Contribution
A Martinetta sounds better - 50 years of pulse forming synthesis
* Presenting author
Abstract:
50 years ago, Jobst Fricke presented the pulse-forming synthesis as a method for generating convincing wind instrument sounds (Fricke 1975). On this basis, Fricke, Wolfgang Voigt and Jürgen Schmitz developed the Martinetta wind synthesizer (produced by Ernest Martin KG), a forerunner of the Variophone. Although the principle of pulse-forming synthesis had already been described to some extent by Eugen Skudrzyk (1954) and Frans Fransson (1966/1967), the Martinetta provided the proof of concept. According to this analogue form of physical modelling the excitation function of wind instruments (such as the movement of the (double-)reeds or the player's lips on the cup or funnel mouthpiece) is decisive for the dynamic-dependent timbre of the instrument, rather then the resonating body.Today there is only one Martinetta left, which has recently been sampled/virtualised with all sound modules at https://muwiserver.univie.ac.at/martinetta. The pulse-forming synthesis and a virtual version of this unique instrument will be presented at the DAGA|DAS 2025.Literature:Fricke, J.P. (1975). Formantbildende Impulsfolgen bei Blasinstrumenten. DAGA 1975, p. 407-410.Skudrzyk, E. (1954). Die Grundlagen der Akustik. Wien: Springer.Fransson, F.V. (1966/67). The Source Spectrum of Double-Reed Wood-Wind Instruments. STL-QPSR 4(1966)/1(1967), p. 35-37 & 25-27.