Doepfer Dark Energy II - Manual (Page 20)

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Dark EnerGy II DOEPFER Functions
3.3.2. MIDI to CV/Gate interface
Since Dark Energy II‘s sound generation works entirely analog, and „real“ analog control voltages and gate
signals are used internally, the unit features a complete USB/MIDI-to-CV/Gate interface.
This integrated „USB/MIDI-to-CV/Gate“ interface generates not only a pitch control voltage and a gate
signal to trigger the envelope with, it also produces several control voltages derived from incoming MIDI ve-
locity and MIDI controller data. The MIDI-to-CV interface also features a simple but useful arpeggiator and
a so-called reference pitch. You have encountered the reference tone before when you selected the MIDI
channel - it was the MIDI note that set Dark Energy II‘s pitch CV1 to 0 Volts and thus became the lowest
key of Dark Energy II‘s key range.
All CVs and gate signals can be tapped from sockets on the back of Dark Energy II. Use patch cords to
connect them with the module inputs on Dark Energy II‘s frontpanel. This way you can control the most
important sound parameters dynamically via MIDI velocity and a MIDI controller.
You may „abuse“ Dark Energy II‘s MIDI-to-CV/gate interface to control another, not MIDIfied analog synthe-
sizer that complies with the specifications of Dark Energy II.
Depending on the incoming MIDI data (note on/off, notenumber, pitch bend, MIDI controller, velocity), the
interface will generate:
• The gate signal for the envelope generator,
• CV1: controlled by MIDI note numbers; 1V/oct scaling (internally connected to the VCO´s pitch
control input)
• CV2: controlled by MIDI pitch bend data (ranges approx. –2.5V to +2.5V or 0V to +5V, selectable via in-
ternal jumper). CV2 has no internal connection, it can be patched into the control inputs on Dark Energy II‘s
frontpanel as desired.
• CV3: controlled by volume or the sum of volume and velocity (selectable via learn mode). CV3 has no in-
ternal connection, it can be patched into the control inputs on Dark Energy II‘s frontpanel as desired. Please
refer to page 20, section (2).
• CV4: controlled by a freely selectable MIDI controller or the product of controller data and velocity (con-
troller number selectable via learn mode). CV4 has no internal connection, it can also be patched into the
control inputs on Dark Energy II‘s frontpanel as desired. Please refer to page 20, section (2).
By changing an internal jumper, the CV4 socket can become a second audio output. In this case, CV4 is
not available anymore. This mod allows you to use Dark Energy II without any cable plugged into the front-
panel. The default setting is CV4.