USB-Solo Manual - Kenton Electronics
Contents
1. KENTON USB SOLO USB Single channel MIDI CV converter SYNC 24 AUX 3 AUX 2 AUX 1 GATE CV CLOCK S TRIG Hz V GENERAL 01 MIDI RECEIVE CHANNEL s ego s s NOTE 02 RETRIG TIME high specification single synth 03 NOTE PRIORITY LO HI NEW USB MIDI to CV converter PORTAMENTO CONTROLLER PORTAMENTO TIME RATE r PARA rVAL r GATE PORTAMENTO TYPE LFO TO CV CONTROLLER LFO TO CV MINIMUM VALUE LFO TO CV MAXIMUM VALUE LFO TO CV RESET VALUE COARSE TUNE SEMITONES FINE TUNE SCALE CV HZ SELECT GATE TYPE SELECT AUX CONTROLLER AUX MINIMUM VALUE AUX MAXIMUM VALUE AUX RESET VALUE 24 KEY SCALE TO AUX SELECT DEC INC LFO TO AUX CONTROLLER LFO TO AUX MINIMUM VALUE LFO TO AUX MAXIMUM VALUE PARAMETER VALUE TOGGLE LFO TO AUX RESET VALUE LONG HOLD TO LOAD STORE LFO RATE LFO WAVESHAPE LFO MIDI SYNC LFO SYNC START POINT U S B 6 O LO KEY ON RESETS LFO WAVE CONTINUE START 41 CLOCK DIVIDE AUX 2 CONTROLLER AUX 2 THRESHOLD KENTON DIE 3 CONTROLLA AUX 3 THRESHOLD SYSEX DEVICE NUMBER PROGRAM LOAD PROGRAM www kenton co uk LOAD PROGRAM C perating manual FCC STATEMENT FOR USB SOLO NOTE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and2. On on always on Off of always off Auto portamento AU normally off but legato playing turns portamento on MIDI controllers 0 to 119 values 64 and above on 63 and below off The standard MIDI controller for portamento on off is 65 which is the default but with this command the USB SOLO allows you to use another controller direct control or Auto Portamento if you wish P 06 Portamento time rate default 98 Range 1 to 127 Sets the portamento glide or slide time This can also be adjusted in real time over MIDI using controller 5 portamento time This number is just a value it is not calibrated in mS or any other unit To turn portamento off set portamento controller parameter 05 to off don t use this parameter 5 P07 Portamento type default fixed rate The following can be selected Fixed rate Fr Fixed time Ft Fixed rate causes the portamento to slide at the rate set in 06 so that the slide time is proportional to the interval between the start and finish notes Fixed time will attempt to keep the time taken for the slide to be constant regardless of the interval between the start and finish notes In extreme cases this is not always possible P 08 LFO to CV controller number default 1 The following can be selected Off OFF Pitch bend Pbd Velocity VEL Aftertouch AFt MIDI controllers 0 to 119 P 09 LFO to CV minimum value default 0 Range 0 to 127 Sets the level for
3. 10 S trig with 5V pullup Hz V 35 ARP2600 also Odyssey mk1 KE skts Gate 15V Aux1 set to TRIG EDITING THE USB SOLO Switching On When the USB SOLO is switched on the words KENTON USB SOLO scroll across the display and the unit reverts to the settings from when it was last used The Display The display has 3 digits each with a dot above The 1st dot when lit indicates that PARAMETER mode is currently selected The middle dot when lit indicates that VALUE mode is currently selected The 3rd dot will light whenever the USB SOLO s GATE is on key pressed or sustained Value Parameter mode mode g Gate On a Stepping Through Parameters Ensure that the PARAMETER dot is lit If you need to you can change between PARAMETER and VALUE modes by briefly pressing the SELECT button you can then use the INC and DEC buttons to scroll through the available parameters The available parameters are printed on the case of the USB SOLO for convenience For additional confirmation a P will appear in the left digit whenever parameter mode is selected Changing Values Ensure that the VALUE dot is lit You can change between PARAMETER and VALUE modes by briefly pressing the SELECT button You can then use the INC and DEC buttons to scroll through the available values The left digit is used for displaying the hundreds portion of the value if applicable It will also have a horizontal dash if a minus value is to be displayed Minus values
4. GATE sometimes called V trig voltage trigger signal is a voltage that tells the synth when to play the note The GATE voltage will usually be a positive voltage when the note is on and OV when off Some other synths like Moog Korg and Yamaha use S TRIG Short Trigger instead of GATE This signal still tells the note when to play but it is a different type of signal electrically To tell the note to play the converter will provide a short circuit at it s S TRIG output OV and to turn off the note the output will be open circuit literally like opening and closing a switch A point to watch for unless you know the synth it will not always be clear what type of CV and GATE signals are required to play the synth For instance the Korg MS20 requires an S TRIG signal but the input is labelled TRIG Another example is the Yamaha CS5 The pitch input is marked CV but requires a Hz V signal The best way to check is either ask someone who knows or just try all types of output till the synth works correctly If you do plug your synth to the wrong outputs it shouldn t do any harm although always start out with minimum voltages Here s a general guide to the most common synths and how to hook them up to your converter SYNTH MODEL CV OR S TRIG OR AUXILIARY NOTES HZ V GATE CONNECTIONS MINIMOOG CV S TRIG 5V FILTER OR CINCH JONES CONNECTOR NEEDED LOUDNESS MOOGROGUE _ cv GATE SV OT KITAVAILABLEFORFILTER __MOOGSOURCE
