Voyager Master Volume Doesn't Go To Zero

Tips and techniques for Minimoog Analog Synthesizers
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NickGrooves
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Re: Voyager Master Volume Doesn't Go To Zero

Post by NickGrooves » Fri Aug 05, 2016 4:39 am

Curious if anyone has an update from their calibration efforts.

I bought a very gently used Voyager Select. I have not noticed any issues yet, after two days of experimenting, except ...

I always turn my volume knobs down before/after every session. When I have the master volume all the way down, and the screen displays "000" if I then play a note on the keyboard I can hear a very faint tone. It stops the moment I release (well, aftertouch, but you know what I mean). Judging from this thread, it is not a filter issue (right?) but a simple calibration issue?

It doesn't bother me at all, since I plan to have the volume up higher than 000 during play. And I would rather not mess with anything internal unless absolutely necessary. So ... I guess I'm just wondering if this issue is widespread, or I have a lemon, or did you calibrate yours, and how hard was it ? or easy?

TIA
Voyager select
Mother-32
Hammond XK-3c
Emu Proteus 2000
ProTools

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MC
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Re: Voyager Master Volume Doesn't Go To Zero

Post by MC » Fri Aug 05, 2016 10:14 am

That's normal. The volume control isn't an attenuator for the output, it is a control for the final VCA. The Voyager and many other synths use an OTA for the VCA; it uses two OTAs, one for envelope and one for final volume. Both are voltage controlled. Due to its electrical nature, no OTA shuts off completely and there isn't a trimpot or calibration for this. If you really want the volume to be completely off use a mute switch or passive volume pedal.
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NickGrooves
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Re: Voyager Master Volume Doesn't Go To Zero

Post by NickGrooves » Sat Aug 06, 2016 3:11 pm

Thankful someone finally explained this!

Not sure what was wrong with the OP's volume, but I'm glad there's nothing funky with mine. Like I said, doesn't bother me one bit. :)

cheers
Voyager select
Mother-32
Hammond XK-3c
Emu Proteus 2000
ProTools

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