Digital DIY synths?

[Magnus Danielson]

>>>>> "jb" == jorgen bergfors <jorgen.bergfors at idg.se> writes:

 jb> The main reason analog is more popular among DIY types is that it
 jb> is much more suited to DIY. You can build almost any circuit with
 jb> standard parts and if it doesn't work, you can follow the signal
 jb> with an oscilloscope to diagnose it. With digital, almost
 jb> everything is controlled by software. That means it is impossible
 jb> to change unless you have access to the source code. Also digital
 jb> synths normally use special-purpose ICs, which can't be bought
 jb> from an electronics supplier. You also need special equipment,
 jb> like PROM-burners and such, to do digital. And with the low
 jb> prices of mass-produced digital synths, there wouldn't be any
 jb> cost benefit to build them yourself either. 

I agree, also...

Not only are many things hidded, but things is a bit more obscure than
you might find in analog cursuits. The frequency wrapping, the yeat
harder math, the impact of low resolution/quantization etc. all add
up.

Another thing is the availablility of free tools.

Yeat further reasons is that adapting it into the environment of
things that one already has is greater. With analogs you maybe just
need to adjust the signal levels or so, for control signals it is the
linear/expo limit that is among the more expensive ones that one
usually see, but it is still at a fairly low level after all.

Also, when you actually build something the complexity grows on you,
you quickly run into packages with many signals, more and more surface
mounting, timing, high frequency problems etc.

Mastering each of these fields enought certainly filters many people
out.

Never the less, it is fun to play with the thoughts.

Lately I have playing with the idea of using PICs for simpler tasks,
they are not the strongest DSPs, MCUs or CPUs you may find, but they
fit the smaller range. There are free tools available and a lot of
material online. They come in fairly small packages at a decent price.
The assembler has it sides, but you can do stuff with it. They may not
glue up with A/Ds and D/As as obviously simple as a larger DSP would,
but there are hints on how to do this aswell. It seems fairly
promessing.

Cheers,
Magnus