CV-3 MIDI-CV Converter Review

[gstopp at fibermux.com]

     I also am waiting for the PAIA offering. Does anybody know if it will 
     have a poly mode option, for playing chords on a single MIDI channel? 
     (John?)
     
     My MIDI-CV requirements vary depending on their use. The multi-output 
     design (like my PC parallel-port DAC) is great for general-purpose 
     experiments in sound designing and control with modulars. I suspect 
     that the PAIA will be this type. The Roland MPU-101 is great for 
     modular use also since the voltage outputs are assigned to specific 
     MIDI parameters already, plus it can control multiple monophonic 
     synths at the same time. The CV-3 (and the Kenton Pro-Solo, it sounds 
     like) is totally geared to playing an analog synthesizer as if you 
     were sitting at an analog keyboard rather than a MIDI keyboard - it is 
     way more performance-oriented.
     
     So they're all different. Even if a multi-output box were half the 
     price, I'd still buy a CV-3 type unit just because it's worth it to me 
     to have the performance-oriented configuration in an easy little box. 
     And I'd definitely buy the PAIA unit, for those times when whacked-out 
     modular sounds are needed.
     
     - Gene
     gstopp at fibermux.com


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: CV-3 MIDI-CV Converter Review
Author:  Troy Sheets <tsheets at xanadu.cyborganic.com> at ccrelayout
Date:    12/17/96 11:12 AM
     
It sounds like this box has a better bang-for-the-buck than the Kenton 
Pro Solo.  Of course, the prices vary on the Kenton depending on the 
exchange rates, but I think I ended up paying around 200 dollars for my 
pro solo, maybe a bit more.
     
Comparing it to the middle JK model, the one without audio in/out, the 
JK gives you an extra AUX output, and more LFO options.  The kenton has 
no CV trimmers that are user-accessable, but mine came in perfect tune 
and have never felt a need to adjust it.  I have been quite impressed 
with the Kenton Pro-solo, although it sounds like the JK might be
a better deal.  The pro-solo does have all the paramaters silk-screened 
onto the faceplate, something I did not see on the JK.  Programming the 
Pro-Solo is pretty easy.
     
Of course, I am going to just wait and try the 100 dollar Paia assignable 
8-output MIDI-CV kit.  If it functions decently, it will blow everything else 
on the market away in the price/performance catagory.  Latest word
is that they will be ready in January.