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Wine Glass SynthDownload Wine Glass Synth - Reaktor 5.1 ensemble file (.ens) NB:This file will only work with Reaktor 5.1 or later  [Fig.1]Graphic User Interface The types of synthesis that best emulated the waveform produced by a wine glass when implemented were additive synthesis and multiple modulator FM synthesis. Firstly a separate envelope control was added to each oscillator in the additive sequence (see [Fig.2]) this allows the separate oscillators (harmonics) of the synthesis to imitate the 3D spectral analysis of the real wine glass note.  [Fig.2] – Additive synthesis with multiple envelopes To utilise both synthesis methods a hybrid of the two types was produced (see [Fig.3]) with two modulators controlling the oscillator that produces the fundamental frequency.  [Fig.3] – Hybrid of additive and multiple modulator synthesis For the synthesiser to be controllable via midi the difference between each midi note required by each oscillator must be calculated the frequency factors of the harmonic components in relation to the fundament has to be applied to the fundamental frequency before it is routed to the oscillators responsible for the harmonics and the modulators (see [Fig.4]).  [Fig.4] – Synthesiser with MIDI note input and key-scaling In order to emulate the real wine glass sound wave characteristics multiple envelopes were used (see [Fig.5]). The envelopes are triggered in sequence by a timer module (see [Fig.6]). This module uses a sine oscillator with the amplitude controlled by the midi note gate and the frequency by the (user defined) circumference of the glass rim and speed of finger (see [Fig.1]). An accumulator counts the amount of times the output of the signal from the oscillator equals one. The total amount is then sent to compare functions which trigger the envelopes one at a time (in sequence). The accumulator is reset by a compare function when the count reaches thirty-six and the process repeats.  [Fig.5] – Multiple Envelopes  [Fig.6] – Timer Module To reproduce the squeak that occurs occasionally when playing a real wine glass frequency modulation is used on the fundamental, second and third harmonics. The other harmonics are muted when the squeak is implemented (see [Fig.11]). At what time the squeak sounds is dictated by the timer module so that the squeak will only play in the first phase and the last phase (see [Fig.6]). The user can control whether to have the squeak on, off or random (see [Fig.7] & [Fig.1]).  [Fig.7] – Squeak controls Another method of producing sound from a real wine glass is to flick it, which results in a short, sharp sound. This is emulated in the synthesiser by using switches that are linked to the Flick on/off switch (see [Fig.1]). The switches change the values of the attack, decay and sustain of the envelopes for the fundamental and harmonics (see [Fig.8]) and change the midi note gate to a pulse (see [Fig.9]).  [Fig.8] – Second Envelope  [Fig.9] – Gate module The quality of the glass used to make a real wine glass affects the quality of the sound produced when played. This was mimicked in the synthesiser by changing the waveform, depending on the quality chose by the user (see [Fig.1]), of a single harmonic or the fundamental from a sine wave to a saw wave (see [Fig.10]). For an electronic quality the fundamental is changed, for crystal quality the second harmonic, for high quality the third harmonic and for normal quality the fundamental and harmonics are all kept as sine waves.  [Fig.10] – Fundamental Oscillators  [Fig.11] – Final synthesiser structure The GUI (Graphic User Interface) has three visual features; a top down view of the rim of the virtual glass, a circle of lights to show virtually where the finger would be on the rim of the glass, and level meters to show how much virtual liquid is needed to make the note (see [Fig.1]). The rim of the glass is an x and y axis display with the user radius input implemented in an equation to plot a circle (see [Fig.12]). Twenty-four lamps controlled by the timer module makes the display for the finger on the glass (see [Fig.13]). The level of water consists of nine level meters controlled by the midi note number it also has a mouse area that captures where the left mouse click on the y axis (or vertically) (see [Fig.14]).  [Fig.12] – Glass Rim module  [Fig.13] – Finger position module  [Fig.14] – Liquid level module |
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