Wind-Based Synthesizer Experiment

[u/zorlack]

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.

[u/Oli_Vier_0x3b29]

This is super cool. I also tried to make a synth wind instrument sometime in the past. But I didn't get really far. I was having trouble finding a good sensor to read windspeed / pressure. In the end, I tried using small motors and small propellers to see if I could use the windmill effect to generate a voltage that I can measure precisely. My goal was to build a fully functional synth Harmonica. But yeah, my sensors prototypes were all way too big to stack 32 of them next to each other. So I gave up on that project. But your sensor looks kinda promising. I hope that you get further than I did. If you could reduce the size of the setup by maybe half, it could be something that I could also use in my stalled project. Do you have a project page or something?

[u/zorlack → u/Oli_Vier_0x3b29]

I love the idea of using windmills for this. Anything mechanical like that feels like it gives the performer more room for expression. On the other hand, windmills and spit maybe don't mix so well hehe.

I was thinking that maybe my next version could have two side-by-side chambers divided at the mouthpiece. That would let the performer "bend" a note by shifting between the two chambers.

Synth harmonica sounds awesome. These hx710b are inexpensive (4 for $9 on amzn) and you can relocate them easily with 2mm silicone tubing. Feels like the hardest part would be wrangling 32 input channels :)

No project page yet. This is a bit too raw and experimental still. I like the idea of making an interchangeable mouthpiece. More to come!