MOTM

I've always heard that you should never plug a VCA output into either of its 
inputs -- this seems like very good advice and I (even me!) have always 
followed it due to the obvious end in a positive feedback loop. A VCA 
actually probably has some upper limit to prevent it from destroying itself 
(anybody want to clarify that for me). But why chance it when you can spend 
your time plugging everything else into itself.

Speaking of positive feedback, I was thinking of its destructive nature and 
realized that it probably was similarly destructive to guitars. For example, 
I have long used the technique of holding the guitar about a foot away form 
the speaker (with the volume and treble up to 10 naturally) which results in 
a squealing pitch (often referred to as Tele feedback when it happens in less 
deliberate circumstances). The pitch can be changed by changing the distance 
and orientation of the guitar as well as the tone controls and PU selector. 
However, it occurred to me that what is actually going on, with the PU going 
microphonic like this, is the PU vibrating itself to death. I try to do this 
less often with my older guitars nowadays.

JB

In a message dated 11/1/2000 4:34:54 PM, nate@... writes:

>ok, ever since i got the rr patch sheet, i've been plugging everything
>i
>can find into itself in very strange feedback loops. i'm getting some
>really strange and uncontrollable results. my biggest fear is that i am
>going to blow something up. will someone please assure me that this
>isn't going to harm my system. what comes out sounds so cool (sometimes)
>but i feel like i am abusing my modular. any thoughts? -nate
>