Audio vs. linear taper Pots?

Archiver

Hello again everyone,

Vince's post about the A/B switch on the wheelchair was very helpful,
thanks everyone for your input. I have another dilemma. I'm using an LM386
as an audio amplifier with a pot for a volume control - works well but the
response of the pot I have is decidedly non-linear! This even though it's
supposed to be a linear taper pot...perhaps the response curve of the amp
isn't linear? I've heard of something called an audio taper which
presumably is not a regular log taper...which one do I need to get a linear
increase in volume from the 386?

Thanks, Duncan

Archiver

Duncan:

Because of the ~logarithmic response of the human ear, audio taper pots are
used for volume controls. These pots have a log taper, not linear. If you
are using one of the standard circuits shown on the data sheet, a 10K audio
pot should work.

Regards,
Ray McArthur

I'm using an LM386
> as an audio amplifier with a pot for a volume control - works well but the
> response of the pot I have is decidedly non-linear! This even though it's
> supposed to be a linear taper pot...perhaps the response curve of the amp
> isn't linear? I've heard of something called an audio taper which
> presumably is not a regular log taper...which one do I need to get a
linear
> increase in volume from the 386?