Why would I look into uC and DSP?

[alparent]

OK this as the potential of being the dumbest question ever asked.

I know nothing about uC and DSP. I've build many of analog effects, but I've been tempted by this uC and DSP world that I know nothing about. This world sounds fun and interesting. So I step over and start reading this section of this wonderful forum. But I'm lost! Is there any concrete examples of things I could do with this stuff?

I need someone to take me by the hand and say.......look this is something you could build!
Are they like schematics, projects (like they have in the analog world? aka Tonepad, GGG, etc.)

I'm blind and I want to see!

Please be gentile........

[JKowalski]

uC's : Channel switchers, tap tempo chips (big one on this board), replacing any logic chip messes, controlling displays (LCDs, 7-segment, etc.)

dSP : Everything that you can't really do with analog easily - pitch shifters, delay, flangers, any possible effect really... all on one chip.

[cloudscapes]

They're not really like schematics. You could theoretically make an effect with a single DSP chip, pots wired straight in it and power (though you need more than that for proper impedance, etc).

It's all done in programming, and the DSP chip runs it like software.

uC's are as powerful as dedacated DSPs. Better to use them to control analog circuits, add presets, etc. Though It's possible to do simple delays, loopers, bitcrushers and distortions with these. DSPs is where the real power is.

[ExpAnonColin]

This will probably help you:

http://experimentalistsanonymous.com/board/index.php?topic=2115.0

-Colin