Not too long ago, we had the pleasure to talk with Emanuele Parravicini, Co-Founder, CTO and Gross sales Director at Audio Modeling, a world chief in multi-vector expressive acoustic instrument emulation. The corporate’s function and analysis goals at discovering options to allow the person to beat the inherent limitations of conventional samplers, along with creating technological options, particularly in software program, that actively assist musicians, composers and producers in delivering their inventive expression.
Be part of us as we delve into their exceptional journey, highlighting the pivotal moments and obstacles they’ve confronted alongside the trail.
Q1: Are you able to present a short overview of Audio Modeling’s historical past? How did the corporate come into existence, and what have been a number of the key milestones in your journey up to now?
The story of Audio Modeling started lengthy earlier than the corporate itself was formally based. I began working with Stefano Lucato on the finish of 2009, pushed by a shared ardour to break the boundaries of conventional digital instrument emulation. We had been fascinated by the expressive potential of acoustic devices—notably woodwinds, brass, and strings—and pissed off by how standard sampling fell brief in capturing that depth.
In 2011, Stefano created the SWAM know-how (Synchronous Waves Acoustic Modeling), a groundbreaking method that mixes bodily modeling, behavioral modeling, and our distinctive multi-vector sample-morphing approach. That very same 12 months, we launched our first product, Ms. Sax S, marking the beginning of a brand new period in digital devices.
Between 2011 and 2017, we developed 17 devices, always refining our modeling methods and increasing our imaginative and prescient. However we quickly realized that to really convey this know-how to extra musicians around the globe, we wanted to go additional. We would have liked a full crew—builders, testers, entrepreneurs, and gross sales consultants—to assist broader improvement, higher compatibility, and a world attain.
So, in 2017, we based Audio Modeling. It was the best time to scale up, each creatively and operationally. Since then, our mission has been clear: to empower musicians, composers, and producers by eradicating the restrictions of conventional instruments and making know-how a pure extension of their expression.
At present, Audio Modeling stands as a world chief in expressive acoustic instrument emulation. However at our core, we’re nonetheless the identical passionate explorers who began this journey—curious, dedicated, and at all times pushing ahead.
Q2: What impressed the path you’ve taken together with your merchandise? Had been there any key moments that helped form your present focus?
The path we’ve taken with our merchandise was born out of frustration—particularly, the frustration of working with pattern libraries for acoustic devices. Whereas these libraries can fantastically seize the timbre of an instrument, they fall brief in a single essential space: real-time expressiveness. Acoustic devices are multidimensional by nature; musicians always form their sound via refined, simultaneous modifications in breath, strain, articulation, and extra. Pattern-based options merely couldn’t present that stage of management.
That limitation pushed us to discover new applied sciences. We needed to create devices that not solely sounded sensible however felt alive—aware of the musician’s enter in real-time, identical to their acoustic counterparts.
Two key moments formed our path. The primary was the discharge of Ms. Sax S, our soprano saxophone emulation. Seeing its success and the enthusiastic response from musicians confirmed that we had been on to one thing significant. The second pivotal second got here in 2013, when Stefano and I made a transparent resolution: from that time on, we might transfer away from multi-vector sample-morphing and focus completely on pure bodily modeling. That alternative allowed us to succeed in new ranges of expressiveness, realism, and consistency throughout all our devices.
Over time, our mission expanded. We realized that serving to musicians categorical themselves additionally meant giving them higher instruments to handle their dwell efficiency setup. One other key second was when Simone Capitani joined the corporate and introduced with him the imaginative and prescient and improvement of Camelot Professional, a strong platform for managing dwell efficiency environments. That challenge marked a pure extension of our philosophy—eradicating technical friction and placing the artist totally in management.
These experiences proceed to encourage all the things we do. Our mission stays to offer musicians with instruments that give them the freedom to specific themselves totally—with out technological limitations.
Q3: In your opinion, what makes your method or options distinctive inside the music know-how area?
What units our method aside within the music know-how area is our unwavering dedication to expressiveness and realism—not simply in how our devices sound, however in how they reply to the performer.
Most digital instrument applied sciences prioritize timbral accuracy utilizing static samples. Whereas this may sound spectacular, it usually ends in inflexible and unnatural performances. We took a special path. At Audio Modeling, we design devices that behave like their acoustic counterparts. Our SWAM know-how isn’t just about replicating sound; it’s about capturing the refined, real-time interactions between the performer and the instrument.
What additionally makes our work distinctive is the depth and complexity behind it. Creating our merchandise takes years of analysis and improvement. We frequently observe unconventional paths—technological instructions which are removed from apparent—as a result of they result in breakthroughs that may’t be achieved via normal strategies. These paths are difficult and the options are advanced, however they’re essential to ship the extent of realism and expressivity we purpose for.
We combine bodily and behavioral modeling in a manner that permits musicians to affect each nuance of their efficiency—vibrato, articulation, dynamics, phrasing—in real-time, with fast responsiveness. This multi-vector expressive management is on the coronary heart of all the things we construct.
One other essential side is our ongoing dialogue with musicians. We don’t simply mannequin devices—we reply to the real-world wants of performers, serving to them push their inventive boundaries with out compromise.
Our options should not static libraries or preset-driven engines; they’re dwelling, respiratory devices designed for steady, expressive interplay. That’s what makes Audio Modeling actually completely different.