5. LFO to CV modulation when the MIDI controller source is at its minimum Note that minimum can be set above maximum so that the controller works backwards Why would want to do this You may want a pre set amount of modulation applied at all times P10 LFO to CV maximum value default 50 Range 0 to 127 Sets the level for LFO to CV modulation when the MIDI controller source is at its maximum Note that minimum can be set above maximum so that the controller works backwards Why would want to do this The modulation amount at mod wheel maximum may be too great or too little P11 LFO to CV reset value default 0 Range 0 to 127 Sets the level the LFO to CV modulation will reset to when the USB SOLO is powered on or when it receives a controller reset MIDI command or a new setup is loaded from memory This is equivalent to a MIDI message of this value being received so it will be influenced by min and max settings above Why would want to do this You may want a pre set amount of modulation that can however be turned off later using the mod wheel P 12 Coarse Tune Transpose default 0 Range 24 to 24 Changing this will change the tuning of the mono synth in semi tone steps If your synth does not play C when you play a MIDI C note 36 use this to make it as near as possible Why would I want to do this Your synth might not play a C when zero volts CV is applied to it either because it is out of adjustment
6. allows you to see what types of MIDI messages are being transmitted by your master keyboard sequencer making the USB SOLO a useful diagnostic tool To enter analyser mode you must power on the USB SOLO whilst holding the SELECT button The display will then show AnL for analyser Releasing the select button shows rC for receive channel amp status mode This means the display will show the MIDI receive channel of any messages it receives in the right hand two digits and will show status in the left digit this is explained further down the page Using the INC DEC and SELECT buttons different types of received MIDI messages may be displayed SELECT Short press rC Receive channel amp status Long press PC Program change DEC Short press nt Note number Long press nv Velocity INC Short press Cn Controller number Long press Cv Controller value For whichever of the above selected the USB SOLO will display the value it receives for the type of message currently selected Although pitchbend and after touch are not strictly controllers when Controller number Cn mode is selected pb will be displayed if a pitchbend message is received and af will be displayed if an after touch message is received If Controller value Cv mode is selected and pitchbend or after touch messages are received their values will be displayed When Receive channel amp status rC mode is selected the right hand 2 digits
7. cv s TRIG Sv CKITAVAILABLEFORFITLER ROLAND MC 202 cv GATE SV KIT AVAILABLE FOR CV GATE FILTER SLIDE SEQUENTIAL PRO 1 cv GATE 15V FILTER __ YAMAHA CS 10 20 30_ Hzv s TRIG 6v FILTER AVAILABLE FOR CS 5 ARP ODYSSEY amp AXXE cv GATE 15v KITAVAILABLEFORFILTER PARP 2600 cv GATE iSv FILTER OCTAVE CATIKITTEN cv GRE 15V FILTER This is a general guide only further socket kits are available and many other synths can be controlled There simply is not the space to detail all connections to all synths However if you visit our website you will find more information there A further point to watch for Some synths use stereo jacks for the CV and GATE connections Moog for instance use a stereo jack for CV In Out and a stereo jack for S TRIG In Out on some synths 15 Whether the tip or the ring is in or out is hard to say as Moogs seem to vary from synth to synth The Rogue however uses RING for inputs and TIP for outputs Octave who made the Cat and Kitten synths also use stereo jacks CV and GATE outputs are on one stereo jack and the inputs are on another stereo jack Auxiliary output More control The AUX output can be used to control functions such as filter cut off or volume control This depends on what control inputs your synth has Most mono synths have at least a Filter input e g the Pro 1 Some synths such as the Minimoog also have VCA inputs
8. if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help INTRODUCTION The USB SOLO is much more than just a USB MIDI to CV converter as it incorporates a built in LFO as well as portamento and many other functions Please take some time to read through this manual prior to first use to avoid any operational difficulties CONNECTIONS USB MIDI converter Filter Gate CV MIDI IN Analogue MIDI OUT Gate CV MIDI Master keyboard USB Plug one end of the supplied USB cable into here and other end into your computer or hub This cable not only carries the MIDI data but also supplies power to the USB SOLO CV Hz V Plug this into the input marked CV IN VCO IN KEY VOLT or KYBD IN etc on your mono synth This controls the pi
