Capacitors are the breath between pulses. They store energy, release it in rhythm, and shape the contours of voltage over time. In synthesis, they define decay, filter frequencies, and create movement from stillness.
What Is a Capacitor?
A capacitor stores electrical energy in an electric field. It’s defined by its capacitance, measured in farads (F), and interacts with voltage and time: I = C × dV/dt.
| Type | Description | Synth Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | Small, stable, non-polarized | Decoupling, filtering |
| Electrolytic | High capacitance, polarized | Power smoothing, timing circuits |
| Film | Stable, low ESR | Audio signal paths |
| Tantalum | Compact, reliable | Precision filtering |
Capacitors in Modular Synthesis
- RC Filters: Shape frequency response with resistors.
- Envelope Generators: Define attack, decay, sustain, release.
- Coupling: Block DC, pass AC in audio paths.
- Timing Circuits: Set delays and oscillation rates.
Philosophical Footnote
Capacitors teach us patience. They hold, release, and shape time itself. In a world of instant reaction, they remind us that delay can be design — that rhythm is born from restraint.