[A6] filter levels

[analoguediehard at att.net]

>  In Colin's comments on bass pragramming in the tips and tricks section I
> think he states that low VCF levels are desirable. I understand why low VCO
> levels are good and I can hear the differences but why low VCF levels? Are
> these only relevent if you are using a lot of resonance or would they affect
> softer sound too.
> 
> I'd be interested to know what have you found to be ideal VCF levels and
> why?

Personally I don't hear any detriment to cranking VCF to max.  If you're
running multiple VCFs in MIX mode (the mode button between the VCF controls),
it might clip the VCA but I haven't heard this.

There *is* a subtle difference when you try Colin's trick of lowering the VCA
level.  Press VIEW on any ENV, then soft button 2 (LEVEL), and drop the attack
level using soft pot 2.  Default is 100.5, lowering it to 80/90 levels does
make a difference.

> Also is the VCF level just the output volume, or does it actually affect the
> amount of filtering going on?

Sort of - lower the VCF and your output volume does drop, but it will worsen
the signal/noise ratio, esp if you're using FX.

> Global random - does anyone use it? What for? In what context is it 
> preferable to voice random?

I use global random when I want a S&H level to affect ALL voices.  Voice
Random gives you independent S&H levels for each voice.  A polyphonic patch
with S&H routed to a resonant filter will immediately demonstrate the difference.

MC