Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

I think the rise of the DSP synths (Virus and esp. the Nord Modular) 
is pointing in exactly this direction: a dedicated hardware interface 
for a reprogrammable synth engine, providing the best of both worlds. 
We're starting to see some "open" platforms, like the Chameleon; I 
think these make more sense than the PC-with-knobs-on approach in 
spite of the latter's instant compatibility advantage. Windows, no 
matter how tweaked, is never going to be a match for an embedded, 
synthesis-specific OS.

Roland should open up the VariOS to third-party developers, and 
someone really needs to do a full-on tabletop DSP platform with a 
good set of controls and the ability to load VST plugins, etc. One 
tricky thing will be the multi-purpose interface...it's easy to 
assume there'll always be at least a filter cutoff knob, but what 
about more esoteric functions? How do you have dedicated knobs *and* 
a flexible interface? Lots of LCDs, maybe, or a super touchscreen 
display.


--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> Sure, anything goes here (as long as it's respectful)
> 
> I agree with you.  It's very easy to go all software (been there, 
done 
> that), but after awhile you do start to miss good old knobs and 
faders.  I 
> think a combination of hardware and software that uses the benefits 
of 
> both is the best way to go.
> 
> rEalm
> 
> "Matt Picone" <matman@m...>
> 12/19/2003 08:57 PM
> Please respond to xl7
> 
>  
>         To:     xl7@yahoogroups.com
>         cc: 
>         Subject:        RE: [xl7] shifting focus... back and to the 
left?
> 
> 
> > hardware itself seems to be dying a slow but sure death
> 
> I don't think so at all. As much as I love software, it's never ever
> going to completely overrun dedicated hardware. 
> 
> Is this th right forum to get into this discussion?
> 
> -m@