MS20M Desktop - transpose by MIDI Keyboard

[tomektowski]

Is it possible to transpose MS20M by pressing any key on MIDI keyboard
while MS20M is controlled by analogue seqencer (cv, gate) ?

it works perfectly on my other analogue synth but not on MS20M,
basically when CV jack is pluged to CV In socket on MS20M
(even without signal on it)
then pressing MIDI Keybord does not recognise note - every key
makes the same tone (is it right behaviour?)
unplaging CV In makes MIDI Keyboard fully functional

(I use 5pin MIDI keyboard out to 5pin Midi in on MS20M - not USB MIDI)

just received MS20M Desktop 3days ago and still discovering its functionality
however couldn't find answer for this issue on any forum,
its fantastic machine but if transposing cant work
it will be big disadvantage for me

[OpAmp]

Hi,

IMHO the behaviour you see is normal.

The MS20M is either controlled by your analog sequencer (using cv and gate patch cables) or the built in MIDI IN interface.

The MIDI IN interface will generate also a cv and gate signal (based on the note you press) which is by default routed (internally) to the oscillators and envelope generators. If you insert a patch cable in either cv or gate, you cut in fact this default route from MIDI.

So if you insert only the cv cable, the MIDI module will only deliver the gate signal, making that all notes from the MIDI keyboard have the same pitch.

This answers in fact also your initial question. No you can not use the MIDI keyboard to transpose your analog sequencer.

Your options:
* find out how to transpose your analog seqencer
* use a MIDI sequencer with transpose possibilities and disconnect the analog sequencer
* bring in some more analog stuff: the MS20M allows modulation of the frequency. If you could generate a stable controllable voltage, this could be exploited to transpose the tune of the oscillators versus the input cv voltage. Not sure it will work though and know what you are doing I would say.

Good luck!

[tomektowski]

thanks for explanation
yes it has sense what you say

in fact only pluged Cv is blocking midi notes pitch,
when gate in is pluged midi keys still produce (the same pitch) sound
that means gate in (from midi) is not separated by inserted jack

I was thinking about little modification on pcb - to join permanently cv in and midi cv in (socket normally on/of) but (if work) it still would not transpose, maybe it would mix both seqencer and midi notes

interesting idea about controlling by stable cv modulation of frequency
to achive transpose - worth a try

for now Im using SQ1 but Im awaiting for my other sequencer (in repair) which has both midi and CV transpose - it will sort out problem

I have some other questions (extending LFO rate and power switch always on)
but I will open them on new post

thanks again for your help!

[Signalshaper]

MS-20-M connected with Roland PC-160A midi keyboard (5-pin midi cable).
Transpose functions (octave buttons) on midi keyboard are working.

SQ-1-Gate > MS-20-M Junction in > Junction out > Trig in (Lower most)
SQ-1-CV-A Out > MS-20-M Junction in > Junction out > Total (or Freq for use with MG)

Now you can transpose SQ1 by pressing any key on the midi-keyboard...

This is the solution to your problem with transposing the SQ-1 with a midi keyboard?

[tomektowski]

Signalshaper - you mean to send cv to "TOTAL" instead of "VCO1+2 CV IN" ?

just tried this - TOTAL doesn't recognise pitch - whenever trigged by gate plays the same note regardless of cv level - unless Im making some mistake

yes I can now transpose it by MIDI note from MIDI Keybord
but no pitch (melody)

in fact Im not using SQ1, it is other analogue sequencer but it shouldn't make any diffirence - it is still cv signal

hmmm

update - now tried this with SQ1 - the same,
are you sure you have cv pitch sent to TOTAL?

[Signalshaper]

Yes, CV-out to TOTAL. You can also use FREQ for weird sequencing with the modulation generator.
I forget to say you have to use the Frequency Modulation (MG/T.EXT) knob. If you turn it open it will work. On the SQ-1 you can adjust the different pitch for each note.

Hope it will work for you

[Signalshaper]

Maybe this will help? Sequencing in pictures...
http://signalshaper.com/signalshaper-ko ... with-sq-1/

[tomektowski]

Thanks Signalshaper

yes it works now - Frequency Modulation knob routes cv from TOTAL
and pitch is recognised
and I can transpose it via MIDI Keyboard by any note - which was my target.
I need to retune it now - that is I guess because via TOTAL cv is taken as Hz/V
while previously I used V/Oct

thanks for your help

[Signalshaper]

I'm happy to hear that it works.
Wondering what you are going to do with the MS-20M and sequencing...