Abstract: A modular music synthesizer is implemented in a hybrid design incorporating both hardware implementation and software implementation. A plurality of hexagonal-shaped modules are assembled and connected by the user-artist to configure a visual presentation of synthesizer signal generation and signal processing functions. The synthesizer visually replicates hardware functionality by incorporating user controls on many of the modules that are connected to enclosed (embedded) circuit boards. These circuit boards communicate with a system CPU (computer processing unit) that operates softsynth software resident within the CPU to drive audio output. The configuration of the softsynth is determined by the physical arrangement of hardware hexagonal modules that represent the functionality of software modules. The hardware modules provide user interface elements corresponding to parameters of their softsynth counterparts.

Abstract: A modular music synthesizer is implemented in a hybrid design incorporating both hardware implementation and software implementation. A plurality of hexagonal-shaped modules are assembled and connected by the user-artist to configure a visual presentation of synthesizer signal generation and signal processing functions. The synthesizer visually replicates hardware functionality by incorporating user controls on many of the modules that are connected to enclosed (embedded) circuit boards. These circuit boards communicate with a system CPU (computer processing unit) that operates softsynth software resident within the CPU to drive audio output. The configuration of the softsynth is determined by the physical arrangement of hardware hexagonal modules that represent the functionality of software modules. The hardware modules provide user interface elements corresponding to parameters of their softsynth counterparts.