Using the DSP for synthesis

DanSwain · Nov 8, 2004, 07:54 PM

Dear all,

Whilst generally looking through the standard plugins available for the DSP with the kX drivers, I noticed the "Wave Generator" plugin. This started a train of thought

Is it possible to create synthesisers for the kX DSP, that can be controlled via MIDI from a sequencing host? Has anyone produced any so far?

I'd imagine, if it were possible, that a Reaktor-style process would have to be employed to set such a synth up, but it seems to be worth looking into, as latency is an issue for most of us

Thanks for reading this, I hope this isn't a pointless post!

Dan

Daniel Drummond · Nov 8, 2004, 08:21 PM

Yes, it is possible and there are some programmers who started doing that. Don't know why they stopped though... Maybe it's not worth the effort. With KX ASIO drivers latency isn't a real problem. Search posts by Kevin Horden, like this one: http://67.15.42.37/showthread.php?t=...ight=oscilator He started building some modules for that purpose.

Max M. · Nov 8, 2004, 08:26 PM

Yep, as Daniel says this is possible (and this is pretty simple)- i even wonder why nobody has actually done this yet...

DanSwain · Nov 8, 2004, 09:40 PM

Thanks for the replies gentlemen! It definitely does seem to be something worth doing - the lack of latency because of hardware, and done without having to buy any expensive synthesisers!

I have two emu10k1 cards, and it would be great to put them to use in that way once I've upgraded, leaving them both free for use.

Maybe the programmers of the synthesisers make something that could encompass the entire DSP time of a emu10k1 chip, and design a front end for it (I must get the image of the Linplug Albino out of my head!), so that it appears as a software controlled hardware synthesiser. Maybe that's a little extreme, but for someone like me that wouldn't be a problem, as the card would be dedicated for synthesis.

I've studied Music Technology as part of a university course, but I focused on the other side of things, being a musician rather than a programmer. That said, I don't have any knowledge of C++, but I always find it interesting when things like this appear.

I wonder if it would be possible to get code from other forms of synthesis, like Synthedit or Csound to take some of the hard work out of creating initial ideas...

Should we give Kevin and co. a prod to see if he's/they've made any progress?

Dan

Johnny_x · Feb 20, 2006, 03:47 PM

hee guis, can u tel me ware i can connect the wave generator?
i tryed it but every where i get a bieb sound
i have the asio keyboard 1800 wk and sblive 400 5.1 soundcard and i have the latest kx driver installed (3538j)

Maddogg6 · Feb 20, 2006, 04:12 PM

Actually There IS a MIDI CONTROLLED Synth made entirley in DSP -
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/effects-dsp/75730-new-analog-synth-dsp-instrument.html

as well as an analog drum machine,
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/effects-dsp/77957-new-analog-drum-machine-dsp-instrument.html

Edit:

You will prolly need MidiOx to re-route midi ports to be able to use it.

Nov 8, 2004, 07:54 PM	#1
DanSwain DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Derby, England, UK Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Using the DSP for synthesis Dear all, Whilst generally looking through the standard plugins available for the DSP with the kX drivers, I noticed the "Wave Generator" plugin. This started a train of thought Is it possible to create synthesisers for the kX DSP, that can be controlled via MIDI from a sequencing host? Has anyone produced any so far? I'd imagine, if it were possible, that a Reaktor-style process would have to be employed to set such a synth up, but it seems to be worth looking into, as latency is an issue for most of us Thanks for reading this, I hope this isn't a pointless post! Dan

Nov 8, 2004, 08:21 PM	#2
Daniel Drummond DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Brazil Posts: 1,137 Rep Power: 0	Yes, it is possible and there are some programmers who started doing that. Don't know why they stopped though... Maybe it's not worth the effort. With KX ASIO drivers latency isn't a real problem. Search posts by Kevin Horden, like this one: http://67.15.42.37/showthread.php?t=...ight=oscilator He started building some modules for that purpose. __________________ www.palcomp3.com.br/ed

Feb 20, 2006, 04:12 PM	#6
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Actually There IS a MIDI CONTROLLED Synth made entirley in DSP - http://www.hardwareheaven.com/effects-dsp/75730-new-analog-synth-dsp-instrument.html as well as an analog drum machine, http://www.hardwareheaven.com/effects-dsp/77957-new-analog-drum-machine-dsp-instrument.html Edit: You will prolly need MidiOx to re-route midi ports to be able to use it. Last edited by Maddogg6; Feb 20, 2006 at 06:19 PM.

Nov 8, 2004, 08:26 PM	#3
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,639 Rep Power: 69	Yep, as Daniel says this is possible (and this is pretty simple)- i even wonder why nobody has actually done this yet...

Nov 8, 2004, 09:40 PM	Thread Starter #4
DanSwain DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Derby, England, UK Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the replies gentlemen! It definitely does seem to be something worth doing - the lack of latency because of hardware, and done without having to buy any expensive synthesisers! I have two emu10k1 cards, and it would be great to put them to use in that way once I've upgraded, leaving them both free for use. Maybe the programmers of the synthesisers make something that could encompass the entire DSP time of a emu10k1 chip, and design a front end for it (I must get the image of the Linplug Albino out of my head!), so that it appears as a software controlled hardware synthesiser. Maybe that's a little extreme, but for someone like me that wouldn't be a problem, as the card would be dedicated for synthesis. I've studied Music Technology as part of a university course, but I focused on the other side of things, being a musician rather than a programmer. That said, I don't have any knowledge of C++, but I always find it interesting when things like this appear. I wonder if it would be possible to get code from other forms of synthesis, like Synthedit or Csound to take some of the hard work out of creating initial ideas... Should we give Kevin and co. a prod to see if he's/they've made any progress? Dan

Feb 20, 2006, 03:47 PM	#5
Johnny_x HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: lithuanian Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	hee guis, can u tel me ware i can connect the wave generator? i tryed it but every where i get a bieb sound i have the asio keyboard 1800 wk and sblive 400 5.1 soundcard and i have the latest kx driver installed (3538j)