In the realm of electronic music, analog synthesizers hold a special allure. Unlike their digital counterparts, analog synthesizers possess a rich, organic sound characterized by subtle variations that stem from the inherent unpredictability of analog circuitry. Understanding these idiosyncrasies is crucial not only for working with them, but also for recognizing when something falls within your synthesizer's expected behavior or deviates from it. This article addresses some of the key features of analog synthesizers that differ from their digital counterparts, and gives an overview of what to expect when you become the new owner of an analog synthesizer.
Unlike digital synthesizers which rely on precise algorithms to replicate sounds, an analog synth’s oscillators, filters, and envelopes are controlled with electrical voltage. Because voltage and current produces heat, the operation of the discrete analog circuitry in the synthesizer results in a wide variety of temperatures across the circuit boards inside the instrument. Electronic components are inherently sensitive to changes in temperature, and so this means that analog oscillators and filters are very susceptible to pitch variation. For example, if you were to open the synth and blow on the voice cards, you would hear them detune fairly wildly.
This organic variability, or “drifting,” results from the minute discrepancies in component tolerances and environmental factors that influence the behavior of analog circuits over time. As a consequence, no two voices in an analog synthesizer are ever quite identical. Calibration technology makes it so that we can tighten up this variation, and achieve a very effective stability within the organic and evolving analog variation. However, be advised that +/- 5-10 cents variation per voice is expected given the density of analog components in the signal path. This variation can also affect the frequency that each filter operates at. A slight variation in filter response from voice to voice can sound like voices are slightly brighter or louder than others. For more details on calibration, and how to approach calibration on your instrument, visit our article on calibration.
It is also good to note that small differences of a few dB between the Left and Right outputs are also within tolerance for the analog VCAs in the signal path. This can come as a surprise if you are accustomed to instruments that make all gain adjustments in the digital realm, but with our instruments there may be small differences in gain at various points in the signal path. Overall the Left/Right balance is closely matched, but just like the slight variation voice to voice, some variation between the Left and Right Outputs is to be expected.
Lastly, another notable difference, and something that many customers write in to us about, is the noise floor of analog synthesizers. Digital synthesizers, with their pristine signal paths, typically exhibit a low noise floor, offering clean and artifact-free sound reproduction. In contrast, analog synthesizers embrace noise as an integral part of their sonic palette. Due to the nature of analog circuitry and the presence of electronic components, analog synthesizers often feature a higher noise floor. While it differs instrument to instrument, our synthesizers typically have about a 80dB signal to noise ratio.
While this variability and these characteristics may require some getting used to, these are the factors that bestow upon analog synthesizers a dynamic quality that breathes life into music, allowing for spontaneous expression and exploration. We hope this helps in understanding what is to be expected from your analog synthesizer! If you have any additional questions, or suspect that something may be outside of the expected operation of your instrument, do not hesitate to reach out to Support.