The Birl Physical Model

Abstract

Physical modeling synthesis is a synthesis technique that relies on the digital simulation of the physical systems embodied in acoustic instruments. Advances in the fields of physical modeling and digital waveguide synthesis with respect to wind instrument modeling made in the past 15 years, particularly tonehole modeling, have provided mechanisms with which accurate and expressive models of wind instruments can be implemented. Specifically, an algorithm to model toneholes that offers continuous control of the tonehole coverage amount via a single parameter has allowed the creation of a wind instrument model capable of reproducing unique acoustic properties that are not possible with other forms of synthesis. Apart from this, the model’s physical parameters–tonehole positions, size, and bore size–are also fully customizable. This model, along with the Birl controller, represent a new type of digital wind instrument that offers an unprecedented level of control of expressivity.