MidiVolts Desktop - Beginners Guide
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- Buy here!
www.etsy.com/listing/95032286...
0:00 Introduction
0:20 Power Adapter
2:04 First Time Use
3:25 MD with Midi Controller and Moog Grandmother
7:23 MD with Moog Grandmother
12:07 Conclusion
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Forgot to mention: If you want to go back to Local Mode On: Press Hold & Sync, D#2 and the Lowest G twice (instead of F).
Austin - this should help anyone that might have been experiencing issues getting started! Very thorough. We really have been able to get the MidiVolts Desktop to sing with the Moog Grandmother with very few issues. We chose to power the unit with a TRex Fuel tank Goliath using the included reverse polarity cable adapter. This works very well, and plays nicely with our other gear with no introduced noise in the signal. When it comes to using an external midi controller - we use the key step pro going into the input of the GM, and are able to choose the octave using the KSP, by hitting the A of any octave to change the octave of the GMs chords (we can also make some unique chord combos by inputing chords rather than the single A notes on the KSP... the Grandmother can make some chords then, that I have never considered!! Triggering the envelope is simple and intuitive. I have experimented with the 2nd and 3rd gate outputs on the MidiVolts Desktop to trigger reset on the Moog Subharmonicon as well as other random triggers across our Eurorack setup. Very fun to 3rd finger a reset on a sequence at will. This is a wonderful addition to our setup and will link to some posts as we are able to get some worthy video to share. Very nice unit! We hope that everyone that owns one will be patient and really experiment with the unit as experiments are greatly rewarded with new approaches to these instruments. Thanks Austin for the tutorial on this!!! Great Product!! - Altruit
Thank you so much for sharing this! I think this will help others with more advanced set ups! Oh man, I had not even considered using one of the Gates to act as a reset! Sounds very interesting! Yes, there is still so much to explore. So many possibilities that others have pointed out! thanks again!
Just got mine all plugged in and working for the first time; SO stocked!
Also thanks for answering all my questions in the process of picking one up off you.
Cheers mate 🤓👍🏼
Awesome! I hope you like so far!
Midivolts Desktop just came in today, really love being able to play my Grandmother paraphonically it works really well! Although, I find in poly mode the notes sometimes overlap when trying to play 3 note chords. Meaning if i hit the same chord multiple times it sounds different sometimes when played. I think this is due to the order i hit them in because it doesn't always happen. Nonetheless, I'm very happy with the product, excited to see what i can come up with! Thank you :)
Thanks Kaas! Yes, the placement of the CV outs are dependent on the order of notes pressed. If all oscillators are set up the same, it's really hard to notice but more apparent if you have different octaves or wave forms for each osc. Thanks for the feedback!
Got mine setup, this video helps. Going to dive deeper tomorrow and bring in the Subharmonicon, might have some questions
Awesome, let me know. I do not own a subharmonicon but I can try to help as best i can! thanks!
Excellent midi device.
Thank you so much! 👍
wow . Thank u !
No problem. Shoot me a message on Etsy if you have any questions!
I ordered one of these, and my Moog Grandmother should also arrive soon. I'm very excited for both! So, question: maybe I missed it in your video but since this unit has 4 voices and you cover going to Poly 3 on the Grandmother, is that because it can handle 3 voice polyphony, but not 4? Sorry if that's a dumb question. Thanks!
That's exactly right! The GM only has 3 oscillators so that's why I was using poly3 mode. Also, you could always hook up a different synth to the 4th CV ! Like a mother 32 or Mavis and achieve 4 note poly!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 Thank you for the prompt answer! I may have to pick your brain about some alternate connectivity once I get my unit up and running.
Can you please consider producing these with more voices, would love to have seven, combining GM and matriarch
Thanks for the advice! Definitely would be really cool!
Is it safe to use a stackable from the gate outs into the VCA in poly mode? Or is there no point in doing that?
This is fine to do, however the outputs are each 1k output impedance so volume increases as you press more notes. Definitely a fun way to use the device though. Maybe on the next version I will add another output for this purpose! You could always use an OR gate if you do modular. Thanks for the question!
Bought this and love it. Although my only problem is I seem to have to set my oscilators to 4 ft to get it matching what you have on 8 ft. I feel like I'm missing a whole octave. I get to that last B note and my high C doesn't work. It sounds like you're getting one more octave than I am.
