[sdiy] Unique sounding modules that can't have voltage control?

[Didrik Madheden]

I suspect that in every relevant "weird" case you can cheat(!) the
system with some brute force by building a vactrol like circuit.
Connect one or two LEDs to one or two light dependent resistors, as
necessary based on the pot connection. This might take some nontrivial
processing of the signal on the LED side to linearize the response and
potentially balance the high and low leg of the potentiometer so it
always matches the full resistance across the potentiometer. Maybe
there are some circumstances where such a circuit wouldn't work but I
can't really think of any off the top of my head.

Maybe some (guitar) amplifier circuit where the potentiometer is a
rheostat and needs to handle a large amount of power being dumped into
it? (Stretching the definition of the question, I know.)
Maybe some of Metasonix' tube modules are doing something wild that
can't really be voltage controlled? Maybe ask Eric Barbour directly
for suggestions.
Again hypothetical and stretching the definition of the question, but
maybe some circuit involving an adjustable capacitor? Although you
would find those mainly in radio tuners and I doubt you'd find one in
an audio frequency circuit.

/Didrik

On Thu, 8 Feb 2024 at 18:21, cheater cheater <cheater00social at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hmm so let's try to narrow down the question
>
> What are circuits where:
>
> 1. the circuit is available as a modular synthesizer module, or a
> similar subcircuit in a non-modular synth
>
> 2. the module has a resistive potentiometer or slider on its front panel
>
> 3. the module does not have a cv input for the same control
>
> 4. adding a cv input is either impossible or would change the sound of
> the circuit in an important way
>
> On Thu, Feb 8, 2024 at 5:55 PM Didrik Madheden <nitro2k01 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Interesting question, and the answer really depends on the definition
> > of the question. Low hanging fruit would be a theremin. Not a module
> > as you requested, but just to make a point. The body of the performer
> > is an integral part of the circuit, so it would qualify at least in
> > that regard. But, what if you built a voltage controlled robotic arm
> > that controlled a replica of a human arm, and you now have a bonafide
> > voltage controlled theremin. :)
> >
> > You might be interested in the diverse work of the artist Gijs
> > Gieskes. His works are not always eurorack modules, and they generally
> > do feature control voltage inputs. However, I feel like much of his
> > work would fit the spirit of your question. Some of his modules use
> > mechanical and electromechanical devices like relays, motors, optical
> > detectors modulated by a physical cam and so on to generate sound. The
> > sound would often depend on the exact physical layout of the product,
> > so you could argue that the sound is uniquely characterized by that. A
> > Gieskes module might in that case have a VC input for the speed of the
> > motor rotating the cam to take an example. Technically a voltage
> > control, however what's controlled is a mechanical device and not a
> > purely electronic device.
> >
> > https://gieskes.nl/
> >
> > /Didrik
> >
> > On Wed, 7 Feb 2024 at 19:23, cheater cheater via Synth-diy
> > <synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > > I'm looking for synth modules or circuits which have parameters that
> > > cannot be voltage controlled - and which have a unique sound that
> > > similar circuits compatible with voltage control cannot recreate.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
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