[sdiy] SSM2164 last time buys

[David G. Dixon]

> > In any
> > case, I can still build my own complete filter board, with multimode-
> ready
> > outputs, for about a third of the price.
> 
> And for 3 times the size?

Oh, no: much bigger than that (about 4" x 5").  However, with SMD devices
and a proper software-based layout on double-sided board, my design would
easily fit onto a 4 x 4 cm square PCB with pin headers along two sides.

> If it weren't overpriced, this module would be helpful for making
> smaller voicecards in a polysynth. Indeed, It's sad that there's not
> much in terms of analogue polysynths between the DSI stuff (just a
> tiny PA397 per voice) and monsters like the Omega8 (massive
> voicecards!).

> I don't know what's Mr. Schippmann's motivation for selling this, but
> I'm pretty sure it's not people sticking this thing as is on a board
> with just a few TL082 around and stuffing this behind a nice front
> panel in their modular. At a more reasonable price this would be a
> no-brainer to do a poly voiceboard based on this, or to put 2 under
> digital control in an FX box à la OTO biscuit...

Yes, at a more reasonable price, the Schippmann chip would make quite a nice
solution for voice cards, although it's actually way more than you need for
that purpose.  Given the very large number of control pins and output
options on this beastie, it would really be overkill for a polysynth
voicecard.  You'd probably end up in another "Anadigm" situation trying to
develop the control circuitry and/or software to take advantage of it all,
or else you'd leave much of the chip's capabilities unused.  I actually
think this chip probably was intended for the construction of very high
quality dedicated filter modules.  They just need to be more realistic about
the price.  And, if the intended market is really for those "audiophile
DIY'ers" among us who are willing to pay extra for a high-quality drop-in
solution, then they'll probably sell to that market.  However, I gotta think
that must be a pretty small market.