UIUC Physics 406
Acoustical Physics of Music
Student Projects/Experimental Results
Spring Semester 2009:
Adam Watts measured/studied the "hand-in-bell" effect on the specific acoustic input impedance peaks of the French horn.
See also his UIUC Physics 2009 Senior Thesis for more info this topic, on the P406POM NSF REU webpage!
Alex Gurga built various solid-state headphone amplifiers, then investigated their performance.
John Alsterda did several projects during the semester:
Measuring the complex mechanical vibrations vs. frequency of a Stradivarius student violin and his Epiphone Masterbuilt acoustic guitar,
measuring the EM properties of the L.R. Baggs soundhole electric pickup on his acoustic guitar, and also repairing and then modifying a Fender Blues Deluxe tube amplifier.
Juri Seo developed an accelerometer-MIDI interface, for use with dancers, martial artists and musicians!
Knud Sorensen carried out a COMSOL-based computer simulation study of the modal vibrations of Isospectral drums,
and also measured/mapped out the modal vibrations of a doumbek and a Brazilian drum using near-field acoustic holography techniques.
Matthias Gempel and William McGehee designed and built their own stereo speakers and then measured/mapped out their acoustic properties.
Mattias Smith used analytical methods to develop a MATLAB-based jazz music simulation program!
Sean Ealy and Randall Fassbinder carried out a series of studies/investigations/comparisons of two electric bass guitars.
Scott Scharfenberg built his own Wah pedal
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