[sdiy] The best types of capacitors to use when designing a VCF

[Rutger Vlek]

 I've used polystyrene through hole parts for some time (which can be
physically vulnerable as mentioned) and later switched to SMD c0g-type
MLCCs.

I've always wondered in such blind tests to what extent I'm truly listening
to component quality. In many cases component tolerances (parameter spread)
could yield audible differences, e.g. making the cutoff frequencies in 4
subsequent stages of a VCF much less aligned, softening the filter response.

Rutger



Op zo 25 sep. 2022 08:11 schreef ColinMuirDorward via Synth-diy <
synth-diy at synth-diy.org>:

> I did a kind of blind test between c0g vs wima polypropylene, in a 2164
> based 2pole SVF, and the wimas won. In other circuits, like the ms20 VCF
> for eg, I think it mattered less if at all.
>
> In hifi mastering type units it’s definitely a thing to use wima for
> filtering. I think they look good on the board and are easy to spot (for
> the glam shots) and are known to sound good, so probably a good choice.
>
> I’m presently using an APB spectra console which has a rep for very good
> channel EQs (I agree). The board is all SMD so would probably be c0g there.
>
> C0g is such a good option when you can have the robot place it, if that’s
> your jam.
>
> Just my subjective 2 cents!
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 24, 2022 at 4:53 PM David G Dixon via Synth-diy <
> synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>
>> I use silvered mica for VCOs and VCFs, typically 390pF or 500pF.  They
>> work very well.  They are typically big brown things that are kinda lumpy.
>>
>> You have to be careful with some types of caps, such as polystyrene,
>> because they are easily damaged or destroyed when soldering.  Not sure
>> about polypropylene.  Silvered mica and metallized polyester are pretty
>> forgiving.
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Synth-diy [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at synth-diy.org] *On Behalf Of
>> *Mike Bryant
>> *Sent:* Saturday, September 24, 2022 3:37 PM
>> *To:* prowlerraven32 at hotmail.com
>> *Cc:* synth-diy at synth-diy.org
>> *Subject:* Re: [sdiy] The best types of capacitors to use when designing
>> a VCF
>>
>> [*CAUTION:* Non-UBC Email]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> If you can afford them then polypropylene are the very best you can get
>> for pro-audio.   But a good metallised polyester isn’t far behind.
>>
>>
>>
>> That said, for many products automotive quality SMD ceramics (the ones
>> with the anti-vibration mountings that kill microphony) are more than good
>> enough.
>>
>>
>>
>> There’s a whole chapter on choosing components like this in Douglas
>> Self’s book which it is well worth buying a copy of.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* Synth-diy [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at synth-diy.org] *On Behalf Of
>> *Logan Mitchell Sr via Synth-diy
>> *Sent:* 24 September 2022 23:12
>> *To:* Synth-diy at synth-diy.org
>> *Subject:* [sdiy] The best types of capacitors to use when designing a
>> VCF
>>
>>
>>
>> Hello.
>>
>>
>>
>> Can anyone tell me what are the best types of capacitors to use when
>> designing a VCF ?
>>
>>
>>
>> Logan
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