Guitars that sound good need the structure to be very lightly damped. 3D printed structures have too much damping. Mouthpieces for brass instruments are more of a possiblility with direct metal laser sintering method. But they would have to go through a significant polishing routine because DMLS results in a very rough surface. Possible though since they make ball and socket joints this way
In case anyone really is interested, they use computer-controlled lathes to scrape mouthpieces out of a block of brass. Increasingly though, they can make mouthpiece parts (particularly rims that contact the lip) by molding materials such as Delrin. So I was thinking more about having a player like me who doesn't have a machine shop be able to tinker with designs inexpensively. The smallest of adjustments to a myriad of different surface angles in a mouthpiece makes a HUGE difference in playablility. If it didn't, we brass players wouldn't constantly be searching for a better mouthpiece (no matter what we might say in public).
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Matt the issue with 3D printing anything that needs to be smooth is that no 3D technique is inherently smooth and needs post processing. I. Was responsible for 3D printing of custom earpieces for hearing aids and hearing protection using light cured acrylics and the smoothing technique was quite complicated and was just external surfaces. A mouthpiece would need the internal surfaces quite smooth, yes?
I could easily see trumpet mouthpieces designed and printed on a 3-D printer. Would save a lot of time prototyping. Maybe they're already doing it?
Well if they can print full on guitars, I'm sure they are making other stuff too (Like trumpet mouthpieces). Would be nice if someone can find a pic or two
Matt the issue with 3D printing anything that needs to be smooth is that no 3D technique is inherently smooth and needs post processing. I. Was responsible for 3D printing of custom earpieces for hearing aids and hearing protection using light cured acrylics and the smoothing technique was quite complicated and was just external surfaces. A mouthpiece would need the internal surfaces quite smooth, yes?
Oh, absolutely. Inside and especially outside (the rim, where it meets the lips). But I've been mentioning prototyping only. If I had a few minutes with a new mouthpiece shape, I could put up with a rough surface long enough to see if the design worked.
Just to give you a quick example, most people don't know that trumpet maker Vincent Bach made his mouthpieces with a hole of .27" because he expected the user to ream it out. I've taken a mouthpiece all the way from 27 to 17 (wider) in increments of .01 to feel the effect. It's huge. I like mine around .22. But once you get there, going down to .21 ruins the mouthpiece. It works like that, and there are a dozen such places you can adjust. I'm sure you can see the appeal of printing inexpensive prototypes to experiment on. My mouthpieces aren't the inexpensive store Bachs, either.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
If that's the case that reaming is needed anyways, then the rapid prototyping of choice would be machining rather than 3D printing.
3D printing is still generally misunderstood by the public as to what you can realistically fabricate with performance features that come close to more traditional manufacturing. Not even close to making actual guitars with it. Re read the article and you will see that this is a traditional guitar with just the cosmetic body shape printed. The heart of the guitar is wood as well as the neck. The "brighter" comment in the article is because of the lack of resonance in the printed structure.
I was interested in getting a flugel-ish sound from my trumpet, and the Trent Austin ACB-TF looked pretty cool.
But money was (as always) lacking. Fortunately, my co-worker had access to a 3D printer. I found a parametric trumpet mouthpiece model and learned OpenSCAD. I learned a lot about trumpet mouthpieces than I though I'd ever know, and eventually came up with two different models a friend printed for me.
The first was a complete bust. It looked good, but I couldn't coax much sound from it.
The second (based on the ABC TF) was a lot more successful. It required a bit of sanding, but the deep V cup came out with something closer to a flugelhorn. As a novice, I appreciated it being a lot easier to play in the middle register.
As an added bonus, it was - for a number of reasons - a lot quieter, which my family appreciated.
Brass players are not the only ones constantly checking out mouthpieces. I have several sax player friends and it's the same with them. One who has the money will spend $6-700 on a custom piece, use it for a few gigs and go, naaaah.
Then there's the B3 fanatics like me. Don't get me started on all the organ clones out there plus the aftermarket leslie sims. I've got em all. On stage does anybody care except me? Of course not but hey, I'm the man...
Bob, you're right about sax mouthpieces. I've had both my soprano and tenor pieces refaced. It might be easier to print a sax mouthpiece than a brass one; fewer critical angles involved, I think.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Dcuny, some use a Mark Curry piece to approximate a flugelhorn response out of a trumpet. It's popular with those travelling who can take only one horn.
And there's always a flumpet.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
For brass mouthpieces, Schilke has been doing this for decades (to the extent possible concerning technology at the time). I had a few experimental mouthpieces made by them. Rim curve, depth/shape of initial recess/cup, taper to the bore, and bore depth/diameter all customized. Heck, they even stamped my name on the side as a custom mouthpiece back in the 90s. There is an actual RHarvey trumpet mouthpiece in their records somewhere. If I recall (and this was long ago) I think their code was a 6B8C made for my MFHorn bore (large) back in the day .. I think I customized it further by adding a pickup to it .. I'll dig it up and post a pic for fun.
For 3d printing; I found it quite interesting that the military could 'sample' say, a tank part and have it created overseas years ago.
It IS fun to see another technology reaching the point where it is accessible to us musicians. Edit: Sure enough; found it in the MF Horn case with a BB pickup still epoxy'd in .. hey it works! If anyone wants a one of a kind custom mouthpiece like this I have 1 left. Starting price around $120000000000000000000000000000 Hey it's one of a kind! Soft rim, shallow initial cup, tapered bore to the deep end (on a curve) and large end bore to accommodate air flow for large bore horns ..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Dcuny, some use a Mark Curry piece to approximate a flugelhorn response out of a trumpet. It's popular with those travelling who can take only one horn.
And there's always a flumpet.
What I really wanted was a C flugelhorn!
I got a Bb trumpet off Craigslist last year for $70. It was in decent shape, and the poor guy was letting it go because his arthritis had bent up his finger something awful. I eventually got a Tromba plastic trumpet in C. Lots of fun, but I'm still nowhere near to being good enough to play in public.
I've seen some attempts at 3D printed trumpets, but the technology isn't really there. And a completely plastic trumpet isn't all that great - that's why I went with Tromba instead of Tiger - some parts still need to be made out of metal.
I've managed to acquire an inexpensive flugelhorn since then, as well as a used plastic Tromba flugelhorn. I think the Tromba trumpet works better than the flugelhorn, but it's nice to have an instrument and leave out and not worry about breaking.
The flumpet looked cool, but it's way out of my price range! The Phatboy looks even cooler, and just as out of reach!
My birthday is coming up, and I was considering getting a Wedge mouthpieces (made of Delrin) or even the Trent Austin I had cloned, when I found out that Nuvo had come up with a new instrument: the jSax, a plastic kid's soprano sax in C. I've already go their plastic flute and Clarineo (a C clarinet) - both of which are very cool.
Although their instruments are made out of plastic, I don't think you could 3D print them - getting a flexible plastic spring would be quite a trick. And that's ignoring any issues with the pads. (The jSax looks like it's got plastic o-ring seals).
I ended up getting a C Melody sax on Craigslist instead, and am getting ready to disassemble and re-pad it, because that's what happens when you buy an old sax. Wish me luck!
I probably should have stuck with the jSax. It's a toy, but cute!
Somebody said above you couldn't make decent guitars. I have seen (but not heard) nice-looking 3D-printed electrics, and I have seen and heard a nice violin. Given composite and carbon-fiber axes like the Ivation Adamas series, I don't know why you couldn't do decent acoustics, too.
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean