[sdiy] midi to cv/gate

[T.J.]

Did anyone on the list build this kit?
> Does it work ok? Any problems? Any reasons why it wouldn't work for the
> Formant? Any other reasons why I should not pick this kit but something
> else?
> 
Hi Everybody,
 I built the PAIA MIDI2CV8 kit with a DIY front panel, and it is the
heart of my first DIY/modified synth. The unit assembles very easy,
construction time was minimal, and has a few options for power supplies.
I'm using a +/- 15V Power One supply, but I believe you can also use a
+/- 12V, or just a single AC transformer.
 This unit can be very versatile. It can be configured via DIP switch to
be anything from a mono voice with note CV, pitch bend, mod, aftertouch,
velocity, release velocity, trigger, gate, to a 4 voice with 4 note CV's
and 4 gates. Simply awesome for the price. How well it works will depend
on your application.
 The one I built tracks better than any of my older analog keyboards
with CV out. It is limited to a 5 octave range. (0 - 5V). I use mine
mostly controlled from a computer with an analog sequencer emulation
program. In this mode it works flawlessly.
 As a permanent replacement for a mono keyboard controller it has a few
shortcomings. The CV out from the pitch wheel, will have to go through
some type of either fixed or variable attenuator to set the bend range.
On start up the pitch bend CV will be 0V, so you will then have to move
the pitch wheel once, to output the value at the center detent. The unit
also needs to know what the lowest key is, and is done by holding the
lowest key, then powering on the unit releasing the held key. (sending a
MIDI note off). And probably the most annoying issue in mono mode is it
only holds the note being played. Any other note is lost. So if you hold
a C, then play the C an octave below and release it, it won't snap back
to the C you are still holding down. You may have to adjust your playing
style to compensate for this.
 I have read others complain about zippering when using their MIDI
controller for say, mod wheel to CV. Unfortunately not all MIDI
controllers are equal. Some are poorly designed and the stepping is not
as noticeable when simply controlling MIDI modulation amounts. I have
tried several different controllers with the MIDI2CV8, and some like the
Korg RK-100 or a Kaysound MK-4902 will give a stepping CV, while others
like a Casio CZ-1 are much smoother. YMMV. You could always go analog
for the wheels, and MIDI for the note CV and triggers/gates.
 There are some pics of my project on my site to give you an idea of how
I applied this MIDI interface. There are even a few MP3's of my synth
being driven by the virtual analog MIDI step sequencer. And if that
wasn't enough, just for laughs there is a MPEG video of my playing a
Casio AZ-1 MIDI controller, with about 7 semitones of pitch bend, with
the mod wheel controlling a MOTM-420 filter for wah, and aftertouch
modulating the oscillators with pink noise. Very fast, no lag or
zippering here!
 
http://www.geocities.com/orbitaldecay_99/motm.html

I would rate the PAIA MIDI2CV8 a 9 out of 10.

Terry