Oh, and It looks like those who want a stomp VCA have another thing to look at:
http://www.koma-elektronik.com/bd101/
So, now all can be happy, hopefully
Ring Mod as VCA?
Re: Ring Mod as VCA?
Amplitude modulation (VCA) and ring modulation are very different. The former is two quadrant multiplication while the latter is four quadrant multiplication. The inputs of the former are DC coupled while the latter are AC coupled. AC coupling defeats the application of an envelope because the sustain element appears as a DC signal and is thus nulled out. By that definition, neither will substitute for the other.
The ring modulator can function as a VCA but a real VCA will have far greater attenuation. Translated: if you use a ring mod as a VCA and you attempt to turn it off, you'll still hear audio bleedthrough. I had a PAiA synth that used a ring mod for a VCA, and it never completely shut off the audio. Don Buchla tried to design a ring mod in the 60s that could double as a VCA - he gave that up too.
The ring modulator can function as a VCA but a real VCA will have far greater attenuation. Translated: if you use a ring mod as a VCA and you attempt to turn it off, you'll still hear audio bleedthrough. I had a PAiA synth that used a ring mod for a VCA, and it never completely shut off the audio. Don Buchla tried to design a ring mod in the 60s that could double as a VCA - he gave that up too.
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