MOTM

Ken makes a lot of good points here, and I may have missed out on some
earlier components of the thread.   However, I would like to tell people
that a machine made by Korg that did exactly what Ken is talking about.  So,
if someone has a real tilt in their brain to try some of this, for about
$250 used you can buy a Korg DSS-1 sampling synthesizer.  I have two of
these beasts and will never part with them (one is hot rodded with SCSI and
extra memory).  For general sampling, they suck by today's standards: 12
bit, 8 seconds or so of total sample RAM.  512K.  :)

Essentially, this synth (notice I said synth) was marketed as Korg's first
(and only) sampler. (well there was the rack version DSM-1).  However, what
you actually have is a analog synth engine (EGs, VCAs, VCFs with resonance),
with sample RAM being the source for the VCOs, coupled to 2 fully
programmable DDLs on the output.  Korg provided a very large selection of
single cycle waveforms.  You can make your own waveforms on the DSS-1 by 3
methods:  1. normal sampling. 2. additive harmonic synthesis, 3 draw your
own.  I never really got much out of the draw your own, but it is quick and
easy if you want to mess around with such things.  I found the additive
harmonic synthesis much more appealing.  Essentially, you could pick each
harmonic (sine wave) and add as much of the fundamental and each harmonic as
you liked.  You could specify the exact level (in resolution of 1 in 255) of
each harmonic (128 of them).  And, you could listen to the change of each
harmonic tweak as you added it in.  IMHO, this would be a great tool for
someone designing "wavetable" type stuff.

I also have a program that lets me swap RAM waveforms between the DSS-1 and
PC for digital viewing and editing of these waveforms.  Anyhow, the DSS-1 is
an interesting beast for such complex waveform stuff.  I plan on using mine
a lot with my MOTM stuff.  Since it is MIDI, I can use the MIDI as a
controller and use these complex waveform audio outs mixed in with my VCOs.

One other interesting thing about the DSS-1 is that the programmable DDLs
can be used to process external signals.  Unfortunately, not at the same
time the keyboard functions are being used.

I would be happy to download some of the Korg factory complex single
waveforms to .WAV files and e-mail them to interested parties.  It may take
a while to get to it though.

Larry H

----- Original Message -----
From: Tkacs, Ken <ken.tkacs@...>
The concept sounds great at first---like you will be
able to draw any waveform imaginable and have it
at your fingertips. But the reality is that most sounds
you get from it will be terrible.

When I was in college I had proposed a similar Idea
and an engineer friend mocked something up for me as
a demo. It sounded like a great idea---draw ANY
waveform!!