[sdiy] Daft Idea, LINUX SYNTH

[Paul Maddox]

Stefano,

> The digital interface of the future is already here: USB. High througput,
> relatevely low latency, cheap to implement (I don't know chip
availability, but
> they are dirty cheap for mobo producer, i.e. 1.5 US$ range).

the 'device end of the USB chips are cheap, the PC end are not...

> My 2 cents about: given that user interface (say knobs, switch, modulation
> wheels, plugs for patch cords and the like) is a very personal subject, be
"open"
> for it. That is
> ---------
> | Open Synth | ---USB-->[PC| HW breakout box| keyboard|...]
> ---------
>
> So specify with an open protocol the interface between the controller and
the
> producer. In this way users are more enpowered, since they can chose their
right
> interface. PC in the studio is great, but is bulky in gigs, so at least 2
> different interfaces are needed.

The whole thing is designed to be open..
if you can build a USB interface module that it'll work..

> I don't know if it is best to keep a digital or analogue bus for the synth
> itself, my knowledge in electronics is too poor at this time to tell which
is
> simplest/better, but as a resarcher I'm tempted with the "new" (to synth)
digital
> bus interface between modules. I understand though that analogue people
has its
> valid reasons.

The idea is to have an interface that doesn't need a PC..
but to leave the system open enough that if you really want to ruin it by
adding a PC (can you guess I odnt like PCs?) then all you do is build a
module..
The system (hoepfully) will look much like a regular modular, in that it
will have modules, and each will have its own set of controls.. what will be
different is that patching is done digitally and also it can be controlled
digitally.
Display moudles (A mdoule that provides, LCD/VGA/touchscreen) have already
been discussed and should be simple enough to implement..

Paul Maddox
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