Modular Music Synthesizer

摘要

A modular music synthesizer is implemented in a hybrid design incorporating both hardware implementation and software implementation. A plurality of hexagonal-shaped modules are assembled and connected by the user-artist to configure a visual presentation of synthesizer signal generation and signal processing functions. The synthesizer visually replicates hardware functionality by incorporating user controls on many of the modules that are connected to enclosed (embedded) circuit boards. These circuit boards communicate with a system CPU (computer processing unit) that operates softsynth software resident within the CPU to drive audio output. The configuration of the softsynth is determined by the physical arrangement of hardware hexagonal modules that represent the functionality of software modules. The hardware modules provide user interface elements corresponding to parameters of their softsynth counterparts.

主权项

1. A modular music synthesizer, comprising:
an amplifier module providing an audio output; a plurality of circuit modules each presenting the appearance of a specific hardware signal generation or signal modification circuit having user controls simulating the control of the respective apparent hardware circuit module, the plurality of circuit modules being connected in a physical arrangement with each other and the amplifier module; and wherein the amplifier module includes a CPU operating on softsynth software, for emulating the operation of a synthesizer to produce audio output as a function of the physical arrangement of the modules and the status of the controls on each module.