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Principal research interests of the MMRU
- Architectures and algorithms for additive synthesis of musical sound:
A study of architectures and algorithms for additive synthesis of musical sound has produced hardware and software solutions to the problem of efficiently implementing playable instruments using the additive synthesis algorithm. Work under this heading led to the development of BEST. Work is continuing with particular emphasis on new architectures made commercially feasible by recent developments in gate arrays and memories, and a new synthesiser design (BEST2) has been created as an outcome of this work.
- Hybrid organ implementation:
This project investigates factors affecting the use of pipe and electronics in combination. See Projects.
- Environmental acoustic and the perception of organ tone:
This area of study uses perceptual evaluative techniques to investigate the significance of local and more generalised acoustic conditions upon the perception of organ tone, using synthesised audio waveforms.
- Musical sound synthesis and instrument simulation:
At present work centres on experiments with musical sounds and simulated musical instruments using the new features of BEST and BEST2. This involves sound data creation, run-time software improvements and sound specification software enhancements.
- Simultaneous sound perception:
This research in the field of psychoacoustics uses synthesised audio waveforms as a means of assessing complex auditory events in musically valid experimental contexts, and has identified sound characteristics and environmental factors which contribute to ensemble perception.
Selected publications