This page is an index relating to microcontrollers (MCU - microcontroller unit) and how they relate to synthesizers.
It will grow over time so keep coming back
I'm seeing these chips time and again when building synths.
They usually take the form of a single IC that contains these basic parts:
1. CPU - a microprocessor (4-bit or more)
2. non-volatile flash memory --- this holds the program to be run.
3. RAM - random access memory (volatile memory for data storage)
4. EEPROM - Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
used for non volatile storage of program data
5. GPIO pins - General purpose in/out pins - used to interface with switches, LEDs etc etc.
These can be configured to be either inputs or outputs.
Microcontrollers are basically tiny computers.
They perform things one step at a time and use a clock to trigger each step.
The clock is an oscillator (usually 1MHz to 20Mhz).
The GPIOs are very flexible ... can be ins or outs because they are controlled with software not hardware
unlike CMOS for example where the pins have a fixed function.
They are limited only by the speed and memory of the chip ( and the ability of the programmer)
Microcontrollers are also able to bridge the divide between digital and analog. So we can use them in the
world of analog synths.
There are plenty of examples of the use of microcontrollers in synthesizers.
Motorola produced the 6800 in 1974. It's a 8-bit microprocessor
Some of the synthesizers using the 6800 & its variants were:
The 6800 was used in the Fairlight CMI series II. The IIx used the later 6809.
The Fairlight series III used the 6809 & 68000
Ensoniq EPS-16 (68000),
Oberheim Xpander, Oberheim Matrix, ( 6809)
PPG Wave 2.x , PPG Waverterm A (6809)
Ensoniq SDP-1 , Ensoniq ESQ1, Ensoniq SQ80 (6809)
Quasar M8 (6800)
Texas Instruments produced the TMC0281 Speech Synthesizer in 1978.
The TMC0281 was the world's first single-chip speech synthesizer.
Zilog made the Z80 microprocessor in 1976.
This was used in many home computers of the early 1980s like the Dick Smith System 80 which was my first computer.
Synthesizers that used the Z80 include: Roland Jupiter 8, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 & 10,
Sequential Circuits Prophet 600, Roland MC4, E-mu 4060, Roland MSQ700, Oberheim OB-8,
MemoryMoog, Emulator I and II, Akai 2700, E-mu SP-1200, E-mu Drumulator,
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks.
Microchip Technology introduced the PIC 16C84 Microcontroller in 1993.
The PIC 16C84 used a new type of memory called EEPROM
(electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).
You will find this type of memory used in lots of drum machines from the 90's
These are some of the microprocessors used in modern synths. (It's by no means a full list).
Atmel (AVR, ARM, Arduino, ATtiny, ATmega, ATxmega, AT89, AT90, AT91)
+ Mutable Instrument
Branches (ATMEGA88PA), Grids (ATMEGA328P), Edges (ATXMEGA32A4U)
+ ADDAC - VCC (Voltage Controlled Computer) Atmega2560
+ Elby AVR synth (AT90S8535)
+ Modular Synthesis AVR synth ATMEGA32
+ Bastl Grandpa - Atmega328-PU
Seeeduino.
+ meng qi voltage memory
STM32
+ Mutable Instruments
Tides, Peaks, Streams, Yarns, Braids, Frames (STM32F103CBT6)
Clouds, Elements STM32F405RGT6
+ Owl modular - STM32F4
+ PER|FORMER sequencer STM32F405RGT6
Teensy
+ Ornament and Crime (Teesny 3.2)
+ Radio Music / chord organ
+ Temps Utile (Teesny 3.2)
+ Malekko Varigate8+ ???
+ Orgone Accumulator
+ TELEX Teletype
+ Euroshield from 1010music
---------------------------------------------------------
Useful Links
+ List of common microcontrollers
+ Wikipedia
+ Atmel
+ AVR synth video
+ Popular IC's
Please let me know if there are any mistakes or omissions.
To be continued .........................
It will grow over time so keep coming back
I'm seeing these chips time and again when building synths.
They usually take the form of a single IC that contains these basic parts:
1. CPU - a microprocessor (4-bit or more)
2. non-volatile flash memory --- this holds the program to be run.
3. RAM - random access memory (volatile memory for data storage)
4. EEPROM - Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
used for non volatile storage of program data
5. GPIO pins - General purpose in/out pins - used to interface with switches, LEDs etc etc.
These can be configured to be either inputs or outputs.
Microcontrollers are basically tiny computers.
They perform things one step at a time and use a clock to trigger each step.
The clock is an oscillator (usually 1MHz to 20Mhz).
The GPIOs are very flexible ... can be ins or outs because they are controlled with software not hardware
unlike CMOS for example where the pins have a fixed function.
They are limited only by the speed and memory of the chip ( and the ability of the programmer)
Microcontrollers are also able to bridge the divide between digital and analog. So we can use them in the
world of analog synths.
There are plenty of examples of the use of microcontrollers in synthesizers.
Motorola produced the 6800 in 1974. It's a 8-bit microprocessor
Some of the synthesizers using the 6800 & its variants were:
The 6800 was used in the Fairlight CMI series II. The IIx used the later 6809.
The Fairlight series III used the 6809 & 68000
Ensoniq EPS-16 (68000),
Oberheim Xpander, Oberheim Matrix, ( 6809)
PPG Wave 2.x , PPG Waverterm A (6809)
Ensoniq SDP-1 , Ensoniq ESQ1, Ensoniq SQ80 (6809)
Quasar M8 (6800)
Texas Instruments produced the TMC0281 Speech Synthesizer in 1978.
The TMC0281 was the world's first single-chip speech synthesizer.
Zilog made the Z80 microprocessor in 1976.
This was used in many home computers of the early 1980s like the Dick Smith System 80 which was my first computer.
Synthesizers that used the Z80 include: Roland Jupiter 8, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 & 10,
Sequential Circuits Prophet 600, Roland MC4, E-mu 4060, Roland MSQ700, Oberheim OB-8,
MemoryMoog, Emulator I and II, Akai 2700, E-mu SP-1200, E-mu Drumulator,
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks.
Microchip Technology introduced the PIC 16C84 Microcontroller in 1993.
The PIC 16C84 used a new type of memory called EEPROM
(electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).
You will find this type of memory used in lots of drum machines from the 90's
These are some of the microprocessors used in modern synths. (It's by no means a full list).
Atmel (AVR, ARM, Arduino, ATtiny, ATmega, ATxmega, AT89, AT90, AT91)
+ Mutable Instrument
Branches (ATMEGA88PA), Grids (ATMEGA328P), Edges (ATXMEGA32A4U)
+ ADDAC - VCC (Voltage Controlled Computer) Atmega2560
+ Elby AVR synth (AT90S8535)
+ Modular Synthesis AVR synth ATMEGA32
+ Bastl Grandpa - Atmega328-PU
Seeeduino.
+ meng qi voltage memory
STM32
+ Mutable Instruments
Tides, Peaks, Streams, Yarns, Braids, Frames (STM32F103CBT6)
Clouds, Elements STM32F405RGT6
+ Owl modular - STM32F4
+ PER|FORMER sequencer STM32F405RGT6
Teensy
+ Ornament and Crime (Teesny 3.2)
+ Radio Music / chord organ
+ Temps Utile (Teesny 3.2)
+ Malekko Varigate8+ ???
+ Orgone Accumulator
+ TELEX Teletype
+ Euroshield from 1010music
---------------------------------------------------------
Useful Links
+ List of common microcontrollers
+ Wikipedia
+ Atmel
+ AVR synth video
+ Popular IC's
Please let me know if there are any mistakes or omissions.
To be continued .........................