The design of lex is a completely new interpretation of a wind instrument using generative processes. Being a hybrid of both clarinet and soprano saxophone, the study demonstrates new possibilities for manufacturing acoustic musical instruments by means of generative processes.
However, lex neither claims to be a new sort of clarinet or saxophone, nor is the aim to generate a similar sound.
Using both, a solid and a flexible material in one and the same work step offers a number of new possibilities. The range increases as soon as we consider using even more than just two different materials. Starting from this idea, the key mechanism is integrated in the instrument´s body. To alter the air stream and change the tone the keys are operated by pressing the designated areas on the elastic outer layer of the instrument.
The elastic material in this design substitutes for the key mechanics known from traditional wind instruments. Consisting of an inner and an outer body, lex provides the possibility to generate a second, additional sound, when the air stream is diverted into the outer body by pressing the keys. Furthermore, keys affecting the air stream at more than one spot at a time are constructed to lead through the instrument´s body. On a regular wind instrument we find those constructed around the body.
For the manufacturing of acoustic musical instruments today being widely hand work, lex leads us to brand new aspects of production thanks to generative processes.
