Analog Keyboard Control Voltage / Gate Explanation and example, please....

Can someone post audio sample of how CV/gate is used with analog synths/keyboards? I do not understand how to use it. The whole concept is lacking in my brain. I would like to hear the "sound/audio result" of using this procedure. Why is it so cool. I see a lot of talk about it these days. Thank you.

CV stands for Control Voltage, and it has nothing to do with the actual audio. It's a way to control/steer analog synth modules. In modern digital stuff you can compare this to MIDI-signals and VST-internal control signals. Audio-wise there is nothing to gain from it (unless you have a stack of yummie old analog synth gear to control with it) ;)

Just think of it as a pre-MIDI control system. Basic use of CV/Gate is pretty simple. You use Control Voltage to adjust the pitch and Gate for note on/off commands. Different CV voltages define different pitches, but the control voltages can also be used to adjust, say, rate or amount of LFO or depth of resonance, for example. Gate (and/or trigger) signals could initiate an action, like starting an envelope generator. The big difference compared to more modern approaches is that within an analog system it's all voltages. So depending on machine and connections available, you can use audio (voltages) to modulate CV (voltages) and the other way around. As for how it sounds, well, it can sound like anything...it depends on connections you made and how you adjust the voltages. Is it cool? One thing is that analog voltages are basically infinitely adjustable and if you have enough inputs and outputs, you can achieve absolutely mind boggling connection/control combinations. This can also be the bad side of it, actually. The other thing is, for all the really old analogs and some of the modern equivalents also, CVs are the only way to control the system (except when using the MIDI-2-CV converters). So it's not just something cool, but absolute necessity to get any sound out of those things.

OK, now that is pretty cool.

I used to own a beautiful (though badly designed) MemoryMoog, which I guess would have filled the bill to allow me to use the Silent Way by Expert Sleepers plugs. Now, the closest thing I have to an analog board is my Roland V-Synth Ver. 2., and that does not have a CV/Gate I/O. Ah well. I am in the market for a fourth keyboard, and I have been looking at the Kurzweil SP5-8, or the Korg Krome. I guess I've gone digital. Building an analog synth from a kit sounds kind of attractive. Any suggestions?

Gawd, it's like being a kid in a candy store over there. Where to even start? Awesome link. Thank you, Dannii.

If you have a spare $14,357.50, you could get one of these babies (hmmm.. that's roughly what my Roland System 100 is worth apparently)....

I'll get back to you on your questions dea-man. Right now, I really need to go get some sleep. Glad you enjoyed the video. I had a ton of fun making it. :)