Supervision: Thomas Laurence

Project type: Master thesis

Available

After some research, modeling, computations, adjustments and a bit of luck, the team of engineers from Yamaha have developed a cheap but pleasant instrument : the VENOVA. The goal was to create an instrument close to a saxophone. Although the subjective analysis of the sound it produces does not give clear results, from an acoustic point of view, the setup of tubular elements gives a system that has a behavior very close to one of a saxophone.

Relying on impedance adjustment to get a decent sound, it is an ideal playground for acousticians to implement active control strategies. The goal of this project is to design a device capable of altering the sound of the VENOVA in a playable manner.

The first step will consist in designing the actuator that will be used, and the couplings needed, using CAD and 3D printing.

The second step will be to model the whole system and understand in which way impedance control at the added actuator can change the sound of the VENOVA, in order to define control strategies.

In a third step, we will implement those strategies, objectively measure their effect and conduct some tests in playing situations.

Some experience with reed instruments (clarinette, saxo…) would be preferable for this project, although not necessary.

** Pre-requesite:** Electroacoustics, Audio Engineering

** Profile :** mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, signal processing

** Content :** 60% design. 10% theory, 30% experimental work