At ContinuuCon 2017, held June 8-10 in Asheville, NC, Evaton Technologies introduced a new Eurorack module, the µCVC, that’s designed to create a powerful connection between the Haken Audio Continuum Fingerboard and Eurorack modular synthesizers.
The Continuum Fingerboard is considered by many to be one of the most powerful electronic music instruments ever created. The instrument provides continuous control of three dimensions of musical expression via a touch and pressure-sensitive playing surface.
Each finger can control three dimensions of an individual note simultaneously — pitch, volume, and timbre, for example. Additionally, two expression pedals can be attached, to allow even more expressive control.
While the Continuum has a deep synth engine built-in, the Evaton µCVC is designed to let you use the instrument’s multidimensional control with modular synth patches.
The µCVC (“micro CVC”) was designed by Evaton Technologies’ Russell Hoffman, right, in collaboration with Haken Audio founder Dr. Lippold Haken.
The µCVC is an Euro adaptation of Haken Audio’s CVC, or Continuum Voltage Convertor, which allows the performer to control outboard analog gear with the Continuum surface. While the Haken Audio CVC is a self-contained desktop device with 1/4″ jacks, and it tracks up to four fingers on the Continuum Fingerboard surface, the µCVC is designed specifically for integrating with Euro systems.
Each µCVC tracks the Continuum’s W, X, Y, and Z parameters for a single finger. For duophonic playing, a second µCVC can be daisy-chained via a behind-the-front-panel ribbon cable. A single cable from the Continuum to the “master” µCVC carries all the data for both channels. In this configuration, two fingers on the Continuum Fingerboard surface can control up to 8 control voltages and 2 gates on a Eurorack synth, for a wealth of expressive possibilities in a live performance.
Here’s an intro by Hoffman, from ContinuuCon:
Specifications:
- Format: Eurorack (5U available upon special request)
- Width: 6HP
- Depth: 50mm
- Power: +/- 12V @ 25mA
- Input: Locking 3-pin DIN Haken Continuum Data Connector
- Supplied Input Cable: 1m (3 ft) cable with Y-adapter at the Continuum end allows simultaneous use of µCVC and MIDI in/out
- Outputs:
- F: Dedicated “Finger Present” gate output.
8-volt gate is active whenever a finger is touching the Continuum Fingerboard surface - W: 16-bit +/- 10V max analog signal corresponds to “W” parameter in Continuum
- X: 16-bit +/- 10V max analog signal corresponds to “X” parameter in Continuum
- Y: 16-bit +/- 10V max analog signal corresponds to “Y” parameter in Continuum
- Z: 16-bit +/- 10V max analog signal corresponds to “Z” parameter in Continuum
- F: Dedicated “Finger Present” gate output.
- LEDs:
- F LED: Lights when the F gate output is active
- MSTR LED: Lights to show which µCVC is the Master in a master/slave configuration
Pricing and Availability
The Evaton Technologies µCVC is expected to be available this summer, priced around $225-250. A limited number of hand-built ‘early adopter’ modules are available now, via the Evaton site.
ContinuuCon video via Chris Stack
Would be great to see this as a general MPE interface to hook up seaboards, linnstruments and such.
More importantly, The device you’re trying to control has to be capable of being used by an MPE controller. Some synths like the Analog Four can achieve “workaround” MPE but the reality is that 99% of hardware synths were not built with MPE in mind. That’s why most MPE synths are still software.
Also not all MPE controllers are created equally
Devices like the seaboard don’t have an onboard MIDI interface. Meaning you still need a computer or some sort of midi interface between the seaboard and the device you are trying to control with it. Expert Sleepers make the FH-1. A MIDI interface with CV outputs. But it’s not cheap.
I’m going to presume the Haken boards have a MIDI interface ?? Given the price of them
Not sure about the Linnstrument
Not sure if this would be possible – the Continuum is has lower latency and higher accuracy than other MPE controllers (stair stepping on the Seaboard anyone?).
Going straight to CV should allow for very high-resolution accuracy and low latency, which should be better than anything going the MPE route.
@ Cocker
No I don’t think the Linnstrument has a built in midi host. Not knowing much about MPE, I wonder if something like a Kenton Midi Host would work – but I’m presuming that it wouldn’t parse the extra stuff included in the MPE protocol?
Yes, the Haken Continuum Fingerboards have MIDI in and out.