LA32
| Linear Arithmetic 32 | |
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|
| Developer: | Roland |
| Released: | 1987-??-?? |
| Type: | Chip |
| Channels: | 1.) LA Synthesis |
MB87136 aka Linear Arithmetic 32 (LA32) is an audio chip designed around 1987 by Roland and used in several of their synthesizers. The chip uses traditional subtractive synthesis combined with PCM-based samples on the attack portion of the instrument to give a sound superior to what subtractive synthesis can achieve alone.
The term "linear arithmetic" is derived from the facts that the synthesis is all digital (linear) and a summing (arithmetic) of sounds.
The chip features 8 melody channels of LA synthesis and 1 rhythm channel.
Devices
The following synthesizers and sound cards utilized the MB87136 or its variants:
| Release | Device | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1987-??-?? | D-50 | A keyboard synthesizer. |
| 1987-??-?? | D-550 | Rackmount version of the D-50. |
| 1987-??-?? | MT-32 | |
| 1988-??-?? | MT-100 | |
| 1988-??-?? | E-20 | A home marketed arranger keyboard. |
| 1988-??-?? | E-10 | Cut-down version of the E-20. |
| 1988-??-?? | D-10 | A keyboard synthesizer. Partially compatible with MT-32. |
| 1988-??-?? | D-20 | D-10 with a build-in sequencer and floppy drive. |
| 1989-??-?? | D-5 | Reduced version of the D-10 with mini-sized keys. |
| 1989-??-?? | E-5 | Cut-down version of the E-20. |
| 1989-??-?? | Pro-E | 37-keys version of the E-20 without speakers. |
| 1989-??-?? | RA-50 | Modular version of the E-20. Compatible with MT-32, but requires hardware modification. |
| 1989-??-?? | LAPC-I | |
| 1989-??-?? | LAPC-N | |
| 1989-??-?? | CM-32L | |
| 1989-??-?? | CM-64 | CM-32L + CM-32P |
| 1990-??-?? | D-110 | Rackmount version of the D-10 with a build-in sequencer. |
| 1990-??-?? | E-30 | Enhanced version of the E-20. |
| 19??-??-?? | CM-32LN | Version of the CM-32L for the NEC PC-9801N notebook series. |
| 1991-??-?? | CM-500 | CM-32LN + CM-300 |
Variants
This chip has several different variations, electrically compatible with each other, but differing in pinout.
- Original MB87136 - 88-pin PGA version. Was used in old revisions of the D-50, D-550 and MT-32.
- MB87136 (LA32) - 100-pin QFP version. To distinguish from the 88-pin version, it's bears LA32 on its top surface. Was used in new revisions of the D-50, D-550 and MT-32.
Picture Gallery
An LA32 soldered onto the board of a CM-32L.
Emulation Status
By its very nature, the Munt MT-32 emulator, emulates the LA32 chip.
Links
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_Arithmetic_synthesis - Wikipedia.
