[sdiy] Another new hard to find part....

[phillip m gallo]

Scott,

I guess my personal pref would be to use a MIDI knob box, Sequencer, or
keyboard to control an embedded computer.   Now i am not referring to a
specific unit as you can always argue "this one sucks....".    But a
soft synth executing on a PCB means passive cooling, no
disp/mouse/type-keyboard.   It boots when you turn it on and performs
against that which you program into it.

Regarding the list being circa '76 yes this component exists and has
little place to exist elsewhere.  Clearly there is life in that arena
and is a great way to "make your bones" if you are a solder based
programmer.    I wonder how many of the folks on this list have hybrid
systems?  I would bet quite a few given the # of MIDI2CV comments that
occur.   Also the Chameleon posts, PSIM posts and then i am a big
proponent and long time implementer of micro/dsp based synth technology.
I don't think there is a "list based" aversion to micro executable
synths although there are specific opinions that no doubt rails against
this technology alternative.    

One last thing, it's only recently that micros/dsp/ADC/DACs have matured
to the point where easily available, low-cost development; procurement;
and implementation characteristics could be said to be general enough as
to invite folks to bend the technology for use.   

regards,
p


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Scott
Gravenhorst
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 11:43 AM
To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
Subject: RE: [sdiy] Another new hard to find part....


<philgallo at attglobal.net> wrote:
>The soft synth problem IMHO is:
>
> 1) The attempt to copy pre-existing synths (resulting in the mouse to 
>control metaphor, fancy graphic display, corny approaches to emulating 
>known characteristics).
>
>2) the desktop pc "context" (i.e. it often is not dedicated to just the

>soft synth so it must conform to the requirements of other software.
>
>If not for the above,  a softsynth execute on a single board computer, 
>with 8 bit color and solid state disk.
>
>regards,
>p

I wouldn't mind seeing a linux based soft synth that doesn't even use
the GUI.  Patches made with XML or perhaps a special purpose patch
language.  Even if the thing had to be compiled for each patch.  Just a
thought, probably a ridiculous one.


>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl 
>[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Scott 
>Gravenhorst
>Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 11:15 AM
>To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>Subject: Re: [sdiy] Another new hard to find part....
>
>
>Rainer Buchty <buchty at cs.tum.edu> wrote:
>>> I have 3 boxes that I use as Linux servers, but they won't support
>>> the GUI in anything more than the basic SVGA mode, which denies me 
>>> the full resolution of the video cards.
>>
>>Which makes me wonder what kind of exotic video cards you're running.
>
>SiS.  Well known banes, I found this out too late, they are cheap, but 
>not ubiquitous.  I bought the boxes before I got into Linux.  I can't 
>afford to keep buying hardware for computers.  I've tried installing 
>Linux with GUI support on each and every one of the six boxes I have 
>and all default to crappy SVGA with limited color and resolution 
>support. HCLs for RedHat (which I know and understand) don't mention 
>the video hardware I have.  If I could go back in time, I would have 
>bought different hardware, but I've yet to find the flux-capacitor I 
>need to build a time machine.
>
>I also don't like knobless synths.  And I don't want to BUY more 
>hardware for MIDI to do the knob thing.
>
>>Under Linux, you might be a turn or two late when it comes to
>>state-of-the-art graphics cards and getting access to their special 
>>features, but *at least* resolution setting works fine. There might be

>>issues with 3d acceleration, but that's another story.
>>
>>ATI and nVidia actively support Linux nowadays; and all the other 
>>stuff
>
>>is quite nicely handled by the standard xsvga driver.
>>
>>So far I ran a fair share of graphics cards under Linux, from 
>>stone-age
>
>>S3-Trio, a more recent S3 Savage/MX, ATI RageIIc, Matrox Milennium and
>>some more recent nVidia. Never had a problem with *resolution*, but 
>>couldn't get the 3D acceleration for the Savage/MX to work two years 
>>ago (or better: didn't want to go the hassle to build a special
Xserver
>
>>version needed for a special package which might have enabled 3D
>>acceleration). There might be an out-of-the-box solution present these

>>days.
>>
>>> To run Linux with the GUI, I'd yet again have to go out and buy
>>> either another box, or at least another video system.  What's the 
>>> point of the free software when I can't use it on the 6 freaking 
>>> computers I already own?
>>
>>Until proven otherwise, I'd rather say you're doing something wrong or
>>you're using some really weird piece of hardware.
>
>Cheap stuff purchased at the computer swaps that was designed for and 
>works for WinBlows, but that linux finds issues mainly with the video. 
>I'm tired of constantly upgrading and buying new bits for these things.
>
>>If resolution is all what you care for, then you always have the
>>possibility to use the framebuffer device and speaking plain VESA with

>>it.
>>
>>> I also don't want to tink around with a kernel that I am not
>>> qualified to tink with and could likely break it.
>>
>>Then go with a distribution which does all the update stuff
>>automagically for you, like e.g. SuSE Linux. I'm quite sure, RedHat
and
>
>>Mandrake offer similar mechanisms.
>
>Perhaps, but I still can't do crap without the GUI and my hardware 
>won't support anything more than SVGA.
>
>Building little circuits works, has real knobs, doesn't need upgrades, 
>doesn't need a team of developers, doesn't crash, sounds like what I 
>want to hear, doesn't cost a lot, can be repaired by me and can be 
>modified in minutes, by me.
>
>>Rainer
>>
>
>---------------------------------------------------------
>- Where merit is not rewarded, excellence fades.
>- Hydrogen is pointless without solar.
>- What good are laws that only lawyers understand?
>- The media's credibility should always be questioned.
>- The only good terrorist is a dead terrorist.
>- Governments do nothing well, save collect taxes.
>
>-- Scott Gravenhorst | LegoManiac / Lego Trains / RIS 1.5
>-- Linux Rex         | RedWebMail by RedStarWare
>-- FatMan: home1.gte.net/res0658s/FatMan/
>-- NonFatMan: home1.gte.net/res0658s/electronics/
>-- Autodidactic Master of Arcane and Hidden Knowledge.
>

---------------------------------------------------------
- Where merit is not rewarded, excellence fades.
- Hydrogen is pointless without solar.
- What good are laws that only lawyers understand?
- The media's credibility should always be questioned.
- The only good terrorist is a dead terrorist.
- Governments do nothing well, save collect taxes.

-- Scott Gravenhorst | LegoManiac / Lego Trains / RIS 1.5
-- Linux Rex         | RedWebMail by RedStarWare
-- FatMan: home1.gte.net/res0658s/FatMan/
-- NonFatMan: home1.gte.net/res0658s/electronics/
-- Autodidactic Master of Arcane and Hidden Knowledge.