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Python library assisting instrument makers
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This applications uses the Openwind python library to estimate some acoustic characteristics of a wind instrument from its geometry.

Here you can find minimal instructions to use this application.

If needed, do not hesitate to contact us!

Basic use

First, you need to define the Instrument's Geometry.

This includes the internal bore, the holes & valves and the fingering chart. For each, you must fill the corresponding pane.

To do so, you can either:
  • Start from scratch
  • Load and edit one of the Examples.
  • Import an Instrument from your computer (.ow file).

This app does not have account. If you don't want to lose what you've done please save the geometry of the instrument on your computer by downloading it.

To do it, click on Export the Instrument.

Please, also check the validity of the indicated geometry by plotting the instrument with the button: Display the Instrument

Once the geometry defined and validated, you can compute the acoustic response of the instrument: Compute

Here we compute the input impedance which determines at which frequency the instrument vibrates easily (resonance).

You can adjust few options (e.g.: temperature, the fingering) and start the computation.
This can take few seconds.

Once the computation done, you can observe the results.

In addition to the impedance curve, this app gives the characteristics of the resonances for each fingering.

You can also observe the acoustic pressure and the acoustic flow along the main bore of the instrument for each resonance.
Other features

If you want you can generate a 3D file from your geometric indications.

You only need to specify some options (wall thickness, angular position of the holes, ...).

You can either display the 3D object: Display the 3D-object.
Or download it directly: 3D Export.

The generation can be quite long depending of the complexity of the instrument.

Once you've done one computation, a new button appears: Keep as Reference.

This save the result for the current geometry and give you the possibility to compare with another one.
You can:
  • modify the geometry, and repeat the acoustic computation to observe how this affects the impedance and the resonances,
  • load another geometry and compare the two instruments.
Only one computation can be kept! If you save new results this will replace the previous reference.

Instrument's Geometry


:
:
:
Label
Angle [°]

Acoustic Response

The linear acoustic response (impedance or admittance) characterizes how easily the air column can vibrate at each frequency.
Tip: You can show/hide the curves by clicking on them in the legend.

Resonances
Warning! The resonance frequencies indicated here can strongly deviate from the one of the sound obtained when the instrument is played. The mouthpiece and the musician can have a big influence on the sounding pitch.
:
Acoustic fields