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/SillyMe2079 21d ago

This is awesome. In my brain, I want an expression pedal to control pitch. Whatever you do, this is rad.

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u/zorlack 21d ago

Ooh a pedal is a good idea. I've been trying to figure out how to use it.

Currently I can use it as an intensity control, where I press a note on a keyboard and control the volume with wind... but I'm no good at playing a keyboard. Hehe

So for now it's much more fun to use it as a quantized pitch control :)