patches

[jbv]

Some comments to Tony Clark response :


1) I spent some time describing options A & B because some people
like the physical contact with patch chords. Therefore I didn't
want to skip this option, but tried to improve it on the practical side.


2) > the idea being to get rid of all plugs and chords.
> 
>    "Watch out for Nord's "Modular" for something along these lines."



Where ? How ? What ? I've been disconnected with the world of
analog synths for a looong time, so I missed some references...


3) > By using analog switching circuitry, you can bypass the need 
> for A/D D/A conversion!  Why do you need to transform the data to digital 
> anyway?  The only thing you really need are a few D/A converters to allow 
> you to send MIDI continuous controller data to the modular.



I've worked on that, and I'm afraid I don't agree 100% : the idea
is that any possible IN can be routed to any possible OUT. Using
analog switches would mean an incredibly complex circuitry. A not-
so-complex circuit would mean that only one signal is routed
at a time, which implies that every switch goes on & off at a high
frequency (multiplexed flow, as opposed to continuous flow), and I'm 
afraid it could lead to various clicks and drops in the CV signals.

Besides, the purpose of using MIDI isn't so much to convert controllers
 into CV, but to use sysex data to configure the "virtual" digital 
matrix handled by the uP or uC.


4) > Yep, and most of the synths that tried to do this ended up costing
a 
> small fortune and never went into production!

I'm just planing to do it on my spare time and only for my own use.
And before starting anything, I'm trying to reduce as much as possible
the hardware part, and to focuse on software (both the computer app
and the ROM associated to the uP) which requires only time (is money,
I know) and is somewhat easier to maintain.


5) I have another question :
if I finally get rid of patch chords, using the whole gear will mean
tweaking pots & switches (on the front panel of the synth rack)
with one hand, and configurating all patches on the computer screen 
with a mouse in the other hand.
Folks, you who have several years of experience of manipulating
sound machines, do you think that's feasable, from the point of
view of ergonomics and ease-of-use of the whole system ?


jbv