hello zoran,

well, i don't think that the vca is low quality,
it just has a different response curve. the vca-part
of the a109 has a clear sound with low distortion
and low noise, so it can't be named low quality.
low quality usually means that the vca is noisy.
the response curve of the a109 vca is partly linear
and partly exponential, depending on the amount
of voltage applied to the vca circuit via the cv inputs
and/or the gain pot. this is a somewhat different behaviour
than on the other vca's and probably what you don't like,
especially when you use an envelope or lfo to open the vca,
instead of using a fixed voltage.

also it seems to be a question of personal taste.
some like the cem-based vca's, others prefer the ca3080-based
or even the vactrol-based vca's, which have a completely
different response curve. my opinion is that each type
of vca has it's advantages, you just have to find the
right application for it.

best wishes

ingo




--- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com , "Zoran Bosnjak" <dj_allin@h...>
wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I read so many posts about A-109 that were saying "this module is

good for

> starters, you get decent filter, VCA, and panner." Well, this is

what I

> found out: this filter sounds better when used without VCA that is

the part

> of the same module. Without VCA on A-109, the filter becomes very

smooth -

> it is a small difference, but possible to hear. And because of that
> smoothness, suddenly this filter has a strength/beauty in a mix

that was not

> present before.
>
> I was just patching some bass sounds (VCO, A-109 filer, and

envelope), and

> comparing them with ARP Axxe that I own as well. What I like about

A-109

> filter is a sweet tone, mellow Curtis with very tiny hint of Moog.

Still

> sounding harder than super smooth and round ARP Axxe (mine has 4075

filter,

> one that got replicated in Modcan line of modules).
>
> So, two conclusions: A-109 filter is more than "just decent", it's

actually

> very good. And by getting the module, you are getting low quality

VCA, that

> can impact your sound (well, you can always find CV duty for VCA on

your

> system). I would love to hear if somebody has experience similar

(or

> completely different, of course) to mine.
>
> Regards,
>
> Zoran