[sdiy] Sound synthesis with microcontrollers

[Paul Maddox]

JBV,

> IMHO it's the type of application that determines the
> choice of a uC. If you want to emulate analog gear
> (VCO -> VCF -> VCA) with MIDI control, then the
> 16 bits uC looks like the best option.

Agreed, but why not go 24Bit?

> What I'm after is a simple and flexible architecture
> that would allow several applications :
> - Digital VCO with control over harmonics amp &
> phase
> - granular synthesis & reverb
> - additive synthesis
> - neural networks
> - etc etc
> In other words, the same board / module would be
> used to implement various functions (and why not
> a VC controlled switch between those functions)...
> In that case, the other approach looks more convenient...

Ermmm, why not use a DSP?
This would do all you need in one chip and VERY quickly, and with 24Bit
resoloution.

> I've always had the feeling that there's a whole hybrid
> world combining VC and DSP style processing that
> remains to be explored, both at sound level (harmonics,
> grains...) and at higher musical structures level...
> Including several such modules in a "traditional" analog
> modular would certainly expand musical horizons...

Agreed, I would dearly love to port a module from the Chameleon to a
modular, but I think this a bit of a 'sledge hammer and nut'  soloution.

Paul