Question about controlling an SH-101

jiltloop · 07-09-2009 09:55PM #1

I've recently sold my MIDI/CV converter which I was using to control my SH-101 and am missing the MIDI control. I'm programming a sequence on the SH-101 using the onboard sequencer and I want to control it's tempo.
I know that you can do this using numerous roland drum machines I think by using the rimshot output as a trigger.
So what I was wondering is does anyone know if its possible to play a rimshot sample on my DAW and send it out on say a headphone monitor mix into the external clock in of the SH-101? Is it possible that I could contorl the tempo this way?
You might be wondering why I haven't tried it instead of asking here and the reason is that I just purchased a new soundcard and am not sure how to use the seperate outs on it yet so just wanted to check if someone thinks this may be possible before I try and figure it all out.

Quiggers · 08-09-2009 02:31AM

what soundcard did you buy?

If its a Motu then you can use their volta software to send cv out from their outputs. Unfortunatly its Mac only and only works with Motu soundcards.

cv uses a 0v to 5v range and most audio outputs work in the region of +- 1.7v at a +4dBu setting.

I dont suppose you own a novation bass-station, it has a built in midi to cv converter.

You may be able to use a rimshot sound, you'll probably have to rectify the sample an possible have to amplify it further using a spare device with a gain setting. Maybe a simple op-amp circuit with a diode bridge rectifier if you fancy a bit of DIY and some solder fumes. as its only sync info the circuit would be very simple butwouldn't be able to send note on/off or pitch voltages.

Hope this helped.

kfoltman · 08-09-2009 09:37AM

I'm not sure if I understand it correctly, but why not use an impulse sample instead of a rimshot?

What I mean is a .WAV that contains a spike-like waveform (0 to max to 0, or - if that doesn't work - 0 to -max to 0). This should theoretically be as close to a "real" trigger signal as possible.

splitrmx · 08-09-2009 10:20AM

Any audio click from a soundcard will work as a trigger, it just has to be loud enough (ie really really loud!).

jiltloop · 08-09-2009 11:01AM

Thanks for the help guys,

@Quiggers, I did have a novation super bass station, that was my MIDI/CV converter but I had to sell it. And the soundcard I got isn't a motu unfortunately, it's an m-audio firewire audiophile.

So I guess the thing is to experiment with samples and volumes and see if anything works. I will let you know if I'm successful.

Question about controlling an SH-101

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