On modern equipment, potentiometers are no longer used since modern audio processors are digital. Rather than rely on a potentiometer that varies the resistance in a circuit, these processors rely on digital pulses instead for operator input. A digital encoder looks like a potentiometer but if you observe carefully, you'll see that the knobs can spin infinitely, and they often click as you rotate them. These encoders have at least 2 channels and will output a pulse in either direction . The processor knows which direction you are turning the control and will digitally change the sound based on the direction the control is being turned. The advantage compared to a potentiometer is that they are not analog and prone to the scratchiness from oxidation build up. Similar to how morse code is better than a telephone signal when there is a lot of interference. The sure giveaway in determining whether a control is a potentiometer or a digital encoder is that a potentiometer has a rotational range, whereas a digital encoder can spin continuously.
