Midi to CV/gate sync/Clock interfaces 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


MIDI to CV/Gate Interface: MCV 4



MCV4 is a budget-priced MIDI-to-CV-Interface to control vintage monophonic synthesizers via MIDI. MCV4 is provided with 4 analog control voltage outputs (CV1...4) and one Gate/Trigger output.

Remarks:

MIDI channel, reference note for CV1 (this is the MIDI note corresponding to 0V of CV1 and thus the lowest possible note of the analog synthesizer connected to MCV4) and the controller no. for CV4 are adjusted via learn function. For this the learn button must be pressed and the required MIDI messages sent from the MIDI controlling device (MIDI synthesizer, keyboard, sequencer ...). The other parameters (retrigger, trigger polarity, assign mode ...) are adjusted in learn mode via program-change messages.

The Hz/V mode available in the predecessor model MCV1 is not available with the MCV4 because of the many problems occuring with the non-linear Hz/V characteristic. But some synthesizers normally using Hz/V can be be controlled with V/Oct (e.g. Korg MS10/MS20, details you may find in the MCV4 user's guide).
If you want to use all 4 analog control voltages you need 2 special cables with a stereo 1/4" jack plug on one end (MCV4 side) and two mon 1/4" jack plugs on the other (synthesizer side). You may get such cables from your local dealer but we also offer such a cable (MCV4 cable 1/4" stereo - 2x1/4" mono). If you need it we recommend to order it together with the MCV4. Same applies to the power supply. We offer a power supply that can be switched between 230V and 115V.

MCV4 special cable (1/4" stereo jack plug - 2 x 1/4" mono jack plug, length 90cm)


Midi to sync/Clock interface: MSY 2



MSY2 is an interface that converts the MIDI realtime events CLOCK, START and STOP into the corresponding signals CLOCK and START /STOP of the SYNC standard. It is equipped with 2 SYNC DIN sockets (switched in parallel), a Clock miniature jack socket (3.5mm), MIDI-in and MIDI-Thru. The SYNC standard is used in vintage drum computers or sequencers such as the Roland TR808 rhythm composer or the TB303 bass line.

SYNC-CLOCK is a periodic signal (0/+5V) representing the tempo. SYNC-START/STOP is a signal that indicates one of the 2 possible states: START = +5V, STOP = 0V. The Clock pin of the SYNC standard is additionally available from a miniature jack socket e.g. for synchronizing the arpeggio input of an analog synthesizer with MIDI.

MSY2 enables the 1:1 conversion of MIDI CLOCK to SYNC CLOCK (i.e. 1 MIDI clock triggers 1 SYNC clock pulse), as well as the reduction of the tempo by dividing the incoming MIDI clock frequency by an integer factor. The factor can be set to any value between 1 and 16 with a DIP switch at the bottom of the MSY2. A factor 1 corresponds to the 1:1 conversion, 16 is the maximum of frequency reduction, i.e. after 16 MIDI clocks 1 SYNC clock appears. With two other switches the Start/Stop polarity and the Clock polarity can be changed for special applications not following the SYNC standard. Clock and Start/Stop are displayed with 2 LEDs.

For the power supply of the MSY2 there are possible solutions: external power supply or supply via MIDI In. The external power supply version will work in any case (7...12V/100mA required). The power supply via MIDI will work only if the MIDI controlling device is in full agreement with the MIDI hardware standard. Inside the MSY2 case is a jumper to select the type of power supply. The factory setting is for external power supply. You have to try out with your MIDI device whether the power supply via MIDI in will work.

MSY2 is built into a small orange-red metal case (about 60 x 60x 35 mm).

 


Midi to CV/gate/Sync interface: MAUSI




MAUSI is the combination of a MIDI-to-CV and MIDI-to-SYNC interface to control analog vintage synthesizers, bass lines or drum machines via MIDI provided that they are equipped with the corresponding control inputs (CV, Gate, Sync, Clock, Start/Stop). MAUSI has 2 CV outputs, one Gate/Trigger output and one Sync output consisting of the 2 signals Clock and Start/Stop. The control of MAUSI is done with 4 buttons and 8 LEDs at the front panel. The In- and Outputs are located at the rear panel: three 1/4“ jack sockets for CV1, CV2 and Gate, three 5 Pin DIN sockets for MIDI In, Out and Sync.

- CV1 : The first CV output is intended for controlling the pitch of an analog synthesizer and has a high resolution of 12 bits (i.e. 1/64 semitone accuracy). It is controlled by the MIDI events note on/off, pitch bend, modulation (ctr.#1) and portamento (ctr.#5 and #65). The basic voltage is defined by the note number of an note on/off event. The events pitch bend, modulation and portamento modify the voltage in the usual manner. The voltage width of incoming pitch bend events is adjustable.

The frequency of the internal modulation oscillator used for modulation (ctr.#1) is adjustable and may be additionally controlled with another MIDI controller. The portamento controllers #5 and #65 define the glide time and glide on/off between two successive notes. The assign mode can be selected between highest note or last note.

MIDI channel and reference note for 0V CV are adjustable. The voltage of CV1 ranges from -1V ... +6V. Scale/spread and offset of CV1 can be adjusted via the controls at the front panel (no trimming potentiometers). The voltage characteristic is 1V/Octave but may be set also to Hz/V with reduced functions (no pitch bend, modulation, portamento, scale, offset).

- CV2 : The second CV output has a lower resolution of 7 bits and is intended for controlling VCF, VCA or other functions via MIDI. CV2 may be controlled from MIDI velocity, after touch, pitch bend or any controller. The voltage range is 0...+5V.

- Gate: The gate output can be set via jumper to +5V voltage, +U voltage (+U = voltage of the power supply used) or switched trigger/S-trigger. The following gate functions can be adjusted with the front panel controls: gate polarity normal/inverted, legato on/off (i.e. new trigger yes/no when playing legato). Gate generation responds to the MIDI controllers sustain (ctr.#64) and legato (ctr.#68) in the usual manner.

- Sync: This is a two-signal socket with the TTL compatible signals (0/+5V) Clock and Start/Stop. The Sync connector follows the Roland Sync standard used e.g. inside TR808, TB303. The relation between MIDI Clock and Sync Clock is adjustable as well as the polarity of the Start/Stop signal.

MAUSI includes an external power supply for 230V AC. For other mains voltages the power supply must be purchased by the customer in his country (7...12V DC/500mA with 2.1 or 2.5mm connector required). MAUSI is built into a light grey aluminium case (dimensions: 145 x 100 x 42 mm).

 

 


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