Why do we even use Electrolytic Capacitors?

[carboncomp]

Just watching this video, and it got me wondering why so many pedals use small value Electrolytic Capacitors?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlvqUts9H9c

[pappasmurfsharem]

Just watching this video, and it got me wondering why so many pedals use small value Electrolytic Capacitors?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlvqUts9H9c

Size constraint probably. otherwise I don't think there is a real need.

[R.G.]

We use electrolytic capacitors because until recently there was no way to make caps in the half-to-one microfarad and up range small and cheaply enough to do the job.

Make no mistake - electro caps are a second choice if you can get nearly equal value for capacitance, small enough volume, and cheap enough to buy. But until recently, alternatives did not exist. So electros were not second choice, they were the only choice.

Those boundaries have been pushed back only by modern manufacturing and materials.

[carboncomp]

We use electrolytic capacitors because until recently there was no way to make caps in the half-to-one microfarad and up range small and cheaply enough to do the job.

Make no mistake - electro caps are a second choice if you can get nearly equal value for capacitance, small enough volume, and cheap enough to buy. But until recently, alternatives did not exist. So electros were not second choice, they were the only choice.

Those boundaries have been pushed back only by modern manufacturing and materials.

Thanks R.G.

I guess with so many pedals be tweaked 60/70s circuits the electros have just been kept in out of a sense of authenticity rather than practical necessity. 

[jubal81]

I only use them in power supply smoothing these days.

[duck_arse]

some people use them in shotgun cartridges. that is a diff thread.