9. necessary to adjust the USB SOLO to compensate for the tuning of your synth 1 Firstly ensure that your analogue synth is as in tune as possible when playing from its own keyboard Do this by adjusting the tuning or pitch knob on your analogue synth whilst playing middle C on both this and your master keyboard or whatever you use for tuning reference To do this you may need to disconnect the analogue synth from the USB SOLO 11 2 Connect the converter to your analogue synth and MIDI system Check the USB SOLO is switched to the correct scaling system Hz V for Korg and Yamaha or V oct for anything else see Editing Parameters section Set transpose to zero Now press bottom C MIDI note 36 on your digital synth Both synths should sound don t worry at this stage if they are not in tune 3 Using bottom C MIDI note 36 as a reference you must use this note for maximum accuracy tune in the USB SOLO with your analogue synth by adjusting the parameter FINE TUNE and TRANSPOSE if necessary see Editing Parameters section until it is exactly in tune 4 When your digital amp analogue synths are in tune at the bottom play middle C two octaves up on your digital synth MIDI note 60 Now adjust the SCALE parameter see Editing Parameters section until both synths are in tune The analogue synth should now play correctly across it s complete range from your master keyboard if this is still not the case go back to step 3 and repeat
10. of its working life To prevent possible harm to the environment or to human health from uncontrolled waste disposal please separate this from other types of wastes and recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable re use of material resources Household users should contact either the retailer where they purchased the product or their local government office for details of where and how they can take this item for environmentally safe recycling Business users should contact their supplier and check the terms and conditions of the purchase contract This product should not be mixed with other commercial wastes for disposal KENTOMN www kenton co uk Kenton Electronics Limited Brookfarm House Station Road South Wimbledon London SW19 2LP UK Tel 44 0 20 8544 9200 Fax 44 0 20 8544 9300 Firmware version 1007 e amp o e 2 August 2012 20
11. or maybe it was designed that way e g Minimoog zero volts F P13 Fine tune default 0 Range 127 to 127 approximately a semitone each way use P12 above if you need more Fine tunes the mono synth This moves all notes up and down by the same amount P 14 Scale default 0 Range 127 to 127 This is used to tune in the octave scaling of your analogue synth It will only need adjusting if your synth sounds out of tune as you play further up the keyboard see Tuning in Your Analogue Synth Check whether CV type select has been set correctly see P 15 below Note C MIDI note 36 will not move assuming transpose is not in operation so get that in tune first then tune the C two octaves above that by using this parameter P15 CV Hz V 1 2V oct select default CV This shoud be set to V oct CV for connecting to most synths such as Roland SCI Octave Oberheim or Moog synths Set it to Hz V Hz if you are using either Yamaha or Korg mono synths except the Monopoly which is volt per octave A very small number of synths use 1 2 volts per octave 12 one tenth of a volt per semitone in which case select this option P16 Gate type select default G 05 you can select the following types for the GATE output Gate V Trig low 5v g 05 Gate V Trig high 15v g 15 Gate is the most common signal used for telling a synth when to play its note The high level Gate is suitable for most syn
12. rate portamento type LFO to CV depth controller LFO to CV min val LFO to CV max val LFO to CV reset val coarse tune transpose fine tune val scale val v o or hzv or 1 2v select 0 2 gate select Aux1 Cont Aux1 min val Aux1 max val Aux1 reset val Key scale to Aux LFO to Aux1 cont LFO to Aux1 min val LFO to Aux1 max val LFO to Aux1 reset value Lfo speed Lfo waveshape Lfo MIDI sync Lfo sync start point Key on resets LFO wave cont start clock divide Aux 2 controller Aux 2 threshold Aux 3 controller Aux 3 threshold L O off 1 on 0 continue ignored 1 continue start Range 0 15 0 25 0 2 0 24 253 0 119 0 127 0 1 252 0 119 0 127 0 127 0 127 232 gt 0 gt 24 129 gt 0 gt 127 129 gt 0 gt 127 0 4 251 gt 0 gt 119 0 127 0 127 0 127 0 127 252 0 119 0 127 0 127 0 127 0 191 0 8 0 96 0 255 0 1 0 1 0 24 252 gt 0 gt 119 Data 0 15 corresponds to MIDI channels 1 16 232 24 semitones 0 no transpose 24 24 semitones 25 to 231 are invalid L 253 pmt off 254 pmt on 255 auto pmt amp 0 119 252 ignore 253 pitchbend 254 velocity 255 aftertouch amp 0 119 0 64 64 0 127 63 251 trig 252 ignore 253 p bend 254 vel 255 aft amp 0 119 0 triangle 1 saw up 2 saw down 3 10 pulse etc as display 1 96 corresponds to sync divide 1 to 96 and 0 off 0 23 corresponds to arpeggio
