An embedded wavetable synthesizer for the electronic bandoneon with parameter mappings based on acoustical measurements

Juan M Ramos, Pablo Riera, and Esteban Calcagno

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract:

The bandoneon is a free-reed instrument of great cultural value that is currently struggling to ensure its conservation as heritage, mainly due to its complex constitution, the lack of sufficient manufacturers to satisfy the demand, and the high sales prices that this entails. Our research group has been working on the task of revitalizing the instrument from a modern perspective, carrying out musical and scientific research for the creation of an accessible electronic bandoneon. As the next step in this endeavor, we present a method for synthesizing the bandoneon sound using multiple wavetable interpolation, and parameter mappings based on acoustic measurements. We discuss a method for capturing and selecting the wavetables, the implementation on an embedded platform (Bela Mini), and the trade-offs between realistic sound and computational efficiency. The synthesizer runs in real-time and has a polyphony of approximately 12 voices, allowing for an autonomously sounding electronic instrument.

Citation:

Juan M Ramos, Pablo Riera, and Esteban Calcagno. 2023. An embedded wavetable synthesizer for the electronic bandoneon with parameter mappings based on acoustical measurements. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11189144

BibTeX Entry:

  @inproceedings{nime2023_23,
 abstract = {The bandoneon is a free-reed instrument of great cultural value that is currently struggling to ensure its conservation as heritage, mainly due to its complex constitution, the lack of sufficient manufacturers to satisfy the demand, and the high sales prices that this entails. Our research group has been working on the task of revitalizing the instrument from a modern perspective, carrying out musical and scientific research for the creation of an accessible electronic bandoneon. As the next step in this endeavor, we present a method for synthesizing the bandoneon sound using multiple wavetable interpolation, and parameter mappings based on acoustic measurements. We discuss a method for capturing and selecting the wavetables, the implementation on an embedded platform (Bela Mini), and the trade-offs between realistic sound and computational efficiency. The synthesizer runs in real-time and has a polyphony of approximately 12 voices, allowing for an autonomously sounding electronic instrument.},
 address = {Mexico City, Mexico},
 articleno = {23},
 author = {Juan M Ramos and Pablo Riera and Esteban Calcagno},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.11189144},
 editor = {Miguel Ortiz and Adnan Marquez-Borbon},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {May},
 numpages = {7},
 pages = {167--173},
 title = {An embedded wavetable synthesizer for the electronic bandoneon with parameter mappings based on acoustical measurements},
 track = {Papers},
 url = {http://nime.org/proceedings/2023/nime2023_23.pdf},
 year = {2023}
}