[sdiy] modular synth "standards"

[Grant Richter]

This discussion, and the review of the MOTM system in EM has made me
re-evaluate certain of my own assumptions.

One of the underlying assumptions I have always used is that distortion in a
synthesizer is welcomed and expected as a part of the sound of the
instrument. That is to say, a synthesizer is (IMHO) one big distortion unit.
But that is OK, because it is inside the closed loop of the operator
adjusting the tone. What ever distortion is there is used as part of unique
tone that the artist programs.

Distortion simply increases the harmonic content of the signal. So if some
distortion exists, the filters will be closed down slightly to make the
sound "darker" again. The comments in the MOTM article about LEDs loading
op-amps are correct. An LED attached to the output of op-amp will introduce
some tiny distortion (maybe 0.1% or less). But so what? That just becomes
part of the sound of the instrument, and is compensated for by the
programming process.

It is a trade off, but the incredible increase in ease of use gained by
using visual feedback (LEDs) more than makes up for a miniscule brightening
in tone color.