MOTM

ok so until i can get my modules in a case and get them over to my studio
safely, i would like some info from the resident gurus:
i have heard here that the modules require a 10v pk-pk input (or a preamp).
say i want to route my jp6 into the motm-800 ADSR --how do i know what the
jp6 puts out? is there a standard among analog synths? how about digital
synths? how about my bandmates' roland gr-30 guitar synth? do i just look
this up in the manuals or try it and see or what? can i use the motm 110
VCA/RM to boost a low input signal so that the other modules are getting
enough signal?

does any of this make sense? someone please set me straight, i have read
books and manuals and all the rest, however this is still a whole new
world....

mark

> From: "mark scetta" <n0nspaz@...>
>
> ok so until i can get my modules in a case and get them over to my studio
> safely, i would like some info from the resident gurus:
> i have heard here that the modules require a 10v pk-pk input (or
> a preamp).

This is true for audio signals you are sending into the MOTM system from
external sources. For instance, a typical synth's final audio output would
be more like 1V pp instead of 10. You can sometimes get by with less.

> say i want to route my jp6 into the motm-800 ADSR --how do i know what the
> jp6 puts out?

Err, this is not a particularly good example. An ADSR doesn't take audio
signals, it wants to see gate and/or trigger input signals. It's been a long
time since I played a jp6, but running its audio output into an 800 won't do
anything for ya. Does your have individual gate outputs for each voice?

> is there a standard among analog synths?

The standard is: one volt change in control voltage = one octave change in
frequency on stuff like filters and oscillators, gate signals are generally
standardized at 0 to 10 volts dc, envelope generators generally put out
either 0 to 10 vdc or 0 to 5 vdc (MOTM does the latter). Audio signals
within the system are generally expected to be 10 v pp because that's the
typical voltage swing of an oscillator.

> do i just look
> this up in the manuals or try it and see or what?

Try it - it's unlikely you will blow up anything.

> can i use the motm 110
> VCA/RM to boost a low input signal so that the other modules are getting
> enough signal?

I've done this. It helps a little, but the gain is not nearly as high as a
preamp.
Good luck, and welcome to MOTM!

Dave Bradley
Principal Software Engineer
Engineering Animation, Inc.
daveb@...

Audio outputs from external synths, drum machines, etc tend to be
1V pk-pk. MOTM likes 10V pk-pk. Here are some things you can do.

a) use the headphone out jack! On most synths, this will put out about 5V
pk-pk.
Not the best but *much* better than 1V pk-pk.

b) use the SEND buss out of your mixer. Treat MOTM modules like an external
reverb or something. Just crank the SEND OUT to max.

c) Use a DI box. I use a Tech21 SansAMP box.

d) save $$ for MOTM triple pre-amp.

Paul S.

> > From: "mark scetta" <n0nspaz@...>
> > can i use the motm 110
> > VCA/RM to boost a low input signal so that the other modules are

getting

> > enough signal?

> From: "Dave Bradley" <daveb@...>
> I've done this. It helps a little, but the gain is not nearly as high as

a

> preamp.
> Good luck, and welcome to MOTM!

Certainly another trick that helps (and does not tie up your VCA) is to run
your synth into a mixer and use the headphone output to feed the audio into
your MOTM. Many headphone amplifiers are capable of 10 V p-p.

Larry Hendry
(also a JP-6 owner and lover)