[sdiy] supply voltages and signal levels

Grant Richter grichter at asapnet.net
Mon May 30 08:06:38 CEST 2005


Subtractive synthesis removes signal power to generate the final tone  
(hence subtractive). In order to have good signal to noise ratio  
after subtraction, you need to start with the hottest possible signal  
to begin with. 10 volts peak to peak is +4 dBv, which was the normal  
level for analog professional studios.

1 volt peak to peak (-10 dBv) is a so called "consumer" level.

>> I also see signal levels quite commonly being around 10V P-P.
>> Is this really necessary?  Are we looking at things degrading that  
>> much if we were instead operating at "line level" or similar?


"My pink half of the drainpipe.... separates me from the incredibly  
fascinating story of your life and every day to day event in each and  
every tedious attempt into detail: was it a Thursday or a Wednesday  
or - what the hell does it matter? because you're normal and if  
you're normal I intend to be a freak for the rest of my life and I  
shall baffle you with cabbages and rhinos in the kitchen and  
incessant quotations from Now We Are Six through the mouthpiece of  
Lord Snooty's giant poisoned electric head. So there!" - Vivian  
Stanshall




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