The first ever series of electric instruments including an embedded convolution engine bundled with impulse response measurements of very fine old and new instruments. In collaboration with Signal Wizard Systems, Johannsson Violins, has created an instrument with superb sound quality only found in the most valuable stringed instruments. SignalWizard Systems have also launched vSound, which is a stand alone pedal with bundled impulse responses of very fine violins
Johannsson Violins collaborates with Signal Wizard Systems in Manchester, a fruitful mix of high tech hardware/software and classical instrument making.
The impulse response measurements are harvested from a variety of valuable classical masterpieces and fine contemporary instruments. Here on the left is a very fine Stradivari violin being provisionally tested in the Johannsson Violins studio.
A collection of impulses is being collected to form a database of sound files that will consequently become of importance in future as an archive of sounds, even if the original instruments are lost or destroyed. Here on the right is an excellent violin by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu being calibrated for measurement.
Instruments are measured with precision microphones and impulse hammers in controlled conditions for accuracy of sound reproduction. A true fingerprint of the sound is produced from different points in space.
Some of the measurements are made to simulate the position of the instrument when held by a player. Work is currently being done on the spatial representation of sound radiation, incorporating custom made speaker systems.
The following recording is of an unmodified electric violin signal, followed by the same phrase including signal processing.
