This thesis presents the development and evaluation of a prototype system for creating musical accompaniment while playing an acoustic accordion. The aim of the solution is to enable an accordionist to independently produce the sound of a three-piece ensemble characteristic of Slovene Alpine-style folk music. This is achieved using the buttons on the bass side of the accordion, which the accordionist uses to control a digital sound source that emulates the other instruments in the ensemble. The bass buttons are detected by sensors installed inside the accordion. A microcontroller collects the sensor signals, converts them into MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) messages, and transmits them to a computer in real time via a cable. The computer runs a VST (Virtual Studio Technology) audio plugin, which converts MIDI messages into an audio signal.
The first part of the thesis surveys existing solutions and their advantages and disadvantages, which informed the requirements for developing our own solution. The technologies used are presented and their selection is justified. The development process is described in detail and divided into hardware and software development. The final part presents the evaluation of the developed components and, where limitations made it impossible to evaluate the entire system, proposes an approach for doing so.
The development of the prototype was constrained by the difficulty of manufacturing the sensors. Building the prototype confirmed the feasibility of the planned system, but limitations in sensor manufacturing prevented a comprehensive test of its operation. Evaluation results for the other components demonstrated the microcontroller’s high reliability and confirmed the suitability of using the MIDI protocol. Testing of the VST audio plugin revealed reduced performance under heavy loads, but analysis showed that such loads do not occur in the intended practical use. The prototype confirmed that the proposed solution is feasible and laid the groundwork for further development and research.
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