20
A further point to watch for. Some synths use stereo jacks for the CV and GATE connections. Moog,
for instance, use a stereo jack for CV In/Out, and a stereo jack for S-TRIG In/Out on some synths.
Whether the tip or the ring is in or out is hard to say as Moogs seem to vary from synth to synth!
– The
Rogue however uses RING for inputs and TIP for outputs.
Octave who made the Cat and Kitten synths also use stereo jacks. CV and GATE outputs are on one
stereo jack, and the inputs are on another stereo jack.
Auxiliary outputs - More control
The AUX outputs can be used to control functions such as filter cut-off or volume control. This
depends on what control inputs your synth has. Most mono-synths have at least a Filter input, e.g. the
Sequential Pro 1. Some synths, such as the Minimoog, also have VCA inputs (volume). Synths such
as the Korg MS20 and ARP 2600 have even more inputs to control effects such as Pulse Width. The
MODULAR SOLO
has 4 Aux outputs. By plugging an AUX output into the external control input of the
synth, e.g. Filter input, the cut-off frequency can be controlled over MIDI.
The AUX outputs are not controlled by MIDI note numbers. The converter allows you to set which MIDI
controller, e.g. Modulation Wheel, (or even velocity, after-touch, or pitch bend), will control the level of
the AUX voltage to control the synth’s extra input.
Only synths that have the appropriate inputs can be controlled from a MIDI-CV
converter.
The synth needs some sort of CV and GATE inputs.
CVs might be labelled CV In, OSC In, Keyboard In, VCO In, Key Volt, etc.
GATEs (and S-TRIG) may be labelled GATE In, S-TRIG, V-TRIG (voltage trigger, same as gate), Trig
In, etc.
Any additional inputs may be utilised, like Filter, VCF fcM, VCF, PORTA (portamento), Loudness,
VCO, PWM, etc. by using the converter’s AUX output.
Some synths that cannot be connected to a MIDI-CV converter via CV, GATE, AUX Outputs (as they
do not have them). This includes just about all polyphonic synths.
Receiving a firmware upgrade over MIDI:
You need to start sending the SysEx firmware upgrade within 20 seconds from when P01 first appears
in the display, otherwise the upgrade will be ignored. (i.e. when the display has stopped scrolling)
Read instructions included in the firmware upgrade zip file.
The number
2
should flash in the display while the dump is being received then number
3
[all
received]
followed quickly by
4
[CRC check OK]
, then after about 5 seconds a steady
5
. The
5
indicates the update has been successful. Wait 10 seconds then turn off the power to the modular
case. Wait 10 seconds then power-on again The
Modular Solo
will now run with the new firmware.
Warning - NEVER UNPLUG WHILE THE 4 IS SHOWING
Possible error states: hangs at stage
2
= not enough bytes received.
8
shows
– dump is corrupt
For both of the above situations, turn off the modular case and start again.
It is essential that power is maintained to the MODULAR SOLO during the firmware upgrade
process. Failure of power during stage 4 will leave the Modular Solo unusable and require
return of the unit to Kenton.
