Real-Time FPGA and GUI-driven Auralization of Geometry and Material Variations of the Piano

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Rolf Bader
• Subject Area: Musicology
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 246374245

This renewal application is based on the ongoing DFG Project Real-time FPGA Implementation of Musical Instruments using Physical Modeling an now focusses on applying the fully working real-time implementation of differential equations for sound production of musical instruemtns on an FPGA hardware to instrument builders and workshops. Based on the successful patent of the system and the seek for industry utilization, one of the worlds largest instrument builders, Steinway & Sons, was enthusiastic to include the method in their process of instrument improvement. Here a complete piano is to be simulated in real-time so that all geometrical and material parameters needed by the instrument builder can also be varied in real-time. Therefore, in close cooperation with the development division of Steinway & Sons, a software is developed which makes it easily possible for a user to change these parameters, and which is then used in the daily process of piano improvement and modification. Therefore, Steinway builts two test pianos and modifies them constantly according to results of measurements made by a microphone-array recordings of the piano radiation, as well as high-speed camera video recordings of the piano strings.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants (Transfer Project)
• Participating Institution: Steinway & Sons