What Is a VCA?

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You‘ve undoubtedly seen and heard the term “VCA“ in the wild, but what do those three letters actually mean? In this video, Sweetwater‘s Mitch Gallagher takes an in-depth look at VCA, or “voltage-controlled amplifier,“ diving first into the general definition then transitioning into common uses and real-world examples. Check it out!
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 www.Sweetwater.com/?...
0:00 - Intro
0:09 - First Application of VCA
1:42 - Second Application of VCA
2:25 - Let’s See It in Action!
4:12 - Mitch’s Last Thoughts
4:34 - Thanks for Watching!
#Sweetwater

[@sweetwater]

Thanks for checking out this guide to VCA! Get inspired with more creative techniques and tips by subscribing to our channel!

[@stevenmartin1607]

All the work, dedication, and professionalism in these educational videos is why I'm a Sweetwater customer.

[@musicmademedoit2]

Mitch explains things in a way I can understand

[@MarcelHuguenin]

Was watching several videos on this topic but found yours the best. The shortest and most to the point. Great job!

[@Zildjian_DW]

Another very informative video from Sweetwater. Im definitely going to give this a go! Thank you!

[@thepedalarchive2]

Love these videos. Such helpful info.

[@databang]

Thanks, I wasn’t aware of your glossary playlist, thanks.

[@5kMagic]

very well explained. thanks

[@ShivSagar010]

Thank You Very Much Sir!

[@unclemick-synths]

Good explanation 👍

[@AndrewHubbardBadger]

Thanks for the excellent and clear video. Quick question.. why not just form a group, that will also move the sliders up and down in ratio to each other by just sliding one of them. That way you’ll have one less channel on your console?

[@ogphatchild]

Thanks for the info.

[@NikoFrederiko.]

Not so low-key, this is like one of those jargon spoof skits 🤣🤣 I love it.

[@futur_sunds]

I have a question for all the people in the comments. What DAW do all of you use and if you couldn’t use that DAW, what DAW would you use? I use Logic but if I didn’t I would go with Ableton or Cubase :)

[@_alexxon]

Nice video! May I ask what's difference between VCA and DCA? Is the quality or timbre comes out from these amplifiers different? Thanks!

[@sweetwater]

Hey Alex, thanks for reaching out! VCAs and DCAs do more or less the same thing, the difference is analog and digital. VCA is Voltage Controlled Amplifier which adjusts the output of the channels sent to it by altering the electrical current. A DCA is a Digitally Controller Amplifier which adjusts the output of the channels sent to it via processing inside the computer of the board. I hope this helps, but if you have any more questions let me know! Thanks and take care. Jack Wellington, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3240, [e-mail]

[@digitalbrand2930]

VCA!

[@thecompletejake]

I understand the difference between a bus and a vca but I can't imagine a scenario where I would choose a vca over a bus. I don't know when to use one, or why that behavior would be favorable vs a bus.

[@CaliberFiftyVideos]

That is exactly the problem with sweetwater videos. They are basic explainations and non-helpful about what actually matters in most situations for that exact reason you described. It would be so easy to add a 2 minute "most commonly you would use this for that and that for this" segment, but no.

[@ParadNorthProd]

You'd use a VCA when you want the channels to go to different outputs (or auxes) for different types of processing. e.g., the kick goes to a bus which has one set of effects, and a the snare goes to a different bus. The VCA lets you manage their volumes together, even though they go to different places (unlike a bus).

[@thecompletejake]

@@ParadNorthProd ah. That makes sense.

[@chriselectric1116]

sweetwater is the best,....................

[@Whiskeyklone]

Very Calm Aardvark

[@futur_sunds]

😂😂😂

[@martin-krzywinski]

A good and terse explanation. But for the love of God, please stop switching the camera angle every 10 seconds. You have good content here -- you don't need gimmicks.

[@Flvbybcn]

Make sence

[@theghost065]

Ok, now this time in English 😂

[@soundknight]

Do you get paid by Apple for this advert? PC have become the best way to digitally alter music.

[@GearLover]

I think it is all just preference. When teaching, the instructor is going to use what they are most comfortable on. That doesn't mean the concepts don't apply to other cases, like Windows versus MacOS. Sweetwater does sell their in-house custom made audio PCs after all (Creation Stations).