Inspired by the creative genius of Martin Molin of Wintergatan fame, [iSax] set out to create a robotic MIDI-controlled trombone. It takes years for humans to develop the control and technique required to play the trombone well as the tone produced into the mouthpiece (embouchure) is a tricky combination of air pressure, lip tension, airflow, resonance in the mouth, and other sources of complex pressure.
[iSax] gives a thorough walkthrough of the machine, which is powered by two separate sources of air, one for the position of the slide and the other for producing sound. A potentiometer provides feedback on the position of the slide and a servo controls the flow rate into the silicone resonance chamber. The chamber can be tuned via a stepper motor that applies pressure, slightly altering the chamber’s frequency and pressure. An Arduino with Firmata allows the device to controlled easily from any host computer. A detailed writeup in PDF form is on the Hackday.io project page.
As you can imagine, simulating a human mouth is a daunting task and the number of variables meant that [iSax] ended up with something only vaguely trombone-like. While ultimately it didn’t turn out to be the astounding music machine that [iSax] hoped, it did end up being a fun feat of engineering we can appreciate and admire. Progress towards automatic brass instruments seems to be coming slowly as we saw similar results with this robotic trumpet. Maybe someday we’ll have robot brass sections, but not today.
Thanks [iSax] for sending this one in!
Terrible
Great post HaD
This is clearly an early attempt, and one of the best subjects of a HAD article to date.
Please have more “early attempt” articles, so we can get more insight into project development processes.
I make these kinds of sounds from time to time. Especially after eating something with onions…
He needs a set of artificial lips (latex or soft silicone) to make proper sound. Or he can go the organ way and just use a metal reed to generate a proper sound, as illustrated in the trombone stop entry below:
http://www.organstops.org/t/Trombone.html
Finally — trombonists tremble with fear as they meet their own version of the Drum Machine!
(Watches video)
Nvm boners — you’re good.
Nice try but I was expecting more of a musical sound rather than a goose with digestive problems. I know that brass and wind instruments can be automated. I’ve heard musical automata with every sort of instrument.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7qlc5EVydo
I think that should be used with Look mum no computer’s fart box module and used to make some dance song.
Guitarists Leo Kottke once described his vocal abilities as comparable to “geese farts in the rain”.
The “embouchure” refers to the player’s mouth, not the instrument’s mouthpiece.
Sure, It will need more than an arduino and some air tubes and valves to play a decent note out of a trombone. I didn’t listen to the whole video, the sound was terrible.
This is a perfect simulation of the average bavarian or austrian trombone player under the influence of three maß bock. I like it!
Bock beer !
Dear Sir,
We regret to inform you that your application submission for the symphonic orchestra has been rejected.
Best regards,
The Maestro
Try a set of bellows in different sizes for short, medium, and long notes.
I suggest using a fleshlight as the mouthpiece.
look closer.
You savage. I love it.
Take that whole thing straight to the garbage can!
Sounds a bit like a beginner picking up a trombone for the first time and making some sounds, so to that extent it’s a success. Loads of improvements to make, so it should be interesting to follow. Mechanically I’m a bit worried about the slide actuator flapping the whole thing around, maybe some sort of parallelogram lever could be used instead?
@Artenz, I hope you wash it out first!
I want to see someone make a set of robot controlled bagpipes…
For the CIA to use when waterboarding isn’t working?
Bagpipes would be easy. Just blow air to fill the bag, something to squeeze the bag, and pads to cover the holes.
No embouchure issues. Once they figure out how to get a decent tone on the trombone, they will need to figure out how to adjust the tension on the “lips” to get each of the overtone sequences.
Great first try
The Irish made the bagpipes as a joke to play on the Scots, only the Scots haven’t realized it.
Omg, what kind of animal is he killing, i hope it’s not an animal.
much better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W69TPHytMVI
It sounds like some of the “tone” is injected into the air stream before it is pumped into the trumpet.
Well I guess I am out of a job now, and I don’t even play the trombone.
Kinda in the Sun Ra sessions vein! Do it with purpose, it will work. Not Prof. Hill’s method, trouble in trombone city!
It needs a volume of air at a given pressure for more than an instant held under a springy reserve, like an organ reserve in it’s wind supply. An air regulator feeding a tank feeding the “lips” should be a start, the tank needs the diaphragm like our lungs.
Ah, there’s nothing like live music.
Commander Riker has nothing to worry about in the future.
“Silicone Resonance Chamber” sure is a funny way to say “Modified Fleshlight”…