Hexinverter Acxsynth Midi2cv User Manual v2.0 Firmware5.7
Hexinverter Acxsynth Midi2cv User Manual v2.0 Firmware5.7
Hexinverter Acxsynth Midi2cv User Manual v2.0 Firmware5.7
3)
hexinverter.net
This is the usage manual for the MIDI2CV project offered by hexinverter.net. There are actually two user
manuals depending on the firmware version you have. This manual is for firmware version 5.7.3
Because firmware 5.7.3 and 4.0 are so different, this completely new user manual has been created.
FEATURES
8HP eurorack format 4ch polyphonic MIDI to CV/Gate conversion you can build yourself
12bit DACs with high quality Intersil opamps for great CV accuracy
Monophonic mode offers full control of one voice (mod, pitch wheel, etc.) as well as sequencer control (start/stop,
reset, sync)
Split and duophonic modes accessible through advanced features
Sync output emits MIDI clock pulses for driving sequencers with
MIDI channel auto-learn at startup means no configuration if only basic functionality is desired
A multitude of new features added in firmware v5.7.3 are easily programmed via keys on the keyboard for deeper
programming and functionality (functions detailed later in this manual)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Width: 8HP | Depth: 55mm
Approximate current draw @ 12V: +80mA, -15mA
CV output range: 0 to 10V
Gate/Trig outputs: 0 to 5V
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SYNC OUTPUT
While in Monophonic mode and the module receives MIDI clock from a source, this jack sends out modular level pulses
you can use to clock sequencers and other gear with. The internal clock division can be set by accessing the
ADVANCED FEATURES of the module and defaults to 24ppqn.
ACT INDICATOR
This LED gives various feedback to the user when MIDI clock is being received and also when programming ADVANCED
FEATURES in the module settings.
VEL
This jack outputs an analogue control voltage based on the velocity of the struck note. Use it to control filter cutoff, VCA
volume, whatever you like!
MOD
This output produces an analogue control voltage based on the position of the mod wheel on the input MIDI
keyboard/controller.
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TRIG
This jack outputs a short trigger pulse every time a note is struck (behavior can be changed in ADVANCED FEATURES)
RUN/STOP
Use this digital output to start and stop a sequencer from a MIDI sync source. RUN = high, STOP = low.
RESET
Use this digital output to reset a sequencer from a MIDI sync source. This output is active high (RESET = high).
AT STARTUP
When the module is powered up, MIDI2CV loads settings from memory, displays the firmware version number in binary
on the GATE A to D LEDs, then waits to auto-learn the channel of the next MIDI note received.
Meaning
1 blink
2 fast blinks
3 fast blinks
4 fast blinks
5 fast blinks
Continuous blinks
Lit constantly
SPLIT/DUOPHONIC MODES
Part of the ADVANCED FEATURES added by Dmitry are two new modes of operation while the module is toggled into
POLY4 mode: Split and Duophonic. These modes are turned on by default and accessible simply by sending MIDI data
on the channels automatically assigned to these modes based on the MIDI auto-learn at startup (see the section about
the MODE SELECT SWITCH above)
In Split/Duo modes, there are two voices: A and B. The output jacks get reassigned to Voice A and Voice B such that:
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Split Mode allows you to address two monophonic voices each from their own area of the keyboard. The split point is
set by the first note key received on the channel assigned to Split Mode. Voice A always is the lower area of the split
and Voice B is the upper split area.
Duophonic Mode is a lot like two voice polyphonic except you have velocity outputs and the voices are assigned as you
press them instead of in round-robin fashion like the other polyphonic modes.
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4 voice mode
(NOTHING)
8 voice mode (voices 1-4)
(NOTHING)
8 voice mode (voices 5-8)
Change polyphony limit
(NOTHING)
Dedicated velocity unit
(NOTHING)
(NOTHING)
(NOTHING)
Save settings to memory
PG5
4 OR 8 VOICE MODE
MIDI2CV can operate in either 4 voice (default) or 8 voice polyphonic. 8 voice polyphony does of course require two
MIDI2CV modules. Use the C, D and E function keys to adjust the settings. To use 8 voice mode, assign one module to
voices 1-4 and the other to voice 5-8 with the function keys. Connect the same MIDI signal to each module by way of a
MIDI device (splitter cable, thru box, etc.)
