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

[Jacob Watters]

"Again hypothetical and stretching the definition of the question, but
maybe some circuit involving an adjustable capacitor?"

You could use a switched capacitor circuit with CV controlled PWM.

*Jacob Watters*
JacobWatters.com <http://jacobwatters.com/>


On Thu, Feb 8, 2024 at 1:15 PM Didrik Madheden via Synth-diy <
synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:

> 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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