Hey thanks for reachig out! I ocassionally hear about this issue. Not sure if it has to do with differences in calibration of the GM but there is a simple fix.
Prior to turning off LOCAL MODE ON, press a C key of the lowest note you would like the MidiVolts to play. Next, without pressing any other notes, shift to LOCAL MODE OFF. Do not restart the GM. Now plug in the Midivolts, you should now have the octave range you selected. Hope this helps!!! Let me know if you have questions!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 This worked for me!
One spot makes a polarity adaptor that solves the reversed polarity issue.
That looks very cool! Is there any way to damage the circuits of synth, for example by plugging cables in the wrong way? Sorry for the silly question but I don't know anything about synth 😅 This device is a game changer 👍
Btw, I have been wondering if I should buy the GM. But I didn't like that is not polyphonic, despite all the great features and its amazing sound. Now I don't have excuses anymore 😀
Hey Riccardo, this is definitely not a silly question but VERY important! Short answer is NO. MidiVolts desktop only outputs a maximum of 5V which is well within the threshold of the GM (and most other eurorack/ semi modular synths). I also spent a lot of time designing the MidiVolts Desktop so that it is as protected as much as possible against overvoltage, in case you accidently plugged a high voltage output into a MDV input. If you are interested, I would be happy to dive more into the details if you are interested :) Thanks!
@@riccardopizzuti2571 Haha! I would highly reccomment the GM if you are in the market. It really is a super fun synth to play, poly or not :) Good luck!
Mine arrived today, but unfortunately I ordered the wrong adapter online (accidentally ordered one with a 3.5mm cable)...
I have another adapter from something that isn't being used, but it's a 12V adapter... Will this be OK?
Oh shoot! Bummer! Yes it required a 2.1 mm barrel adapter. The device was designed around a 9v supply. However, 12v should be fine. This will push the regulator a bit harder so the back of the device may get hotter then when using a 9v supply. Just keep this in mind! Thanks!!
So, is the filter still normalized, or does it need to be patched in again also (I don't know how turning off local mode affects filter)?
Filter is still normalized! Local mode Off only affects pitch CV and VCA/ trigger! Great question! Thanks!
Does this tutorial work with the newer eurorack version of the product (Just ordered one)? thank you.
Yep! Exactly the same!
When I turn local mode off I get no sound ouput from the grandmother and I have to reset the settings to get sound again. Any suggestions?
Yes, this is correct. Essentially, you are disconnecting the keybed from the grandmother. Make sure to turn on Drone mode. and Reset (Off, and on) the GM after you turn off local mode. You should hear very low pitch, like clicking. Once you start playing through the MVD, the pitch will be brought back up.
I may be interested in this because I actually have several Moog monosynths with cv control that I'd like to link up together. However, I'm curious though, is this midivolts module only made for the Grandmother? I have a Minimoog, Source, Micromoog, Rogue, and MG1. Would this work with those keyboards also?
Yes definitely! Pretty much any 1v/oct synth will work. For example, I sometimes combine my GM, werkstatt and Behringer 2600. However, with vintage synths, make sure you have a way to fine tune each oscillator so that each synth will play "in tune". That reminds me, I need to get a MG1!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 ok. Thanks. I'm not sure what you mean by tuning the oscillators because all of these synths have a tune feature which adjusts the tuning of the whole keyboard and oscillators. Of course, the Minimoog is the only one where you have to tune the 3 oscillators independently.
Got it, should be fine!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 and upon checking out your profile here on UA-cam, it looks like this is your invention and your company? If so, how do I order one? I'm interested. Thanks again.
@@terrybrown106 They are available on etsy. www.etsy.com/listing/950322866
This product is great, but I can't get the correct scaling. In other words, the notes are not playing chromatically. Any advice?
Hey Nick, I just shot over an emai. No worries, it's most likely a setup issue. We will get it resolved!
Can this thing damage the synth if not used correctly?
Good question! The short answer is no. Essentially, the unit only receives midi data and only outputs a maximum of 5v, which most synthesizers are fully capable of receiving! Thanks for the question!
Does the Moog still arp in 3 octaves in poly?
