[sdiy] question re: microcontrol of synths...

[mikko.a.helin at nokia.com]

Yoy need a micro with either parallel or serial port and must be able to
access the port using the BASIC instructions you know.

With parallel port (like centronics) you can build easily oa 7-bit DAC using
resistors and use one bit for gate on off.

With serial ports you have to use the handshake signals (CTS, DTS
whatever..) connected to latched serial-to-parallel shift register (data,
clock and latch are needed at least) and connect the DAC to 7 data bits and
the gate to one data bit. So you can use regular RS-232 port quite easily
though it's a little bei more compicated and slower, but most micros have
some kind of serial port usually, though it may be that not all handshake
signals are not implemented.

Only problem is that if you tune your synth for 1CV/oct you'll get only
musical notes as output, for glide effect you will need portamento module
(slew rate controller).

-Mikko

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ext Marcos San Miguel [mailto:electronophus at yahoo.com]
> Sent: 09. November 2001 0:30
> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: [sdiy] question re: microcontrol of synths...
> 
> 
> Does anyone know of a way to use an older micro (say a
> commodore 64 or TI99...something with a BASIC
> programming interface) to send CV/Gate to synths...I
> have seen it done (in fact there is a gentleman on
> musicsynthesizers.com with a picture of it happening)
> but can't find any information about HOW...want
> something less 'musical' than midi, but can't really
> afford the time/space/expense of a wall of analog
> sequencers/clock/boolean logic/sequential switches
> right now...
> 
> sorry to bother y'all
> 
> 
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