I have used two AtomPro's for some specific designs as well as several
different sizes of AVR processors. You can program the AVR
processor via serial / usb for ~$20-$30. Not much of an investment.
However, for a general purpose module that beginners can program, and
for portability and understandability of code, I think the
AtomPro is a good choice. It's got plenty of performance for my
MIDI programs. My bass pedals is one of the projects that I used this
processor. I wanted to reuse my code and not have to develop it again
(which I eventually did on an AVR). It's merging MIDI data from my
keyboard, scanning and encoding the bass pedals, doing arpeggiation
sequences, updating a display, and using timer interrupts. I've had
no issues with performance.
When you add a display and MIDI, this is much more than a computer
voltage source. I've been really pleased with using external voltage
inputs to control program change, notes, and velocity in MIDI gear -
something I am unable to do with any of my MIDI synths. In addition,
I've done some very limited audio generation with the AtomPro. I did
a sequencer / audio (limited to square waves) that worked reasonably
well for bass.
Speaking of which - any interest in a display / MIDI upgrade to the
PSIM? I really use my display a lot if nothing more than to remember
what program is loaded and what mode it is in.
Dave
--- In
ComputerVoltageSources@yahoogroups.com, "john" <jmahoney@...>
wrote:
> This raises what I see as the big decision: Which microprocessor to
use?
>
> I've been programmaing for over 25 years but I admit to confusion
over
> the array of MPUs available. PICs, Basic Stamps, AVRs, BasicATOMs,
oh
> my!
>
> One major factor that I see is this: Is a development kit required
to
> program the MPU? I gather that PICs are really cheap but they
require a
> dev kit/programmer. The BasicATOMPRO needs no such kit but it costs
> much more than a typical PIC.