Sebastian Gonzalez (Politech Milano) - Musical Instrument Design: From Art to Science

Overcoming Challenges in Musical Instrument Design with Computer Simulations, AI, and Metamaterials

The design and construction of musical instruments, especially those made of wood, remain more of an art than a science. One of the reasons for this is the intrinsic variability of the material, which makes it almost impossible to reproduce an instrument accurately - small variations in its mechanical parameters significantly influence the final sound of the instrument. In this talk, I will discuss the work that we are doing at the Musical Acoustics Laboratory at the Polytechnic University of Milan. Using a combination of computer simulations, artificial intelligence, and metamaterials, we are developing a unique approach to the problem of musical instruments, with a particular focus on stringed instruments. We will discuss how our innovative approach is helping to overcome the challenges of traditional musical instrument design and leading to exciting new possibilities for the future.