Audio or Linear taper pots?
- Thread starter Xeromus
- Start date
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
I used to be a linear-taper kinda guy. But as I'm getting more proficient on my guitars, I'm coming around to the audio-taper thinking. I do prefer how they work.
A linear taper means the resistance is proportional to rotation.
50% rotation = 50% resistance.
An audio taper has the resistance on a logarithmic scale.
50% rotation = approximately 10% resistance.
(Or 90%, depending on which end you're measuring from.)
I used to be a linear-taper kinda guy. But as I'm getting more proficient on my guitars, I'm coming around to the audio-taper thinking. I do prefer how they work.
A linear taper means the resistance is proportional to rotation.
50% rotation = 50% resistance.
An audio taper has the resistance on a logarithmic scale.
50% rotation = approximately 10% resistance.
(Or 90%, depending on which end you're measuring from.)
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
Other way around. On a guitar, you tend to start with the volume up, and slowly turn it down. So the transition is gradual, to start with. On home audio equipment, its the opposite. The transition is steep at the beginning. (Because you start at zero, and go up.) That way, in the showroom, it looks like the amp has more power.
But also keep in mind, you can special order the taper in either direction. For guitars, the "standard" taper is more desirable.
Other way around. On a guitar, you tend to start with the volume up, and slowly turn it down. So the transition is gradual, to start with. On home audio equipment, its the opposite. The transition is steep at the beginning. (Because you start at zero, and go up.) That way, in the showroom, it looks like the amp has more power.
But also keep in mind, you can special order the taper in either direction. For guitars, the "standard" taper is more desirable.
Cory_Dylan
New member
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
Nailed it. To me, linear taper makes more sense, but it depends on the situation. For my guitars it doesn't matter becuase I usually play with the knobs all the way up, and even if I don't I just knock the volume off a little bit. I would rather have an audio taper pot for my amps master volume, becuase when you want to play at low volumes it's not as sensitive and doesn't get too loud too fast.
Xeromus said:
Nailed it. To me, linear taper makes more sense, but it depends on the situation. For my guitars it doesn't matter becuase I usually play with the knobs all the way up, and even if I don't I just knock the volume off a little bit. I would rather have an audio taper pot for my amps master volume, becuase when you want to play at low volumes it's not as sensitive and doesn't get too loud too fast.
Cory_Dylan
New member
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
Artie you sob, LOL. Now I got it all confused. I guess I've had it backwards all along...
OK. An audio taper pot is at 0. As you turn it up, will it start out increasing slow, then increase quickly? Or is it the opposite?
Artie you sob, LOL. Now I got it all confused. I guess I've had it backwards all along...
OK. An audio taper pot is at 0. As you turn it up, will it start out increasing slow, then increase quickly? Or is it the opposite?
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
You are correct . . . I am wrong. :smack:
I just grabbed a couple of my CTS pots and measured them. Just when I thought I had this all figured out. Now I'll have to double-check and see if I actually put audio's or linears in my guitar. :yell:
Cory_Dylan said:
You are correct . . . I am wrong. :smack:
I just grabbed a couple of my CTS pots and measured them. Just when I thought I had this all figured out. Now I'll have to double-check and see if I actually put audio's or linears in my guitar. :yell:
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
For me it's audio taper on the volume pots and either audio or linear on the tone controls...
I also prefer a linear pot on my wah mods for certain adjustable parameters..
If you get a 5k pot you can put a 5k across both outside legs of the pot and create a 2.5k value or there abouts...The taper will change,but you'll have your maximum value dialed in..
For me it's audio taper on the volume pots and either audio or linear on the tone controls...
I also prefer a linear pot on my wah mods for certain adjustable parameters..
If you get a 5k pot you can put a 5k across both outside legs of the pot and create a 2.5k value or there abouts...The taper will change,but you'll have your maximum value dialed in..
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Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
Exactly. That much I'm sure of. :laugh2:
I just measured a couple of 250k CTS pots that are audio taper. If I start from zero, and turn the pot "up", I hit 25k at the halfway point. (Or 10 percent.) That supports what Cory was saying.
Xeromus said:
Exactly. That much I'm sure of. :laugh2:
I just measured a couple of 250k CTS pots that are audio taper. If I start from zero, and turn the pot "up", I hit 25k at the halfway point. (Or 10 percent.) That supports what Cory was saying.
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Audio or Linear taper pots?
Actually, both of you are correct in a way. From a measurement standpoint, linear pots have a smooth increase from 0-500k for example. At the halfway point, they are at 250k. However, the human ear doesn't hear volume changes in a linear fashion, which is why audio tapered pots were designed. So even though a linear pot will allow the signal through in a smooth, linear progression, you won't hear it that way. The audio taper will sound like you would expect a linear taper to sound, if that makes any sense. Personally, I prefer audio for volume and tone. I've tried linears, I just can't get used to them. There seems to be a sharp dropoff when they are turned way down, but I can't hear much difference between 5 and 10. To me, audio tapered pots have a nice smooth rolloff of the volume or tone, much more natural sounding.
Ryan
Actually, both of you are correct in a way. From a measurement standpoint, linear pots have a smooth increase from 0-500k for example. At the halfway point, they are at 250k. However, the human ear doesn't hear volume changes in a linear fashion, which is why audio tapered pots were designed. So even though a linear pot will allow the signal through in a smooth, linear progression, you won't hear it that way. The audio taper will sound like you would expect a linear taper to sound, if that makes any sense. Personally, I prefer audio for volume and tone. I've tried linears, I just can't get used to them. There seems to be a sharp dropoff when they are turned way down, but I can't hear much difference between 5 and 10. To me, audio tapered pots have a nice smooth rolloff of the volume or tone, much more natural sounding.
Ryan
