MOTM

Kurzweil's K2000 24 voice VAST architecture was an 80,000 gate ASIC
providing the audio processing and a 68000 doing the MIDI/LFOs/Envelope low
rate functions.  The Spartan-3 can surpass that.  But remember that user
interface is key in a modular.  A polyphonic DX7, Wavestation or Synergy
doesn't make much sense in this format.  Some of the synthesis techniques
may apply though.

Personally I'd like to see a wide range VC digital delay.  BBD devices have
limited bandwidth and a modular reel-to-reel tape delay equivalent is sorely
needed.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...]
> 
> c) If you are interested in what the 'future of MOTM' a la digital modules
> goes,
> go to www.xilinx.com and look at the Spartan 3 stuff. I ordered the
> development
> software today for the chip AND the DSP option AND the 32-bit RISC
> processor
> (MicroBlaze). The MOTM-520 Cloud Generator will be implemented in this
> technology along with other oddball stuff (DX-7 module in 1U?)
> 
> I'm NOT abandoning analog: but I AM going to do some (cough) digital stuff
> because this family of chips will allow *cost effective* solutions that if
> you
> spend the $99 on the dev board and learn the tools, what can be done is
> pretty
> astonishing. I'm talking the ENTIRE Synergy II on a $15 chip. Or maybe a
> 32-voice Prophet VS/Korg WaveStation type synth. $15 chip. Well, and about
> $50
> of other stuff :) DACs and the like.
>