Hi,
Your informations are totally confusing.
a npn in emitter follower as a switch
An emitter follower is a circuit for analog signals. Voltage gain about +1, current gain maybe 100.
--> Not suitable as a switch
An IC input usually is no suitable load for an emitter follower. It makes signals slow.
Do I need to reference the emitter to ground, as the ic is referenced to ground?
The whole circuit needs to be referenced to GND: IC1, IC2 and the circuit inbetween.
But don't connect the emitter directely to GND...impossible for an emitter follower.
You still didn't answer htis question:
And why are you using an emitter follower as a switch?
: resistor between emitter and input,
This makes no sense.
do I need a resistor between emitter and ground?
This is the usual emitter follower connection.
Also, I don't need or want a large current gain.
But this is the intention of an emitter follower...so what's your idea.
Before designing a circuit..there is a functional requirement..and electrical specifications.
Both are completely missing in your posts.
Without them it is impossible to say if a circuit is suitable or not.
Klaus