I’ve been considering the hardware-based effects idea again; and, while I cannot locate any SHARC Analog Devices development kits, there is an older (and trustworthy) platform called the BF706 (Blackfin). So, my plan, at the moment, is to try getting the schematic for that design and adding it to the iMX8 reference design. Much more to come.

https://www.analog.com/en/products/adsp-bf706.html#product-overview