CALIBRATING MIDI2CV
In order to achieve accurate CV conversion, it is necessary to tune your MIDI2CV module once you are finished building
it. There are 8 trim pots on the back of the module for calibration purposes. In order to accurately tune the module, you
will need a decent multimeter. A $10 multimeter probably will not yield accurate results. Spend $50 to $100 on a decent
quality meter and you will be very happy you did (not just for this project, but for others as well).
Tuning the module is quite easy. Just follow these steps:
1.) Plug the module into your system, turn it on and let it warm up for 30 minutes.
2.) Make sure the module is in MIDI learn mode by quickly resetting the power to your system. Dont press any
keys on your MIDI controller yet or send any SYNC data to the module via MIDI.
3.) Plug your multimeter into each CV output and tune the OPAMP TUNING trim potentiometer for the CV output
you are tuning so that the respective CV output reads as close to 0.000V as possible. If you cannot get to
0.000V, its probably because you used CA3140AEZ opamps instead of CA3140EZ like was suggested to use
in the Bill of Materials!
4.) Now, plug in your MIDI keyboard and tune the CV outputs for V/oct scaling. To do this, plug a CV output into a
VCO in your system and either:
Read the frequency of the VCO and adjust for v/oct
OR
Read the voltage out of the CV output of the MIDI2CV module and adjust for v/oct.
I like the second method, myself. Dont forget the screw is adjusting the SCALING that one octave spans. So think of
it like a big rubber band you are stretching and compressing.
Whatever method you choose, you tune the CV output by stepping up and down octaves on your keyboard and verifying
that the voltage or frequency has doubled each octave you step up.
With any luck youll have a MIDI2CV up and running in no time!
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* (each keypress changes polyphony selection. Selection rotates in the following order: 2-3-4 (or 2-3-4-5-6-7-8 when 8-voice
stack is used)
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========================
PARAMETERS (DEFAULT PARAMETER VALUES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS)
========================
* CV2 function (note CV)
This parameters determins behavior of the CV2 output. It can repeat
the CV1 or correspond to some MIDI Controller or Channel Aftertouch.
Value range:
[Note CV, MIDI CC, Aftertouch]
* CV2 CC (#00)
This parameter is applicable only when CV2 function is set to MIDI CC.
Also it only can be set the same time, via CV2 programming mode.
Value range:
[0127]
* Legato retrigger (Off)
This parameter toggles the retriggering of connected Gate-driven
modules when certain note is pressed or released in legato mode.
Value range:
[Off, On]
* Triggering mode (Trigger)
The retriggering can be performed either with GATE B/TRIG output
(Trigger) or via interrupt of the GATE A signal (Gate).
Value range:
[Trigger, Gate]
* Velocity Curve (Exponential)
The velocity curve can be switched between normal (linear) and hard
(exponential) curves. The linear one fits for very fine keyboards,
the exponential is good for cheaper keyboards.
Value range:
[Linear, Exponential]
* Polyphony limit (4 voices)
This parameter limits the polyphony, which can be useful if the user is not
using all 4/8 voices. If limit is set to more than 4 voices but
maximum polyphony has been set back to 4, this parameter will be
automatically reset to 4 until next adjustment. If limit was less than 5,
then maximum polyphony has been set to 8, this parameter will be
automatically reset to 8.
If limit is set to 5, 6 or 7, disabled voices always will be on stack unit 2.
Value range:
[2, 3, 4] / [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
* Clock rate (1/24 quarter note (ie: 24ppqn))
This parameter determines the rate of the MIDI Clock signal coming
from the SYNC output.
