Controlling analog synths with computers (fwd)

[Magnus Danielson]

> > >     I made an 8-channel DAC on a PC parallel port. I just got it finished 
> > >     The PC is an XT with an original Roland MPU-401 MIDI interface. The 
> > >     code is some QBASIC hack under DOS that parses the incoming MIDI data 
> > >     and writes out to the DAC. MIDI channels 1 thru 8 go to DAC outputs 1 
> 
> QBASIC!??!?!?!
> 
> > >     I have discovered that the XT is too slow for this application. I can 
> 
> The XT isn't too slow. It's just his programming skills are woefully 
> inadequate. Try assembly - works great! Even an XT can keep up with a 
> 31.5Kbps link.

I agree with this. Just cause we are being spoiled with lot's of extra cycles
on our 486's and Pentiums doesn't really mean the PC/XT is too slow for 
everything... if you got one you can still use it for lot's of stuff.

Writing in assembly can be awarding but a good C compiler with good optimations
can make wonders.

Dont underestimate what you can do with such a beast. Use your much faster PC
to do all the development stuff and then run it on the XT, AT or 386.

There's quite a lot of applications that will be overhappy with 640k of RAM.
Just think, the CV storage thing will with a fairly slow processor and 32k RAM
be a pretty heavy system, using an old XT as the controler instead will allow
for more things to happend.

There is an downside to using XTs and ATs.... they tend to make a lot of 
noise... I admitt it :)

Unleach some of that power resting in that gear... you have yet to find out 
it's
true potential in your creativity process...

Recycle CPU power!
Magnus