With its acoustics research, the MARTIN SCHLESKE MASTER STUDIO FOR VIOLINMAKING has assumed a pioneering role worldwide among professional violinmakers. The Master Studio's integrated acoustics laboratory uses construction analysis, modal analysis and sound analysis as "acoustic tools". These analyses form part of the acoustic evaluations of bowed stringed instruments which we offer as a service. Our clients tend to be musicians, violinmakers and insurance companies.
An acoustic evaluation does not require any intervention in or changes to the instrument. The instrument is evaluated in its playable state. We don't even change the tuning of the strings. The only thing we need to do is to damp the strings with a thin strip of foam between the strings and the fingerboard.
ACOUSTIC EVALUATIONS
- An acoustic evaluation is based on various acoustic analysis techniques including computer-assisted modal analysis and sound analysis. Construction analysis work and "fault diagnostics" are also offered. Besides using these techniques to produce the customary physical-scientific results, the MARTIN SCHLESKE MASTER STUDIO FOR VIOLINMAKING also converts the results into "musical quantities" using specialized evaluation routines.
- Construction analysis include generation of colored "thickness maps" showing the thickness graduation of the plates and electronic sampling of the arching shape and contour. These results are useful for a detailed assessment of how the instrument is constructed.
- "Fault diagnostics" helps to find solutions to an instrument's specific tonal weaknesses or problems. The acoustic analysis results for the instrument are used as part of the diagnostics.
- "Wood and varnish analyses" are used to assess and optimize material properties when making new violins, violas and celli. Here, the various treatment processes (such as primers and varnish) are investigated in terms of how they influence the acoustic properties of the wood. The actual processes do not have to be disclosed by the violinmaker who places the order.
We recommend sound analysis if you need an initial overview of the acoustic properties of an instrument. Sound analysis is useful because it determines the distribution and efficiency of all the instrument's resonances. Sound analysis also allows a very insightful comparison between different instruments or between different operating states (e.g. tonal adjustments or construction changes). Deeper insight into the reasons behind the sound radiation requires modal analysis and construction analysis.