Doepfer MCV4 User Manual

DOEPFER
MIDI TO CV/GATE INTERFACE
MIDI TO CV/GATE INTERFACE
MIDI TO CV/GATE INTERFACEMIDI TO CV/GATE INTERFACE
MCV4
MCV4
MCV4MCV4
Bedienungsanleitung (deutsch) User's Guide (English)
www.doepfer.de
INTRODUCTION
MCV4 is a MIDI-to-CV/GATE-Interface to control vintage analog synthesizers equipped with CV and Gate/Trigger inputs via MIDI. MCV4 is suitable for synthesizers using voltage control characteristics of 1V/Octave and gate voltages from +5V to +12V or switched trigger (S-Trig). MCV4 is eqipped with a standard control voltage output (CV1) to control the VCO's (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) and a Gate/Trigger output to control the Envelope Generators (e.g. of ADSR type). On top of it MCV4 is equipped with additional 3 control voltage outputs (CV2...4) to control other parameters of the synthesizer connected to MCV4 (like VCF frequency, loudness, modulation depth and so on) provided that it the regarding control voltage inputs are available. The 3 additional CV's are controlled with the MIDI events After­Touch, Volume (Ctr. #7) and a free adjustable MIDI controller. In addition the MIDI velocity can be used as a factor to multiply the values of the CV's controlled by Volume and the selectable controller. The MIDI channel, the reference note for 0V CV1 and the MIDI controller for CV4 can be adjusted.
If you want to control more than one synthesizer or syntesizer module or if you need more control voltages we recommend the MCV24. The MCV24 is equipped with 24 CV/Gate outputs and additional SYNC/Clock/Start/Stop outputs. The MCV24 will be probably available end of 97.
CONNECTIONS
The MCV4 does not have a built-in power supply. Instead it uses a plug-in type EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY (AC adapter). The power supply is NOT included with the MCV4 and must be purchased locally by the user. We recommend a VDE approved AC adapter but MCV4 will work with every AC adapter beeing in accordance with the following specifications. The adapter must be able to deliver 7­12 V DC unstabilized or stabilized voltage, as well as a minimum current of 100 mA. The POLARITY of the low voltage plug connected to the MCV4 must be pin = +7...12V and ring = GND. If the polarity is incorrect, MCV4 will not function. However, there is no danger of damage to the circuitry since it is protected by a diode. If the MCV4 is used in Germany the external power supply must be VDE approved due to security and product liability reasons.
The MCV4 is turned on by plugging the AC adapter into a wall outlet and connecting it to the appropriate jack "9V DC" on the MCV4. There is no separate ON/OFF switch.
Connect MIDI IN of the MCV4 to MIDI OUT of the MIDI transmitter (MIDI sequencer,
synthesizer, masterkeyboard,....). The MIDI THRU of the MCV4 may be connected to the
MIDI IN of other MIDI devices (optional). If this is not required the MIDI THRU connector remains not connected.
The GATE output of the MCV4 is a monophonic 1/4" jack socket. The Gate/Trigger signal appears at the top of a jack plug connected to the Gate output of the MCV4. If your synthesizers uses a 1/4" jack socket for Gate/Trigger input a monophonic 1/4" cable can be used for the Gate connection between MCV4 and your synthesizer.
The CV outputs of the MCV4 are stereophonic 1/4" jack socket. The CV's of each jack are available at the tip and the ring. At the socket located near the Gate output the control voltages CV1 (MIDI note controlled) and CV2 (MIDI after touch controlled) are available. At the other CV socket CV3 (MIDI volume controlled) and CV4 (controlled by an adjustable MIDI controller) are available. The sketches at the top of the MCV4 housing show the connections.
If you want to use both CV's of one connector you probably need a special cable with one 1/4" stereo jack plug on one side (MCV4) and two 1/4" mono jack plugs on the other (synthesizer). We offer such a special cable for the MCV4 and you should order it together with the MCV4 because of the additional shipment and money transfer costs. But you may
MCV4 User's Guide - Page 1
get such a cable from your local dealer as well. Of course you may use special adapters (1/4" stereo to 2x1/4" mono) too.
The CV1 output of the MCV4 is connected to the control voltage input of the synthesizer which controls the pitch (labeled e.g. as CV, tune, pitch, VCO, Osc. or similiar). Pay attention that the MCV4 can be used only for synthesizers using the 1V/Oct. characteristic for CV and not for those using Hz/V. Most of the vintage synthesizers use 1V/Oct (e.g. Moog, Roland, Sequential Circuits, Doepfer) but some manufacturers used Hz/V (e.g. Yamaha, Korg) or completely other control characteristics (e.g. EMS Synthi A: 0.32V/Oct or 0.26V/Oct). But for some synthesizers with V/Oct. there is a solution to control it via V/Oct. (e.g. the Korg MS10/MS20, see below).
The GATE output of the MCV4 is connected to Gate or trigger input of the synthesizer (labeled e.g. Gate, Trigger, Trig., S-Trig. or similiar). Please check which type of Gate/Trigger is used with your synthesizer: Voltage Trigger or S-Trigger/Switched Trigger.
Please refer to the manual of your synthesizer which types of CV control characteristics and Gate/Trigger are used and how the connectors are wired.
E.g. the Mini Moog uses a very unique connector for the S-Trigger input. You will have problems to find this type of connector today. You could solve the problem by replacing the unique connector by a 1/4" jack socket.
E.g. if you want to control a MOOG Rogue or MOOG Source with the MCV4 pay attention to the unusual assignement of the Moog jack sockets! You have to use stereo jack plugs on the Moog side in this special case (Rogue/Source CV socket: ring = CV Input / Rogue/Source GATE socket: ring = voltage trigger input or tip = s-trigger input). You may find details in the user's guide of your synthesizer.
E.g. many Roland synthesizers use 3.5mm miniature jack sockets. Here you need special cables or adapters with 1/4" jack plugs on one side (MCV4 side) and 3.5mm jack plugs on the other (synthesizer side).
The Korg Synthesizers MS10 and MS20 e.g. are equipped with an external control input labeled "TOTAL" that can be adjusted to 1V/Octave with the control knob labeled "MG/T.EXT.". Using this input the MS10/MS20 can be controlled with 1V/Oct. control voltages.
The factory adjustment of the CV1 output is 1.00V/Octave. The voltage range of the CV1 output is 0...+5V, i.e. 5 octaves.To change or re-adjust the scale you have to open the MCV4 case and adjust the scale with the trimming potentiometer located behind the power supply connector to the desired value. Incoming MIDI pitch bend events affect the CV1 voltage. The maximum pitch bend voltage travel is +/-1 V corresponding to +/-1 octave. You have to pay a little attention when using the pitch bend function. If you play a note on your keyboard which corresponds to a CV voltage below +1 V or above +4 V not the entire pitch travel is available as the possible output voltage ranges only from 0 to +5V. If you want to use the pitch bend function you should play in the mid range to have enough voltage travel for the pitch bend function.
The CV2 output is controlled via (monophonic) After Touch messages on the MIDI channel of the MCV4. The voltage range is about 0...+5V.
The CV3 output is controlled via Volume messages (= Ctrl. #7) on the MIDI channel of the MCV4. The voltage range is about 0...+5V. It is possible to tie up the CV3 additionally with velocity (see chapter Operation for details).
The CV4 output is controlled via any MIDI controller on the MIDI channel of the MCV4. The voltage range is about 0...+5V. It is possible to tie up the CV4 additionally with velocity (see chapter Operation for details).
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