[comp.sys.next] The Ultimate Synth

cerberus@caen.engin.umich.edu (R Eric Bennett) (11/09/90)

This really only applies to a small group of people since it involves NeXT
and sound synthesis.  Most know that the NeXT computer has an onboard DSP.
It also supports MIDI (not as well as I would like, but we'll see in Sys2.0).

The idea I have is this:

The problem with most synths today is that they typically have company-specific
hard-coded synthesis (or lack thereof) techniques.  What is needed is a TRULY
programmable synth.  One that allows you to set up your own synthesis
algorithms. Throuh in mappable controller support and you've got the start of
(warning, cliche ahead) the ULTIMATE SYNTH.  One that allows you not only to
control every aspect of your sound, but one that allows you to do WYSIWYG
document layout, play your favorite games and read newsgroups.

To an extent this can be done on the NeXT.  The limit is only the hardware
such as the DSP and it's on-board memory, which will grow or the company will
go out of business in which case this idea means nothing.

Throw on the front of this a GUI that allows you to drag around oscillators,
mappable controllers, and connect them all together.  Let's you design your
own waveforms, periodic and non-periodic.

So, it's a wonderful idea in my opinion but does anybody else want this?

If so email, 'cause if no-one is interested then I have better things to do
with my time.

Eric Bennett
cerberus@caen.engin.umich.edu  (Unix mail)
cerberus@itl.itd.umich.edu     (NeXT mail)