The most flexible synthesizer is DIY, Raspberry PI | Hacker News Reader

The most flexible synthesizer is DIY, Raspberry PI

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103 pointsasurachadtrot11 comments

The interesting thing here isn't that it's "the most flexible", but rather that it has a genuinely interesting new user interface, with the finger-pressure thing. On the other hand, what does that do that can't be done with a regular midi keyboard with velocity and aftertouch (which is much more flexible in its own way)?

Synthesizers that can do "anything" are not a good target. They wind up with no distinctive voice of their own, and a muddled user interface. Brian Eno has spoken to that extensively, and it's one of the drivers of the modern modular movement - the desire to have an instrument that has its own voice, its own way of speaking, its own gestures to summon the sounds.

So anyway, this synth looks interesting, not because it's "the most flexible", but because it has its own way of doing things.

>n the other hand, what does that do that can't be done with a regular midi keyboard with velocity and aftertouch (which is much more flexible in its own way)?

do you need PMC ( Polyphonic Multidimensional Controllers ) to play stuff like P'ungnyu Strings (Komungo)[1] ? Seems like this controller is more amenable to that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkHmUaGv8JM

Just a question - if I think about flexibility, I think about composing harmonic functions directly in the code. I understand that historically synth music was based on analog components, and as people got used to these even virtual analog was born to mimic old analog stuff. Did anyone think about switching to a higher gear and just do pure math by composing functions directly without specials like "oscillator", "LFO", "envelope", "filter" etc.? Main issue/difference between synths is how they enable to compose these operators/components together and that's where we talk about how easy is it to program a synth, with implementation of individual components giving it sonic signature. If I look e.g. at Max4Live, this helps the compositing process, yet it doesn't help much with the use of completely arbitrary functions in your digital synth. So I am feeling we are missing out on a vast ocean of sounds never heard before.

plenty of people experimenting with what you're describing - see the work of Xenakis, Roads, Brun, etc.

The subtractive synthesis model which you describe, now done digitally, may be the most widely implemented model, but there are several other models that at least approximate what you are describing. For example Csound [1], which allows for lower level functions to be used in synthesis. However, there is a leap required to go from low level math to a functioning instrument that a composer or performer can use. [1] http://csound.github.io/

My last experience with the Raspberry Pi's built-in analog audio output was with the model B+ in late 2014, and it left a lot to be desired. It had noticeable background noise, and relatively weak maximum volume. Is this still the case with the latest model? If so, can anyone recommend another ARM-based board with a good audio DAC?

Http://axoloti.com

Less cpu power than rpi, but designed for audio from the start!

The Pi3 has an improved audio output . A cheap $5 usb audio interface from amazon will bring the quality up for older Pis to a normal computers audio output. If you're looking for higher fidelity than that you can use lots of the usual prosumer/pro usb interfaces. If you're trying to keep it small something like a HifiBerry board or similar addon will work.

Audio Latency is an issue with RPi, so impractical if need quick response.

I've been instead using the mod duo custom arm board stomp box, which works great.

A tangent, but keep in mind that every Raspberry Pi comes with Sam Aaron's incredible Sonic Pi software already loaded.

I want this for my flight simulators...

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