13. the process for final tweaking CHECK LIST FOR SETTING UP THE USB SOLO 1 Make sure all cable connections have been made y 2 Set MIDI receive channel you wish to use y 3 Make sure you have set the GATE output correctly to either Gate or S Trig type triggers y 4 Make sure you have set the CV output correctly to either V oc or Hz V a 5 You may wish to adjust the AUX or any other settings to those that work best for your set up y BOOT MENU OPTIONS Some combinations of buttons can be pressed at power up to adjust settings or enter other operational modes First ensure the power switch is off press the required button or buttons then turn the power switch on The various modes are described below SEL only Enters MIDI analyser mode displays ANL described on page 13 DEC only Enters Global Parameters mode displays GPA decribed below INC only Displays the firmware revision number described below SEL amp DEC Powers up without USB from plugging cable in only displays NoU SEL amp INC Receive firmware upgrade displays rFU described below SEL amp DEC amp INC Reset to factory defaults displays Fd described on page 11 Global Parameters Mode Releasing the DEC button shows Prg the only option available here at present Press INC to enable program changes to load in memories 1 to 40 Press DEC to disable program changes to load memories default Firmware revi
14. ave default o The following can be selected Off OFF On on When on the LFO waveform is reset to the selected start point whenever a new note is played P 40 Continue start default on note default was off before firmware 1007 The following can be selected Off OFF On on when set to on all continue messages are treated as if they were MIDI start messages when set to off continue messages will only be treated as start if immediately preceded by a song position pointer zero message Some sequencers use this instead of a start message Affects both the sync 24 output and aux output when in clock mode P 41 Clock divide ratio default 2 available values c24 c48 amp d2 to d24 sets the ratio of MIDI clocks to output pulses from the aux3 output set to clock mode c24 special drum machine mode outputs 24 cpqn used for many drum machines c48 special drum machine mode outputs 48 cpqn for Linn amp Oberheim drum machines N B Some drum machines use other values e g the Roland CR78 uses 12 cpqn div ratio 2 If set to 2 there will 12 pulses from the aux output for every 24 MIDI clocks 12 cpqn If set to 24 there will be 1 pulse from the clock pulse output for every 24 MIDI clocks 1 cpqn Note there are 24 MIDI clocks per quarter note Below is a table of values you can set the divide ratio to in order to obtain a clock pulse at various musical time intervals Note ty
15. default 100 Range 27 to 100 Sets the level for the Auxiliary output when the MIDI controller source is at its maximum A value of 10 is approximately 1 05 volt so 100 is approx 10 5 volts and 27 is approx 2 86 volts Note that minimum can be set above maximum so that the controller works backwards P 23 AUX 1 reset value default 0 Range 0 to 127 Sets the level the Auxiliary output will reset to when the USB SOLO is powered on or when it receives a controller reset MIDI command or a new setup is loaded from memory This is equivalent to a MIDI message of this value being received so it will be influenced by min and max settings above P 24 Key scale to AUX 1 default 0 Range 0 to 127 Sets the amount of key scaling which is applied to the Aux output for opening the filter up as you play notes further up the keyboard Most synths do this internally even when connected to a CV converter however not all do a particular exception being the Sequential Pro One This feature enables key scale to filter even when not otherwise available on the synth P 25 LFO to AUX 1 controller default 17 Sets which Controller will control the LFO depth applied to the AUX1 output The following can be selected Off OFF Pitch bend Pbd Velocity VEL Aftertouch AF t MIDI controllers 0 to 119 P 26 LFO to AUX 1 minimum value default 0 Range 0 to 127 Sets the level for LFO to AUX modulation when the MIDI control
16. divide 1 to 24 0 1 Notes see end 1 3 O fixed rate 1 fixed time 4 2 129 gt 0 ve 129 gt 0 ve 6 4 All sysex addresses and data are range checked and out of range values will either be ignored or adjusted to give a valid response 19 SPECIFICATIONS Power Input Power is supplied by the USB host device via the USB cable Power consumption 105mA max MIDI In amp Out via USB Analogue outputs CV on 3 5mm mono jack V oct or Hz V or 1 2V oct Gate on 3 5mm mono jack Gate or S trig with or without pullups Aux1 on 3 5mm mono jack Digital outputs Aux2 amp Aux3 on 3 5mm mono jacks off 0 volts on 5 volts Sync 24 on 5 pin 180 degree DIN socket Weight 450g Dimensions 130 x 97 x 40 mm D to A conversion 2 x 16 bit high quality low drift DACs Non volatile memory EEPROM no back up battery required Processor 32 bit ARM processor USB connector Type B socket USB A to B cable supplied 1 8 metre WARRANTY The USB SOLO comes with a 12 month from purchase date back to base warranty i e customer must arrange and pay for carriage to and from Kenton Electronics WEEE DIRECTIVE Correct disposal of this product at the end of its working life applies to the European Union amp other European countries with separate collection systems The crossed out wheelie bin symbol affixed to this product indicates that it should not be disposed of with other household wastes at the end
