I see there are different views on the subject, which is OK, and also tells me that electrolytics can indeed be used to replace tantalums.
Havans1944: if I understand correctly you're saying that for those schematics I just posted (various parts of a vocoder) there is no need for low ESR capacitors, though they are needed in power supplies and I assume you're referring to the electrolytic capacitors right after the rectifiers? When you talk about "bypass capacitors", are these any of the capacitors that go between +V and GND?
Here are some schematics with my comments in them to further illustrate what i'm talking about:
You said "
Tantalum capacitors, like any other electrolytic capacitor, DO need to be biased properly so bear that in mind when using them."
I'm not sure what you mean by "biasing" -is this just a term meaning "take care when soldering the capacitor in the circuit so that + and - goes the right way"? I've never looked at that as a problem, just the way an electrolytic (unless bipolar) is to be used.
So to conclude you're saying that if inserted the correct way and used within their voltage limits they shouldn't pose any threat to the rest of the circuit? But you're not saying that electrolytics can't be used in place of tantalums without any ill side-effects?
dorke: It seems you're confirming the opposite of my fears: you're claiming that tantalums are the ones which might affect audio negatively, not electrolytics? So if I wish, I can exchange (i'm actually rebuilding the vocoder on new PCBs, reusing some of the parts) the tantalums for electrolytics and get the same (or better) audio quality?
kellys_eye: from what I understand you're also confirming that I can use electrolytics in place of those tantalums without any bad side effects, but I don't need to look for low ESR types, just "normal" electrolytics?
But if I did replace all those tantalum capacitors with low ESR electrolytics, would that cause any issues, or for the sake of the circuit (and resulting audio) work just as if I was to use "normal" electrolytics but just be a waste of money?
You also mentioned using solid capacitors -those aren't polarized, are they?
*steve*: I've never heard of "micc" capacitors. What are they?
They do seem to have some issues though. If electrolytics work just as well I think I'll go for those.