filter is placed in cascade with the string model. Flageolet tones are synthesized with the so called ripple filter structure, which is an FIR comb filter in the delay line of a digital waveguide model. In addition, signal analysis of recorded guqin tones is presented. Friction noise produced by gliding the finger across the soundboard has a harmonic structure and is proportional to the gliding speed. For pressed tones, one end of a vibrating string is terminated either by the nail of the thumb or a fingertip. The tones terminated with a fingertip decay faster than those terminated with a thumb. Guqin tones are slightly inharmonic and they exhibit phantom partials. The synthesis model takes into account these characteristic features of the instrument and is able to reproduce them. The synthesis model will be used for rule based synthesis of guqin music.
Status
A manusript has been sent to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America to be reviewed.
PACS numbers
43.75.Gh, 43.75.Wx
Sound samples

 

http://www.acoustics.hut.fi/publications/papers/jasa-guqin/
Author: Henri Penttinen
Modified: 9.5.2006, Henri Penttinen

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