Xref: utzoo rec.music.synth:21781 sci.electronics:20403
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!spool.mu.edu!uunet!munnari.oz.au!uniwa!andreww
From: andreww@uniwa.uwa.oz (Andrew John Williams)
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Synth Chips?
Keywords: music, synthesizers, AdLib, SoundBlaster
Message-ID: <1991May24.025500.26721@uniwa.uwa.oz>
Date: 24 May 91 02:55:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: uniwa.1991May24.025500.26721
References: <208@max.UUCP>
Organization: University of Western Australia
Lines: 22

chris@max.UUCP (Christopher Nielsen) writes:


>Does anyone out there know what generic type of chip is used in AdLib and
>SoundBlaster boards? How about any other synth chips that are designed for
>computer interfacing (low external component count required)?

I think they use DSPs like the TI32000 series, in which case they would
be mask programmed and not readily available. I have hacked a board
which can be used to read the contents of a programmed 32010/11/15 so
you could in theory copy those chips, but that is rather naughty.

If you are looking for really nice sounds, a DSP based system would be
the way to go. It however means you will have to design a fair bit of
hardware and software. DSP code is not entirely pleasant.

You can find quite a few analog type sound chips like the one used in
the Commodore 64, the 6581 SID chip. Connecting it to your PC could be
interesting and I don't know how much hardware hacking you want to do.

cheers
Teik.