Blowing pressure stabilization method for the artificial excitation of reed instruments (L)

Abstract

To investigate the acoustics of reed instruments without the need for a human player, blowing machines are needed, which can generate air pressures up to 8 kPa and flow rates up to 40 liters per minute. Due to reed flexibility and the changing pressure gradient across the reed, the relationship between flow and pressure is highly non-linear. Since the output pressure of ventilators is highly dependent on flow, non-linear pressure regulation is a difficult task that requires a closed-loop approach. Since reed vibration starts suddenly when blowing pressure is gradually increased, an abrupt change in airflow through the instrument is present, resulting in a change in pressure in the artificial mouth. To avoid that, a method is presented to achieve a fast response to abrupt flow changes, which is tested in an existing blowing machine. The enhanced blowing machine exhibits a settling time below 200 ms, which allows for the generation of blowing pressures with linear responses.