[sdiy] RE: Resistor types

[harrybissell]

M.A. Koot wrote:

Hi everybody,

This might be a bit nit-picking, but I'm quite curious what resistor
type I should select when building VCO's or actually any kind of
synth-modules.

ooh sounds more like trolling :^P

I've heard several stories metal film should be better in tolerance and
less noisy, but others claim carbon resistors are better and
warmer, and honestly it's quite confusing. Does it actually matter what
type you can select best for this purpose?

OK. Metal film are better in tolerance, temperature stability, and noise
in *most* values... except
in the very highest ranges. They are hard to find over 2 megohms or so.

Carbon Comp have known temperature drift (which some use to tweak tempco
values for an exact
value - hi Ian :^)  They are more noisy.  They excel in pulse power
dissipation... if that is important
and have lower self-inductance in most values.

In most audio work, the inductance of the metal film is not an issue.
Power dissipation is usually
not an issue (maybe in a tube guitar amp...).

Some might say that the noise gives a 'warm' sound.  I'd say
horsesh!t... but to each their own.
If I want noise I'll use a BBD thank you :^P

For most VCO work I'd choose metal film everytime, except to correct
tempcos.

H^) harry