[sdiy] ARP Quadra - Gilbert Cells VCAs?!?

[rsdio at audiobanshee.com]

Ah! So the Gilbert Cell Multiplier does have some distortion. I assume that hot signals would push that distortion. I suppose, then, that it’s a matter of the character of the distortion of the Gilbert Cell Multipliers versus other VCA topologies.

Brian

On May 6, 2018, at 5:44 PM, Michael E Caloroso wrote:
> 
> F) Unusual application of an instrument grade circuit in a musical
> instrument whose tone can benefit from some circuit distortion.
> 
> MC
> 
> On 5/6/18, I wrote:
>> What are you saying?
>> 
>> A) Standard VCA chips have level-dependent distortion
>> 
>> B) Gilbert Cell Multipliers have less distortion
>> 
>> C) Gilbert Cell Multiplier distortion is not level-dependent
>> 
>> D) All of the above
>> 
>> E) Some of the above
>> 
>> 
>> On May 6, 2018, at 11:58 AM, Michael E Caloroso wrote:
>>> Last night I was browsing the service manual and was amused to find
>>> that ARP implemented discrete Gilbert Cell Multipliers for the VCAs in
>>> the Quadra.  Usually they're found in bench measurement tools, this is
>>> the first time I have seen them used in a synth.
>>> 
>>> I can certainly appreciate the decision: with a machine comprising a
>>> string machine, lead synth, bass synth, and poly synth there is a LOT
>>> of potential hot signal passing through those VCAs.
>> 
>> 
>