Anybody every use or could recommend a single channel MIDI Constant Controller to voltage converter. It needs to function like a volume control pedal plugged into the Synth, but controlled by a CC. The application is my Yamaha Montage that has a "SUPER DUPER KNOB" that varies multiple parameters in multiple parts. You can plug a FC-7 pedal into the synth and control the position of the Knob.
 
As far as MIDI control, presently the Knob can only be conrolled by Sysex data, so I would like to be able to control it from CC data, so I can optimize the position/curve in the PRV. Alternatively I could play back the MIDI, record the Audio from the synth and move the Knob as desired, but I would like to have program control over it.
 
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Walt

Hi Wally, me again
 
The Montage really interests me, and so I'm looking into it from a midi programmer's perspective. It's an interesting problem, the lack of a CC for for the SuperKnob. 
 
If I'm guessing right, the Super Knob controls the eight assignable knobs in some way. It looks like the value of those can be midi transmitted; in that respect it looks like a SuperKnob performance can be properly recorded, in a round-a-bout way. Still, I'd think there'd be a need to have a sysx set dump before playing it back to the Montage ensure everything is assigned the way you originally had it.
 
-Gene-

Not particularly cheap, but various standalone Midi->CV converters for pre-midi analog or modern modular synths can do this:
 
http://www.kentonuk.com/products/select/m-cvsel.shtml
 
http://www.doepfer.de/Dark_Link_e.htm
 
 
From a computer there are also SW solutions, but they require a DC coupled audio interface:
 
http://expert-sleepers.co.uk/silentway.html
 

SuperG
Hi Wally, me again
 
The Montage really interests me, and so I'm looking into it from a midi programmer's perspective. It's an interesting problem, the lack of a CC for for the SuperKnob. 

 
Hi Gene!
This is just my guess about Yamaha's marketing strategy. With so many softsynths out there, I imagine Roland and other hardware synth manufacturers are taking this as serious competition. I can get more realistic sounds from Kontakt, Orange Tree, etc. then I can from my $4600 (then) Roland Jupiter 80. 
 
I believe that they wanted to distance themselves from an external computer, i.e. DAW, even though they own Cubase, so they are touting this as a standalone “Play it live” synth. Even on the Yamaha Montage Forum, the forum host from Yamaha doesn’t like it if you talk about DAW control or MIDI. “Hey you have to get your creative juices flowing and make this thing talk and not leave the sound to a mixing engineer”. It would have been a simple thing to control the Super Duper Knob with CC data since it can be controlled with a foot pedal. I believe they left this feature out on purpose so you can only easily use it "live".
 
Here’s a sample of using your creative juices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSg6xLvdBIY Play between 1:33 and 2:24. Call me old fashion, but that’s just not my style…
Fortunately it does have some great sounds and maybe I’ll get in and modify/add some of my own. (I haven’t set up a custom sound since the 70s with my ARP Odyssey. Didn’t have a choice. )
 
 

SuperG
If I'm guessing right, the Super Knob controls the eight assignable knobs in some way. It looks like the value of those can be midi transmitted; in that respect it looks like a SuperKnob performance can be properly recorded, in a round-a-bout way. Still, I'd think there'd be a need to have a sysx set dump before playing it back to the Montage ensure everything is assigned the way you originally had it.
 
-Gene-

Actually 72 assignable knobs. There are 8 parts under keyboard control that can each have 8 assignable knobs, and 8 more that are common for all parts. If you like setting up your own custom sounds, this is the machine.
 
Walt

drewfx1
Not particularly cheap, but various standalone Midi->CV converters for pre-midi analog or modern modular synths can do this:
 
http://www.kentonuk.com/products/select/m-cvsel.shtml
 
http://www.doepfer.de/Dark_Link_e.htm
 
 
From a computer there are also SW solutions, but they require a DC coupled audio interface:
 
http://expert-sleepers.co.uk/silentway.html
 

Thanks! That doepfer unit looks interesting. I'll do some further research.
 
Walt

Now that I think about it - you may need a special cable with one of those and ideally you would want to measure what voltage the Yamaha is expecting.
 
