monitor a guitar signal strength, then output a DC level?

[HankMcSpank]

IMHO, every audio needs at least 60-70db dynamic range. With the full wave rectifier I am not sure that you will reach over 25-35db. Your ear, no matter what post processing you are going to do, needs this logarithmic treatment.

Anyway, about the PIC now, if 5 times/sec is enough for you, then almost any PIC may do the job. What you need at the output is a PWM signal with a low pass filter to get the analog control voltage for the VCA.

Forum has covered the last many times.

I really would love to hear some samples of the effect if you make it working.

Ioannis

Many thanks...in the time since posting I've been on intense googling & realised that the PIC doesn't have the opposite of ADCin (which is a shame as DACout would have been fab!).....sussed the PWM approach but hadn't realised about the low pass filter on the PWM output - tks.

Re the end result itself...I'm not trailblazing....it's been done - I'm just trying to do it with six channels (the commerical units send one 'summed' signal to their driver), as having six channels means more control & cool possibilities, but the component count will be 6 times more, hence trying to condense using a PIC...

(about 12 seconds in)