17. e USB SOLO responds by sending a program dump in the format given below for dump receive For info change 7 20h info change 8 Ouuuuuuu where uuuuuuu high 7 bits of parameter address always zero for usb solo 9 Ohhhhhhh where hhhhhhh low 7 bits of parameter address 10 Ouuuuuuu where uuuuuuu high 7 bits of data either 0 or 1 for usb solo 11 Ohhhhhhh where hhhhhhh low 7 bits of data 12 OF7h endofexclusive The USB SOLO responds by changing the specified data and updating the display if necessary Parameter data are accessed at the addresses shown on the following page For program dump receive 7 40h program dump receive 8 xx prog number to dump from 1 to 40 or 0 edit buffer current 9 Ouuuuuuu where uuuuuuu high 7 bits of data either 0 or 1 for usb solo 10 Ohhhhhhh where hhhhhhh low 7 bits of data 9 amp 10 above are repeated 48 times for 48 bytes of data 105 OF7h end of exclusive total bytes 105 For firmware upgrade 7 to 65406 65400 bytes where 57225 bytes of 8 bit code are packed as 65400 bytes of 7 bits 65407 OF7h end of exclusive total bytes 65407 Note that USB SOLO must be set in special firmware receive state to receive this dump See boot menu options on page 12 18 Address 00 01 01 03 04 05 06 07 08 NOTES Function Receive chan trig retrig note priority pitchbend range portamento cont portamento time
18. e and select MIDI clock to transmit If you have more than one MIDI port attached to your computer note that MIDI clock does not necessarily come out of all MIDI ports it may only come out of a pre assigned or selected one There is more information about MIDI clock problems on our website in the Information and FAQs section MORE ABOUT MIDI CLOCK ON THE USB SOLO Clock Stop Start signal is available at the Aux 2 output if selected as the controller source Para 42 Clock with a rate of between 1 and 48 clocks per quarter note is available with positive or negative going pulses at the Aux 3 output if selected as the controller source See parameter 44 The clock rate is selectable using parameter 40 Note that no output will happen unless one of the following conditions are met 1 A MIDI start command is received Unfortunately not all sequencers send start commands 2 A MIDI continue is received immediately preceded by a song position pointer zero message 3 A MIDI continue is received and continue start is set on Sync 24 is available at the DIN socket 5 pin 180 degree DIN connector Pin 1 Stop 0 volts 1Start 5 volts or continue if selected Pin 3 5 volt positive going pulses 24 clocks pulses per quarter note the same as MIDI Pin 2 Ground zero volts Pins 4 amp 5 are not used Sync 24 is always available subject to a MIDI clock signal being present it is not affected by the clock d
19. efined 10 OAH Pan 11 OBH Expression controller 12 15 OC OFH Undefined 16 19 10 13H General purpose controllers 1 4 20 31 14 1FH Undefined 32 63 20 3FH LSB for controllers 0 31 64 40H Damper pedal sustain Hold 1 65 41H Portamento 66 42H Sostenuto 67 43H Soft pedal 68 44H Undefined 69 45H Hold 2 70 79 46 4FH Undefined 80 83 50 53H General purpose controllers 5 8 84 90 54 5AH Undefined 91 5BH External effects depth 92 5CH Tremolo depth 93 5DH Chorus depth 94 5EH Celeste detune depth 95 5FH Phaser depth 96 60H Data increment 97 61H Data decrement 98 62H Non registered parameter number LSB 99 63H Non registered parameter number MSB 100 64H Registered parameter number LSB 101 65H Registered parameter number MSB 102 119 66 78H Undefined 120 127 79 7FH Reserved for channel mode messages 17 SYSEX CONTROL The USB SOLO can be controlled by SysEx System Exclusive messages in the following formats The first five bytes of SysEx for the USB SOLO are always the same for all data types 1 OFOh Sysex command 2 00h Company ident first byte 3 20h Company ident second byte 4 13h Company ident third byte 5 OFh Product code USB SOLO 6 zzh where zz is 0 OFh device number 1 16 or 7Fh firmware upgrade or program dump request 7 10h program dump request 8 xx prog number to dump from 1 to 40 or 0 edit buffer current 9 O0F7h end of exclusive E Th
20. i is an inverted clock 5V at rest and gives a pulse to zero to signal a clock used on some synths such as Korg Monopoly P 45 AUX 3 threshold default 64 Range 1 to 127 Sets the threshold at which the AUX3 output will change from 0 to 5V or from 5V to 0 If the MIDI data value of the selected controller is greater than or equal to the threshold then AUX3 will be on 5V otherwise it will be off OV Note Does not affect Timing Clock P 46 Sysex Device Number default 1 Range 1 to 16 Sets the sysex device number for this unit OTHER USEFUL INFO The USB SOLO will always respond to controller 64 sustain pedal with no adjustment necessary One intended use for Auxes 2 3 is to control the accent amp slide of our 5 socket kit for the TB 303 If you are not using a sequencer you will need some way of linking your MIDI keyboard to the USB SOLO For the PC we recommend a program called MidiOX available from www midiox com You can use program changes to load programs from memory if enabled in Global Parameters RESETTING THE USB SOLO TO FACTORY DEFAULTS If you wish to reset your USB SOLO you can do so by turning the unit on whilst holding down all three push buttons This will return the USB SOLO s settings to their default values Fd factory defaults will momentarily be displayed when this has been done TUNING THE USB SOLO TO YOUR SYNTH It may be that your synth is slightly out of tune so it will be
