Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site cadovax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!dual!qantel!hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwrba!cadovax!keithd From: keithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle) Newsgroups: net.music.synth,net.analog Subject: 'State of the art' questions Message-ID: <772@cadovax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 8-Aug-85 17:22:39 EDT Article-I.D.: cadovax.772 Posted: Thu Aug 8 17:22:39 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 13-Aug-85 02:31:10 EDT Organization: CONTEL CADO Systems, Torrance, CA Lines: 51 Xref: linus net.music.synth:393 net.analog:413 ....... I am posting this to both net.music.synth and net.analog because I thought that there might be experts in either group that could help answer these questions. I am considering designing a new music synthesizer product, and being a little behind in certain subjects, I have a few questions that perhaps some of the gang out there could answer: 1. What are the advantages/disadvantages of linear vs companding DACS? Are the choices compounded by things like: a. requiring A/D as well as D/A? b. manipulation of values via standard DSP processors, vs a strictly sampling system? (in other words, can a DSP make sense out of a companded value and manipulate it effectively without first having to un-compand it, and then re-compand it for output?). 2. What, in the recording industry, is considered 'studio quality'? In particular, I am talking about the DACS again, (I'm assuming that a nyquist somewhere around 48khz is acceptable, correct me if I'm wrong.) What I want to know is, how many bits, signal/noise etc. And, is there a difference between 'studio quality' and 'acceptable'? I want to know the arguments for 10-12-16 bits etc. if there are any besides cost. 3. MIDI would seem to be a move towards modular synthesizer products. To me, this would imply 'component' synthesizers. Have we actually gone that direction? Can I go out and by a keyboard (JUST a keyboard) to hook up to some sound generation hardware via MIDI? Can I go out and by sound generating hardware (sans keyboard) to hook up to existing keyboard equipment via MIDI? If not, am I misinterpreting the motivations behind MIDI? If we are not yet at the totally 'component' synthesizer point yet, does it seem like the market is heading that direction? 4. What is the importance (in the studio) of SMPTE time coding, where related to synthesizers. I would think that perhaps videos of commercials would find it useful to be able to drive your 'sampling' effects box or vice versa to provide accurate synching of the sound and video. Thanks in advance for any input. Right now, I'm primarily trying to find out what features are required in a serious product, while still trying to keep the focus on low cost (if they are not totally mutually exclusive. Keith Doyle # {ucbvax,ihnp4,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!keithd