In many audio product designs, the level of an analog signal must be varied by a digital controller. This paper discusses several approaches to the design of circuits which accomplish this task. Stepped attentuators, such as multiplying digital-to-analog converters (MDACs) and switched resistor networks, as well as digitally controlled voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs) are discussed. The paper presents several criteria with which to evaluate different circuit implementations, and points out some of the merits and liabilities of each approach.

Author: Malone, Carl
Affiliation: Mackie Designs Inc., Woodinville, WA
AES Conference: 13th International Conference: Computer-Controlled Sound Systems (December 1994)
Paper Number: 13-029
Publication Date: December 1, 1994
Subject: Computer-Controlled Sound Systems

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