MXXX for controlling modular gear (CV)?

[Mr D]

Hi Mr Melda,

I don't know if you're into this whole modular (Eurorack) thing?

I'm just getting into it myself.

Anyway, there seems to be a massive hole in the market for plugin tools to send CV modulation to modular synths.

There are some tools available, but the're all pretty basic.

To turn MXXX into the mother of all CV modulation generators, all you would need to do would be:

1) Create a module that can output DC voltages.

2) Create an instrument version of MXXX that can have multiple outputs. Then give the user the option to output to a selected output either from a module, or the bottom of a lane.

That's it, that's all we need! The crazy powerful modulation subsystem would do the rest! Believe me, there's a market for this!

And to output these DC voltages, there are a couple of products available, for example:
http://www.expert-sleepers.co.uk/es3.html

Or one can use a regular audio interface if it's DC coupled (list here: http://www.expert-sleepers.co.uk/siwacompatibility.html)

[MeldaProduction]

Hey there,

well, I have bad news for you, this is not planned, even with low priority. It's soooo specific and so complex to use, that it would exceed even traditional melda complexity . And you'd need a DAW that can work with multiout effects, and it would probably need to be a modular DAW etc... And, well, it's not interesting to me at all , that's probably the most important reason after all I'm afraid, sorry. Better things to do and no time!

[Mr D]

Ok, i understand your point of view!

But let me just say:

It's already possible to do it with MXXX. I was doing it last night. One simply needs to put a plugin before MXXX that creates DC CV (i use Silent Way DC).

Then, if you modulate the volume in MXXX, you can output that modulated DC to your DC coupled interface (several of which already exist).

Then you can put Melda's envelopes, LFOs, sequencers etc to work to create all manner of modular mayhem!

I would imagine a DC module in MXXX would be the easiest thing you ever coded, so all we're missing are multiple outputs from MXXX.

I guess the same thing could be achieved if you implemented multi-outs in mPowerSynth. Then, the only thing you'd need would be a DC source.

So it seems to me a small amount of work to open up a totally new market for you!

Bear in mind that modular people actually spend a lot of money on their gear!

And with that i'll leave you to have a great day!

[MeldaProduction]

Hehe I understand, but I'm afraid the bigger picture is unfortunately much much bigger . Anyways have a great day as well!

PS. You can create DC using Utility for example, or Math.

[Mr D]

Great, so if you ever consider adding multi-outputs to MPowerSynth (or MXXX, but that's more tricky, right?), then you'll unlock the potential for Melda to control modular gear.

Don't underestimate that market, new synths with CV input coming out all the time, check out what Behringer or Roland are up to for example!

[Mr D]

But wait a moment, i can use MXXX in surround mode and get 8 outputs like that, right?

So, a different CV on each of the 8 channels?

I never used surround in my life, so i'm a complete noob in this regard!

[Mr D]

edit

[MeldaProduction]

Well, I suppose you can do that . You know, I'm not exactly a fan of CV nor I know much about it, so...

[Mr D]

Yes indeed, i managed to get 5 independant channels of CV out, via the channel matrix. I didn't work out how to get more then 5 out, any ideas?

CV is amazing for modulating analog gear from your computer. MIDI gives you 128 steps, CV gives you at least 65,536 steps (16bit), if not more!!!

So if you're using midi, you're reliant on the receiving gear doing some kind of smoothing.

[MeldaProduction]

Aha, interesting. Well, not for me, but for some I suppose . I'm afraid no idea about more outputs.

[Mr D]

OK, no worries, i'm just happy i can use it for multi-CV output, even though it wasn't designed for it!