Nonlinear Modeling and Synthesis of the Kantele – a Traditional Finnish String Instrument

Vesa Välimäki, Matti Karjalainen, Tero Tolonen, and Cumhur Erkut

Helsinki University of Technology, Laboratory of Acoustics and Audio Signal Processing, P.O. Box 3000, FIN-02015 HUT, Espoo, Finland

E-mail: vesa.valimaki@hut.fi, matti.karjalainen@hut.fi, tero.tolonen@hut.fi, cumhur.erkut@hut.fi

ABSTRACT

We apply a recently developed nonlinear string synthesis algorithm to modeling and synthesis of the kantele, which is a plucked string instrument used in traditional Finnish music for the past few thousand years. The new model combines formerly proposed linear plucked-string models with recent nonlinear extensions. As a result, a dual-polarization nonlinear model is obtained where the difference in the effective string length in two polarizations is accounted for, together with effects caused by the yielding termination of kantele strings and tension modulation. Calibration of model parameters is discussed. The model is also applicable to physical modeling of other plucked string instruments.

Keywords: audio signal processing, physical modeling of musical instruments, sound synthesis, musical acoustics, vibrating string, waveguide modeling


This paper was published in the Proceedings of the 1999 International Computer Music Conference, pp. 220-223, Beijing, China, Oct. 22-27, 1999.


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Last modified: December 31, 1999
Author:
Vesa Välimäki