MOTM

On Fri, 19 May 2000, Nathan Hunsicker wrote:

> 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

  For my part, I've always considered any synthesizer or module "analog"
if the audio signal is generated, modified and/or attenuated by analog
circuits.  If digital circuits exist as part of a trigger/envelope, S/H
or frequency multipliers/dividers, I still consider them part of the
analog topology--we *need* certain digital circuits in our analog gear to
obtain those undeniably "analog" sounds!

  A digital synthesizer is to me one that calculates the time-varying
waveform based on whatever parameters and renders the waveform on a DAC to
an audio output circuit.  That everything happens as binary numbers up to
the point of the DAC--that is a digital system.

Crow

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