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PluckSynth

Languages/frameworks used: C++, WDL-OL

PluckSynth is a sound synthesizer plugin, which was designed to mimic the sound of string instruments, such as a guitar or violin. It implements Karplus-Strong string synthesis as a plugin that can be used in a variety of music production software. WDL-OL was used in order to allow interaction with such software in a cross-platform manner. Although the user interface is rudimentary and based on an example plugin included with WDL-OL, the code that produces the sounds is customized.

I used PluckSynth in one of my music tracks (available on YouTube), to mimic the sound of a string ensemble.

Karplus-Strong synthesis

Karplus-Strong synthesis consists of 3 parts: A burst of white noise, a short delay, and a filter. This method of sound synthesis models the physics of real-world string instruments, making it an example of physical modelling synthesis. The noise burst models the added energy to the string as a result of plucking or bowing it; the time delay models the way a string resonates; and the filter models energy losses from the string over time. All of these features are tunable using the controls pictured in the PluckSynth screenshot.

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