Synthesis Control Interfaces - Project Report | ECE 4007, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Download Synthesis Control Interfaces - Project Report | ECE 4007 and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Electrical and Electronics Engineering in PDF only on Docsity! Technical Review Robert Estelle – ECE4007 Name: Robert Estelle Class: ECE4007-L01 Advisor: Aaron Lanterman Group Name: Post-Moog Synthesizer Control Interfaces Introduction Modern synthesizers offer a broad range of configurable inputs to allow musicians to create sounds both for performance and recording. Early analog synthesizers had a very direct conceptual mapping between user interface elements, such as dials and sliders, and hardware synthesizer control parameters [1]. With the advent of programmable digital synthesizers, such interface elements became largely obsolete in their original function. Rather than representing direct control of hardware parameters, the interface elements are abstracted away by software – in fact, with digital synthesizers, there may be very few actual hardware parameters to control, as the signals are controlled partially or entirely by software running on one or more DSP chips. Instead, the user interface controls the algorithmic software parameters that generate or filter the sounds [2] and may be accessed indirectly via menu selections [3]. More recently, some synthesizer control interfaces have become entirely computerized, doing away with physical dials and sliders altogether. In their place, computer GUIs may be used to either emulate the old devices or create new control elements altogether. Commercial Applications and Cost Synthesizers are used for performances and recordings [2], and can cost from hundreds to many thousands of dollars[4]. Still, due to decreasing component costs and the ability to emulate certain devices in software or firmware, costs have been ever decreasing. Whereas early synthesizers may have used vacuum tubes and other bulky and expensive analog components, digital synthesizers require fewer, smaller internal components and are able to offer features associated with digital information – improved flexibility, reliable sample-and-hold behaviour, digital patching, and so forth. Despite the drastic changes in internal workings of synthesizers, the external interfaces of synthesizers have remained largely static [1, 5], and have been noted to be in need of major improvement to conform with principles discovered by recent HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) research [6]. With the advent of software-based synthesizers, there has been a dramatic increase in Technical Review Robert Estelle – ECE4007 flexibility of user interface paradigms available to synthesizer designers, and with reduced costs [6]. Interface Strategies There are at least two different layers of control involved when talking about synthesizer interfaces. The first is the interface presented directly to the user – typically consisting of dials, sliders, buttons, and frequently in the case of digital synthesizers, one or more LCDs. There are a few less commonly seen physical interface types as well [7,8]. Software synthesizers and some digital synthesizers have computer interfaces, which vary widely [6]. The second layer is how the interface components interact with the internal synthesizing hardware. There have been some innovative techniques of using classic interface elements with digital hardware, such as virtual pots using LEDs to signify potentiometer positions [1]. With strictly analog synthesizers, the physical interface elements directly control hardware parameters affecting the synthesis. Strictly digital synthesizers interpret similar inputs using firmware or software. Finally, hybrid systems may digitally interpret physical inputs using microcontrollers, which then go on to control analog hardware. Bibliography [1] T. Wiltshire. “Synthesizer Interfaces: a discussion of some of the issues and problems”. [Online]. Available: http://www.electricdruid.net/index.php?page=thoughts.synthinterfaces. [Accessed Sept. 3, 2008]. [2] P. Hazel. 'Synthesizers: Interface, Design and Development' M.Sc. Dissertation. City University. London, UK. 1992. http://www.paulhazel.com/docs/sid.htm [3] A. Seago. 'Analysis of the synthesizer user interface: cognitive walkthrough and user tests.' The Open University . Milton Keynes , UK. Tech. Rep. 2004/15. 2004. [4] Synthesizers.com. 'Studio-110 Synthesizer System'. [Online]. Available: http://www.synthesizers.com/studio110.html. [Accessed Sept. 3, 2008] [5] A. Seago. 'A critical analysis of synthesizer user interfaces for timbre.' The Open University . Milton Keynes , UK. Tech. Rep. 2004/21. 2004. [6] A. Seago. 'Synthesizer user interface design – lessons learned from a heuristic review.' The Open University . Milton Keynes , UK. Tech. Rep. 2004/20. 2004. [7] J. Eaton, R. Moog. 'Multiple-touch-sensitive keyboard'. Presented at the 2005 conference on New Interfaces for musical expression. Vancouver, Canada. 2005. [8] A. Mulder, S. Fels. 'Sound Sculpting: Manipulating sound through virtual sculpting'. Presented at