Synthesis of timbral families by warped linear prediction

A central problem in the production of music by computer is how to generate sounds with similar but different timbres; that is, how to synthesize a "family" of instruments that are perceived as distinguishable but similar in timbre. This paper describes a method for synthesizing a family of string-like instruments that proceeds as follows: First, a few actual violin notes are analyzed using linear prediction. Second, a bilinear transformation is applied to the linear prediction model on synthesis, using a recently described algorithm. This yields a computationally efficient way to generate a virtual string orchestra, with violin-, viola-, violoncello-, and bass-like timbres. A realization of a 4.7-minute piece composed by P. Lansky will be played.