是一个物理模型音源系统
The Tassman is a modular software synthesizer based on physical modeling. The
modular architecture of the software reproduces the very powerful features of vintage
analog synthesizers letting you construct instruments “à la carte” by patching module
together. The module library includes many analog-type objects but also modules
simulating acoustic objects and instruments. The Tassman makes no distinction between
different object types which means that you can reproduce your favorite vintage analog
synthesizer, recreate or invent acoustic instruments but also combine analog and acoustic
modules and create very innovative hybrid instruments.
The Tassman generates sound by simulating the different modules through physical
modeling. This technology uses the laws of physics to reproduce the behavior of an
object. In other words the Tassman solves, in real-time, mathematical equations
describing how an object functions. The Tassman uses no sampling or wave-table, it just
calculates the sound as you play in accordance to the controls it receives. For example, if
you choose to hit a plate with a mallet, the Tassman simulates (1) the impact of the mallet
at a particular point, (2) the resulting displacement of the plate due to wave motion,
(taking into account the geometry and physical parameters of the plate related to its
material), and (3) sound radiation at a particular listening point.
This is a very general and powerful approach since the result is obtained by reproducing
how an object generates sound rather than trying to reproduce the sound signal itself
using, for example, wavetables, additive synthesis or samples. This implies that a module
can generate very different sounds depending on the driving signals it receives. For
example, different sounds will be produced by a plate of a given geometry and material,
depending on the strength of the mallet impact and its impact point. It will behave
differently again if you hit the plate when it is at rest or when it is already vibrating.
Physical modeling takes all these parameters into account naturally since it reproduces
the behavior of the real object. This results in very natural and realistic sounds and
reproduces the control musicians have on real acoustic instruments.
The Tassman software is comprised of two applications. Instruments are created with the
Tassman Builder by patching together modules from the Tassman library. Modules are
just “building blocks” having inputs and outputs which you connect together using wires.
The fully modular architecture of the Tassman lets you expand the module library by
letting you define patches you make as new library modules for later inclusion in other
patches. Instruments created with the Tassman Builder are saved in very short textfiles,
which means that you can very easily exchange them with other users.
Once an instrument has been constructed, the Tassman Player is called to play the
instrument. The Tassman Player interprets the files generated by the Builder and
automatically generates the playing interface and the computation code corresponding to
a particular instrument. The front panel of the different modules were inspired by
Introduction 8
hardware making them very easy to use. All the controls appearing on the screen can be
moved with the mouse but can also be linked to external MIDI controllers.
Before discussing the Tassman in more details, we would like to take the opportunity to
thank you for choosing an Applied Acoustics Systems product. We hope that you have
as much fun playing with the Tassman as we had developing it!