I thought I might throw in more on this PIC idea.
Even $2 get's you this..
http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en556001If I understand correctly, it has 5 PWM outputs. Look this doc over about PWM's used as DAC's.
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/AppNotes/00538c.pdfIt also has 5 capture ports and a whole mess of goodies ready to be activated/used.
I would think you could use that other voice PIC's code, or something like it into this unit and essentially turn the poly800 into a analog modeling synth with perhaps even sampler capabilities.
It could also do handshaking with the Poly to do edits, etc.. and it can be easily interfaced with a LCD.
There are plenty of code examples already to be used.. just cut/paste/alter to suit.
Once you had that kind of PIC interfaced with a Poly/EX, it would open up huge potentials.
On another note, I was thinking how cool it would be to add a 2nd filter.. split the DCO's so they each have their own independent VCF. Have the Noise route into DCO2's VCF.
Or go even further and have a 3rd one after those two.. a final VCF output after the individual ones.
Probably would be very expensive to source/buy Korg 2069 or even the CEM/SSM's chips if that route was taken.
But the final effects would be mind blowing.
I'm fairly happy with the DCO's. Yea, they do sound very Arcade Game/80's computer'ish. But that's the character of the synth.
I was going to suggest the SID chip or even the one used in the Apple IIGS's.. but they likely would sound similar to what we have now.
Analog modeling would open up a whole new realm for the Poly.. but it would probably kill the character of it too if the original DCO's are completely taken out.
-Blaine