Having the VX-51 it for about 9 months, yesterday (:shock:) I finally got round to putting the adapter into my Voyager (EB). I tested it and got some pretty strange results. Some things seem to work, others don’t. For example, the first setup explained in the manual (LFO out → Filter in) produced no result. Anything → Attenuator in → Wave worked. LFO out to my Oakley CV Phaser produced nothing, as did TS Gate → Env Gate
I was using TS jacks (the manual mentions TS jacks). Now I’ve seen other sources mention the the CV inputs (red) require TRS jack and the gates (blue) require TS.
I may be stating the obvious but it’s best to look at it this way…
VX-351 can be though of as having two different sets of jacks:
passive modular functions which include
2 four port mults (these are just a set of jacks wired to each other with no help or influence from the Voyager)
2 attenuators (each is just a potentiometer with an ‘in’ and ‘out’ jack; passive and as above, no help or influence from Voyager)
So even disconnected, these functions will work properly.
a set of OUTPUTs from Voyager which bring things like Pitch, Gate, touchpad functions, LFOs, etc. to the outside world.
Most of the jacks on the back of the Voyager are INPUTs and many of them are ‘powered’ expression pedal inputs meaning that they supply a ~5V power source to the ring so that passive expression pedals such as the EP-2 will work. The EP-2, in turn, sends the attenuated voltage back to Voyager. Likewise, you can send voltage from an outside source such as a MP-201 or another synth or module into Voyager and it will work just fine with a TS cable (just make sure the voltages are in range!).
So in short, nearly all of the VX-351 functions come directly from Voyager, are powered by Voyager and do not require a TRS cable. Many of the Voyager’s inputs (red jacks) do supply voltage but only for the purpose of powering an exp. pedal so that voltage may be returned back INTO the Voyager.
I know this doesn’t answer your problem; best to check the cable, check the output adapter, and possible contact Moog. I’ve heard cases where the output adapter was NOT required; I have an OLD SCHOOL which does not need it. There may be some Voyagers depending on vintage that do not need it as well but I could be wrong.
Anyway both you and the manual say TS, so I’ll go with TS. But now my problem is even stranger than before. I have checked the adapter, it is in the right way (can really go wrong there) and it’s fully pushed down. I have changed the DB-25 cable and checked my patch leads.
So this is now the strangeness I’m seeing:
1/ Go to a preset and init parameters.
2/ insert patch cable into LFO triangle on VX
3/ insert other end of patch cable into Filter In
Result → No change to filter BUT Panel now displays: “Filter Res” Mem:000 / Actual:085
4/ Remove patch cable from Voyager, re-insert patch cable in Voyager (Filter in)
Result → Panel now displays: Headphone Level Mem:000 / Actual:000
5/ Remove patch cable from Voyager, re-insert patch cable in Voyager (Filter in)
Result → Panel now displays: LFO Rate Mem:045 / Actual:055
6/ Remove patch cable from Voyager, re-insert patch cable in Voyager (Filter in)
Result → Panel now displays: Filter Spacing Mem:0 / Actual:-51
7/ … well, you get the picture
It seems that at least one output is working, because connecting a patch cable from S&H Step (output from VX) into the Vol input on the Voyager DOES result in a tremolo effect and does follow the LFO rate if I change it on the Voyager.
I think I’m gonna send an email to support on this one !
The output of the LFO voltages are ‘full’ strength (not attenuated by an ‘amount’ knob such as the Mod Busses so you definitely should hear the diff but see the last point re: menus and settings). On my VOS, a Triangle wave on the LFO with the amount set to 7 applied as Filter as Dest is about the same as the LFO Tri output of the VX-351. And I’m using a standard mono/TS patch chord (audio cable).
Re, the comment about red jacks, they are indeed all ‘powered’ for the reason I mentioned above (to support expression pedals) but they also accept a normal TS cable if you are sending voltage in.
Afraid I don’t know anything about the panel display on the Voyager or what other settings might be affecting how much voltage is being ‘sent’ to the VX-351. You never know, there could be some hidden setting somewhere deep within. (one thing I really like about the VOS, what you see is what you get : )
Yep, I get the 'full strength thing. Also tried sending the VX LFO through an Attenuator to the Wave input on the Voyager. The result was that the wave did change but no in a triangle wave, just linear as I turned the attenuator knob. So it seems that the voltage output from the LFO out is constant. I think the next step is for me to apply a voltmeter to each output and see what’s there… but I have no idea how, don’t even have one
Ah, right, yeah got it now.
Smug purist !!
Re the display etc, maybe Rudi has some insight there… are you reading this RL ?
I’ve sent an email to support, we’ll see what they have to say.
ok, tests with a voltmeter confirm the problem. The VX LFO triangle out is a continuous +3V (more or less - it’s an 1970’s analog voltmeter I’m not sure if it needs calibrating), the VX LFO square out shows no reading … nothing on the gates. The only thing that does have some life is, as I mentioned above, the S&H step and this also follows the LFO rate so it’s not that there’s nothing working, which actually makes the whole thing even more frustrating.
Have you been able to solve your problem? I received my VX-351 today and had exactly the same issue - only s&h working, but not like s&h but only pulse modulation at lfo speed. All other outputs had no effect. I found out that I simply didn´t plug the adaptor onto the board correctly… I managed to plug it across only on one row of pins (it still looks like it fits well if you place it like that!). Make sure that you cover both rows and it might well be that you´re fine!
Are you mixing ts and trs cables in the same patch? I found with the moogerfoogers that of you mix ts and trs cables in the (ie; ts cable to freq, trs to mix) they cancel each other out some how. I haven’t tested this with the voyager yet so I’m not sure if the same is true for it.
Would be worth Moog fixing the doc and including a nice picture for the Voyager, Old School, and RME, whether applicable or not.
I know that when I got the VX for my Old School, I tried and tried to get the case closed with the adapter installed… DOH! Doesn’t need it and it WON’T fit. I either missed the small print or it’s not documented at all.
(when I bought my CP/VX rack mount kit, it didn’t even come with the parts kit (power cable, hardware, wood block); little did I know until months later; it wasn’t quite clear that I only recieved half of the package. By then the reseller I bought it from wouldn’t do anything for me.
Considering the step up in marketing and packaging, a revisit to some older products might be in order.
