CV/Exp. Question.
Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:44 am
So, I was wondering if I could put a jack in place of a pot and then run something (with an LFO for an example) into it to affect the tonez.
Not usually. If I understand it correctly EXP inputs are passive, so they use the device's existing voltage to change the tone. So like, there's electricity flowing in the pedal, it hits a pot and the pot lets more or less of it through depending on how you turn it. Some thing like an expression pedal is just a passive pot that you control with your foot instead of with your hand. No extra voltage is in there.
Control voltage on the other hand is actually additional electricity that is going into the device, usually +/- 5v. So like the LFO out on a Moogerfooger is actually spitting out electricity. With some EXP inputs on some pedals, adding extra voltage into the circuit doesn't make for good times in there and can fry stuff from what I understand.
I've been told that you need vactrols to add CV inputs to stuff. I'm no electrical engineer so I don't know much beyond that. I'm sure Rockness or Stan or Cloudscapes or any of the other real DIY'ers can get in here and provide some more info.
CV rules the f'n roost though. More CV the better in my opinion. Love that stuff....