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posted by janrinok on Tuesday July 07 2015, @04:28PM   Printer-friendly
from the They-still-sound-like-nails-on-a-chalkboard dept.

3D-printed flutes hit new notes | Researchers have found a way to 3D print instruments that produce notes unattainable through traditional instruments.

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/world-of-tech/3d-printed-flutes-hit-new-notes-1298519?src=rss&attr=all

Hand-crafted instruments are all well and good, but the precision of 3D printing is starting to unlock new sounds.

Leading a team of researchers from the University of Wollongong in Australia, Dr Terumi Narushima took the existing mathematical models used to determine how various notes are produced by wind instruments, and created a 3D model of a flute that – due to its customised diameter, length, and hole placement – produced unique microtonal notes smaller than a semitone.


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  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by jcross on Tuesday July 07 2015, @05:50PM

    by jcross (4009) on Tuesday July 07 2015, @05:50PM (#206177)

    Yeah from what they say in the video I think, you can make such a flute in any tuning system by traditional means as well, it's just a matter of the tube dimensions and where you put the holes. It's just that commercial instruments are only currently manufactured on the 12-tone equal temperament system. The 3D printing gives you a cheap(ish) plastic recorder in an alternative tuning system that would be difficult to make in that specific material any other way. That seems to be about the extent of the innovation here. From a musical perspective, I feel like the nicest alternative tuning would be one that's "sweeter" in the specific key of the recorder, like "just intonation" or the like. Actual perfect 5ths do sound really good to an extent that our ears have largely forgotten (except for some really good a cappella groups who can adjust intonation dynamically). Maybe for gamelan orchestras also, if they ever include recorders.

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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by TheLink on Tuesday July 07 2015, @07:22PM

    by TheLink (332) on Tuesday July 07 2015, @07:22PM (#206201) Journal

    Yeah I don't see why this is noteworthy.

    You can make wind instruments that play all sorts of notes- just drill the holes accordingly. It's just that people are intentionally putting the holes in particular spots even if they can easily make them elsewhere.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5aUz9cDaCY [youtube.com]
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrme04RIsE8 [youtube.com]

    • (Score: 2) by jcross on Wednesday July 08 2015, @12:33AM

      by jcross (4009) on Wednesday July 08 2015, @12:33AM (#206287)

      "Yeah I don't see why this is noteworthy."

      I see what you did there. ;)

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 08 2015, @02:33AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 08 2015, @02:33AM (#206313)

    Modern wind instruments such as trumpets, cornets, French horns, baritone horns, trombones, etc. are manufactured in relation to the "just temperament" system, NOT the equal temperament system. This is why they have slides and need to adjust their slides according to the key they are playing in (if they want to sound in tune). The piano is usually manufactured using equal temperament. The harpsichord also uses just temperament.

    • (Score: 2) by TGV on Wednesday July 08 2015, @06:22AM

      by TGV (2838) on Wednesday July 08 2015, @06:22AM (#206354)

      Pianos and harpsichords can and have to be tuned. Their pitches are far from constant.