Synthi AKS Poly Midi-CV Interface
Same retro looking trapezoidal shaped plastic case as used in my other AKS CV units.
This is a Poly Midi-CV unit designed to be used with a Synthi AKS. It
is based around Marc Bareille’s fantastic multi-channel PiC
microcontroller based Midi-CV converter called the ‘MCV876’.
See details of Marc’s unit at his website:-
MCV876 Midi to CV
The MVC876 comes in 3 or 4 channel versions and a clever intelligent ‘midi–learn’ feature (see Marc’s website) .
The Synthi AKS Poly Midi-CV uses the 3 channel unit.
The units come with the latest firmware programmed into the onboard microcontroller (pic182320). Thie units supports both mono and polyphonic play modes. Marc has created a simple windows software interface that allows the Midi-CV (either 3 or 4 channel versions) to be configured in different ways to offer different functionalities, all via midi sysex.
Control voltages CV1-CV3 is relevant for the Poly Mid-CV, CV1-CV4 is available for the 4 channel Quad Midi-CV (see elsewhere)
Mono* CV1-Gate1 assigned to NoteOn/Off messages
* CV2, CV3,CV4 are assignable to controllers, velocity or PitchBend..
* Gates 2,3,4 are assignable to controllers.
* One channel recognition
Multi2
* CV1/Gate1 and CV2/Gate2 are on channel N - CV1 assignable to MIDI notes
* CV3/Gate3 and CV/Gate4 are on channel N+1 - CV4 assignable to MIDI notes
Multi4
* CV1 to CV4 and Gate1 to 4 are respecxtively on channels N to N+4
* CVs or gates can be assigned to MIDI notes or controllers independantly.
Poly2
* CV1 +Gate1 and CV2+Gate2 are assigned to NoteOn/Off messages
* CV3 and CV4 are assignable to controllers, velocity or PitchBend..
PIC18F2320 only
Poly4
* CV1 to CV4 and Gate1 to 4 are assigned to NoteOn/Off message
PIC18F2320 only
The unit has Envelope Shaper (ES) trigger assignable to either KS trigger or any of the 4 gates (gate1-gate4) via a front panel rotary switch. How many of the 4 gates are available depends on the mode used. Eg in Poly2 mode, only 2 gates are available (gate1 and gate2). In poly4 mode or Controller mode all 4 gates are available to trigger the ES.
Gates 5 and gate 6 outputs are via 6.35mm jack sockets and offer Midi
start/Stop and Midi clock signals for interfacing/synchronizing with
other external midi devices.
There are 3 front panel level pots for CV1-CV3. Also there are 3 toggle
switches that can flip the scaling between 0.32V/Oct (standard synthi
Oscillator scaling) or 1V/Oct when pots are set to max level (10). The
1V/Oct option is useful if a CV channel is being used as a modulation
source rather than give pitch control of a synthi Oscillator.
Toggle switches allow independent switching of KS control or Midi-CV
control of each of the 3 independent CV input channels of the AKS
matrix (Input Ch1, Input ch2, and row 16 of the matrix).So its
possible eg to run KS controlled pitch sequences via matrix row 16 and
midi generated pitch sequences via CV1 and CV2 controlling Osc1/Osc2 in
Poly2 mode and gate controlled via KS or gates 1-4. There is also the
option to invert CV3 or the KS CV source into row16 of the matrix via
another toggle switch..again adding to the creative possibilities.
It could also be used in a single Synthi AKS controller unit..with 3 of
the 4 channels being used to inject CV1-CV3 into the matrix (Input Ch1,
Input Ch2, row16) and the 4th channel used to offer noveltriggering
modes of the ES.
The unit connects to the synthi via a special cable with a 15 pin D
connector at one end splitting into two 8 way cables that have
male/female Jones connectors on each end that connect to the Synthi and
the KS. The unit derives its power from Synthi AKS and is about 100ma
mainly from the +12v side of the power rail. Tests on my VCS3 (mk2)+DK2
power rails show there is more than enough power in the main PSU (which
is same as the Synthi AKS Main psu) to cover this additional drain even
with the DK2 powered up.
The unit will of course work with the VCS3(mk2)+ Dk1/2..but I will
offer a special version in Afroromosia hardwood case to match the VCS3
styling (see elsewhere).
Prices £350+shipping.
Contact me to be placed on a list. Only a limited number will be produced.