This information is for anybody interested in the Genesys. I e-mailed General Music about the Genesys being able to incorporate the new Drake Chip which would hopefully increase the Genesys's polyphony and here was there response. (PS: This is especially for Ziggy):

The problem with rumors is that they are usually unsubstantiated. The Drake itself is not just a polyphony engine. The 320 note polyphony you refer to, obviously from the ProMega3 information, is somewhat misleading as there are 5 DRAKE in the PM3, doing all sorts of things from realtime physical modelling to FX processing.

The Genesys at some point will incorporate the DRAKE technology, however it will be an add-on to the current technology, not a drop in replacement for the current engine, and will most likely be used to provide additional sounds with their own polyphony (PM3 type sounds, reduced polyphony).

Future developments on the Genesys platform may be driven by the DRAKE DSP entirely, but that is beyond the scope of my crystal ball at the time. For now Genesys is what it is with the ability to potentially add a DRAKE board for enhancements down the line.

All the Best,

Phil Huston

North American Product Manager
Generalmusic Professional

I think what he's saying is if the Drake is installed "add on board" it will give it Pro Mega 3 type sounds that use their own polyphony which will be separate from the Genesys's 64 note polyphony, possibly adding another 32 or perhaps 64 more polyphony with the Drake but definitely not a total of 320 as Phil alluded to. Only time will tell how much of a polyphony boost the Drake will give, hopefully it will be substantial.

Regards,

Mike

From what I have read on the GEM website it looks like the Drake chip is used to create algorhytms that emulate the sound of famous keyboards of the past (Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clavinet, etc), so probably each expansion chip will have its unique sounds, like Yamaha is already doing with the 9000 Pro.

[This message has been edited by Dreamer (edited 10-21-2002).]

I read what Phil Huston said a little differently. I think that the Drake is a digital-signal processor optimized for manipulating audio data. It does not incorporate any algorithms or sounds or effects itself. All it does is run software, presumably software stored in the Genesys Flash ROM or included on a PC board with the Drake. This software would include the algorithms, sounds, and effects run on the Drake.

An obvious use would be the inclusion of ProMega 3 sounds, since the software for that has already been developed. However, it could be used to implement any synthesis technology.

I do not think there is such a thing as an obsolence-proof electronic keyboard. But I do think that the inclusion of a DSP slot is a good way to extend the useful lifetime of the keyboard itself. There is the prospect of being able to replace an add-in board with better add-in boards as they are developed. In contrast, to upgrade the Tyros, it would be necessary to buy another keyboard.

Still, the proof is in the pudding. The Yamaha 9000Pro has slots for DSP expansion, but the available options for those slots are not all that exciting to me. Hopefully, there are more exciting options in the Genesys crystal ball.

drake is a cupcake

I thought it was a duck

Genesys 2 will have the drake.

Yes, and we all will have more than a FOOT in the grave when it comes out...