[sdiy] digital synth starter

[Paul Maddox]

Dave/Jim,

> > I've dabbled with hardware a little (just from a kit) but have no
backgroud
> > with that sort of thing.  I've done synth and effect design in software,
and
> > figure since I have more of a programming background than a hardware
> > background a digital synth would be more up my alley (that and the fact
that
> > polyphony and patch memory are also a plus).  looking around generally I
> > have found some projects based around an Analog Devices DSP board EZ-Kit
> > Lite.  That looked semi promissing, but I thought maybe I would ask you
> > folks if any had experience with that sort of thing before and would
maybe
> > recommend a starting point for someone new like myself, or if you knew
of
> > any DSP kits or boards that work particularly well for that sort of
thing
> > that would point me in the right direction.  Thanks, I appreciate any
> > feedback.
>
> Talk to Paul Maddox (paul.maddox at synth.net). He's on this list but hasn't
> posted in a while. He's something of an expert on the Chameleon DSP system
> and, if you're OK with programming in  C++, that - imho - is the system to
> go for. Paul has published the source to his Monowave II skin for the
> Chameleon so that would be an excellent starting point.

thanks dave,
Jim, one of the quickest ways to get into DSP coding is probably the
Chameleon (Www.SoundArt-Hot.com).
Its got a motorola 56303, coldfire, runs a multi tasking OS (which handles
all the crappy MIDI stuff) its 1U and its a good price. The SDK is for a PC
only, under windows, though I beleive someone is developing a Linux version.
Its a pretty simple box to use and great fun for testing ideas and concept.
there's a good user forum on the soundart site and a mailing list is on
'ampfea.org'.
The other cool thing is, when you get fed up of developing, you can load in
a 'skin' and have a great 16 note poly VA or 808/909/303 emulation, a wicked
vocoder and so on..
I'm on my third Chameleon, if I had the money I'd have a rack full..

Paul