Typically CV pedal jacks are TRS with the sleeve being ground and the unit (the Yamaha in this case) sends out a voltage on one (the ring? - I think that's right but I can't remember - I can check if you want) and returns what's left of that voltage to the other (tip?) depending on the pedal position.
 
CV converters like the one's I linked just send out a voltage. You would want to make sure the voltage sent is appropriate for your Yamaha to be safe. The 0-5V CV is probably fine, but I think some manufacturers use 0-3V. And you don't want to send the -2.5 to +2.5 pitch bend CV or the 1V/Oct pitch CV. It's easy to check what the Yamaha sends out if you have a voltmeter. 
 
And the cable would be a 1/8" TS from the midi->CV with the output CV and ground wired to a 1/4" TRS to the Yamaha with the return voltage connected along with ground and the voltage sent out by the Yamaha taped off.
 
It's not a big deal at all and completely safe if you know - or know someone - with basic electronics knowledge.

drewfx1
Now that I think about it - you may need a special cable with one of those and ideally you would want to measure what voltage the Yamaha is expecting...

That what I meant about doing some further research. I need to determine if the converter is compatible with the Montage. Right now my wife and I are flying to MA to see our 1 month old set of twin Great-Grandaugthers! I will have to put the Converter on the back burner.

drewfx1
....It's not a big deal at all and completely safe if you know - or know someone - with some basic electronics knowledge.

I'm very lucky since I know someone very close to me with some basic electronics knowledge.
Me! I earned a living as an Analog Integrated Circuit Design Engineer! I have a full complement of electronic test equipment (i.e LeCroy 4 channel Color oscilloscope, etc.) in my lab so I'm covered.

The pedal used with the Montage is a standard Yamaha pedal that is nothing more that a potentiometer controlled by the movement of the pedal. It's output is a ratiometrically derived voltage as a function of the pedal position.

I appreciate your help in locating a possible candidate for my application. I also found a kit available from PAIA, but I called their sales and customer support numbers since I had some questions and nobody answered the phones.

Thanks again!

Walt

Would a midi expression pedal be able to do what you seek?  I have a Behringer FCB1010 midi foot board, and it has 2 midi expression pedals that can each be connected to whatever continuous controller event you wish.
 
Just a thought.
 
Oh, by the way, my son just literally last night bought one of these same keyboards, and WOW it sounds great! Maybe he will send me back the other keyboard that has been on loan to him for about 2 years...... (it could happen) :)
 
Bob Bone
 

robert_e_bone
Would a midi expression pedal be able to do what you seek?  I have a Behringer FCB1010 midi foot board, and it has 2 midi expression pedals that can each be connected to whatever continuous controller event you wish.
 
Just a thought.
 
Oh, by the way, my son just literally last night bought one of these same keyboards, and WOW it sounds great! Maybe he will send me back the other keyboard that has been on loan to him for about 2 years...... (it could happen) :)
  Hi Robert,
Glad your son got one two, he has great taste! I don't think the FCB1010 will do the trick. I believe it IS a controller and NOT a converter. I need something that will convert MIDI CC to CV (continuos controller messages to a constant voltage) output. Appreciate your input though.
Bob Bone
 

Killer keyboard.  I wish I hadn't seen that ...
 
One possible solution might be to convert Sysex to CC with a MIDI Solutions Event Processor.  There's a companion Programming Tools app that generates a custom conversion, which gets stored within the inline MIDI device itself.  Power for the EPP is (usually) derived from the DIN input.  But, for around the same price ...
 
I think a better solution would be the EHX 8 Step Program.  You can have an expression 'thru' pedal at the input, a versatile eight step sequencer in the middle, and MIDI-to-CV (or expression) at the output.  The MIDI In implementation over individual parameter control is second to none.  And if your destination has a range requirement less than 0-5 VDC (like my Eventide pedals do, at 0-3.3VDC), the maximum Depth can be adjusted over a range of 0 to 10.
 
I use the 8 Step Program to control most anything I have with an expression pedal (or CV) input ... from my guitar pedalboards to hardware synths.  To satisfy that inner Wakeman, I'll occasionally rely on an AKAI Max 49 to achieve similar results (MIDI-to-CV conversion, with MIDI Note or CC sequencing as the bonus).