Modal Analysis – Overview

As seen with Spectral Analysis, every violin has a unique assortment of resonance peaks, at many different frequencies (pitch), and with varying amplitudes (loudness). Any instrument will have a unique set of vibration Modes (patterns of motion) associated with each of its frequency peaks. In real use an instrument vibrates in many different ways simultaneously, to create the mix of frequencies that comprise any note.

Modal Analysis breaks down this complex mix of motions, frequency by frequency, to create maps and video animations of mode behavior. The smallest modifications to these modes may be audible in the sound. 3D Modal Movie The movements in these animations are of course very exaggerated and slowed to be easily tracked, but do represent the real motion of the violins. (See Common Questions about Modal Animation, Strad3D)

Additional video about the Strad 3D project can be seen in the UNC TV feature The Testing Sessions, and in The Research (Schenkman)

Signature Mode Shapes: (Stoppani) is a text and animation slide show, which gives an introduction to the basic modes. In addition to showing the areas of maximum surface displacement, some of these animations track areas of maximum bending, indicated by color variations.

The Modal Video Viewer has two sections:
Air and corpus animations:(Bissinger) these show not only the signature mode body vibrations, but also the movements of air pumping in and out of the f-holes, which is so critical to lower frequency sound radiation.
Band Averaged movies: (Stoppani) a way to quickly study a large amount of data. Included are comparisons of a Stradivari, Guarneri violins, and Bergonzi violin, and contrasts of mobility vs. bending.

The 3D modal Animation Files (WINDOWS only) can be directly viewed and manipulated; Install the Polytec SCANVIEWER, and modal files found in Get Files

For further reading, see See Bissinger research papers, and Modes and More (Stoppani, a basic introduction) all found in Research and Articles.