The DS1267 defaults to the middle of its sweep.

>        I am considering using the Dallas DS1267 digital pot in an audio mixer
>that can be PIC-controlled.  What do these chips do when power is first
>applied?  Is there a reset on them to return them to a known setting?
>I am thinking of what might happen if there was a power hit and all the
>pots came back up at full volume--OUCH!!!!
>Is it safe to connect the DS1267 across the incoming signal like one would
>do a real pot or do I need a buffer or clamper circuit ahead of it to protect
>it from destruction by spikes such as when cables are plugged in or removed.
>