Doepfer

> Hi,
>
> I just found on the doepfer page  http://www.doepfer.de/a1324.htm
>
> Does it make senst to make this VCA exponential, if it does not offer an
> offset?
>
> To make it clear: VCAs without an offset are mostly usable for real
> overall signal control only, like the classic "loudness" envelope to the
> final VCA. It basically has to be clear, that there is a standard
> situation "no signal at all" ( = "note off" at the classic synth
> structure).
> Most other use cases like AM of audio or velocity control of signals
> etc. pp. have the standard situation "some signal has to pass", which
> means an offset voltage must control the VCA and this offset control
> must be adjusted always to the corresponding control signal amount.
>
>
> Now: The mentioned standard situation of VCAs without offset uses
> envelopes as CV. But envelopes do not need exponential VCAs. The CV
> itself has already an exponential characteristic.
>
>
> So to my opinion is:
> if this VCA is intended to be exponential it misses a onboard standard
> offset (without that it is useless for exponential use)
> if this VCA is intended to have no onboard standard offset, then it
> should be linear.
> But as it is planned now, it is "neither fish nor fowl".
>
> Florian

Florian,

I'm sorry but the A-132-4 is already in production and we expect the first
batch of modules about end of April. Since we announced the A-132-4 about
half a year ago (see the corresponsing messages around October 03, 2009 in
the group) nobody recommended to add an offset nor any other modification.
To my mind customers tend to have small an compact modules. Adding an offset
would we possible for a "Mark II" version of the module and increase both
price and width. From my point of view an offset should be combined with an
attenuator for the CV input. This leads to a totally different module with
all controls like the A-132-3. The A-132-4 is just what is says: a compact
and affordable exponential quad VCA. If offset and CV attenuators are
required the A-183-2 could be added or another VCA module should be used.
I do not agree that the double exponential shape (envelope and VCA control
scale) cannot be combined. Though I'm not an practicing musician any more I
used very often the exponential VCA A-131 in combination with the A-140 ADSR
(rather than the linear A-130) to obtain snappier sounds.

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer