Spektro Audio has released CV Toolkit 2.0 for Mac & Windows – an app that lets you use software synth modules to control, modulate and sequence your synthesizers, via control voltage (CV).
The new version is a complete re-write and re-design of the application. CV Toolkit 2.0 adds many features, including: a new slot system, voicing modes (4X Monophonic, Paraphonic and Polyphonic), internal Gate and Pitch buses, Layouts, Scale Editor, Module Packs (which lets the user install more modules to CV Toolkit), Utility Rack and more.
“We worked extremely hard on this version,” says Spektro Audio’s Ícaro Ferre, “and we believe it’s now much more capable and flexible than ever without losing it’s nice interface and user experience.”
Here’s video overview of CV Toolkit 2.0:
Version 2.0 also adds support for the littleBits USB module:
Here’s what’s new in CV Toolkit 2.0:
- Completely new design.
- New slot system: you can now load any module to any of the slots and load multiple instances of the same module to different slots. All the slots available in CV Toolkit now work exactly the same and share the same characteristics.
- Module Packs: further expand the functionality of CV Toolkit by purchasing additional module packs.
- New Notes module: we combined the old MIDI to CV and Quantizer modules into a single module.
- Updates modules: all modules are now capable of running at audio rate.
- New Routing Matrix layers (Output, Main and Control).
- Utility Rack: 4 oscilloscopes + 4 CV to MIDI CC converters.
- Internal Pitch and Gate Buses.
- 3 Voicing Modes: monophonic, polyphonic and paraphonic.
- New Layouts feature: store and recall different layouts. Each layout remembers which module you loaded into the 12 slots as well as the Gate and Pitch bus settings for the individual modules.
- Support for the brand new littleBits USB i/o module.
- New scale editor: you can now use any of the pre-existing scales available in CV Toolkit or edit / create your own.
You can now use CV Toolkit to create anything from simple sequenced patches to more elaborate polyphonic patches (up to four voices).
Pricing and Availability
CV Toolkit is available now for $19.99. The new Deluxe Pack (which adds 9 modules) is available for 9.99.
Ferre adds, “CV Toolkit 2.0 would not’ve been possible if it wasn’t for the support we’ve received from Synthtopia and it’s readers throughout the past year.” So, if you’ve used CV Toolkit, leave a comment and Ferre know how you’re using it, what you like about it and if there are features that you’d like to see it add!
I was wondering how it outputs the CV? Do you need some kind of hardware like the Expert Sleepers modules or a audio interface which can handle DC? Thanks.
i think both these ideas are possible.. i’d like to know the answer as well
Hey guys!
In order to use CV Toolkit you do need some special hardware. You can either use it with any DC-Coupled audio interface (such as the MOTUs) or with one of the supported Expert Sleepers modules (ES-3, ES-4, ES-40, ESX-4CV and ESX-8CV).
Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂
I’m seeing this in fine print on the bottom of the product page:
* Support for the Expert Sleepers ES-4, ES-40, ESX-4CV and ESX-8CV modules is still experimental therefore it might be subjected to bugs. Our plan is to improve the support for these modules in future updates.
** While CV Toolkit can receive MIDI signals from MIDI devices, it cannot output MIDI Notes, only MIDI CC messages (via the CV to MIDI CC convertes available in the Utility Rack).
Looks very cool, and given the product description above, it sounds like the Expert Sleepers ES-3 support is stable. I’m going to try it!
Hi Adam!
You’re absolutely right. CV Toolkit works 100% with the ES-3. I personally use one and I’ve never had any problems with it. 🙂
How about my Korg ms 20 module?
Hey Zapparelli,
You could use CV Toolkit with a DC-Coupled interface to control your Korg MS-20 module. Currently, the Notes module can only calibrate 1v/oct oscillators however I do have plans on adding support for Hz/V calibration asap.
Yes, CV Tool Kit works perfectly with the ES-3. Absolutely rock solid. And much easier to set up than the Silent Way plug-ins.
would the likes of a KMI QuNexus or Arturia’s BeatStep qualify for CV/MIDI hardware?
Hi Peter!
I’m sorry, but not really 🙁
CV Toolkit works by creating cv signals and those kinds of hardware just transform MIDI to CV. CV Toolkit requires a hardware that basically works like an audio interface (such as the Expert Sleepers modules), not a MIDI to CV converter.
On the other hand, CV Toolkit has 4 built-in CV to MIDI CC converters so, if you have a hardware that can convert MIDI CC back to CV, you could use it in theory.
I know Mutable Instruments CVPal could probably work in this case however it works on MIDI Channel 6 while CV Toolkit MIDI CC output is fixed to Channel #1. I’m working on adding an option to change that in the next update.
Keep in mind that converting CV to MIDI CC than back to CV would degrade the resolution of the signal so some of CV Toolkit’s module may not work.
Sorry if this is a bit confusing. Let me know if you still have questions and I’ll try give you a better explanation 🙂
Will this work with the ESX-8MD midi module?
The CV TOOLKIT is amazing!
Is the a plugin version I can use within ableton?
Thanks!
Unfortunately there’s no plugin version available, sorry.
I explained some of reasons why we don’t offer a plugin version in this MuffWiggler thread: https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=135701&sid=e21afde6fb28fbe48cca5dbfa50fccc4
Oh, this is seriously tempting, I have a MOTU sound card capable of the DC-Coupled stuff… and one or two bits of a newly born modular setup… looks like a really nice way to get things rolling in the modular department for me! Need to think about it …
Give it a try 🙂 You might like it.
I suggest taking a look at the videos and keeping an eye on our page. We’ll be releasing more videos later this week showing more of what you can do with CV Toolkit and it’s different virtual modules.
OK… cheers!! I’ll check em out 🙂