MIDI INSTRUMENTS

If you have a MIDI keyboard, adding the MIDI to CV module is a must—it enables you to use the notes of keyboard keys (1V/Oct), their velocity, and (if your keyboard supports it) aftertouch, as well as the modulation and pitch wheels to control anything with an input. This could be as simple as wiring the keyboard’s 1V/Oct output to the V/Oct input of a VCO, or far more complex—modular synths are all about exploration and experimentation, so it’s up to you to find a sound you love.

If you don’t have a MIDI keyboard, you can still get a little more interactive with your instruments. Download and install Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard from http://vmpk.sourceforge. net, and MIDI OX and MIDI Yoke from http://midiox.com, and set VMKB’s output to MIDI Yoke. Add a MIDI to CV module to your synth, set its interface to the appropriate input, wire its 1V/Oct port to something interesting, and use the keys on your computer keyboard to play. Bear in mind that the other MIDI outputs are useless if playing this way, because your virtual keyboard is limited to straight on/off voltages. 5 PULSES ON PULSES The LFO is giving character to your sound, but a sequencer turns your synth from a drone into a rhythmic machine. Add “Fundamentals > SEQ-3” to your rack, and try not to be too intimidated—it’s a fairly simple contraption. Each row output sends a signal, determined by each row of knobs, when the clock (represented by the flashing green light along the bottom) passes them. Wire the “Row 1” output to the “Exp” input of the VCA, then patch the square wave output of your LFO to the external clock input of the sequencer. Now, turn knobs 1, 3, 5, and 7 to full—you’ll hear your note pulsing on and off with every beat. Add another sequencer, patch the gate output of the original into the external clock input of the new one to sync them up, then fire its row 1 into the V/Oct input [ Image E] of the first VCO-1 instrument we added. You can now use the knobs to control the note played on each beat. 6 MAKING CHOICES Having multiple rows means we can use sequences longer than just eight beats. Add a Sequential Switch 2, and patch each of the row outputs from your second sequencer to a separate one of its inputs. Wire the final gate output of the sequencer to the switch’s clock input, and set the multi position “2:3:4” switch to 3—you should see the green light on it step between each of your three inputs. Now wire the output of the sequential switch to your VCO’s V/Oct input [ Image F], and enjoy three rows of note selection.