[sdiy] Freescale Soundbuite

Thu Jan 24 06:57:03 CET 2008

Barry.

 I agree with what you're saying, but what I'd like to do (and what I'm
aiming for) is to have the unit boot/run from something like an SD card.

 This way the 'widget' can be loaded from the internet onto your SD card,
popped into the front panel and you're off. Much cheaper than modules and
also easier to download new modules/applications.

 FOr me one of the biggest hassles with the Chameleon was changing 'skin'
took between 5 and 10 minutes, then you had to reload your patches via
midi sysex. Now if I could have a couple of SD cards, I'd just switch it
off, swap SD card and power it back up, et voila.

 I'd want a better laid out panel than the Chameleon. I'm currently
thinking  two displays, each 2 * 40. One with 8 knobs and some buttons
for parameter changes, and one with 20 or so buttons which will be select
what the parameter display/knonbs do.
 For example, one the parameter display you could have 'OSC1 OSC2 VCF VCA
EG1 EG2' Pushing the button above OSC1, would bring up thigns like 'WAVE,
fine tune, PW, SYnc, etc' on the parameter display.
 A bit like the oberheim xpander, but with a display for seletcion buttons
aswell.

 I plan to make the front panel controlled via a serial link and a simple
serial protocol, which will mean people can create their own custom front
panels if they want. Again, this protocol will be open and available to
all.

 Paul

> What I find intriguing is that the ToneCore seems to have a common
> functional module that then plugs into a base.  We should do the same
> thing
> and have a function module that plugs into a the rear of a front panel
> base
> - a single module in a modular synth.  These boards will be surface mount
> high density but if volumes can get up there they could be a good value
> and
> of course multifunctional.  I'm just imagining how the modular synth world
> might evolve if given common hardware platforms like your Chameleon does
> for
> the desktop.  Seems nowadays more people have a software background than
> hands-on hardware, so if given the hardware complete we should see some
> cool
> modules.  Kind of like somewhere new inbetween hardware synths and
> softsynths eh?  Other such platforms could be say Cypress PSOC based,
> others
>
> a variety of microcontrollers (for cheap controllers/LFO's/noise etc.)
>
> I think much more cool things will come if we have common "open" hardware
> platforms for modules.  A cheap DSP dev kit may satisfy each of our
> curiosities but if we want to then share our cool widget in product form
> (or
> even if fully documented and up for free) it gets to be a difficult and
> expensive proposition to build.
>
>
> Barry
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of
> paul.maddox.mail-list at synth.net
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:02 PM
> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: RE: re: [sdiy] Freescale Soundbuite
>
> Barry,
>
>  FWIW, I beleive the ToneCore programmable module uses a lower spec DSP.
> It also has less in the way of IO.
>
>  That said, it's aimed at a different market to be honest. Have a look at
> the Line6 namm announcement -
> http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM08/Content/Line6/PR/ToneCore-Developer-
> Kit.html
>
>  What you're talking about sounds a lot like a Chameleon
> (www.Chameleon.synth.net). I'd like to build an updated version, using a
> newer coldfire, a beefier DSP (possibly soundbite based), better panel
> and most likely Linux as the host OS on the coldfire. I also want to make
> it as open as I can. By doing so people could build their own panels for
> their own pet projects.
>
>  I've not yet played with the symphony stuff I'm afraid, but I expect
> you'll  find examples for the soundbite on the freescale site.
>
>  I shall be starting a website soon, with my progress on building such a
> box, and also links to usefull bits of code, hardware and software.
>
>  I'll post a link to it once I've made a start (hopefully this weekend).
>
> Paul
>
>
>> I wonder if the Line6 Tonecore would be better money spent?  Thoughts?
>> Seem to be same time frame for release.  $199.
>> Take a look at their effects concept where the effect module plugs into
>> a
>> base:  http://line6.com/tonecore/modules.html
>> We should be able to come up with a similar approach for a panel-based
>> synth
>> module series.  Then get costs of hardware down due to common platform
>> and
>> higher volumes.  Could be very cool.
>>
>> Lastly, could someone point me to a site for audio/synth-related code
>> for
>> the Symphony platform?  I know a lot of products have been developed
>> with
>> this but where's the code support?
>>
>> Barry
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>> [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of
>> neil.johnson97 at ntlworld.com
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:23 AM
>> To: mikko.helin at jippii.fi; synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>> Subject: Re: re: [sdiy] Freescale Soundbuite
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>>
> http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=SYMP_SOUNDBIT
>> E
>>
>> mikko.helin at jippii.fi wrote:
>>> So how good is the price?
>>
>> According to the Freescale site the recommended price is $150.
>>
>> Neil
>>
>> --
>> http://www.njohnson.co.uk
>>
>> -----------------------------------------
>> Email sent from www.virginmedia.com/email
>> Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software and scanned for spam
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Synth-diy mailing list
>> Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>> http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Synth-diy mailing list
>> Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>> http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Synth-diy mailing list
> Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>
> _______________________________________________
> Synth-diy mailing list
> Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>