This fall: Are there any examples or tales that come to thoughts the place your instruments have supported artists or creators in a particular manner?
Over time, I’ve been deeply moved by what number of artists, composers, and producers have embraced our instruments in ways in which go far past what we initially imagined.
One story that actually caught with me comes from John Powell, the acclaimed movie composer recognized for scores like Prepare Your Dragon and The Bourne Id. He instructed us that SWAM devices permit him to “compose with out interrupting his inventive move.” That’s precisely the form of expertise we need to allow—instruments that disappear and let inspiration take over.
One other nice instance is Geoff Stradling, who makes use of SWAM devices in his orchestration work for the Golden Globe Awards. The power to realize expressive realism rapidly and reliably is crucial for that form of high-pressure manufacturing.
Jordan Rudess, keyboardist for Dream Theater, makes use of SWAM each in his solo albums and dwell performances with the band. And Pedro Eustache, a world-renowned wind participant, incorporates SWAM devices within the Hans Zimmer Stay tour—utilizing a wind controller to realize breathtaking realism and management on stage.
We’ve additionally seen artists like Omri Abramov, saxophonist for Israeli singer Noa, mixing our instruments into their dwell performances. Omri makes use of SWAM devices for expressiveness and Camelot Professional to handle his total efficiency setup, switching seamlessly between sounds and units in real-time.
These are only a few examples—there are dozens extra. From movie studios to live performance halls, our mission has at all times been to assist creativity with out compromise, and it’s extremely rewarding to see our instruments play even a small function within the inventive journeys of such inspiring folks.
Q5: Trying forward, what strategic targets or initiatives are you enthusiastic about for the way forward for Audio Modeling?
In some ways, I really feel like we’re simply getting began. The world of musical expression is huge, and there are nonetheless so many devices ready to be modeled with the extent of depth and realism our know-how can supply. We’re particularly enthusiastic about increasing into new households—percussions, guitars, electroacoustic devices, and free-reed devices like harmonicas and accordions. There’s additionally a wealthy number of conventional devices from Asia, the Far East, and Africa that deserve correct, expressive digital counterparts.
However our imaginative and prescient goes past instrument modeling alone. Audio Modeling’s mission is to empower creativity and expression in each kind. That’s why we’re engaged on new instruments designed to assist polyphonic efficiency, real-time harmonization, and even musical inclusivity—in order that extra folks, no matter bodily skill or background, can entry the enjoyment of creating music.
We see know-how as an enabler, not a barrier. Trying forward, I’m extremely enthusiastic about persevering with to construct options that take away friction from the inventive course of, spark new concepts, and finally assist musicians around the globe categorical themselves in ways in which had been by no means earlier than potential.
Q6: How do you keep related to your person neighborhood, and what function does their suggestions play in your journey?
Staying near our person neighborhood is among the most essential elements of our journey. It’s not nearly advertising and marketing—it’s about constructing actual, ongoing conversations with the individuals who use our instruments on daily basis.
We preserve an energetic presence throughout a number of platforms. Our web site is frequently up to date with information and assets, and we ship out newsletters to maintain customers knowledgeable about product updates, occasions, and insights. Social media is one other key touchpoint for us—we’re on Fb, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and X. These platforms permit us to share our story, however extra importantly, to pay attention: we carefully monitor feedback, messages, and discussions to grasp how persons are utilizing our instruments and what they want.
We’ve additionally developed a devoted person portal the place prospects can request assist, ask questions, or share suggestions. All year long, we host dwell streams to have interaction instantly with our viewers in real-time.
We take nice care in responding to each remark, message, or assist ticket—rapidly and personally. We actually consider that the worth of our merchandise doesn’t lie in innovation alone, but additionally within the assist we offer and our skill to show person suggestions into sensible options.
Our customers should not simply prospects—they’re collaborators who encourage us to evolve, enhance, and picture what’s subsequent.
Q7: If there’s one key perception or takeaway you’ve gained via your expertise up to now, what wouldn’t it be?
If there’s one key perception I’ve gained through the years, it’s this: extraordinary issues take time—and the braveness to remain dedicated to a imaginative and prescient even when the trail is unclear.
When Stefano and I started this journey, we knew we had been venturing into advanced, uncharted territory. The know-how we needed to create didn’t exist but. There have been no shortcuts—solely lengthy days, failed experiments, and years of analysis and iteration. However we believed within the objective: to present musicians instruments that really reply to their expressive wants.
What I’ve realized is that having a transparent imaginative and prescient is crucial—however it’s not sufficient. You want the proper folks by your facet. Collaborating with sensible, passionate people like Stefano, Simone, and the remainder of our crew has made all of the distinction. It’s their expertise, dedication, and perception in our mission which have turned an formidable concept into one thing actual and impactful.
So, my greatest takeaway is that this: be affected person, keep true to your imaginative and prescient, and construct it with individuals who share your ardour. That’s essentially the most highly effective mixture I’ve skilled.
We hope Audio Modeling’s story impressed you as a lot because it impressed us. Their steadfast dedication to innovation and empowering customers has remodeled them from a daring startup right into a frontrunner in music software program options.
Maintain following us for extra compelling interviews as we shine a light-weight on the journeys of outstanding corporations and their roads to success!
