Synthesis Technology: Synergy Owner's Resource Page

Introduction

The page is for the lucky few of us who own a Synergy I or II+ digital synthesizer. Synthesis Technology is dedicated to preserving these machines that were 20 years ahead of their time. This page is for both musical and technical information. Please email us with you comments, opinions, and suggestions.

Synergy Documentation Page

We are in the process of gathering a list of all known DKI and MuLogix documentation and software. Please visit the page a check to see if you

Need something from the list
Can add something to the list

Click here for the Documentation Page.

Project #1: The Downloadable Mega-Cart

To get the ball rolling, I would like to offer the following group project. It has to be a group, since I cannot program C++ for Windows (and proud of it).

As we all know, the main problem of being a Synergy owner (unless you are Wendy Carlos!!) is that of practical voice creation. If you have a II+ and the CP/M KayPro, you can sort of bang around. However, what about the 1000's of us (like me) model I owners?? Sure, we have all or some of the carts, but then what??

Here is my idea: I am going to design a cart that is the same size as the old ones. It plugs right into the slot like a regular cart. Via a modular jack, it connects to the serial port of the PC using a 4 wire phone cable. Host software, written for the PC, will be able to download into the cart. Using today's memory technology, getting 1000 voices in there is easy.

Once you download the voices, you click on "Write Cart DATA" and it gets transferred into FLASH memory. Now you can use the cart like any other. Except now, we have 3 little "thumbwheel" switches on the front of the cart that you "dial in" a virtual cart #. Eact virtual cart has a set of 24 voices.

I will gladly design the cart electronics and pc board. However, I need software help. I also need to know 2 things about the cart data: the format (ie how many bytes/voice) and to gather up all of the cart data, plus any custom voicing that are out there.

If you wish to participate in this little project, please email me at the address below.

Project #2: New Front Panel Interface

The spartan interface of the Synergy needs improving. Tired of all those "Morse Code" blinking lights? Can't remember what voice #14 on Cart2 is? My idea is to add a 320 x 200 monochrome LCD in a box that sits on the Synergy. The LCD has a host processor (386EX type) and a LCD controller (like a Cirrus Logic 6245) that gets data from the internal Z80 processor and feeds it to the 386EX. Now, we can do stuff like:

Display all 24 voice names (new new cart in Idea #1 has a'directory' area for descriptive names)
Show sequencer status, memory buffer, etc
Possible graphical entry for voice editing??
You tell me

Of course, you can do this with a laptop and a serial link, but that's rather expensive. Mono LCD panels can be had for $150.

The Infamous I to II+ Retro-Kit

I keep hearing that various people have worked on this. If so, please email me immediately. It is not clear to me that a I can become a II+ by sticking a board in there.

Which reminds me to ask a question: how do you get the cover off?

The Musical Side

As my family will attest, I have the musical ability of a gnat. So be it. Therefore, I am also interested in the musical aspects of the Synergy. I'd like to hear your opinions of the SOUND. How do you use it in your compositions? Does it sit in the corner, acting as a stand for your TB-303? Let's get a dialog going!