CV Inputs

Do-it-yourself pedal building

Moderator: Ghost Hip

Forum rules
The DIY forum is for personal projects (things that are not for sale, not in production), info sharing, peer to peer assistance. No backdoor spamming (DIY posts that are actually advertisements for your business). No clones of in-production pedals. If you have concerns or questions, feel free to PM admin. Thanks so much!
Post Reply
User avatar
TheStevenLasombras
committed
committed
Posts: 272
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:18 pm
Location: Portland, OR
Contact:

CV Inputs

Post by TheStevenLasombras »

Can any of you guys with actual technical info comment on how hard it would be to modify pedals with CV inputs? I'm NOT a builder, but I've been using fuzzes (and all my pedals, really) with synth gear enough lately, it occurred to me that being able to control some of those pedals' parameters with control voltage instead of twisting knobs (or moving sliders, in the case of the old POG) would be really cool.
Would this kind of mod be feasible for most (or any) pedals? OR, are there any pedals it would be MORE feasible for? Are there technical issues preventing this (beyond lack of space inside the enclosure)? Any info would me much appreciated. :)
KRUDLER on Bandcamp for all your noise rock & cinematic synth needs
TOTHENECK on Instagram for recording snippets, artwork, etc.
User avatar
RR Bigman
FAMOUS
FAMOUS
Posts: 1448
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:03 pm
Location: south of the Burgh

Re: CV Inputs

Post by RR Bigman »

If the parameter in question is not designed to be controlled by a voltage (VCF, VCO etc etc) then you would have to make some changes to the circuit. Using digital pots and a microcontroller is an example. There may be ways that I'm not aware of that more experienced members could explain, but as far as I know it's not exactly a simple procedure.
My Vinyl Vibrate Higher Than You Bitch
User avatar
eatyourguitar
IAMILFFAMOUS
IAMILFFAMOUS
Posts: 3127
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 12:37 pm
Location: USA, RI

Re: CV Inputs

Post by eatyourguitar »

pretty much what he said. if the pot you want to replace with CV control is already connected to V+ then its just a matter or wiring it to the jack. almost every time you have a volume control or an adjustable filter, it has audio going through a pot. the only way to do it is to remove the pot completely and use something else that can be voltage controlled. like OTA's or vactrols or opamps for filters. just vactrols or opamps for volume. I have seen a delay pedal that was modularized with digital pots and a microcontroller. it has like 5 CV inputs. if you dont need that many CV inputs, skip the microcontroller.
WWW.EATYOURGUITAR.COM <---- MY DIY STUFF
User avatar
TheStevenLasombras
committed
committed
Posts: 272
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:18 pm
Location: Portland, OR
Contact:

Re: CV Inputs

Post by TheStevenLasombras »

Thanks, both of you. That is helpful!

RR Bigman wrote:If the parameter in question is not designed to be controlled by a voltage (VCF, VCO etc etc) then you would have to make some changes to the circuit

eatyourguitar wrote:if the pot you want to replace with CV control is already connected to V+ then its just a matter or wiring it to the jack .


Do you guys know (or know where to find out) which pedals (brand or type of effect) typically have pots connected to voltage like this? Or would it just be a trial-and-error thing, opening up each pedal to check?
KRUDLER on Bandcamp for all your noise rock & cinematic synth needs
TOTHENECK on Instagram for recording snippets, artwork, etc.
User avatar
eatyourguitar
IAMILFFAMOUS
IAMILFFAMOUS
Posts: 3127
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 12:37 pm
Location: USA, RI

Re: CV Inputs

Post by eatyourguitar »

Its a case by case thing. If the schematic is available online, that makes it easy.
WWW.EATYOURGUITAR.COM <---- MY DIY STUFF
Post Reply