[sdiy] when to use LIN POTS and when to use LOG?

[cs e]

go look at plots of resistance vs rotation of shaft for linear and log
(audio) pots.

a linear pot changes 'linearly' as the shaft is rotated. (straight line)

a log pot changes 'logarithmically' as the shaft is rotated. (bending line)

they both start at the same value and end at the same value, but the
slopes are different.

the reason volume pots are log (or audio) is because of the way humans
perceive sound.  We are sensitive to volume changes, so a little
increase goes a long way (when starting at 'no sound').

so, like the guy before me said, it depends on the application.

you should experiment...if you're using a linear pot and the parameter
you're adjusting "changes too fast", then you should probably use a
log pot.

On 12/10/09, dan snazelle <subjectivity at hotmail.com> wrote:
> i know that LOG are for volume.
>
> But beyond that, if i am controlling GAIN (or volume) in the feedback path
> of an opamp, is that a log?
>
> and what about a voltage divider that is feeding less or more CV into an
> expo? Would that be LOG? (since it is an AMOUNT?)
>
> what about a voltage divider feeding more or less signal into a section of a
> circuit?
>
> and what about TIME? like in a LAG?
>
> would i use a LOG pot for an attack?
>
> I was under the impression for example that often times, instead of using a
> smaller value LINEAR POT, the answer might be to use a LOG POT.
>
> i was messing around with a lag where i Had a 100k pot. it seemed like it
> only LAGGED at the first 10 percent of the pot. but my friend said, thats
> because you need a LOG.
>
>
> i think this has remained a mystery to me because whenever i have bought
> pots, i just buy lots of cheap ones. and LIN are make more commonly on sale
> and more widely used.
>
> thanks!!!!
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