okay, so this is a continuation of my last post about arpeggiators, but it got kind of convoluted, so i wanted to start a new thread about cv to midi conversion.
eric,
i considered what you said about my mpc and put my mobius order on hold. i found the kenton solo mkII on ebay for $200 new, and i re-read the MPC manual… so it would appear that i can connect my MPC to my prodigy via the kenton midi converter and then program midi patterns on the mpc to trigger my prodigy… just as you suggested.
this would be a lot easier and cheaper than buying the mobius.
in theory it sounds like it should work… but before i throw money down on the cv/midi converter, does anyone here have experience doing this exact thing?
i checked on the mpc forum as well, but not too many kids over there play with old synths.
Yeah man, Me!
I’ve had a couple MPCs and I currently own the 1000. Any MIDI sequencer can be programmed to play arpeggio patterns. That’s what they do (or one thing…)
Then all you need to do is convert the MIDI data into Control Voltages. Any MIDI/CV box will work (as long as it is compatible with your Prodigy’s S-trig). But the Kenton is a very good one. For one thing, it has 3 auxillary cv outputs that can be used to control your filter, sync, pitch bend, etc. You can program this data into the sequencer as well and then you’ll have your arpeggio and filter sweeps all controlled at the same time by the MPC. I have the Pro Solo, it works great. It also has an LFO that you can sync up to your drum pattern/MIDI clock.
The only difference between operateing your synth live is, with continuous controls, like filter sweeps, there is some “stepping” or “zippering” sound to the control movements. This is because the MIDI data doesn’t carry the same resolution as Control Voltage.
But it makes no difference when sequencing notes, it sounds like you’re there playing the keyboard.
So, yeah, you’re in good shape with that MPC. It probably does everything (and more) that the Mobius does.
bad ass.
i’m gonna order the pro solo right now.
thanks for taking the time to explain all of this, you’re a huge help!
No problem.
I think you’ll find 1-note arps to be no problem at all. You just hold down the “note repeat” button, and then hold down an MPC pad. It will auto trigger whatever note that pad corresponds to.
However, it will be a little more difficult to program in multi-note/ or chord arpeggios without a MIDI keyboard because the drum pads on the MPC are not layed out in the same order as a keyboard. Their layout in relation to the notes on a keyboard is rather random. You can re-assign the pads to follow the standard note order, or you can just try and find each note you’re looking for by searching though each set of pads, etc. But, this is tedious.
You can also program in your note phrases by numeric data entry… again tedious.
This will all make more sense after you start sequencing more… you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Another issue is the Filter or Sync CV. The MPC will store and playback the data used to control your filter (for filter sweeps, etc), but I don’t think theres a way to input that data from the MPC’s control panel. That sort of data is recognized by MIDI as Continuous Controllers (or CCs). I don’t think the MPC’s sliders will input CCs (but I might be wrong). So, again, you may need a MIDI keyboard with a bender, knobs, sliders or modulation wheel that sends MIDI CCs in order to “play” that data into the MPC.
that’s cool… good to know, i have no problem using a midi keyboard to program… i just don’t want to have to bring it on stage when we play live.
What kind of music do you play? Do you play synths in a band?
i’m in an atmospheric insturmental band that’s primarally synth based.
4 members total, 3 of the members play two synths each, and 1 member plays guitar.
www.sleepyeyesofdeath.com
www.myspace.com/sleepyeyesofdeath
I reading about some equipment on a web site and came across something that reminded me of your question. This link sends you to a page devoted to a Roland CV sequencer that both sequences your CV synth and allows you to transpose the sequence in realtime from your synths keyboard (via CV out on your synth):
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.bernhard-doering.de/Synthi-Museum/Museums-Guide/ARP/ARP_Omni/arp_omni.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=9&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Darp%2Bomni%26start%3D50%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official_s%26sa%3DN
So you can actually play arpeggios on your synth. I’ve seen these come up on e-bay fairly regularly for pretty cheap.
Actually that was the wrong link, but it was the right website. Just go to the Roland CSQ page in the synth section for it’s picture, etc.