[sdiy] Tunneldiodes...

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Glen <mclilith at charter.net>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Tunneldiodes...
Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2003 01:07:05 -0400

Glen,

> At 12:41 AM 9/3/03 , metasonix wrote:
> 
> >You're not going to use them at audio frequencies, 
> >are you...almost as insane as using vacuum tubes....
> >tubes would be much cheaper too...
> 
> So many of the classic synths have parts that are now very rare and
> expensive. In fact, that's a part of their charm and legend for some
> people. Maybe using tunnel diodes, would be a way to instantly achieve that
> "rare and elusive" characteristic of a classic synth, without having to
> wait around twenty years like Moog did,   :)
> 
> I figure you probably know more about tunnel diodes than I do, but it seems
> like they might be useful as the heart of a new VCO design? 
> 
> Yes, I know. They're expensive. Why use them when we already have good VCO
> designs using cheaper and perhaps better components? Quite simply, to
> expand our palette of sounds and circuit design options--and also because
> it's fun to go where angels fear to tread sometimes.  :)

I think you've understood one aspect of my interest in these devices quite
well. It is not necessarilly the cheapest way, not necessarilly the easiest
device, not necessarilly the best device, but certainly a different solution.

It is by toying around in one corner that you bend your mind to learn stuff in
a broader sense so you can do stuff with higher precission and better
understanding in another corner (and not necessarilly in the same field).

I do respect the sceptic comments from Eric and others.

Cheers,
Magnus