Hyper-hybrid Flute: Simulating and Augmenting How Breath Affects Octave and Microtone

Daniel Chin, Ian Zhang, Gus Xia

Abstract: We present hyper-hybrid flute, a new interface which can be toggled between its electronic mode and its acoustic mode. In its acoustic mode, the interface is identical to the regular six-hole recorder. In its electronic mode, the interface detects the player's fingering and breath velocity and translates them to MIDI messages. Specifically, it maps higher breath velocity to higher octaves, with the modulo remainder controlling the microtonal pitch bend. This novel mapping reproduces a highly realistic flute-playing experience. Furthermore, changing the parameters easily augments the interface into a hyperinstrument that allows the player to control microtones more expressively via breathing techniques.