Questions about CV/Gate among other things

[Daniel Gendreau]

This is only a rough overview, and I am by no means an expert on this stuff,
so if I step on any toes here, correct me :)

>     First off, I would terribly like to know how the CV/Gate stuff works,
> and what the possibilities with it might be. I have a few old synths and a
> TR-606 drummachine.

CV/Gate was a control system developed for analog mono synths in the days
before MIDI came along. Many electronic musicians still prefer CV/Gate
because you can manipulate CV/Gate signals a lot easier than serial midi
data.

--- Gates ---
Basically, Note Gate is a binary signal indicating if a note is being played
or not. Gate signals are also used in other synth controls, but the key is
that gates are usually binary.

--- Control Voltages ---
The Note CV signal indicates what note to play. Its arranged as 1 Volt per
musical octave. Thus is 3V were middle C (an arbitrary choice... there is no
specific voltage for middle C), 4V would be the next C up and 2V would be
the next C down.

The Note CV signal usually drives a voltage controlled oscillator or VCO.
The VCO then generates the proper pitch waveform for the incoming CV. CV
refers to other control signals as well. For example, many synths take in CV
signals to control filter parameters etc. CVs generally run from 0V to 10V.


> Along the same vein with the TR-606, I noticed two trigger outs
> on the back,
> if possible, could someone explain the uses of these, and also
> the DIN/sync
> plug on the back. Its obviously not MIDI so whats it used for?
> Any help will
> be greatly appreciated.

--- Triggers ---
The trigger outs on your drum machine allow you to build your own custom
analog drum circuits and use the 606 to trigger them. It puts out a pulse
when the corresponding 606 drum is played.

--- DIN/Sync ---
DIN/sync is the analog equivalent of the midi clock. It allows you to plug
together different roland equipment (i think DIN/sync was proprietary to
roland) together and synchronize their sequencers. Actually its directly
eqvivalent. There is start/stop signal, a 24pulse/quarternote(ppq) clock
signal and i think a continue or somethine... You plug a 6pin din straight
though cable(some midi cables work, but they HAVE to have all 6 wires. MIDI
only requires 2 wires, so some cables dont work).


Hope that clears things up a little.
If not, just ask more questions. :)
-Dan Gendreau