#09 The voltage-controlled amplifier

At first glance, the voltage-controlled amplifier – or VCA – seems to hold little interest, residing in its usual spot somewhere near the end of the signal path. We take it for granted – in fact, though a crucial component in any analogue synth, it’s often hidden behind the curtain, dutifully performing only its most obvious task: governing volume. Many instruments don’t even bother to label it on the front panel – as a result even a seasoned synthesist might not even consider its existence, never mind its potential usage.

Modular synthesists, on the other hand, are well aware