of Microprocessors

710 MUSICAL ApPLICATIONS OF MICROPROCESSORS
research is directed toward discovering simple synthesis techniques that give
acceptable results in a limited number of cases rather than re-proving the
genetality of brute-force techniques such as direct harmonic synthesis. The
FM, VOSIM, and nonlinear distortion techniques described earlier are the
results of some of this research. Obviously, evaluation of new techniques
involves psychoacoustic tests as well. Again, a direct computer synthesis
system is probably the best low-cost solution to the immediate algorithm
implementation and testing problem. However, the final goal of many such
projects is the development of simpler and cheaper hardware using the new
technique that performs audibly as well as earlier equipment using a more
general technique. Thus, the academic research market is best served by D­
to-A conversion equipment for general-purpose computers and specialized
signal-processing computers rather than the typical packaged synthesizer.
Music Education
Music education is another fairly large market area with specialized
requirements. Until recently, this market was served entirely by conventional
instruments and almost by definition had no interest in electronic instruments.
Now, however, the whole spectrum of personal computers and
synthesizers is playing an increasing role in music education, particularly at
the lower levels. It is becoming common for children to be first exposed to
the mechanics of music (pitch, rhythm, melodies, notation, etc.) via some
kind of simple music program on a home computer. Indeed, a big advantage
of using such programs is that a child can produce a reasonably listenable
final result as soon as the program is understood, long before any significant
manual skills could be developed. This may in rum sustain interest through a
child's critical interest-forming years.
In the intermediate stages involving ear training (learning to recognize
intervals and chords) and music dictation training (learning to notate what is
heard), drill programs on personal computers can be very helpful. More
advanced instruction in compositional methods and analysis can also be more
effectively done with interactive composition programs. It will probably be
awhile before keyboard synthesizers make much headway in replacing the
piano in performance training, although they could greatly reduce the
boredom factor that causes many "piano students" to drop out after two or
three years. Some of the very low-cost keyboard synthesizers becoming
available may force their way into this realm on purely economic as well as
pedantic grounds.
In most of the areas just mentioned, great synthesis power and
flexibility are not tequired. In fact, a simple three- or four-voice square-wave
synthesizer can be perfectly adequate in many cases. Modern personal
computers usually have such capability built in as will be described in the
next chapter. For more advanced needs, add-on products are available for the
more popular computers that can have quite significant musical capabilities.