Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 16
Physical Modelling for
Sound Synthesis
Eoin Mullan
Queen's University Belfast, N. Ireland
AbstrAct
While the first computer games synthesised all their sound effects, a desire for realism led to the wide-
spread use of sample playback when technology matured enough to allow it. However, current research
points to many advantages of procedural audio which is generated at run time from information on
sound producing events using various synthesis techniques. A specific type of synthesis known as physical
modelling has emerged, primarily from research into musical instruments, and this has provided audio
synthesis with an intuitive link to a system's virtual physical parameters. Various physical modelling
techniques have been developed, each offering particular advantages, and some of these have been used
to synthesise audio in interactive virtual environments. Refinements of these techniques have improved
their efficiency by exploiting human audio perception. They have been implemented in large virtual
environments and linked to third party physics engines, unveiling the potential for more realistic audio,
reduced production costs, faster prototyping, and new gaming possibilities.
INtrODUctION
generation process often involves the physical
modelling of sound producing objects from an
acoustic perspective. This chapter looks back at
the relevant history of physical modelling and
forward to how it is set to be a part of the future
of computer game audio. It is laid out in four sec-
tions. The remainder of this section gives a brief
history of sound effects in computer games before
discussing the shortcomings of sample playback
and the potential of procedural audio and physical
Current research is realising the potential of
procedural audio for generating sound effects in
computer games. Procedural audio is generated
from information on specific sound producing
events and the result is a unique soundtrack each
time a virtual environment is explored. This sound
Search WWH ::
Custom Search