Commuted Piano Synthesis (1995)

Hammer-string interaction pulses (force):

Vertical lines specify three impulses which will drive one to three pulse-synthesis filters

• Hammer = mass covered by nonlinear spring (``felt'')
• String looks like a resistor upon initial impact
• Second and third pulses caused by reflections from agraffe (number depends on key number and hammer velocity)
• Pulses taller and thinner when hammer-velocity larger