The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Robert Grimble shared with us:
> 
> Hey, to my mind, the next generation of computer music will be a general 
> purpose computer, probably PC style, with a sound card that does digital to 
> analog and analog to digital converting. The time for this -- from a user 
> standpoint -- is long past.

I kinda doubt that. Computers aren't generally known for easy of
use when it comes to music.

For instance, my instruments take at most some four seconds to
initialise after power on.

A personal computer is a general purpose device, which means it
can do about anything, but that doesn't mean it's actually any good
at it. Dedicated hardware will *always* beat general purpose
hardware. There is no way that personal computers will eventually
overtake synthesisers, because synthesisers are computers too.

However, developing dedicated hardware is very expensive. What I
would expect is a rack housing that holds several PLG cards - there
already is such a product - or perhaps a box that houses VST effects
and synths.

But though there will be a shift towards PC/Mac based instruments,
this will probably be on the lower end, where budgets are more
tight. At one point, you want an instrument, not fidgeting around
with setting, latencies and weird computer problems.

> Have you looked into the EX5R -- it has a VL module and a GX module and a 
> sampler/sequencer. I don't have one, but the first time I see one at $700 
> buck, it's mine.

I have an EX5S (silver edition), and while it is a wonderful
instrument, I'm not going to use it as a sampler. There are boxes
that offer better performance at a lower overall price and lower
levels of frustration. Keep in mind that you need SCSI, extra RAM,
extra outputs, and possibly flash as well. This adds up considerably.

It's EMU Ultra for me, as soon as I can afford it.

- Peter