Updated: 2010/01/25

Scanned Synthesis IZIT for Puredata

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(Please store all of the 3 .pd files in a single directory

Aside from Pd, you will need PMPD, and also if you would like to visualize the model, Gem.
Modern installation of Pd-extended should cover these libraries.

This was patch was built inspired by descriptions on the synthesistechnique called "Scanned synthesis". The name "IZIT" (or "is it?") comes from the fact that I as of now I have not confirmed that what I had implemented specifically follows the definition.
As a matter of fact, according to feedback on the pd-list, it appeared that PMPD already included in its included examples, a demonstration of scanned synthesis.

The concept is unlike modeling the air vibration generated in a pipe, or caused by a string, which is what YAMAHA's VL synthesisare known for.

The patch does simulate a string vibrating based on physics following Newton's law, but at a rate way too slow to simulate an air vibrated in real time.

So what we do instead is view the momentary state of the string as a wave table, and scan it at audio rate.

Perhaps becausethere is little repetitionin the patterns the strings presents, you can generate relatively organic tones quite easily.

To be specific, the model we have here is not a string, but 64 points of the wave table which are connected to each other. You have control over the behavior of the points and their connections.
For example where the string quickly tries to return to its original state will generate an attack similar to plucking a string instrument. On the other hand, when the 64 segments do not try to return there initial position, they will simply mutate each time you add force to it, resulting in a drone.