Tip: Turn Your Old Interface Into a Control Voltage Source

Started by scratch17, February 05, 2017, 10:03:47 PM

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scratch17

I was looking at why I might spend $399 to upgrade from NI Komplete 10 to Komplete 11 and ran across this on the NI website.

I became intrigued by the Reaktor 6 blocks, so I started to read about them. I was thinking that it might be possible to use the components of this virtual modular synth and connect them to other virtual synths. Then I saw the update to V 1.2 and my eyes and ears perked up while watching this tutorial video:

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/synths/reaktor-6/connect/

It turns out that my two MOTU Travelers are capable of doing these connections. If you are into guitar synths, you should check this out. You could build a great custom synth with a hardware synth and a MOTU interface (that can pass DC Output Voltage) and Reaktor 6.

By the way, MOTU has an app available (Volta) that can do much of what Reaktor can do with respect to CV from one of their interfaces. Other manufacturers ' interfaces could work too.
Check the video for the requirements.

I'm thinking of using my Mac Mini as a standalone host for my soft synths with the Traveler Mk 1 acting as both stereo audio and 6 channel CV input and output. I use a Fishman Triple Play for guitar to MIDI conversion.

MOTU Traveler MK1's sell for less than $150 routinely on eBay, so if you like the idea and don't have a suitable interface, you can get one for just a little money.

There are two other videos there that go over MIDI control and OSC for control from an iPAD or iPhone.  Very cool ideas.

I am going to upgrade to Komplete 11 before I get any hardware synth gear. I am looking at probably getting a Blofeld to start.




https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/dc-coupled/

https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2904


Quoteso are there any devices that have been confirmed to pass DC voltages? (compatable with Volta)...
rlainhart   
So far, the only ones I've heard of as specifically compatible are "MOTU interfaces with 1/4" outputs". That would include the 828, 828mkII, 828mk3, Ultralite, UltralitemkII, Ultralitemk3, Traveler, Travelermk3 (was there a TravelermkII?), 896HD, 896mk3.

Hamer Duotone, Brian Moore i213, Taylor 710 BCE 

VG-99, FC-300, RMC Fanout
RJM Mastermind GT10
Kemper Profiling Amp
Radial JDV Mk3, X-Amp
Mesa Recto Pre + 20/20
68 Fender Bandmaster (AB763)
Marshal AS80R

UA Apollo X6, Twin X, Logic Pro, Luna, Melodyne Studio

chrish

May want to check out the korg triton rack. I've seen them  for as low as $250 in gently used condition for the basic model without all the add on features.

scratch17

According to Owen Valles there are other interfaces from RME and Expert Sleepers that are DC Coupled.
Hamer Duotone, Brian Moore i213, Taylor 710 BCE 

VG-99, FC-300, RMC Fanout
RJM Mastermind GT10
Kemper Profiling Amp
Radial JDV Mk3, X-Amp
Mesa Recto Pre + 20/20
68 Fender Bandmaster (AB763)
Marshal AS80R

UA Apollo X6, Twin X, Logic Pro, Luna, Melodyne Studio

admin

#3
List of DC Coupled Audio interfaces

https://dialogaudio.com/modulationprocessor/device_info.php

Cables

It is important that you use appropriate cables to make connections between your audio interface and CV inputs!

Most audio interfaces are equipped with "Stereo" TRS jacks or XLR. Whereas CV inputs usually have "Mono" TS jacks.
In general we recommend standard Y-cables (usually they have the configuration shown in the simplified schematic) and can be used out of the box.

Y-cable stereo jack to two mono jacks configuration:

CV 1: Tip -> Tip / Shield -> Shield
CV 2: Ring -> Tip / Shield -> Shield
This configuration gives you twice the signal, one "normal", the other signal inverted (usually CV 2 jack, coloured red).


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