Future Retro XS - Manual (Page 15)

CONTROLLING YOUR XS
is converted to
MIDI TO CV/GATE CONVERTER
When MIDI information is received by the XS, the MIDI data is then converted into control voltages
and logic gate signals that control the internal analog sound section. These control voltages and logic
signals are also available at the 1/4” output jacks, which allows you to control other external analog
circuits.
The CV OUT signal generated represents the pitch of MIDI notes received. This control voltage
follows the 1 V/Oct (volt per octave) standard, where each semitone note equals 1/12th of a volt,
and each octave equals 1 volt. Since the XS responds to MIDI notes C2 through C7, this control
voltage can range from 0 to +5 volts.
MIDI pitch bend messages will also affect this control voltage, causing a note’s voltage to become
slightly more positive or negative than typically produced for that note.
If more than one note is played at a time by the MIDI controller, the XS will activate its internal glide
circuit which will slew the voltage from one note to another at the rate set by the Glide Time control.
This output can be used to control the pitch of oscillators, filters, or other voltage-controlled circuits.
The GATE OUT signal generated represents Note On/Off messages. When no notes are being
played, this logic signal will output 0 volts. When a notes is being played, this logic signal will
output approximately +14 volts.
This output can be used to trigger envelope generators or circuits with other logic inputs.
The VEL OUT signal generated represents the Velocity of MIDI notes received. This control
voltage can range from 0 to +10 volts respectively, so notes with a higher Velocity value generate
higher voltages.
This control voltage is generally used to affect the volume of sound by controlling an amplifier, but
could also be used to affect a filter’s cutoff frequency or any other voltage-controlled circuit.
The MOD W OUT signal generated represents any MIDI Mod Wheel messages received. This
control voltage can range from 0 to +10 volts respectively, so as you increase the mod wheel
amount this voltage increases.
This control voltage is generally used to add expression to a sound, by assigning it to modify various
parameters within a synthesizer.
TIP: You can use this MOD W control voltage as a way to animate and record parameter value changes
in a sequencer. Let’s say you assign the MOD W control to a filter’s cutoff frequency. You have a
sequence playing notes already, and now you wish to record some tweaks to the filter cutoff. Simply
move the mod wheel of your master MIDI controller, and record this data into your sequencer.
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