uC advice

[Paul R. Higgins]

I am just getting into interfacing microcontrollers with analog synth designs, 
and I have found the field of micros so vast that it is a little overwhelming.  
I recently built a MIDI-cv board from Midwest Analog Products, which uses a 
preprogrammed Motorola 68705.  It's a nice little no-frills design, ideal for a 
small monosynth.  However, from what I understand, the 68705 is not really 
suited to larger applications, e.g. generating lots of CVs and gates.  I know 
that there are other uCs out there that are more user-friendly, some of which 
can even be programmed in high-level languages, have all sorts of A/D, etc.  

Can any list members give me some advice on getting started?  I know that some 
synth-diy people have used the Atmel micros, as well as the PICs.  My main 
application right now would be generating several CVs and gates, possibly in a 
polysynth or multi-voice design.  Also, can any of these uCs be programmed with 
a Mac, or am I looking at having to get an old PC?  (I have a PowerPC Mac as 
well as a new G3). 

Thanks much,
-PRH

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Paul Higgins
email: higg0008 at tc.umn.edu
University College, University of Minnesota
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