Idea: Sound Simulator

[Katadeus]

I am merely looking for a response about whether or not this is theoretically possible, not accounting for how intensive the processing would be etc.
My basic idea would be to have a program that would have a 3d modelling interface, and the model could be assigned materials that would be effective for an entire solid area. You would, after assigning all parts of a model materials, simulate a collision and have the computer generate and record the resulting sound or sounds.
I have thought of a few possible purposes for this already, but I want confirmation on the idea that it is possible.

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[Axolotl]

Many properties of sound are related to density and other scientific properties.

[Cookieman4276]

The idea is possible, but as all things, it would take time to make it work professionally.

[Isjix]

I have always had this thought.

[Plastiware]

Kind of related: Older video games typically had sound effects that were generated by the sound engine using simple waveforms, rather than wave sound samples.  I don't think it would be much of a stretch to assume that semi-realistic physics sounds could be generated in real time.

[steve5451]

Kind of related: Older video games typically had sound effects that were generated by the sound engine using simple waveforms, rather than wave sound samples.  I don't think it would be much of a stretch to assume that semi-realistic physics sounds could be generated in real time.

I know that a lot of physics engines generated the sound by how hard the object hit and what material.

[Katadeus]

Many properties of sound are related to density and other scientific properties.

Exactly why I included materials.

The idea is possible, but as all things, it would take time to make it work professionally.

I didn't think it would happen anytime soon, just wondering about the possibility in the future.

Kind of related: Older video games typically had sound effects that were generated by the sound engine using simple waveforms, rather than wave sound samples.  I don't think it would be much of a stretch to assume that semi-realistic physics sounds could be generated in real time.

How exactly does this work? I want to know more.

I know that a lot of physics engines generated the sound by how hard the object hit and what material.

However, at this point, they are all prerecorded sounds or just volume changes as far as I know.

[Butler]

This is entirely possible. However it would require too much processing for today's computers.

Sound is created by any amount of more than one object hitting each other and the resulting energy, provided there is a medium for it to travel though, is transferred by a wave of compression through said medium where the wave bounces into our ear, hits the ear drum and through an extraordinary amount of events, results in what we call sound.

The emulation of that process is entirely possible. But it would require rendering the necessary particles. And thus, a fantastical amount of processing power. Probably a lot more than what is available commercially in this technological period.

[dorkdotdan]

Things like the Doppler effect and the like would take so many resources to process it is unbelievable.

[Extrude]

itt: people overestimating how hard it is to do this.

[Aphtonites]

This already exists, some guy did a simulation of what mars would sound like taking wind into account.

[Butler]

This already exists, some guy did a simulation of what mars would sound like taking wind into account.

Really?

I would like to hear that.

[otto-san]

totally possible.

we already know a lot of how the world works, we have knowledge of how things make sounds, we just need to create ways to compute those things.

if i ever get enough knowledge in C++ to do so, one thing i would love to do is create an engine that has a bunch of stuff like that

[Katadeus]

Things like the Doppler effect and the like would take so many resources to process it is unbelievable.

Doppler wouldn't be a challenge. Some other things might though.

itt: people overestimating how hard it is to do this.

Overestimating? Sound is first spherically emitted, and to simulate that anywhere near accurately with particles you'd have a huge difficulty already. Getting everything to bounce realistically would be crazy.

This already exists, some guy did a simulation of what mars would sound like taking wind into account.

Huh, I hadn't heard about that. A link would be great.

totally possible.

we already know a lot of how the world works, we have knowledge of how things make sounds, we just need to create ways to compute those things.

if i ever get enough knowledge in C++ to do so, one thing i would love to do is create an engine that has a bunch of stuff like that

That would be awesome and require a beast of a computer to run.

[otto-san]

That would be awesome and require a beast of a computer to run.

meh, odds are any project like that would be something i undertake years into the future anyway