Now, a 3D-printed model could be a first step in figuring out what a duck-billed dinosaur called the Parasaurolophus sounded like. Using Parasaurolophus fossils, researcher Hongjun Lin from New York University created a model of the extinct giant's signature head crest. Lin is presenting the model November 21 at the 187th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America.

"I've been fascinated by giant animals ever since I was a kid. I'd spend hours reading books, watching movies, and imagining what it would be like if dinosaurs were still around today," Lin said in a statement. "It wasn't until college that I realized the sounds we hear in movies and shows -- while mesmerizing -- are completely fabricated using sounds from modern animals. That's when I decided to dive deeper and explore what dinosaurs might have actually sounded like."

Using tubes, Lin created a physical setup of Parasaurolophus' crest. The tubes also represent a mathematical model that can help researchers figure out what was happening acoustically inside the crest. The physical model was inspired by resonance chambers-a structure that enhances the transfer of energy from a sound source, like the string of a guitar. It is suspended by cotton threads and triggered by a small speaker. A microphone was used to collect frequency data.

While the model is not a perfect replication of the Parasaurolophus, the pipes -- nicknamed the 'Linophone' after Lin -- will be a verification of the mathematical framework for what the dinosaur may have sounded like.

"I wanted something simplified and accessible for both modeling and building a physical device," Lin explained.

[Related: 4 reasons dinosaurs never really ruled the Earth.]

The initial results indicate that the Parasaurolophus' crest was used for resonance. This occurs when an object vibrates after being hit by sound waves at a higher amplitude, like when a drummer hits a drum and the instrument and air vibrate to create a loud sound. Modern birds like peacocks and peahens also have a crest that produces resonance.

While the mathematical model is still in progress, Lin hopes it will also be useful for studying living animals with similar vocal structures. He is also planning to make an accessible plug-in so others can experiment with and even add dinosaur sounds to electronic music.

"Once we have a working model, we'll move toward using fossil scans," Lin said. "My ultimate goal is to re-create the sound of the Parasaurolophus."