MP-201 User’s Manual
Page 12
MP-201 User’s Manual
Page 13
A controller is a device that does not make any sound on its own, but is used to
control another sound producing device (like a synthesizer), or a sound altering
device (such as an effects module). Some devices respond to analog control signals,
called Control Voltages (CVs) and Gates, and some devices respond to digital control
messages through MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) commands. Some
devices, such as the Moog Little Phatty®, respond to both.
When we talk about controlling a sound-producing device, it can be as simple as
adjusting the volume of the device with a knob. In this case think of the control as the
signal produced by the knob that tells the device’s electronic ‘innards’ what the volume
should be – as the control signal goes lower (by turning the knob down) the volume
goes lower. As the control signal goes higher (by turning the knob up) the volume
goes higher. This is an imaginary example, but it illustrates how, with a control signal,
you can alter the sound (in this case the volume) of a sound-producing device.
Analog Control Signals: CVs and Gates.
CV stands for Control Voltage. Voltage is the measurement of electrical potential; the
unit is Volts (V). When a circuit is Voltage-Controlled, it has inputs that receive a CV
and turn it into a setting for a parameter such as pitch or volume. The Voltages and
Currents used for most CV gear are relatively small and not dangerous, but there is
not a standard for what voltage levels are used. The MP-201 outputs 0V to +5V in
Unipolar Mode (the default), and -5V to +5V in Bipolar Mode (see the CV SCALE
menu, page 40). It is up to the MP-201 user to know and understand the input
requirements of their analog gear before connecting the MP-201. Some analog gear
may not be able to accept negative voltages! All current Moog gear is compatible with
the CV outputs of the MP-201, including all Moogerfooger® Analog Effects, Minimoog
Voyager® Synthesizer and the Little Phatty® Synthesizer.
A CV can be produced by rotating a rotary control, or in the case of the MP-201
when used as in Expression Mode, by changing the position of the footpedal. This type
of CV can be used for smooth, precise and expressive changes.
A CV can also be produced automatically by a function known as a Low Frequency
Oscillator (LFO). An oscillator is a circuit that goes up and down at a regular time
interval with a repeating shape, known as a Waveform. The RATE at which the LFO
goes up and down is the frequency. The LFO is low frequency because it produces
vibrations lower than the human ear can hear. We can hear vibrations as low in
frequency as 20 times per second or 20 Hertz (Hz). The MP-201 can produce LFO
signals from .1 Hz to 1000 Hz. At lower rates, effects can include tremolo, vibrato,
Controllers and Control Signals
(22 pages)
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