[sdiy] cloning a PPG EVU / Wave?

[Richard Wentk]

On 10 Aug 2007, at 17:40, Brock Russell wrote:

> Paul Maddox, former big time contributor to this list, designed a  
> PPG inspired synth, the MonoWave and released it as GPL .  
> Information and boards are available from Laurie Biddulph at Elby  
> Designs, <http://www.elby-designs.com/monowave/monowave-about.htm>.

I think Paul was sort-of-nearly planning a PolyWave at some point,  
but lost interest.

I can't see any reason why eight Monowave boards couldn't be stuffed  
into a box with some glue logic and probably some firmware  
reconfiguration to handle voice assignment - most likely from a  
master controller card.

As a design it wouldn't be particularly simple or elegant, but it's a  
hell of a lot more feasible than designing a PPG clone from scratch.  
And I don't think sound quality would be a problem.

The issue with modern components is that they often lack the  
distortion and character of older parts. There is *no* point in  
picking the ideal VCA today, because if you want an instrument with  
character you're going to want some distortion and grunge.

A squeaky-clean VCA on a digital design isn't going to sound  
particularly interesting; you might as well just use a softsynth.

Richard