Raspberry pi

[Martin Naef]

Hi Paul

On 12.01.2012 12:38, Paul Maddox wrote:
>> Why, though?  Its got more than enough calculating power to support
>> decent synthesis.  Put a compiler onboard and start your ports!

> 1) my DSP (i.e. maths) skills suck

> 2) my C programming is sub-par (I'm self taught and it's really not
> very "tight" in terms of code)

> 3) I think FPGAs offer a degree of raw processing, especially for
> synths that you can't get on a general purpose CPU

> 4) I like hardware, not software

> 5) It's the way my brain is wired, one processor = one job

I find your comments interesting, but also contradictory. I'd assume 
that you can learn VHDL just as easily as C. If you can take the time to 
dive into FPGA development, you can just as well do the same for C, 
especially since you'll probably need it anyway for the controller section.

Number 1): Without DSP math, you're just as lost on an FPGA as on a CPU, 
probably even more.

Number 3): Well, yes, maybe... But don't underestimate the compute power 
of a modern CPU. For digital synths, you'll need a lot of math. CPUs and 
DSPs are good at that. You'll need an awfully complex synth algorithm to 
exceed the capability of a modern CPU. Unless the problem goes back to 1).

In short, I think the discussion FPGA vs. CPU isn't really the topic here.

Martin