Modeling a Drum?

Bill Doughty · Post by **Bill Doughty** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 3:29 pm

Hi,

I want to create a Modular patch that models the sound of a large single-headed drum with a long decay.

I have in mind, particularly, the sound of a timpani or even the kind of hand-drum that is basically just a tuned head (about 18" wide) with a very shallow shell. This kind of drum (sorry I dont know the name) you typically play by tapping the edge of the head with your fingers. You could also imagine the kind of flanged "bahwongwaaahhh" sound you get when you strike a well-tuned, unmuffled tom-tom near the rim.

It's difficult for me to comprehend all of the physics involed in an oscillating drum head. I can imagine there is a basic tone that is described by the resonant frequency or tension at the center of the drum head. But beyond that, it gets very murky for me.

Does anyone have any suggestions for an approach to creating a Modular patch for such a model? FM synthesis seems like a logical choice to me. I assume that as the center of the drums head oscillates, it changes the tension of the head in other places, affecting the resonant frequency there, which in turn affects the tension in other places, etc. etc. But I can't seem translate this theory into an FM algorithm directly. Frankly, I don't even know where to start.

Any suggestions or other ideas?

Cheers,
Bill D

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:10 pm

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Nov01/a ... ts1101.asp and http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Dec01/a ... ts1201.asp explain better than I would

The FM part I knew, but they add some other techniques as well!

Bill Doughty · Post by **Bill Doughty** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:11 am

Thanks, atomic! I'll check it out!

Bill

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 8:57 pm

hey bill, I've done a FM hand drum before and you might be able to get some ideas from there. The trick is that the center of the vibrating membrane (strike at the center) causes less FM, and the closer you get to the rim, the more FM. I think that was how I got a good sound. You'll need to experiment, but basically, You need an enharmonic FM (that metalic sound) for the ringing tones, and then a noise source for the initial impact. Reverb it a little and you'll get a good sound. The reverb is very vital. It won't sound realistic without reverb. You may even want to tune the instrument with reverb on.

get the patch and a sound demo here:
http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... 6&forum=15

I'm curious to see what you come up with. Tell me when you get something done.