Voltage controlled amplifier

Feel free to add to this list. See also: Modules by Function

VCA is an abbreviation of Voltage Controlled Amplifier. Many VCAs do not actually provide any amplification, but actually 'turn down' a signal until control voltage is applied, i.e. maximum CV into a VCA control input will set the amplifier to fully open - no attenuation. Effectively most VCAs are actually Voltage Controlled Attenuators.

Since the traditional use of a VCA is to turn down a signal until control voltage is applied, max CV into a VCA will set the amplifier to unity gain or 0dBv (no gain). 0v CV into the VCA will cause it to fully attenuate i.e -80dBv. Attenuators do the same thing with no voltage control - they rely on a manual knob turn.