Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explain how 3D printing is hitting all the right notes in the music world, transforming how instruments are made, played, and preserved—from high-tech violins to historic woodwind replicas.
The integration of 3D printing technology into the musical instrument industry is revolutionizing the way instruments are designed, manufactured, and customized. From string instruments to wind instruments, additive manufacturing is enabling new possibilities for both manufacturers and musicians.
Yamaha’s Exploration into 3D Printing
Yamaha’s sales for its pianos is experiencing a decline and needs to diversify its product lines to musical instruments with growth potential.
Yamaha Corporation, a renowned name in the musical instrument industry, has been exploring the potential of 3D printing to innovate its product offerings. While specific details about Yamaha’s 3D printing initiatives are limited, the company has shown interest in leveraging additive manufacturing to enhance instrument design and production efficiency. This aligns with Yamaha’s broader strategy to adapt to changing market demands and technological advancements.
Advancements in 3D Printed String Instruments
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra’s “3D String Theory” Project
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO) introduced the “3D String Theory” project, aiming to explore the fusion of traditional music with modern technology. This project culminated in a live performance at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, where musicians played on eight 3D printed string instruments, including violins, violas, and viola da spallas. These instruments were developed in collaboration with Canadian violin maker Charline Dequincey and 3D printing service Creadditive, utilizing CT scans to create accurate digital models for printing.
3Dvarius: The Fully 3D Printed Electric Violin
The 3Dvarius stands as a testament to the possibilities of 3D printing in instrument design. Crafted from a single piece of stereolithographic plastic, this electric violin offers a unique blend of aesthetics and acoustics. Its transparent body not only reduces weight but also provides a distinct visual appeal, making it a favorite among contemporary musicians seeking innovation without compromising on sound quality.
MyCello: Democratizing Access to Cellos
Czech company Sensio.cz introduced the MyCello, a 3D printed cello designed to be both affordable and customizable. Taking just two days to print, compared to the traditional six months required for handcrafted cellos, the MyCello offers budding musicians an accessible entry point into the world of string instruments.
Innovations in 3D Printed Wind Instruments
Royal College of Music’s Historical Instrument Replicas
The Royal College of Music (RCM) in London embarked on a project to create 3D printed replicas of rare and fragile historical woodwind instruments. By employing micro-CT scanning and advanced printing techniques, the RCM produced accurate copies of instruments like recorders, flutes, clarinets, and oboes. These replicas allow students and professionals to experience playing instruments that would otherwise be too delicate for regular use, thereby bridging the gap between preservation and performance.
Hornucopian Dronepipe: Merging Art and Sound The Hornucopian Dronepipe, developed by MONAD Studio in collaboration with musician Scott F. Hall, exemplifies the artistic potential of 3D printing in instrument design. Inspired by natural forms like pythons and strangler fig trees, this wind instrument envelops the player, producing deep, continuous drone sounds reminiscent of a didgeridoo. Its unique design and sound have captivated audiences, showcasing the fusion of sculpture and music.
There are also smaller firms that offer online, customizable options for woodwind instrument components like mouthpieces. For example, Syos, a brand that helps musicians “shape their own sounds,” allows customers to design 3D printed mouthpieces for clarinets, saxophones, and other woodwind instruments that have optimized geometries to facilitate proper sound production.
Educational Institutions Embracing 3D Printed Instruments
Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Brown’s Affordable Violins
Canadian violinist Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Brown has been at the forefront of making music education more accessible through 3D printing. She developed a prototype violin that costs approximately US$7 to print and around US$20 to assemble. Constructed from plastic polymers, these violins produce a mellow tone and are particularly suited for students and beginners, reducing the financial barriers to learning string instruments.
Lund University’s 3D-Printed Concert
At Lund University in Sweden, Professor Olaf Diegel organized a concert featuring instruments entirely produced through 3D printing. The ensemble included guitars, drums, and keyboards, all designed and printed in-house. This event not only demonstrated the functional capabilities of 3D printed instruments but also highlighted the potential for customization to suit individual musicians’ ergonomic needs.
The Research & Development Tax Credit
The now permanent Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit is available for companies developing new or improved products, processes and/or software.
3D printing can help boost a company’s R&D Tax Credits. Wages for technical employees creating, testing and revising 3D printed prototypes are typically eligible expenses toward the R&D Tax Credit. Similarly, when used as a method of improving a process, time spent integrating 3D printing hardware and software can also be an eligible R&D expense. Lastly, when used for modeling and preproduction, the costs of filaments consumed during the development process may also be recovered.
Whether it is used for creating and testing prototypes or for final production, 3D printing is a great indicator that R&D Credit-eligible activities are taking place. Companies implementing this technology at any point should consider taking advantage of R&D Tax Credits.
Rewriting the Score
The integration of 3D printing into the musical instrument industry is still in its nascent stages, but the possibilities are expansive. Whether it is customization, for musicians to have instruments tailored to their specific ergonomic and aesthetic preferences. Or, accessibility and reduced production costs make instruments more affordable, broadening access to music education.
Last, preservation, because historical instruments can be replicated for study and performance without risking damage to the originals.
As technology advances and materials improve, it’s anticipated that more institutions and musicians will adopt 3D printing, leading to a new era of innovation in music creation and education.