No sorry, I dont believe the Moog grandmother can handle poly sequences if thats what you are wondering. If you want to poly sequence, you will need to use an external sequencer such as Keystep or similar.
is this thing built specifically for moog stuff?
Nah, I just used my GM for the demo. But you can use anything that takes 1v/oct. I'm planning on releasing another demo video using the behringer 2600. Thanks for the question!
Hello! Just got a 2nd hand Midivolts yesterday and loving it! Controlling my Subharmonicon with the Keystep via the MV works like a charm.
However, I’d like to set my Elektron Octatrack as the sequencer for the Subharmonicon, via the MV of course. With that setup I’m having some trouble, as I’m only getting an infinitely sustaining Subharmonicon note when I press a key on the Keystep going into the OT.
Can this be due to the Octatrack not sending Note Off but a Velocity of 0 instead? Can the MV be configured to interpret V=0 as Note Off?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Hey there! Really happy to hear you are enjoying! This should be doable but will take a bit of additional patching. When a key is pressed, the Midivolts basically retains that voltage even after the key is released. This only changes when a new key is pressed. In order to turn off a note, you need to rely on the gate out signals for note on and off. For instance, run V0 gate out into an envelope or VCA in order to turn off the note. As you press a note, the VCA will open and close.
The Midivolts also handles velocity 0 off messages so you should be good here. You can check by watching the gate LEDs turn on and off as a key is pressed and released. Hopefully this makes sense! Definitely let me know if you need more help! Thanks again!
I’m curious. Can you achieve making playing four notes with the Subharmonicon, or can the midivolts only control two notes?
How come my default octave is so low? Sounds nothing like your GM in the demonstration. Its three voice 'polyphonic' but almost two full octaves below yours.
I have the both osc at 4'
Make sure to restart the GM after switching to local mode OFF. This should do it! I would recommend starting on 8' for both oscillators!
You can also adjust your octave using the left hand buttons. You may be playing at a lower midi range. Thanks!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 I'm having this same issue. I just picked up a Midivolts and it's super bassy. I can't make it sound "normal" at all and my oscillators won't tune like yours did. Have restarted, turned knobs, hit buttons. Nothing. Any advice?
@@lava2471 Hey thanks for reachig out! I ocassionally hear about this issue. Not sure if it has to do with differences in calibration of the GM but there is a simple fix.
Prior to turning off LOCAL MODE ON, press a C key of the lowest note you would like the MidiVolts to play. Next, without pressing any other notes, shift to LOCAL MODE OFF. Do not restart the GM. You should now have the octave range you selected. Hope this helps!!! Let me know if you have questions!
Hi. How do I change the MIDI channel. Thanks
Hey! I have the sysex files available on my github as well as a walkthrough on how to send sysex data to the MidiVolts.
github.com/SpaceBrainCircuits/MidiVoltsDesktop
Let me know if you have any questions!
Is Poly 4 mode not possible with the GM then??
Yes that is correct. The GM only has 3 oscillators. However, you could assign the 4th CV into another monosynth! Such as werkstatt, mother32 etc... Thanks!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 Thanks for getting back to me... I kind of thought that would be the case... Lucky for me I've a Mother 32 and a Subharmonicon... I ordered the Midivolts a couple of hours ago... 😎👍
@@richardjames111 awesome! Please let me know your thoughts! Shipping today/ tomorrow!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 Couldn't you use the Filter as an oscillator too? I know that with the resonance at 100% the filter self oscillates then you can put the keyboard tracking to 1:1. Shouldn't this work for the 4th oscillator? If possible of course you end up with a synth without a filter.
@@juan-pablomanriquez2749 Hey Juan, I had this exact thought but unfortunately the tracking on the GM Filter CV in isnt quite 1V/oct and I had a really hard time keeping the filter oscillator in tune. Im curious though if its just my synth and maybe if this is more properlly calibrated ths could be a solution! Way to think outside the box! Thanks for the comment!
I use a one-spot with a polarity reverse adapter, it's like 3 bucks!
Brilliant! Thanks for the insight! This sounds like a great solution! Would you mind sharing the adapter that you use? Thanks again!
@@spacebraincircuits1358 Truetone CYR 1 SPOT Reverse Polarity Converter from Sweetwater