Robotic midi-controlled trombone?

[jazztonight]

Just saw this, an attempt to create a robotic midi-controlled trombone. I don't think we'll be replaced any time soon, but it's certainly an interesting concept:

https://hackaday.com/2020/12/27/76-bit- ... midi-file/

[Posaunus]

Is this not the ultimate consequence of having too much time on one's hands?

Only during a pandemic lockdown!

[mbarbier]

that's awesome! There's also Jeff Synder's feedback trombone project. The current online technical documentation on the setup is a few editions ago, but really cool stuff!

[robcat2075]

I'm going to venture that the artificial latex lips in that device were originally designed and sold for a rather different purpose.

The unappealing result brings to mind a discussion elsewhere on this forum about how the shaping of the oral cavity is an essential part of creating the pitch.




Here is a modestly more successful robo-bone...

[stewbones43]

I wonder if the bell clamp is affecting the resonance of the instrument?
Get rid if that and I bet it would sound just like a trombone.

Cheers

Stewbones

[marccromme]

This sounds so ugly. No need to fear that robotics will overtake humans soon in trombone playing.

[Wilktone]

If that were a human musician playing I would guess that the "lips" are fighting for predominance inside the mouthpiece. The rattle produced and the mouthpiece placement are indicative of that in a real player. Here's an example:



I don't know if that would help with the mechanical trombone, but if they are looking to more closely recreate how a human musician plays the trombone it would be something to consider.