Question about sync and cv ports

Hey,

I'm a dumb guitarist, so a lot of this is new to me, especially the CV stuff.

I'm using an MPC One at the centre of my setup. I also have a Korg SQ-64 sequencer and a Roland TR-8S drum machine which both have sync in sockets. Can I connect two of the CV outs of the MPC to the sync in sockets of the Korg and Roland, and have them both start playback when I hit play on the MPC? Also, am I right in thinking these are essentially just audio signals, so I could put one end of a 3.5mm mono to stereo Y-cable into the first out of the MPC and the other two ends into the sync in sockets of the Korg and Roland?

For cables,
Just an 1/8 inch ts cable will do. To send analog clock, you will want to set a gate pattern out of the mpc into whatever you are trying to sync. You can also do resets.

Check this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WayWwGPGgKY&t=322s
Edit: just left a link as I coudn't figure out how to embed the video

The MPC One (and MPC Live mk2) both have 4 CV jacks, but support 8 CV outs. You'll need to get a stereo 1/8" TRS to 1/8" TS left and right cable if you want to get access to all of the CV.

Further, yes you could get a splitter cable that is TS to TS left / TS right, and it would duplicate the signal, but there's also stacking cables and such that can do this as well. The only real important thing to note is that your level will decrease for ever unbuffered split, so some devices may no longer respond consistently or correctly when you split the signal. Just depends on the device and what voltage level it expects.

As for the specific gear you are talking about... I don't have it so I'm not 100% sure how they work, but frequently you'll have the ability to send a clock signal to get the BPM in sync, and a reset signal to have everything sync up on 1.1.1... you can definitely do the sync part by hand/ear... but depends on how tight or sloppy, automated or manual you want to get.

For my use, I typically will create a sync track and create a note every 1/16th (or whatever your device needs or is set to sync) and set the track to output CV 1 for example as a gate, with no pitch, velocity, or mod CV. Then I'll create a second track where I will only trigger one note on the 1.1.1 as the reset, and make the track length be 1/2/4/... however many bars that I want to play before I force a reset again. That way, the worst you'll ever be out of sync is how many bars your reset length is, and it will snap to attention when you loop back around.

I have a video I recorded on this ages ago:


Hope that helps.

The Korg might not play nice if they went with the Volca sync on it. My SQ-1 uses the 'Volca' sync so you have to set your clock up a little differently or it will be way out of time compared to the rest of it. I have to set the number of pulses a certain way so it locks in and will stay in time with the rest of the MIDI setup because the Volca's look for two pulses before they advance a step (I think thats how it works anyways). Its been so long since I've used that thing through I honestly cant remember how or what you have to change but its basically the clock pulses need to be adjusted or the Korg will go double speed.

KORG sync is just the other way around than all the other synt manufacturers:
gate high is nothing, gate low is a pulse/advance

This should get you somewhere:

- Read the SQ-64 manual, it explains what sync input and output options there are.
- Record the SQ-64's sync output signal in a DAW or the MPC as audio. Look at the recorded waveform.
- Change the sync options and re-record. Look at how the recorded waveform changes with the different settings.

I looked at the SQ-64's manual and it seems that you can select how many pulses per quarter-note there are, and whether it uses hi or low polarity. And even separately for input and output. At least some of the Volca boxes have settings for sync input and output polarity, but the pulse/note ratio is set something like, how many sequencer notes (which is not the same as quarter-note) per pulse and you can only select between 1 or 2 notes per pulse.

If and when you have problems, try different settings. Look at the sync pulse waveforms and compare what works and doesn't work.

That’s all really helpful. Thanks so much for all the info. Looking forward to getting stuck into it at the weekend.