Synth Programmer

[Stuart Robertson]

  Anyone want to make a hard and fast vote on a processor? The 68000 sounds
  very cool and powerful 

Yes, it is. It's not that expensive either, but there are quite a few
options in the range that are code compatible. And available in a number of
clock speeds 8-20mhz for the basic 680xx series

However you are going up to 16bit data bus - which adds overheads in terms
of requiring to access memory in 16 bit words (twice the number of RAM
chips ?)

However the 68008 might be a consideration - same instruction set only with
an 8 bit data bus - reduces the external circuit complexity.

The 68xxx series are excellent in situations requiring management of
multiple interrupts - the ability to prioritize software interrupts and a
hardware interrupt - I guess this is the main reason for its inclusion in
the uWave - prioritizing between generating the wavetable audio and
updating the LCD, scanning the midi info etc.
Probably far more power than is needed here ?

Although interfacing 8bit ADC/DAC's is straightforward, it is not the best
type of data to try to process with a 16 bit uP. Since the 680xx series has
to work a bit harder on 8bit data - extra masking etc. - seems a bit
wasteful

  OTOH, half of the group seems inclined towards the 8051 line. If this
  thing can run a Jupiter I'm sure it can do what we're trying to do.

Run a Jupiter ?? Not sure on this one - the JP4 runs on a 8048 if thats
what you mean, the JP8 is powered by a Z80. In fact I'd suggest considering
the Z80 range - the instruction set is richer than the 8051 and has many
similarities to 68xxx, and it's already proven in numerous synth designs ?

Stuart