21. ivide parameter 41 however it is affected by the continue start parameter 40 14 A BRIEF GUIDE TO MIDI TO CV CONVERSION FOR THE BEGINNER MIDI CV converters can have up to four different types of outputs used to control analogue synths usually labelled CV GATE S TRIG and AUX Below is a description of what they do Pitch CV outputs V oct Hz V The CV control voltage is a voltage that tells the synth what note to play Most synths use the 1 Volt per Octave V oct pitch scaling system to control the pitch This means that each octave is 1V V volts apart or 0 0833V per semitone For example bottom C MIDI note 36 corresponds to 0 Volts The next C will be 1V 2V 3V etc Synths using this system include Roland SH101 Sequential Circuits Pro 1 ARP Odyssey Oberheim OB 1 Some other synths most notably Korg and Yamaha use a different pitch scaling system This is an exponential method called Hertz per volt Hz V This means that for the next octave up the voltage is doubled So bottom C note 36 will be 0 25V the next C will be 0 5V 1V 2V 4V etc If you are not sure which C is MIDI note 36 use MIDI analyser mode to check If you use a Hz V synth with a V oct pitch output or vice versa the synth will play out of tune but will not cause any damage to the synth Note The Korg Monopoly is an exception Although other Korg synths use Hz V scaling this synth actually uses V oct scaling Gate Or S TRIG The
22. ler source is at its minimum Note that minimum can be set above maximum so that the controller works backwards P27 LFO to AUX 1 maximum value default 64 Range 0 to 127 Sets the level for LFO to AUX modulation when the MIDI controller source is at its maximum Note that minimum can be set above maximum so that the controller works backwards P 28 LFO to AUX 1 reset value default 0 Range 0 to 127 Sets the level the LFO to AUX1 modulation will reset to when the USB SOLO is powered on or when it receives a controller reset MIDI command or a new setup is loaded from memory This is equivalent to a MIDI message of this value being received so it will be influenced by min and max settings above P 30 LFO rate speed default 116 approx 6 25Hz Range 0 to 191 Sets the speed of the LFO Range approx 0 1Hz to 100Hz Note This number is just a numeric value for reference purposes only It is not calibrated in mS or any other unit The scale is roughly logarithmic Approximately 0 0 1Hz 66 1Hz 129 10Hz 191 100Hz P 31 LFO waveshape default TR Sets the LFO waveshape All waveshapes modulate CV and or Aux any value between 0 to a positive value except triangle which modulates positive and negative The following may be selected the downward arrow J indicates the default trigger point when in MIDI sync mode Note that the sync point can be changed using parameter 33 LFO Sync Start Point 4 4 Triangle TR ON Saw
23. pe Divide ratio CPQN clocks per quarter note Crotchets quarter notes 24 1 Crotchet triplets 16 Quavers eighth notes 12 2 Quaver triplets 8 Semiquavers sixteenths 6 4 Semiquaver triplets 4 6 Demisemiquavers 3 8 Demisemiquaver triplets 2 12 P 42 AUX 2 controller number default 18 Sets which MIDI controller will control AUX2 output The following controllers can be selected Clock Stop Start S tt Off OFF Pitch bend Pbd Velocity VEL Aftertouch AF t MIDI controllers 0 119 Note that this is a switch output and will be 0 volts or 5 volts depending on the MIDI data value and the threshold setting below P 43 AUX 2 threshold default 64 Range 1 to 127 Sets the threshold at which the AUX2 output will change from 0 to 5V or from 5V to 0 If the MIDI data value of the selected controller is greater than or equal to the threshold then AUX2 will be on 5V otherwise it will be off OV Note Does not affect Clock Stop Start 10 P 44 AUX 3 controller number default 19 Sets which MIDI controller will control pin 3 of the thru socket if Aux 2 3 mode is selected The following can be selected Timing Clock inverted CL i Timing Clock normal CLK Off OFF Pitch bend Pbd Velocity VEL Aftertouch AF t MIDI controllers 0 119 If timing clock is selected the clock divide ratio para 41 controls the relationship with MIDI clock CLK is a normal positive clock most synths use this CL
24. show the received MIDI channel if applicable and the left hand digit operates as a received MIDI message indicator LED segments will flash when then following types of messages are received Note on Note off Sysex Timing clock MIDI clock Start Stop Continue Any MIDI Clock start message K Ran 4 Clock continue ie e T MIDI clock Not ote on S Note off Clock stop The top left dot any MIDI message operates in all modes not just for Receive Channel amp Status mode To exit MIDI analyser mode the power switch of the USB SOLO must be turned off then on again 13 PROBLEMS YOU MAY ENCOUNTER WHEN USING MIDI CLOCK When using MIDI clock in conjunction with the USB SOLO please note the following First ensure that the USB SOLO is actually receiving MIDI clock This is not as silly as it sounds there are a number of reasons why it may not be receiving MIDI clock messages in the first place If you are having problems go into the MIDI analyser mode described on page 13 and see if the USB SOLO is actually receiving the MIDI clock messages If the USB SOLO is not receiving clock messages here are a few points to watch for Some MIDI mergers amp patch bays actually remove MIDI clock information from the data stream or you may have to enable it for the port you are using Users of CUBASE note that the default for MIDI clock is for it NOT to be sent you will have to go into the MIDI synchronisation pag
