FPGA-based Digital FM Music Synthesizer
Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Major
Electrical Engineering
Research Advisor
Dua, Rohit, 1977-
Advisor's Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Funding Source
Self-funded
Abstract
In the field of sound design, no other form of musical synthesis is recognized for its unique timbre like FM (frequency modulation) synthesis. The versatility of this technique was used in many early keyboard synthesizers, such as the Yamaha DX7, and synthesizer chips for game consoles such as the Sega Genesis using the Yamaha YM2612. Some modern iterations of FM synthesis exist now in the form of virtual instruments (VSTs) in digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as FL Studio's Sytrus FM synthesizer. The goal of this research was to integrate the feature set of FM synthesizers such as these in an FGPA-based environment using the concepts taught in courses such as DSM (digital system modeling) and RT-dSp (real-time digital signal processing). This report covers the methods discovered such as DDS (direct digital synthesis) as well as the limitations and possible improvements to the approach. In order the features under review will be waveform generation through a numerically controlled oscillator, envelope gain, MIDI interfacing, FM using phase manipulation, mixing of signals, the unison effect, and filtering.
Biography
Dominic Zucchini is senior in the S&T Cooperative Engineering program in Springfield. He is studying for his degree major in Electrical Engineering and minor in Computer Engineering. He has taken all courses in computer engineering available in the cooperative program and is now exploring curriculum outside of the classroom through research projects such as the WIMP AVR and FPGA-based Digital FM Music Synthesizer.
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Final Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Presentation Date
29 Apr 2017, 2:30 pm - 2:45 pm
FPGA-based Digital FM Music Synthesizer
In the field of sound design, no other form of musical synthesis is recognized for its unique timbre like FM (frequency modulation) synthesis. The versatility of this technique was used in many early keyboard synthesizers, such as the Yamaha DX7, and synthesizer chips for game consoles such as the Sega Genesis using the Yamaha YM2612. Some modern iterations of FM synthesis exist now in the form of virtual instruments (VSTs) in digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as FL Studio's Sytrus FM synthesizer. The goal of this research was to integrate the feature set of FM synthesizers such as these in an FGPA-based environment using the concepts taught in courses such as DSM (digital system modeling) and RT-dSp (real-time digital signal processing). This report covers the methods discovered such as DDS (direct digital synthesis) as well as the limitations and possible improvements to the approach. In order the features under review will be waveform generation through a numerically controlled oscillator, envelope gain, MIDI interfacing, FM using phase manipulation, mixing of signals, the unison effect, and filtering.
