Problems running a Doepfer MAQ 16/3 from my LP

Squid Tempest · Post by **Squid Tempest** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:01 am

I finally got a sequencer to use with my Little Phatty, it's a Doepfer MAQ 16/3:

http://www.doepfer.de/maq.htm

It works perfectly via MIDI, but I can't get any response via CV. I've tried putting it through my CP-251 and off-setting the voltage, but I'm not getting a peep. The MAQ voltages are supposed to be as follows:

CV outputs: 1V/octave standard, range: 5 octaves (absolute voltage about + 0.3 ...+ 5.3V, i.e. about 0.3V offset voltage)

And I figure even if there is a slight mis-match, I should be getting something through my LP. I'm plugging the CV out from the MAQ to the Pitch CV on the LP.

Any help or suggestions gratefully appreciated!

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:51 am

If I'm not mistaken, the gate out on the sequencer should be plugged into the gate in on the Phatty as well as the pitch out going to pitch in.

Squid Tempest · Post by **Squid Tempest** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:19 am

ah thanks - that could be it. I'm afraid my understanding of CV is quite limited, so I may well have got it wrong! Why does the gate need to be connected too?

Squid Tempest · Post by **Squid Tempest** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:02 am

Looking at the specs, the LP uses a +5V gate, whereas the factory setting of the MAQ is +8V. Would that make them incompatible?

Apparently there is an internal jumper to set the MAQ to a +5V gate, but I'm reluctant to delve into the inards of the MAQ so soon after purchase!

Unfortunately I'm at work at present, so can't try it out until I get home.

Portamental · Post by **Portamental** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:40 am

Take it from Moog itself, in the Etherwave+ manual. The EW+ gate out is 10 volts. Then they proceed with their example, plugging the gate into... a Little Phatty.

10 volts gates ARE safe on all modern Moogs.

Squid Tempest · Post by **Squid Tempest** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:18 am

Great news, thanks! Can't wait to get home to try it out.

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:39 pm

The gate needs to be connected because that's the voltage that triggers the notes.

Squid Tempest · Post by **Squid Tempest** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:30 am

Hah! The really was a case of "read the flipping manual", wasn't it! Thanks for all your help folks, if it wasn't for you lot I'd still be scratching my head and simultaneously banging it against the wall!

It now works like a dream, and appears to be a fantastic combination with the LP.

Thanks again!