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Mono-Fingerboard Connection

Description

Simulates the interaction between a finger and a string with a fingerboard underneath them (mono-directional version).

(make-connection 'mono-fingerboard ... )

Syntax and Default Values

The 'mono-fingerboard connection can be created using the following Lisp syntax:

(make-connection 'mono-fingerboard fgr_acc_V fgr_posV str_acc_V str_posV position_ctl weight)

Parameters

The 'mono-fingerboard connection takes six arguments:

  • fgr_acc_V: the access on the object used as a “finger”.
  • fgr_posV: initial position value of the finger access.
  • str_acc_V: the access on the object used as a “string”.
  • str_posV: initial position value of the string access.
  • position_ctl: a controller which specifies the position of the virtual fingerboard (usually a constant controller)
  • weight: (optional) controller weighing the interaction.

With this connection the access on the “finger” (its vertical position with respect to the fingerboard) is used to decide whether it is clamping the string or not (i.e. moving the finger up and down in this direction clamps and un-clamps the string).

The position controller specifies the position of the fingerboard over time. Generally speaking, one might make this controller (const 0), then set str_posV to .01 meters, then set fgr_posV to .02 meters. This controller is almost always constant, but one might want a moving fingerboard for an esoteric application.

The weight controller is optional. If not provided, it defaults to 1.

Discussion

When simulating string instruments, you frequently want to change the pitch of the string by putting a finger down on a fingerboard somehow. Normally in Modalys, you would have to create some large mass beneath the string, then make a strike connection between the string and the large mass, and another strike connection between the finger and the string. This would be computationally expensive, as well as a pain in the neck. So instead, you can make a mono-fingerboard connection between the finger and the string, giving the connection a controller saying where the “fingerboard” is.

Note that this is a mono-dimensional connection, so you must do the fingerboard action along the same axis of the object that you are exciting and listening to. This may mean that if the object gets really excited, you may hear it buzz against the fingerboard, which you may or may not like. (Use the 'bi-fingerboard version to avoid this.)

Options

There are no special options for this connection.

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