Fundamental Concept: Voltage Control

The way modules in a modular synthesizer "talk" to each other is through patch cables carrying analog voltages. In this video, you will see, hear, and learn how these voltage signals control parameters of a sound including pitch, loudness, and when a note starts and ends. This is a crucial first step in understanding how to "patch" together a sound on a modular synthesizer.
From the "Learning Modular Synthesis" course on Lynda.com: bit.ly/LearningModular
More information on my courses: learningmodular.com/training/

[@csrader]

These are some of the best newbie tutorials for modular synthesis on YT

[@RIVA5150]

Perfect & simple explanation for someone like me who is a beginner in modular synthesis, Thank You!

[@alexnewman3516]

Really informative and clear. Better than most other vids about modular. Thanks!

[@ItinerantMonk108]

Clear, concise, perfect! Thank you.

[@adastra123]

Thank you so much. Probably one of the best , if not the best and most concise video that actually explains cv.

[@LearningModular]

Thank you - I really appreciate the feedback, and I'm glad it was useful.

[@adastra123]

@@LearningModular its people like you that make the internet worthwhile. Thank you again.

[@baunderful]

Thanks a lot for your videos. Perfectly clear explantions for people starting out in moudular synthesis. Will check out all of your videos.

[@MarvelousMixinMiguel]

Thanks for making these videos. I'm just getting into modulars and this was very helpfull. I didn't know the voltage could be negative. So far your tutorials are the best videos i've seen for modulars.

[@brndnwilliams42069]

you're an excellent instructor. Thanks!

[@johnleiby7316]

Awesome teacher, thank you!

[@xlu125]

Great explanation!

[@CapriciousBlackBox]

Excellent tutorial and explanation.

[@LearningModular]

Many thanks!

[@Shivaliksisodiya]

very helpful , thank you

[@MartinBrossman]

Great job!

[@consbuteri411]

You explain very well, keep going.

[@LearningModular]

I do indeed keep going! courses.learningmodular.com

[@Ciaran55]

Great video!

[@lincolnmicrophonellc]

That Harbor Freight DMM is seriously decent. I've had mine for several years. Great vid!

[@lincolnmicrophonellc]

I just noticed it's MASTECH brand (same as my DC supply) my harbor freight one is exactly the same but centech :D :D

[@spiderlab2526]

Brilliant :-)

[@brianreilly6545]

Excellent, thx!!

[@yorganyog]

Your videos are a real good help. Simple and good knowledge. I've been reading about voices in synths. I Saw an example, there are 2 VCO for One voice. In short, are they playing together and been mix in that voice? Why 2 VCO for One voice? Thank you very much.

[@AliasZone]

Two VOCs are often used to make one "voice" so that you can create a fatter sound. With one VCO, you get only one pure note playing. With two VCOs, you can tune them apart to a musical interval, or tune them to unison with just a slight "detuning" to create a chorusing sound etc. Think of it as the difference between a solo vocalist, and having a group of 2 or more singers show can do harmonies etc.

[@yorganyog]

@@AliasZone thank you so much. I've been reading about this and its Also the only way to achieve some waves. Im making a synth and read Also about CEM or AS 3340. Its the hard sync or sync connections we use to achieve this. Thank you so much.

[@mpingo91]

Just one thing is a mystery to me: why did you use the Verbos oscillator's CV input in the first example (1:26) when sending a voltage from the CVP module and 1V/oct in the second example (2:21) with a keyboard use. I suppose these Verbos inputs aren't the same, but what is a difference between them?

[@LearningModular]

The two inputs ultimately end up in the same place. The 1v/oct input has been pre-calibrated to be optimized for playing from a keyboard etc. The CV input is generalized in that you can scale the voltage coming in to have a big effect or a little effect, compared to the precisely-defined effect of 1 volt = 1 octave.

[@UncleJimima]

How did you connect the multimeter to the patch cable? Black - to the sleeve, Red - to the tip?

[@LearningModular]

Yes. Overall, the sleeve is negative (which is also ground in this case), and the tip is positive.

[@yorganyog]

Excelent teacher. The Sound is continuous. But, Is the keyboard never stops the Sound sending the CV, or the oscillator?

[@LearningModular]

Correct - the keyboard outputs the voltage continuously, and the oscillator outputs the waveform continuously. What is not continuous is the gate signal from the keyboard, which is only "on" ("high") when the key is pressed down, and goes off (low) when the key is released. The envelope generator responds to these changes, and is used to shape the note by changing the cutoff of the filter and the level of the amplifier.

[@yorganyog]

@@LearningModular well..thank you so much for the response! :) Im building a keyboard for 1v per octave. So far so good. Im using a DAC so its digital keyboard, and acordding the Key I can send the right voltage. I can take down the voltage digitally, so, the VCO do not receive voltage. In you experience, do you think this makes Sense?

[@LearningModular]

@@yorganyog you should keep the voltage at the level of the last key played, because you have no idea how long the release time will be on the amplifier, or maybe even you are droning it constantly - and you don't want to change the pitch CV while you can possibly still hear the VCO. For DAC, I have found 12-bit DACs to be not accurate enough for pitch CVs; some notes will be enough out of tune where you can hear it, especially when playing against another instrument or synth voice. A 14-bit DAC is minimum, and 16 bits is preferred.

[@yorganyog]

@@LearningModular excelent explanation. Thank you so much. My Hughe complements to your work and Channel!

[@kenwilliamsvoice]

Dude's voice sounds like Mr Rogers (neighborhood). Great stuff here!!

[@LearningModular]

It's a lovely day in the modular neighborhood...won't you be my modular neighbor?

[@AnxiousCowboy]

what keyboard is that? I am looking for something besides a keystep/BSP for CV shtuff

[@LearningModular]

Akai MAX25. I use a Korg taktile for my main modular.

[@silviahorn]

where is the next video? i would love to continue this course.

[@LearningModular]

I'm glad you found this video useful! It is part of an online course I created: courses.learningmodular.com/courses/learning-modular-synthesis