[sdiy] Spin Semiconductor FV-1, anyone?

[Adam Schabtach]

> My question would be whether it is really flexible enough to 
> do much beyond the basic effects it was obviously designed for.

Certainly a valid question. I've only just started looking at it so I don't
yet know how "big" of a process it can run. 
 
> However, in terms of horsepower for the money, the Soundbite 
> probably takes it. It costs marginally more ($150) but you 
> get a board with 4 stereo pairs in and out (1 of which can be 
> digital optical) and a 180MHz DSP to deal with it all. 
> Onboard RAM runs to 44K, IIRC.

I'm sure you're right in that regard. The way I look at it is this: 1) the
learning curve appears to be flatter for the Spin chip. It's simpler,
there's less to learn, and there are lots of example programs already
available for doing exactly the sorts of things that I want to do with it.
2) It's cheaper and easier. Building a synth module with one would require
the chip (for US$10), the program EEPROM, some resistors and caps for
buffering, and three pots and four jacks--that's all. 

So in other words I'm more likely to actually be able to come to terms with
writing code for the thing, and more likely to actually be able to complete
projects based on it. Theoretically it's less capable than the Freescale;
practically I'm more likely to actually do something with it. :-)

> Let us know how you get on with it.

Will do.

--Adam