MF-101 and Eurorack

The Moog Forum Moogerfooger Forum
1

Hi All,

I know the manual says that the MF-101 accepts instrument to line levels, but I have two questions about interfacing it with my Eurorack:

  1. What will happen if I plug it directly into Eurorack oscillators and VCAs? Is it too much of a mismatch? is there a chance of damaging the unit?

  2. If the answer to #1 is to not do it, what about interfacing with control voltages from my Eurorack? Will that have to conditioned somehow as well?

Thanks.

2

It’s likely that hot levels will tend to distort the MF-101, a nominal input of +4 dB might be 1.2 V RMS, a lot less than 5 V pp or more generated by a modular. In this case you can level shift with a dedicated “output” module or else use a passive/active attenuator to dial back the signal. Normally clipping just messes with the sound and shouldn’t harm the electronics, but YYMV.

Likewise, voltages are current-limited going into the 101. Anything Doepfer should be safe as they strictly adhere to +5 V signals. Others can go higher and it’s normally not a good idea to exceed your power rails, so +9 to 15 V or whatever is Vdd inside the unit. Again, clipping shouldn’t hurt but the results will be audible. Attenuate for best results!

Other MFs with digial chips are normally less tolerant (with some level of signal protection) to over/undervoltage.

3

Thanks for the fast reply. That pretty much seals it – I’ve got a pedal interface to use with the Euro, so the MF-101 will live in that.