Audio- & MIDI-Interfaces

Notes: MCV4 is a budget-priced MIDI-to-CV-Interface to control vintage monophonic synthesizers via MIDI. MCV4 is provided with 4 analogue control voltage outputs (CV1...4) and one Gate/Trigger output.

These are the most important MCV4 features:
4 analogue control voltages CV1...CV4
Voltage range for CV1...4: 0...+5V, 8 Bit resolution (equivalent to 1/4 semitone resolution)
CV1 for pitch control (normally VCO CV)
CV2...4 for voltage control of other functions (e.g. VCF frequency, loudness, modulation)

MIDI control of CV1..4:
CV1: note on/off with pitch-bend, 1V/octave characteristic
CV2 monophic after-touch
CV3 velocity and/or volumen (controller #7)
CV4 velocity and/or any controller (setting of the controller number via learn button)

Pitch-bend is used for CV1 generation with 1/4 semitone resolution
Gate output type can be selected via jumper inside the device between voltage trigger (+5V or power supply voltage) and S-trigger (switched trigger)
MIDI channel and reference note for CV1=0V adjustable via learn button
Different assign modes for CV1 (highest note, last note, reference note)
Retrigger on/off while playing legato
Gate/trigger polarity normal/inverted
Two 1/4" stereo jack sockets for CV1/2 and CV3/4
1/4" mono jack socket for gate/trigger
Learn button with LED for adjusting MIDI channel, reference note for CV1, controller for CV4
Optical display of gate/trigger via LED
MIDI-In, MIDI-Thru
Non-volatile memory for parameter settings
Stable metal case (about 95x75x35 mm, 1mm sheet steel)

External AC adapter for power supply
AC adapter for 230V AC and European type of mains connector is included within Europe
7...12V/100mA DC required, DC connector with 5.5 mm outer diameter and 2.1 or 2.5 mm inner diameter, polarity: plus = center, minus = ring

*** Adapters for other parts of the world have to be purchased separately. ***

Suitable accessories:

MCV4 special cable (1/4" stereo jack plug -> 2 x 1/4" mono jack plug, length about 90cm, also called "insert cable")

MIDI channel, reference note for CV1 (this is the MIDI note corresponding to 0V of CV1 and thus the lowest possible note of the analogue synthesizer connected to MCV4) and the controller no. for CV4 are adjusted via learn function. For this, the learn button must be pressed and the required MIDI messages sent from the MIDI controlling device (MIDI synthesizer, keyboard, sequencer ...). The other parameters (retrigger, trigger polarity, assign mode ...) are adjusted in learn mode via program-change messages.
The Hz/V mode available in the predecessor model MCV1 is not available with the MCV4 because of the many problems occurring with the non-linear Hz/V characteristic. But some synthesizers normally using Hz/V can be controlled with V/Oct (e.g. Korg MS10/MS20, details you may find in the MCV4 user's guide).

If you want to use all 4 analogue control voltages, you need 2 special cables with a stereo 1/4" jack plug on one end (MCV4 side) and two mono 1/4" jack plugs on the other (synthesizer side). Cables like this can be purchase elsewhere. If you need it, it is recommended to order it together with the MCV4.