Maintained by Gary P. Scavone.
Music Technology,
Schulich School of Music
McGill University
Fall 2026
| Course Description |
This seminar focuses on methods for discrete-time modeling of musical acoustic systems. Topics to be covered will include discretization techniques, lumped vs. distributed system characterizations, and delay-line interpolation, with applications to delay-based audio effects, artificial reverberation, and musical instrument models (plucked, struck, and bowed strings, winds, and percussion). Multi-dimensional modeling techniques will also be presented. Assignments will primarily make use of Matlab.
At the end of this course, students should have a fundamental understanding of musical acoustics and be able to implement efficient methods for physics-based sound synthesis.
| Instructor: Gary P. Scavone | ||||||||||||
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| Course Details |
| Time: | Wednesdays 9 AM - 12 PM | |
| Place: | Music Technology Conference Room | |
| Credits: | 3 | |
| Prerequisites: | Practical experience with calculus, differential equations, digital filters and Matlab | |
| Text: | Physical Audio Signal Processing for Virtual Musical Instruments and Digital Audio Effects by Julius Smith |
| Grading |
Attendance and punctuality: It is expected that you will be punctual and attend all classes. If you miss any, it is your responsibility to find notes from a classmate. Excessive absences or tardiness could compromise your grade. E-mail communications with teaching staff should be courteous and professional. Aim for brief, to-the-point messages, and plan ahead: allow a reasonable amount of time for responses. Extensions and/or make-ups are given only when well validated.
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Each student will be required to make two in-class literature review presentations during the semester. The paper topics can (and probably should) relate to the final project topic. Assignment due dates will be indicated for each homework. Homework handed in after the due date will receive no credit (it will receive a grade of zero). |
Grading curves will be applied if deemed appropriate.
| Final Projects |
Students are required to work on a final project of their own design. Project topics should relate to the course material and might include an in-depth study (literature review) and/or model development of a particular acoustic system or instrument, a psychoacoustic study, or the development of a new C/C++ model implementation for real-time control. Students are encouraged to consult with the instructor in the development stages of the project. Written project proposals (email to instructor) will be required by the 5th week of the semester. A short web-based or PDF project report detailing the objectives, methodology, and results will be due at the presentation session.
| Course Outline |
| Week 1 (2 September): | Discrete-Time Signals & Filtering, Delay Lines [pdf] |
| Week 2 (9 September): | Sound & Wave Phenomena, Delay-Based Effects [pdf] |
| Week 3 (16 September): | Room Acoustics, Artificial Reverberation [pdf] |
| Week 4 (23 September): | Wave Motion in Strings, Digital Waveguide Theory [pdf] |
| Week 5 (30 September): | String Instrument Acoustics and Modeling, Measurement Approaches [pdf] |
| Week 6 (7 October): | Lumped Models, Discretization Methods |
| Reading Week (14 October): | No Class |
| Week 7 (21 October): | Piano Modeling, Wave Digital Hammer Model |
| Week 8 (28 October): | Wind Instruments: Cylindrical Air Columns |
| Week 9 (4 November): | Wind Instruments: Tonehole and Reed Modeling |
| Week 10 (11 November): | Wind Instruments: Conical Air Columns |
| Week 11 (18 November): | Bowed String Modeling, Coupled-Mode Synthesis |
| Week 12 (25 November): | Multi-Dimensional Modeling, Physically-Informed Sonic Modeling |
| Week 13 (2 December): | Final Project Presentations |
| Resources |
Conformément à la Charte des droits de l'étudiant de l'Université McGill, chaque étudiant a le droit de soumettre en français ou en anglais tout travail écrit devant être noté, sauf dans le cas des cours dont l'un des objets est la maîtrise d'une langue.
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see McGill's guide to academic honesty for more information).
L'université McGill attache une haute importance à l'honnêteté académique. Il incombe par conséquent à tous les étudiants de comprendre ce que l'on entend par tricherie, plagiat et autres infractions académiques, ainsi que les conséquences que peuvent avoir de telles actions, selon le Code de conduite de l'étudiant et des procédures disciplinaires (pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez consulter le guide pour l'honnêteté académique de McGill).
© Instructor-generated course materials (e.g., handouts, notes, summaries, exam questions) are protected by law and may not be copied or distributed in any form or in any medium without explicit permission of the instructor. Note that copyright infringements can be subject to follow-up by the University under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.
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| ©2004-2026 McGill University. All Rights Reserved. Maintained by Gary P. Scavone. |