25. sion While the INC button is held the firmware revision number 1xxx will be displayed in pairs two dashes then digits 1 amp 2 then digits 3 amp 4 repeated Releasing the INC button will revert to the normal operational mode Receive firmware upgrade Releasing the buttons may briefly display 1 start and will then show 2 ready The 2 indicates that the USB SOLO is ready to receive the upgrade Now send the firmware upgrade see instructions included in the firmware upgrade zip file the 2 should flash while the dump is being received then number 3 all received followed quickly by 4 CRC check OK then after about 5 seconds a steady 5 The 5 indicates the update has been successful Wait 10 seconds then unplug amp replug the USB cable to resume operation with the new firmware NEVER UNPLUG WHILE THE 4 IS SHOWING Possible error states hangs at stage 2 not enough bytes received 8 shows dump is corrupt For both of the above situations unplug the USB cable and start again Don t use the on off switch It is essential that power is maintained to the USB SOLO during the firmware upgrade process Failure of power during stage 4 will leave the unit unusable and require return of the unit to Kenton We consequently recommend that the upgrade process is only carried out while your host device computer is powered from the mains 12 MIDI ANALYSER MODE The USB SOLO has a built in MIDI analyser function This feature
26. t of parameters available to edit The letters in square brackets show where applicable what will be shown in thevalue display Menu number Parameter default P 01 MIDI receive channel default 1 Range 1 to 16 Sets the MIDI receive channel P 02 Retrig Time default 5 Range off off and 0 2mS to 5 mS approximately so 5 in display 1 millisecond If set to off normal trigger mode the gate just stays on when a new note is played no re trigger If set to a number a valid new note will briefly turn off the gate to retrigger the envelope generators of your mono synth multiple trigger The numbers relate to the off time in 200 microsecond increments approximately P 03 Note priority default new The following can be selected Low note priority lo High note priority hi New note priority nn Sets the note priority for the converter If set to lo then the lowest valid note played takes precedence If set to hi then the highest valid note played takes precedence If set to nn then the newest valid note played takes precedence The USB SOLO has a 5 note buffer memory so that trill effects can be achieved P 04 Pitchbend range default 2 Range 0 to 12 semitones The pitch bend range can be changed in semitone steps from zero to 12 semitones P05 Portamento controller number default 65 Sets which MIDI controller will turn on off the portamento function The following can be selected
27. tch of your synth What pitch to play GATE S Trig Plug this into the input marked GATE V trig Trig S Trig etc on your mono synth This turns the note on and off on your synth When to play AUX1 continuously variable aux output Plug this into the input marked VCF fcM PWM VOCA Filter Volume or any other external control voltage input on your mon synth This enables you to control effects such as filter cut off using MIDI controllers Velocity mod wheel etc Note not all mono synths have such additional control inputs AUX2 digital aux out Use this to control switchable inputs Signal is either zero or 5V AUX3 clock digital aux out Use this as a clock connection or to control switchable inputs Signal is either zero or 5V SYNC 24 Connect to an input marked SYNC 24 or DIN SYNC to synchronise the clock of a device which uses this system PRESETS in memory locations 1 to 40 As supplied or after a full reset presets 1 to 34 are all loaded with the default setup for use with an SH 101 This setup is suitable for a lot of other standard CV Gate synths too The following presets for other synths are loaded into the following locations See page 4 for how to load setups Prog Synth Changes from default SH 101 setup 40 Roland SH 09 also Moog Prodigy mk1 with KE skts Gate 15V 39 Minimoog S trig coarse tune 5 semitones 38 Other Moog S trig coarse tune zero 37 Korg MS 20 S trig Hz V 36 Yamaha CS
