[sdiy] RE: [AH] control voltage was/ Keyboard in space

[Peter Grenader]

In reference to Grant's comment below, there are two other manufacturers
that I am aware of that do both Midi to CV and CV to Midi conversion.

Grant Richter wrote:

<<Control Voltage to MIDI
http://www.paia.com/midibrn.htm

There are many other excellent dealers of this type of equipment. But to my
knowledge, only PAIA makes devices to go in both directions.>>


Doepfer makes a Midi to CV and  the A-192 that converts 16 inputs to any
midi controller number 1-127.  It comes with PC software and/or a Sounddiver
template which also works with a Mac.  The unit works great, although
sometimes there is bleed between adjecent channels.  Not so much as a
problem as there are plenty (16) input channel to go to.  The A-192 is
nothing more than their Pocket Dial with the pots replaced with jacks.

Analogue Systems also makes a Midi to CV, and has just released the RS300 CV
to Midi converter, the first lot of which is presently on its way to Big
City Music as I type this.   It is much more featured than the Doepfer unit.

It's only eight channels in, BUT also converts analogue signals to MIDI NOTE
ON-OFF info, as well as any midi controller number.  This is substantially
more interesting as you can actually use your analog to 'play' midi
equipment, or RECORD ANALOG SEQUENCES or control voltage events on a midi
sequencer such as Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, etc so you
can recall them later.  Very cool.  The RS300 will not have a software
package as yet, but does come equipped with a LCD display like their Delay,
Midi to CV and Scale Generator, so you can select options from there.  It
will allows for Sysex dumps from and to a computer however.

These types of devices may seem like something you might not use a lot, but
this depends more on the midi implementation level of the instrument under
control.  If it's a DX7,, there's not a lot you can do. The Novation,
Waldorf, Nord and Virus units have really deep implementation, so you can in
effect control almost any function on those machines externally.  Imagine
opening a filter with an analog machine - or doing things the instrument
itself will not allow you to - like syncing this filter sweep with a pan or
a sweep of a flanger as well.

Trust me, CV to Midi converters are really great.