[sdiy] using a dac as a digitally controlled amplifier

[brianw]

Thanks, Neil. That's very interesting.

I often use a software SVF with feedback gain of 1.0 to implement a sine wave generator, but had not thought of using an analog SVF for the same reason. How difficult is it to get the analog gain at exactly 1.0, so as to avoid distortion or decay? I expect that the two MDAC settings much be matched for good performance, or at least have enough resolution that they can easily be tweaked to match each other.

Brian


On Aug 5, 2024, at 2:30 PM, Neil Johnson wrote:
> Hi Benjamin,
> 
> The Audio Precision System One does exactly this in its SVF-based sine
> wave generator.  There are two MDAC hybrids that set the frequency of
> the oscillator.  It allows easy control of the frequency from the
> controller PC.
> 
> Cheers,
> Neil
> 
> On Sun, 4 Aug 2024 at 18:17, Benjamin Tremblay wrote:
>> 
>> Is there any practical application for synthesizers to pass an analog signal in as a reference voltage to a DAC?
>> 12 bit DACs are pretty cheap these days, but VCAs aren’t expensive either.
>> Aside from cost, why would I want to use a DAC as a “DCA”?
>> 
>> I can imagine making a state variable filter using a dual DAC as the ‘gain' stages.
>> It’s the kind of thing I would try just to see how well it worked…
>> 
>> I suppose you inject one or more DACs into an oscillator to directly control pitch and waveform, some kind of DCO where stability and simplicity are cost-effective.