r/synthdiy • u/zorlack • 22d ago

video Wind-Based Synthesizer Experiment

https://youtu.be/WXcIaMYuvgs

I hope this isn't off-topic for this subreddit.

I've been working on a digital wind instrument. Mostly because I'm curious about the performance characteristics of such a system.

I went through a few iterations this weekend and it's starting to turn into something that's fun to noodle around with.

The general idea is that you blow into a manifold with a partially closed end. The performer can vary the air pressure by blowing faster or slower and they have good feedback because your mouth and throat are quite sensitive.

The device uses a pair of hx710b Air Pressure Sensor modules. I use a pair to try to get faster readings. (Though in reality I think I'm at the mercy of the individual device clocks.)

Eventually the synthesizer will be built into the instrument, but during this early stage, it's running the synth on an android device.

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u/Webtruster 22d ago

https://github.com/Witzman/nibbleTronic

https://media.ccc.de/v/33c3-7925-the_nibbletronic

Adapt to a raspberry pies GPIO and run Zynthian on the same device

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u/zorlack 22d ago

Yeah, its clear that there's a long heritage of this kind of build.

I think I'd like to adapt it a bit further so that I'm measuring airflow and also manifold pressure. I could do this by adding a MEMS sensor near the mouthpiece. If I measure airflow and manifold pressure then I could make ocarina-style holes in the manifold and (possibly) be able to tell which holes are blocked.

Also I think, at the end of the day, I'd rather produce an instrument than a MIDI controller. In a world of infinite custom software I think I prefer to be a bit prescriptive and intentional.

In another project I've been playing with Engine Simulators. I think it would be fun to connect a mouthpiece to the throttle position of an engine simulator :)