8.1 Karplus-strong algorithm

Karplus-strong algorithm

How it works

The Karplus-Strong algorithm was developed by Alexander Strong and analyzed by Kevin Karplus as a model of hammered or plucked string instruments. It simulates the sharp impact through a short wideband signal such as a burst of white noise. The signal is fed back through a delay line whose length depends on the frequency of the desired note. The delayed signal is sent through a lowpass filter to attenuate all other frequencies except the frequency of the note and its harmonics.

Concepts

The main concept behind the algorithm is to model the sudden attack of a pluck with white noise containing equal energy in all frequencies. Due to the cavity of the instrument, the instrument material, and various other parameters, only a given frequency and its harmonics will resonate. This is simulated by recursively shaping the output signal. By matching the length of the time delay to correspond with the frequency of the note desired, the output will ultimately sound at the selected frequency given a short period of time. The feedback loop only reinforces the fundamental frequency and its harmonics. This technique is sometimes referred to as a comb filter because of the characteristic shape of the output.