STRUM2

Tuned Karplus-Strong (“plucked string”) physical model.

in RTcmix/insts/std

quick syntax:

STRUM2(outsk, dur, AMP, PITCH, squish, decay_time[, PAN])

CAPITALIZED parameters are pfield-enabled for table or dynamic control (see the maketable or makeconnection scorefile commands). Parameters after the [bracket] are optional and default to 0 unless otherwise noted.

Parameters labled as Dynamic can receive dynamic updates from a table or real-time control source.

* If the value of p3 field is < 15.0, it assumes oct.pc. Use the pchcps scorefile convertor for direct frequency specification below 15.0 Hz.

STRUM2 is an updated version (updated from the older STRUM family of instruments) of the Karplus-Strong “plucked string” algorithm. The Karplus-Strong plucked string algorithm is a subtractive synthesis system featuring a burst of white noise, a recirculating delay line, a lowpass filter, an allpass filter, and a snazzy recursion (see Roads, 1997).

The basic idea is that a burst of noise is pushed through a delay line, which splits its output, sending one half as output and the rest of it back into itself after going through a lowpass and allpass filter setup. The result is a burst of rich sound that gradually loses its higher harmonics as it decays (as does, interestingly enough, a plucked string).

Usage Notes

As noted above, the “pitch” parameter (p3) can be in Hz or oct.pc form. The decision is based upon the value being < 15.0 (< 15.0 will be interpreted as oct.pc).

The “squish” parameter (p4) tells how “squishy” is the item being used to pluck the string. Values are integers ranging from 0 to 10 The lower the value, the harder the plucking object (0 is like plucking with a steel pick). The higher, the more “fleshy” (fat fingers!)

The “decay_time” parameter (p5) sets the time for the decay of the fundamental frequency in the synthesis algorithm. Usually this is the same as the duration of the note (p1), but shorter times can give a ‘damped’ effect, where longer times can yield a more sustained string sound. If p5 is > p1, it’s generally a good idea to apply an amplitude envelope of some kind to prevent clicks at the end of the note.

You may note that the older STRUM instruments also had a “nyquist decay” parameter. It didn’t work well, and timbral variation is much more effective using the “squish” parameter.

STRUM2 can produce either mono or stereo output.

Sample Scores

basic use:

   rtsetparams(44100, 2)
   load("STRUM2")

   STRUM2(0, 3.4, 20000, 8.00, 1, 1.0, 0.5)

slightly more advanced:

   rtsetparams(44100, 2)
   load("STRUM2")

   srand(4)

   makegen(1, 24, 1000, 0,1, 1,1) // amplitude envelope
   pitches = { 7.00, 7.02, 7.05, 7.07, 7.10, 8.00, 8.07 }
   lpitches = len(pitches)

   for (st = 0; st < 15; st = st + 0.1) {
      pindex = trand(0, lpitches)
      pitch = pitches[pindex]
      STRUM2(st, 1.0, 10000, pitch, 1, 1.0, random())
   }

fun stuff!

   rtsetparams(44100, 2)
   load("STRUM2")

   pitchtab = { 7.00, 7.02, 7.05, 7.07, 7.10, 8.00, 8.07 }
   pitchtablen = len(pitchtab)

   maxpitch = 0.02
   gliss = maketable("line", "nonorm", 1000, 0,0, 0.2,octpch(maxpitch), 2,0)

   srand(7)
   
   for (st = 0; st < 15; st = st + 0.2) {
      pindex = trand(0, pitchtablen)
      pitch = pitchtab[pindex]
      pitch = octpch(pitch)
      freq = makeconverter(pitch + gliss, "cpsoct")
      stereo = random()
      STRUM2(st, 1.0, 10000, freq, 1, 1, stereo)
   }

See Also

maketable, makeconverter, MSITAR, STRUM, STRUMFB