28. ths such as Roland SCI ARP Oberheim The low level gate may be needed for synths that require a lower gate voltage such as the SH 101 S trig no pull up S 00 This would be used for most Moogs amp Korgs and some Yamaha synths instead of Gate S trig low pull up S 05 S trig high pull up S 15 These would be used on some of the Yamaha CS range of synths instead of Gate NB The USB SOLO has an internal DC DC converter and so can generate gate voltages up to 15 volts even though the power supplied over the USB cable is only 5 volts P 20 AUX 1 controller number default 16 Sets which MIDI controller will control the auxiliary output The following can be selected Trig Pulse trg Off OFF Pitch bend Pbd Velocity VEL Aftertouch AFt MIDI controllers 0 119 If Trig Pulse is selected the aux output will send a short trigger pulse whenever a valid new MIDI note is received this can be used to drive the envelope generator on synths that require a separate trigger for this Only usually needed by the Arp 2600 Arp Odyssey mk1 and a few modulars P 21 AUX 1 minimum value default 0 Range 27 to 100 Sets the level for the Auxiliary output when the MIDI controller source is at its minimum A value of 10 is approximately 1 05 volt so 100 is approx 10 5 volts and 27 is approx 2 86 volts Note that minimum can be set above maximum so that the controller works backwards P 22 AUX 1 maximum value
29. tooth up SU TL Sawtooth down SD N PulseWidth 10 10 L PulseWidth 20 20 Y PulseWidth 30 30 n PulseWidth 40 40 n Square 50 A Sample amp Hold SH U Pseudo random actually a new S H level for each trigger P32 LEO MIDI SYNC__ default oFF Range off oFF 1 to 96 Allows the LFO waveform to be synchronised to MIDI clock with a variable divide ratio The LFO waveform will automatically adjust its length so that it will start at the beginning of a bar and last for whatever musical time it is set for see below for divide ratios A divide ratio can be set so the LFO only re triggers every so many MIDI clock messages MIDI sends 24 clocks per quarter note So if divide is set to 1 there will be 1 cycle of the LFO for every 1 MIDI clock i e 24 cycles per quarter note If set to 24 there will be 1 cycle of the LFO for every 24 MIDI clocks i e 1 cycle of the LFO per quarter note Below is a table of values you can set the divide ratio to obtain LFO cycles of various musical lengths Note type Divide ratio Semibreve 96 Minim 48 Crotchets 24 Crotchet triplets 16 Quavers 12 Quaver triplets 8 Semiquavers 6 Semiquaver triplets 4 Demisemiquavers 3 Demisemiquaver triplets 2 Do not use low divide ratios at high clock speeds particularly 1 P 33 LFO Sync Start Point default 0 Range 0 to 255 Sets where the waveform will start when MIDI sync is active or Key On reset is on P 34 Key On resets LFO W
30. up to 127 or positive values up to 255 are used The display will automatically revert to parameter mode after approximately 10 seconds if neither inc or dec are pressed The value you have edited will then be saved to edit memory which will be remembered next time you use the USB SOLO To speed up editing the INC and DEC keys will repeat if held To go faster still when holding the INC key then also press and hold the DEC key Similarly when holding the DEC key also press and hold the INC key Storing Setups Any value you change is automatically stored when reverting to parameter mode either manually or after the 10 second timeout You can also store the current setup to a memory location in the range 1 to 40 These can be recalled at a later date To store select parameter 51 press the SELECT button to show the value and use the INC and DEC buttons to select the location you want to store to Now press amp hold the SELECT button for approx 6 seconds until the display reads sto store Loading Setups To load select parameter 50 press the SELECT button to show the value and use the INC and DEC buttons to select the location you want to load from Now press amp hold the SELECT button for approx 6 seconds until the display reads lod load You can also load setups using program changes if this feature is enabled default is off See Boot Menu Options on page 12 4 PARAMETERS Below is a lis
31. volume Synths such as the Korg MS20 and ARP 2600 have even more inputs to control effects such as Pulse Width The USB SOLO has an output called AUX By plugging the AUX output into the external control input of the synth e g Filter input the cut off frequency can be controlled over MIDI The AUX output is not controlled by MIDI note numbers The converter allows you to set which MIDI controller e g Modulation Wheel or even velocity after touch or pitch bend will control the level of the AUX voltage to control the synth s extra input Only synths that have the appropriate inputs can be controlled from a MIDI CV converter The synth needs some sort of CV and GATE inputs CVs might be labelled CV In OSC In Keyboard In VCO In Key Volt etc GATEs and S TRIG may be labelled GATE In S TRIG V TRIG voltage trigger same as gate Trig A ira inputs may be utilised like Filter VCF fcM VCF PORTA portamento Loudness VCO PWM etc by using the converters AUX output Some synths that cannot be connected to a MIDI CV converter via CV GATE AUX Outputs as they do not have them This includes just about all polyphonic synths 16 STANDARD MIDI CONTROLLER NUMBERS Controller Number Control Function Decimal Hex 0 00H Bank select MSB 1 01H Modulation wheel lever 2 02H Breath controller K 03H Undefined 4 04H Foot controller 5 05H Portamento time 6 06H Data entry MSB 7 07H Main volume 8 08H Balance 9 09H Und
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