4046

[Zippy]

On Thu, 21 Nov 1996 08:16:55 -0800 (PST), you wrote:

>   From: gstopp at fibermux.com
>   Date: Tue, 19 Nov 96 10:03:13 PST
>
>   This is a cool idea and one which pops up in my brain once in a while. 
>   One thing I've been thinking of recently (a total coincidence to this 
>   thread!) is using a 4046 as a VCO. 
>
>The 4046 is so incredibly cool and bizarre, that trying to make it
>operate like a traditional VCO doesn't seem reasonable.  I mean, it's
>not exponential and it's only got a square wave output -- that's a
>lousy VCO.
Well, I agree that it's a cool and bizarre part, but I wouldn't agree
that it is necessarily a 'lousy' VCO.  Perhaps it doesn't suit your
particular needs, but just because it isn't exponential, doesn't make
it a 'lousy' VCO either.  A lousy VCO (IMHO) is one that won't stay in
tune or that doesn't track the CV through a usable range (among other
things).  Limited in some senses, yes.  Lousy? not.

Just for fun, I am going to try it.

>Instead it ought to be used as the basis for something complete off-
>the-wall.  Jeeze folks, get off your duffs and get creative!
Don, many of us cannot devote a large amount of time to synth
building.  I am one of those people.  I have already built VCOs and
several wave shapers, so the addition of an additional VCO square wave
output isn't really that bad.  In fact, my guess is that it would
thicken my sound, certainly not detract from it.  I pretty much resent
being told to 'get off my duff' and to 'get creative'.  Who's to say
that using this part in this manner *isn't* creative?

Perhaps you can share with us what you have done with it...  That
would be considered constructive by all here on DIY.

>
>The data sheet claims 1% linearity, typically, over the whole range.

That's what I *really* wanted to know.  Thanks.