Value range:
[1/4, 1/8, 1/8 triplet, 1/16, 1/16 triplet, 1/32,
1/32 triplet, 1/64 triplet]
* Max polyphony (4 voices)
This parameter defines overall module behavior on polyphonic mode.
4-voice polyphony:
Only 4 voices can be played at the same time. Each keypress
beyond this limit reassigns most early voice to the new note.
8-voice polyphony
8 voices are available with two units connected via MIDI splitter.
Each unit is assumed to receive identical data and process
all 8 voices in parallel. Stack unit 1 plays voices 1-4
and ignores voices 5-8. Stack unit 2 plays the remaining voices.
The unit which handles each range of notes can be set via Function Keys.
* Velocity unit (Disabled)
MIDI Note On Message contains 1 status byte and two data bytes
containing note number and velocity level.
This parameter toggles part of the Note-on message which will be
converted to CV in Polyphonic mode. Default option is key number,
and second option is velocity.
This can be used with two or more units connected via MIDI splitter
when first unit/stack responds to notes and second to velocity.
Additional units in monophonic mode also may be used for controllers.
========================
OPERATION MODES
========================
Monophonic mode (Mono):
---------------CV1 output corresponds to note pitch.
When no controller is assigned to CV2, it repeats the CV1 value.
CV3 output corresponds to Note On velocity.
CV4 output corresponds to Modulation Wheel.
Gating and triggering:
Triggerring mode "Trigger":
GATE A opens until every key and pedal are released.
GATE B (Trigger) opens for 2ms and then closes.
If Legato retrigger is enabled, GATE B opens
when some key is pressed or released.
Triggerring mode "Gate":
GATE A stays closed for 2 ms, then opens until every key and pedal are released.
If Legato retrigger is enabled, GATE A interrupts
when some key is pressed or released.
If velocity = 0, Note off operation is performed
If note number > 12 and < 24 (C1-B1), various settings changes (see Function keys).
Polyphonic mode (Poly1):
------------------------Each newly pressed note is assigned to the next free voice, up to the maximum polyphony (each voice is comprised of a CV and Gate
output). When there are no free voices left, current note replaces the earliest assigned voice.
Multichannel mode (Poly4):
-------------------------Each CV/Gate voice responds to the last pressed note on its own MIDI channel. MIDI channels are assigned by order, starting from
the channel determined during the Initialization.
Additional modes (Accessible through Poly4 extra channels)
-------------------------Split mode:
-------------------------First note received on this channel determines the split point between two available zones: Lower and Higher (Lower note of the
Higher zone). Lower zone is connected to voice A, Higher to Voice B. The split point is stored until main switch is toggled.**
** This parameter is AUTOMATIC and it can not be stored to EEPROM.
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= channel number
= note number
= velocity
= channel number
= control number
= control value
Hold pedal.
If pedal is pressed (vv>63), last note is held until pedal is released (vv<64)
120:
122:
123:
Others:
= channel number
= least significant 7 bits
= most significant 7 bits
Current pitch wheel value is added to the pitch present on CV1 output (and CV2 output when no controller is assigned to CV2).
Channel Real-time messages
Channel Aftertouch (DNh, VVh)
-------* Accepted modes: Mono
N
= channel number
VV
= aftertouch value
Channel Aftertouch can be assigned to CV2 output.
System Real-time messages
---------------MIDI Clock (F8h)
-------* Accepted modes: All
Every clock pulse (24ppqn) is forwarded to SYNC output as a pulse with 80us duration. Also, LED flashes every quarter note.
Sequencer control
-------* Accepted modes: Mono
Start (FAh)
When this message is received, Start/Stop output is set to high and Reset goes high for 2ms, then goes low again afterwards.
Continue (FBh)
When this message is received, Start/Stop output is set to high with no other changes
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Stop (FCh)
When this messages is received, Start/Stop output is set to low.
Reset all receivers (FFh)
-------* Accepted modes: Mono, Poly1, Poly4
When this message is received, module starts initialization process
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