[sdiy] programmable synth module

[Eric Brombaugh]

OK - let's carry this to extremes. :)

http://www.softfield.com/vr3.html

The above link takes you to the VR3 PDA - a linux-based MIPS processor 
PDA with a backlighted LCD touchscreen and a variety of I/O ports 
available on a standard connector. I've had a few of these for the last 
few years and they work well. There are a lot of development tools 
available, including C, shell scripting, python, perl, etc. You can 
cross-develop on a PC, or hook up a serial port and work directly on the 
native hardware.

Now suppose you were to build this into a modular form factor. Remove 
the case, permanently hook up a power supply (it's flash-based, boots 
quickly and easily survives power interruptions). Use the connector to 
hook up a set of high-quality codecs for analog I/O and a front-panel 
serial port, or use the built-in IrDA port. Add as many jacks and knobs 
as you can fit onto the faceplate.

The processor is not fast enough to do a lot of audio DSP, but you could 
do some waveform generation, CVs, sequencing and conditional processing. 
There's 16 MB of DRAM and flash on it, so you can save a heckuva lot of 
stuff.

The basic PDA is $100. Any additional electronics and hardware would 
probably add ~$100. Software development could be community based.

What could you do with that?

Eric

Michael Zacherl wrote:
>
> Of course that depends totally on the application in use.
> But hey, let's  put one's money where one's mouth is:
> Colour-LCD multitouch screen just about the size (minus frame) of the 
> modular's formfactor plus OSC as interface technology.
>
> How's about that?  ;-)