Convention Paper
Using General-Purpose Workstations for Digital Signal Processing
AES Convention 89 · Paper 2957 · September 1990
Abstract
Suitable enhancements extend the productivity advantages of UNIX workstations to digital signal processing development. A custom board interfaces the computer to standard audio devices - such as converters, CD players, and DAT units - using the AES/EBU standard. An array processor provides buffering during input and output, and also serves as the computational engine. Its floating-point processor and true C compiler expedite development by relieving the programmer of dynamic range constraints and tedious assembly language programming during the fluid experimental phase. A large capacity hard disk drive stores sound for non-realtime signal processing. Special system software binds the hardware together. A powerful graphical program provides basic services for viewing and manipulating the sound, serving as a platform for algorithm development.
