Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 13 replies
  • Subscribers 553 subscribers
  • Views 1453 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Intermediate steps before progressing to fpga.

ohmgroan

Hello everybody.

 

I am a musician who can no longer perform at the level I'm accustomed to due to injury. While this sounds sad, I am very positive and excited about my new direction, as it has provided me with the impetus and the time to work towards a childhood dream: designing and making my own gear. I started off simply by buying the hx-3 board from keyboard partner; a hammond organ on a FPGA. This project meant all the hard work was done for me, leaving just some soldering, resistors,pots, switches and config etc. Following on from this I have experimented with arduino and standalone AVRs to create some midi controllers, and used the asus tinkerboard as a spotify/iplayerradio over SPDIF.

 

Inspired by a couple of individuals on the internet I am currently working on a couple of projects, namely the arduino solina string synth (which I have redisigned to be a standalone atmega device) and the raspberry Pi mellotron, which I am attempting to do my own way without instruction, due to having years of linux experience.

 

The thing is, although these are great projects in their own right, I really see them as baby steps towards my end goal, which I envision will be largely DSP/FPGA based. However I still find these technologies quite intimidating, and I feel if I try to jump straight in, I may quickly kill my enthusiasm and perseverance.

 

Can anybody please recommend any direction that may either provide some intermediate steps, or perhaps some development packages that introduce these technologies in a friendly, logical way. They don't have to be super powerful, as long as they can provide the means to develop my skills.

 

I should mention that my knowledge of the logical topologies of synths and other audio equipment is good, I just need to learn how to use these technologies to implement my ideas.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Parents

  • Steve,

     

    I don't know if you have seen this posting https://www.element14.com/community/message/241171/l/member-comments-wanted-on-real-world-fpga-training-and-development-… , but this might be a great way to learn about FPGA and get a nice development board in the process.  You already have a project in mind, which can sometimes be a stumbling block.

     

    Good luck!

    Gene

  • in reply to genebren

    That's excellent news. I have noticed over the past couple of years that many manufacturers have been switching to FPGA, and for element14 to host something like this tells me that not only are FPGA's not going to disappear anytime soon, but are actually gathering momentum towards commonplace.

     

    As I have irregular and unpredictable work patterns I would not be in a position to commit to this, besides as I am a new member here, I think it only fair that these positions should go to members who have earned their place.

     

    That said, I will certainly be following their blogs and making good use of the comments.

     

    Your final point is absolutely true, I've made that mistake before when jumping into something new; I'm somewhat older, wiser (I like to believe) and more patient these days. I have come to enjoy doing example projects, which I otherwise would have assumed had nothing to do with my own plans. It really is the best way to gain experience and knowledge.

     

    Thank you Gene.

Reply
  • in reply to genebren

    That's excellent news. I have noticed over the past couple of years that many manufacturers have been switching to FPGA, and for element14 to host something like this tells me that not only are FPGA's not going to disappear anytime soon, but are actually gathering momentum towards commonplace.

     

    As I have irregular and unpredictable work patterns I would not be in a position to commit to this, besides as I am a new member here, I think it only fair that these positions should go to members who have earned their place.

     

    That said, I will certainly be following their blogs and making good use of the comments.

     

    Your final point is absolutely true, I've made that mistake before when jumping into something new; I'm somewhat older, wiser (I like to believe) and more patient these days. I have come to enjoy doing example projects, which I otherwise would have assumed had nothing to do with my own plans. It really is the best way to gain experience and knowledge.

     

    Thank you Gene.

Children
No Data