Abstract:

A simple physical model consisting of a delay-network representation of the string and a radiation filter (which transduces bridge motion into sound pressure radiated at a distance) is used to synthesize the sound of the classical guitar. Parameters for the sound generation algorithm are obtained from mechanical and acoustical transfer functions measured in a guitar. These correspond to mechanical response at the bridge, or to acoustical response at a given point in the sound field, and involve mechanical excitation in the bridge at different string positions. The variation from string to string observed in these measurements, especially at high frequencies, suggests the need for individual characterization of each string in the physical model of the guitar. Other factors, such as stiffness (inharmonicity), internal string damping, and nonlinear string motion are also discussed as desirable additional features of more realistic sound generation algorithms.