DSP-based realtime music synthesis

[JOHN VOLANSKI]

I pulled this out of the 12/16/96 Electronic Design:

The engineering of audio-based products may be affected by a technology   
that consists of multitasking algorithms running on a DSP-based media   
accelerator.  Developed by the Software and Systems Technology Division   
of Analog Devices, the technology supplies realtime music synthesis and   
effects.  The software, comprised of more than 300 music functions   
(opcodes), can meet or exceed the capabilities found on today's music   
synthesizers.  The opcodes include sampled waveforms playback   
oscillators, filters, mixers, and reverberators.  Other opcodes include   
audio input harmonizers, an FFT-based phase vocoder signal   
reconstruction, and a math model of a plucked string.  By mixing and   
matching combinations of opcodes, developers can emulate most features   
found on music synthesizers and audio signal processors today.  In   
addition, the technology reduces size, power cost, and development time   
in products ranging from music synthesizers to effects processors with   
comprehensive MIDI control.
With the DSP-based architecture, developers can employ all types of   
synthesis and effects simultaneously; on-the-fly frequency-domain   
analysis and resynthesis; and pitch and timing correction without   
specialized equipment. The hardware consists of mix and match software   
modules that can be downloaded to, and run simultaneously on, the   
programmable digital signal processor according to the system designer's   
criteria.  One such example of this type of processor is the ADSP-2106x   
SHARC.  Fo mo info:  contact Analog Devices at 617-461-3060 or see   
http://www.analog.com

JV