[sdiy] DSP cards

[Paul Maddox]

JBV,

> I see your point. Probably the first step would be to use
> an existing DSP card (or the Chameleon) and try to develop
> a graphic interface to play with the existing code, just to get
> an idea of what is possible and what isn't...

in deffence of the Chameleon, I'm working on a USB interface for it (amongst
other things) as I now have the information I need, I can make my own
interface/control surface and connect it to the Chameleon board, one of the
big things Im keen to do is to get USB in there so I can have much much more
control of what goes on.

> Then I suggest to put such a DSP on a PCI card, and someone else
> tells me there's plenty of such cards with dev. tools and DSP code.
> Perhaps tomorrow someone will tell me to forget about DIY and buy
> some Korg or Roland gear...

hehe...

> Yes, I know I'm overreacting. But a valid question remains :
> if the target is gear & musical innovation, how much of this
> research can rely on existing gear, and how much needs new design ?

I see your point, but perhaps you need to give a clearer idea of what you
want to acheive, From your first messages I got the impression you were keen
to develop a new UI, in which case you shouldn't be thinking about the
DSP/FPGA/PCI card thing, purly the UI.. if you're interested in developinga
new Synth AND a new UI, then you need to consider all the options.
DIY isnt about doing everything yourself, how many people fab their own
chips?, but about making somethings no-one else has.. if it means using a
car engine, then you go and get one from a scrappy, you dont got a lump of
iron and make one...

What Im trying to say, I think, is that you can use DSP/FPGA/PCI as a means
to an end, it doesnt matter how you get there, as long as you get what you
want..

Paul