PolyModular

[Barry L Klein]

Hi Barry

thanks for your critical points - you're certainly right in some way.
Only that *I* cannot do microcontroller stuff. (And aren't uC's
somewhat outdated as well, in the age of DSPs ?)
BTW, I hope I wasn't too abrupt with my reply and suggestions - I was limited in time to
get the reply out before I left to pick up my kids at school.  I have familiarity with the
hardware aspects of microcontrollers, but not with the programming aspects.  But this is
what I want to learn about and such a project would be an opportunity to learn it.  After
all, I learned the electronics I  DO know from building analog modulars.  I suspect this
is true of many of us.  The costs to include uC's in designs is pretty low.  Microchip,
Zilog, and others have chips that are under a dollar in quantity that could implement
autotune, one or multiple sequencers, multiple envelope generators, etc. etc.  These chips
will have much longer longevity than discrete counterparts.  We already see difficulty
getting CMOS, LS, and analog components.  But uC's are available all over the place.

I don't see much reason for a uC within the modules. But if someone
can make a keyboard interface that has *all* the old OB-FVS
features (plus velocity added ?), or a Midi interface like this,
using a uC, I would be very pleased. 
Can be done.  Plus, using a uC should allow a much more complex and capable module.  The
emphasis as schools/colleges is in training on how to use them and other FLPGA's etc.
rather than basic electronics.  So lets put those "kids" to work!  What these kids don't
understand is what we want them to design.  We can still contribute towards that.

As for tuning, I think with linear VCOs I can do well without 
autotune. My CS-50 is rock stable for example. I have not
tuned it for years, and the tuning is still perfect.
For the Modular, 5 tiny tune pots will do for a VCO module.
Myself, I don't care if it uses one or not if it works decent.  But I hate to use so much
panel space for one oscillator.  And then only have the standard waveforms.  I'm bored
with them.  I want a microwave in a module that I can modulate/control with the other
modules in my system, as well as download sounds from my pc into each one.  I want to do
all this trippy stuff like granular and physical modeling, more exotic FM/AM, etc. 

What I'm getting at is that if we continue to think the same way about the architecture we
will get the same basic results/sounds.  Lets try and use new ideas and concepts to go
further (before the software synths clean house).  

I do see that there is an immediate interest in an inexpensive analog modular project, and
much have what's gone on in this list pretty much supports that interest.  But we really
haven't emphasized utilization of 90's technology into these systems.  Many of us do this
in our jobs every day but then come home and discuss sequencers using 4017's or whatever. 
I don't get it.  I have access to a Data I/O at work and would have no problem burning
micros at my lunch hour to distribute to list members.  Others have access and familiarity
with other programmable chips.  Others think Visual C++ or Basic all day and could write
really cool pc interfaces to all our stuff.

And no, I don't want to start a "digital_synth-DIY" list.....  :-)

Is this doable - could we come up with some sort of specs to make it all work?  Lets hear
YOUR off the wall desires you guys!
Don't leave me out here all alone.....

Barry