FPGA-Based DSP Options

#62

I'm afraid they will clone DX7s :thinking: .
Copying an existing device in an FPGA is not really an exciting work.

#63

I think I have said it before, the way we use the patcher to pass signals from LFO's, OSC, multiplexors, counter etc, and create logic references within the objects, seems very similar to how FPGA's are programmed.
Maybe there is something in all that... ? :thinking:

#64

I guess what I am getting at, could the patcher or a version of it be used to program an FPGA. !!:weary:

#65

Just saw a video from that Linus guy, you get to see an Open Source CPU already running games. He appears to think that these Open Source CPUs are due in our desktop PCs very soon, as in sooner than we think, so he's a bit more optimistic on the TOA than Mark and myself are, but I hope he's right cause it won't stop there, it automatically means true, fully Open Source tablets and phones too!

Open Source FPGA CPU in action:

#66

sure, just SMOP :laughing:

'mass' adoption is definitely a critical part of it - developers tend to support stuff once its available to large audiences, so something like this could take it out of niche.
( I guess it'll be he in high end/gaming pcs first?)

lets just hope if there are multiple forms that they are cross compatible or some kind of agreed standard - as lots of variations can hinder this.

btw: I think fgpa have been used before for emulation particularly for "vintage computers", I think they keep coming up in fact...
a quick google found this one, but I seem to remember quite a few for different computers.

#67

Well I was hoping for some original design, like Neuron. Guess we have to wait and see :slight_smile:

#68

Very cool, and funny enough I did come across that project during the first version but I had no idea what an FPGA was and took no notice of the tech at the time. I just wish they'd get on with producing official Commodore branded enclosures to house them. Apparently a dutch firm has licenced the brand but I've not seen any official Commodore branded manufacturing of the cases etc yet.

Any work done keeping the C64 and Amiga alive are well worth it so I'm very pleased to see this stuff, definitely brings a smile to my face, which sadly these days is far too much a rarity!

But yup, very cool, FPGA effectively means eternal life for the C64 and Amiga :heart_eyes: :star_struck: :yum:

#69

Usually they are programmed from building blocks, down to entire CPU modules. The snag is that there is precious little of libraries that could be useful for us, bit-banging at GHz speeds is not really among the main problems of analogue synth emulations. If any, the ability to emulate already extinct digital chips could start a wave of virtual digital synths (emulated DX7 or Fairlight), or even virtual virtual analogues (say, a emulated Nord Modular).

#70

To be honest I dont know that much of the details.

I just know that the FPGA code that I looked into didnt make alot of sense to me, hehe :slight_smile: It seems to be a bit harder than just coding a little bit in the Axo editor.

I am open to anything new. So lets see where the FPGAs bring us, emulations or what have we :slight_smile:

#71

Here is Doppler by Dada machines, apparently they are aiming to digital synthesis but i don't see any audio nor MIDI :-/

https://dadamachines.com/product/doppler/

#72

its an Arduino + fpga, so the Arduino can do midi, the Arduino alsa has a 2 x dac.
also from a quick read of spec, fpga also has digital io… so could drive a dac.

quite a lot to take in, but very interesting :slight_smile:

#73

What I think is very interesting, is you can access all the features within the Arduino IDE, well thats what they say on the web site.

#74

On the use of FPGA, in Spain there is a community called FPGAwars that is spreading the use of open hardware.
As an example the ICE40 series of Lattice.
There is a FPGAwars community using the board FPGA development board IceZUM ALHAMBRA 2.Has a form factor like the arduino boards.
But the best thing is the use of Icestudio is a graphic IDE for open FPGAs. Icestudio IDE
it's a good way to learn verilog language (the one that you use the FPGA) using visual environments ..

Multiplatform: Linux / Mac / Windows
For more information https://github.com/fpgawars/icezum/wiki12

#75

I'll admit not really played with it yet... as I need to finish off another project first... so might be a week or two yet :slight_smile:

but... what i understand is, the FPGA runs firmware which you can program using icestorm, and what they have then is an SPI interface between the arduino and the onboard ice40.
so you have a means to communicate between the two parts,
they are currently showing uploading new firmware to the ice40, and communicating with the matrix, but I assume you can do whatever you want over the spi.

cool @killor looks interesting... will look at their site, and also icestudo ida
(gonna need all the help/info i can get :slight_smile: )

the doppler is also completely open source (hardware and software).

it be great if perhaps the two 'teams' could foster some kind of synergy...

anyway, as I said not explored it yet - but looking forward to it.

#76

The Doppler board looks very interesting, and BTW, those Nano FPGA dev boards similar to the one I posted early on in the thread, you might be surprised at what a humble development board can do.

Even the Commodore C64 and Amiga is listed among the machines it can Emulate - see attached video:

#77

I'm surprised nobody mentioned MiST yet. It's not exactly (audio) DSP but with Atari ST core it can run i.e. maxYMiser which is a tracker that utilizes Atari ST's YM2149 sound chip. maxYMiser gives you nearly full control over YM2149 and can respond to MIDI as a sound module. So it's practicaly FPGA based YM2149 which is also recreated in Atari ST FPGA core. Can't tell what DAC is used for audio, seems to be enough for decent use but embedded MIDI ports are cool enough if you intend to use MiST for Atari ST MIDI apps. MIDI timing was also tuned to get really close to original ST.

#78

What is a tracker?

I owned a 520st and 1040st back when they were new, and while they were excellent at the time, I can’t think of a reason to revisit any Atari ST stuff.

#80

very robust midi timing!

#81

There might be several reasons to get back to Atari ST:

  • As lokki mentioned, it's the MIDI timing.
  • Nostalgia
  • Some unique, especially generative MIDI sequencers.
  • Plenty of simple yet powerful editors for 80-90's gear.

I fully agree it's either for curious or nostalgic users only. Still, the BW screen of TOS apps and relatively low screen resolution by todays standard, when used with modern LCD display, is better readable for aging eyes. What I like on those old apps is that they quite often display pure information with no graphical ballast around which speeds up the workflow. Yet the mouse on ST is PITA and even PS2/USB options never worked well for me.

#82

yes! i have an anatek smp-16 and a waldorf microwave (analog filter version) that can only be controlled correctly with atari editors!