Digital DIY synths?

[Ben Stuyts]

On Tue, 5 Jan 1999, jorgen.bergfors at idg.se wrote:

> The main reason analog is more popular among DIY types is that it is much
> more suited to DIY. You can build almost any circuit with standard parts and
> if it doesn't work, you can follow the signal with an oscilloscope to
> diagnose it. With digital, almost everything is controlled by software. That
> means it is impossible to change unless you have access to the source code.

Well, the whole idea is that you design the source code, so access shouldn't  
be a problem.

> Also digital synths normally use special-purpose ICs, which can't be bought
> from an electronics supplier.

DSP's are pretty common parts nowadays. And the eval kits can be bought from  
most distributers for $100 or so.

> You also need special equipment, like
> PROM-burners and such, to do digital.

Nope, you just download code to the eval board. You can burn it in prom, of  
course, but that would mean you would have finished it. B-)

> And with the low prices of
> mass-produced digital synths, there wouldn't be any cost benefit to build
> them yourself either.

That's no argument. I guess there are a lot of people who have put more money  
in DIY than economically makes sense. The main point of DIY is (imho) the fun  
of actually creating something (be it hardware or software), and learning  
from it.

Best regards,
Ben