> In the world of synthesizers, what makes a synth or module
> "analog"? I used
> to think it was how the signal was generated, ie: discrete
> circuits vs IC's
> but I've never known where to draw the line. Obviously my Multimoog is
> analog and My Roland D-50 is digital, but what about my juno-106 (with
> "digitally controlled oscilators") or my Moog Source with it's Z-80
> processor to control program changes? Is it the method of control (CV vs.
> data)? The presence of memory? Not that this is very important (somewhat
> like the argument of what is and isn't jazz) but since the list is slow, I
> figured I'd ask. -Nate
>
OK, this is a subject sure to generate arguments. There is a convention when
talking about analog synthesizers that allows some muddying of the waters;
certain things in a synth are allowed to be digital, and the synth is still
called "analog". Generally, it is called analog if the signal is generated
in the analog domain, or if it comes in and goes out of a module in the
analog domain without being digitized.
Some truisms:
1. Microprocessor control of analog circuitry does not make it digital.
2. A digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) is still analog if the basic
"charge pump" sawtooth generator is still there.
3. An oscillator that derives its basic frequency from a counter and has
waveforms derived from it, will never be analog.
4. An analog oscillator can be constructed of transistors, ICs, or totally
integrated onto a single chip. SSM, Curtis VCOs are 100% analog even though
they are on a chip. The new Alesis Andromeda has a custom chip with 100%
analog VCOs, filters, and VCAs.
5. Some modules in an otherwise analog modular synth are digital. A
sequencer is by nature partly digital. The MOTM-120 uses digital counters to
do digital ring modulation.
6. Analog polysynths are still allowed to be called analog even if they are
digitally controlled for preset purposes, even if a computer and analog to
digital converter sits between every panel knob and the actual circuits,
even if certain control signals such as LFOs and EGs are directly digitally
generated.
So if you are talking preset polysynths, the convention is to call them
analog if at least the VCOs, VCFs, and VCAs are analog, even if digitally
controlled. Then you get into a gray area where you have DCOs, digital VCOs
with analog filters, entirely digital Virtual Analogs (DON'T call these
analog!), etc.
With a modular, you have to talk about it on a module by module basis.
Generally, all the basic synth functions are 100% analog, and you have some
special purpose modules that have some digital in them. But only when it
makes sense in its own right, not as a compromise solution!
Dave Bradley
Principal Software Engineer
Engineering Animation, Inc.
daveb@... > -----Original Message-----
> From: Nathan Hunsicker [mailto:nate@...]
> Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 9:13 AM
> To: motm@egroups.com
> Subject: [motm] Silly question since the list is slow
>
>
>
>
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