MOTM

Can't say much about how hard they are to produce, but I would imagine that it's not easy to get that "perfect" curve shape in the analog domain.  Digitally it's easier, since you can just use a DSP to perform a mathematic function.

Are sine waves useful?  You bet.  Great for re-enforcing bass.  In terms of purity, well, I haven't compared any, so I couldn't tell you.

--PBr

-----Original Message-----
From: foraxx [mailto:omgemag@...]
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 3:46 PM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [motm] Sine Waves


I've heard that it is difficult for a VCO to create a sine waveform
(or really a good quality sine wave).  Is this true and why is it 
so?  Its obvious to me that it would be harder to generate a sine 
wave in comparison to a square wave, but what is specifically 
challenging theoretically and in practice?

Some people complain about the purity of sine waves generated from 
VCOs.. does this matter to you?  Do you find sine waves useful in 
subtractive synthesis or could you do without this waveform?