Simulation of Infeasible Instruments in a Sound Synthesizer – Implementation and Control

Sound synthesis using mathematical modelling of musical instruments is a method particularly well suited for live performance using a physical controller. Depending on model complexity, it may be able to reproduce various subtle phenomena related to excitation and real time control of an instrument, providing an intuitive tool for a musician. A variant of physical modelling synthesis, referred to as the simulation of infeasible instruments, uses a model of an object that does not have a physical counterpart. Such model has some properties of a real object, which makes it still intuitive for a musician. However, other features, such as geometry, or material properties, are intentionally altered in such manner, that it could not function in reality. These infeasible features introduce new properties to the sound it produces. The study presents a few such models with a discussion regarding their implementation and control issues in a real-time sound synthesizer