Hello,
I’ve been reading some of the threads here and encountered a term I’ve never seen in all my years of analog synthesis.
In the debates over old Moogs/new Moogs/other synths/new synths, etc. there has been some talk about “discrete” components" versus components that are “not discrete.” Can someone describe, in layman’s terms, what this is all about?
Thanks!
–John
The short answer is that “discrete” components refers to a circuit design that utilizes all transistors for its functions. Some synths combine discrete circuits as well as circuits that utilize IC’s (integrated circuits) which take the place of numerous transistors on a board. Units that have IC’s typically are more reliable because there are less components to fail. Does it really affect the sound? You’ll have to ask your ears. Everyone has a different opinion on that.
Mike T.
I think everyone has an opinion about whether discrete circuits make the sound “better,” but no one would (or should) deny that discrete sounds different than non-discrete.
I guess I have to agree in principle that descrete synths sound different than synths that make use of IC’s. Example: I had an Oberheim OBX, which was all discrete on their voice cards (as far as I know anyway) and then I bought an OBXa, which used IC’s. The OBXa did sound different than the OBX, slightly, but it did sound a bit differentl. I noticed that the sound was a little cleaner in the lower resisters on the OBXa than on the OBX and for me that was a welcome improvement. I didn’t know if the difference in the sound was only because of IC’s or other factors at the time.
Mike T.