Korg PS 3200 - 12. Voltage Processors -VPs

The Korg PS & MS synthesizers generally work in the range of -5V to +5V
This Korg standardization, is good to remember, as it allows for precise control of synth operations.
You will see on the PS series of synths, voltage ranges printed on the various inputs & outputs.

This is where the VPs come in handy. There are two VPs in the PS 3200.

The Voltage Processors allow you to take an external voltage in the -5V to +5V range , and change it's range & phase. These are essential to safely connect external modules (even from other Korg gear).
The PS series were not designed to use external sequencers, for example. So if connecting something such as a SQ-10 or SQ-1, its safer to use these processors.

Needless to say, it's always a good idea to know what voltages your gear is outputting, before you plug it into your PS 3200. Buy an oscilloscope to check peak - peak voltages.

If nothing is plugged into a VP, the output will be +4.5V
You can use this as a fixed voltage source.

If you plug a changing voltage into the input, then you can limit the upper  & lower ranges of this voltage when it exits the VP. This input voltage must be in the -5V to +5V range
The PS-3040 is another potential source of CV. It's designed for the PS 3200.
Sadly I don't have a PS-3040 foot controller.  -- It uses the DIN connector.

VP-1 can also be used it as a VCA control.
Notice the orange switch that connects to VCA-2.

One last thing to note is a second switch which connects & disconnects the two VPs.

When the switch is to the left, a CV inputted into VP1 will exit from both VPs.
When the switch is to the right (as in the photo), any inputted CVs will exit from their same VPs only.


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If you are thinking of using external gear with the PS 3200, a  Korg MS 20 is good place to start.
Keep in mind this block diagram:

Outputs from the MS-20 mini
Keyboard CV out: 0~+8V
Keyboard Trigger out : +5V to GND
Signal output (mono 1/8" mini phone jack, 2Vp-p output impedance 3.5k Ω)
EG 1 (normal): -5V to 0V
EG 1 (reverse) : +5V to 0V
EG 2 envelope signal reverse output (+5V - 0V) 
MG Triangle out (Positive Sawtooth - Triangle - Negative Sawtooth) : +2.5 to -2.5 (5VPP)
MG Rectangle (Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse) : 0 to +5V
Mod/control wheel output: -5V~0V~+5V
Push Button:+5V to GND
Pink Noise output : 5Vpp
White Noise output: 5Vpp
S/H output : 5Vpp
Modulation VCA: Signal output (-5V - +5V)

MS 20 mini ESP
CV Out (0 - +8.4V)
ENV Out (0 - +5V)
Trig Out (+5V-->GND) 

https://www.korg.com/au/products/synthesizers/ms_20mini/page_2.php


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Re: the SQ-1 sequencer:
Sequencers in general, give voltages to variable oscillators, telling them what pitches to play.
The Korg PS 3200 doesn't have a direct pitch CV input.
The manual warns you not to connect anything other than PS series gear.
However, if you must....
a) littleBits OUT jack (mini monaural phone jack)... 5V ???

b) CV - A OUT -GATE, CV - B OUT - GATE:
    CV OUT: output level 1V, 2V, 5V, 8V [Hz/V]
    GATE OUT: output level 10V

c)  IN - SYNC - OUT jacks:
     SYNC IN: maximum input level 20V,
     SYNC OUT: output level 5V

My PS-3200 has a Kenton Midi to CV kit installed.
It works great, as it by-passes all the CV/gate stuff.

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Moog CP-251
This CV processor is very useful to attenuate external voltages.
Used in conjunction with a scope, it's a very safe way to use external gear.

Buchla - Wall of Sound

Having some fun with Paul's new super easel & a small 12U buchla.
The MARF is really cool.

Working on some drones.

....


 Really loving the 294 all over again. Such a under-rated module.

Some more pics of Paul's amazing easel.

A great drop from 1995.
The name “Barwang” means “place of water”. The winery is situated in the Hilltops region of New South Wales. The water source is a natural aquifer about 300m below the surface.
http://mcwilliams.com.au/our-wine/regionality/hilltops/
Am amazed at this wine's staying power. It's 21 years old. I wish I had a few more bottles left.
It's the last one I have from this case I think :-(

Korg PS 3200 - 9. Modulation Generator-1 (MG-1)

The MG-1 is basically an LFO.
 It's quite central to modulation in the Korg PS 3200.
The voltages it produces is used for FM (frequency modulation) , FcM (cutoff frequency modulation) and AM (amplitude modulation) within the synth.

4 WAVEFORMS + pink & white noise.
The input on the left controls the frequency of the MG1
-5V to +5V

The MG is hardwired to the Signal Generators (SGs), the Filters & the VCA (Modulation Balance) sections.
That is, you don't need any patch cables to modulate these components.

When switched to the SGs you get FM.
When switched to the filters, you get cutoff frequency modulation (FcM)... called "Growl".
When switched to the Modulation Balance (VCA) section you get AM.... tremelo or ring modulation.

Looks like a good patch to try

 The PS 3010 is useful but a synth such as a MS 20 should also produce interesting results.

216r - touch keyboard

Some pics taken during the building of a 216r ..
very similar to the 116

tHESE pics are just to help during trouble shooting.

Calibration is uber impt to get it working. !!!!

EMS Synthi - 2. Using the KS for the first time.

Some quick notes to help use the keyboard sequencer for the first time.

To use the sequencer patch D3 & A12 (as before), but place the pitch pin at I16

Turn the envelope shaper to sequencer.
Vertical range should be set to zero. (there is a switch at this position).

 Set the Meter mode switch to CONTROL VOLTAGE.

The sequence length can be shortened or lengthened using this dial.

;;;

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Korg PS 3200 - 7. Modulation Balance / Modulation VCA

There is just one knob & one input jack, but this section is very important, as it controls the balance between the modulation signals coming from the MG-1 and the S/H.

The balance between the MG-1 & S/H can be controlled manually  with the knob.
However, it can also be controlled with CVs via the VCA control input jack.
Attack requires a CV between -5V and + 5V.

Release uses a S-trigger (5V)

...

The MG-1 & S/H CVs are used alot in the PS 3200...such as applying FM to the signal generators.
MG-1 is used for effects like vibrato, and auto wow.
The S/H  uses the MG-1 signal as the clock, and produces a stepped output CV for things such as random notes, and random cut-off frequency.

A trigger from the keyboard sets of the GEG (more about this patch later).

Korg PS 3200 - 6. Total Signal Modifiers (TSM)

This section comprises
1. Keyboard Volume Balance
2. Amplitude Modulation (AM)
3. Ensemble
4. VCA 1/Preset Volume 
5. VCA 2/Preset Volume

1. Keyboard Volume Balance
This is what we perceive as BRIGHTNESS.
It's the difference in tone between the high and low range of the keyboard.... creates volume differences between different sections of the keyboard.

 2. Amplitude Modulation (AM)
This adjusts the intensity of the amplitude modulation.
This is controlled by MG-1
 It's how you produce effects like tremelo.

Level 5 = 100% modulation
Level 10 = 200% modulation (ring modulation??).


3. Ensemble
Creates the effect of many instruments playing together.

 4. VCA 1/Preset Volume 
Controls the volume as determined by the PRE VOL knob or and external CV signal
The position of the PRE VOL knob is stored in the preset memory.

The external CV signal must be 0 to +5V

5. VCA 2/Preset Volume
This is connected to the voltage processors, via the red internal patch switch.