FlueBricks: 互動式笛類樂器系統的模組化工具包

Abstract

本論文提出 FlueBricks：一套用於製作與客製化笛類樂器的聲學建構模組套件。FlueBricks 將氣動聲學特性融入 3D 列印模組中，使使用者能透過組裝建構出具備不同聲學行為的笛類樂器。FlueBricks 由三種類型的模組構成：(1) 發聲用的生成器模組、(2) 決定管長與共振的共振器模組，以及 (3) 用於連接與氣流導引的連接器模組。透過這些模組，使用者可以操作發聲方式、管身長度與音孔位置，進而改變樂器的音色、音高與外型尺寸。FlueBricks 支援使用者親手製作、調整與測試樂器聲學行為，讓傳統上被視為靜態成品的笛類樂器，轉化為可互動的聲學系統。FlueBricks 將樂器聲學原型設計的機會帶給非專業樂器製作者的使用者，使得設計者—演奏者—樂器的循環不再只是專業樂器製作者的專利，也成為一般演奏者能參與的實作體驗。為了理解使用者如何與系統互動，我們進行了一項探索性使用者研究，邀請 12 位涵蓋新手至專家的參與者進行自由探索。我們觀察到參與者流暢地在設計者與演奏者角色之間轉換，設計出具個人特色的樂器並探索聲音效果，顯示 FlueBricks 在實作式學習上的潛力。我們進一步分析這些行為，並提出對於設計直覺式工具的啟發，使使用者能在更廣泛的樂器類型中促進創造力與聲學理解。

We present FlueBricks, a construction kit that enables users to build and customize flute-like instruments by assembling 3D printed building blocks that emobody aeroacoustic properties. FlueBricks consists of three modular types: (1) generator, (2) resonator, and (3) connector modules that allow users to manipulate tone production, tube length, and tone hole placement, resulting in changes in timbre, pitch, and form factor. This supports a hands-on experience of constructing, adjusting, and testing acoustic behavior, shifting from treating acoustic instruments as static artifacts to engaging with them as interactive systems. FlueBricks thus makes instrumental acoustic prototyping—a designer– player–instrument loop that was once exclusive to expert instrument makers becomes accessible to users who traditionally can only be players. To understand how users engage with our system, we conducted an exploratory study with 12 participants from novices to experts. We observe the process of fluently switching between designer and player roles, crafting unique instruments, and discovering sound effects, suggesting the potential of FlueBricks for hands-on learning. We analyze these behaviors and derive implications for designing intuitive tools that boost creativity and acoustic understanding across other instruments.