CV and gates

With an audio interface that can send DC, Modulate can send CV and gates to a modular, read voltages from its inputs, and follow a clock. Click CV in the bottom bar to set it up. CV and gates are part of Pro.

Supported interfaces

On the ES-9, turn off DC blocking for any input you use for CV or a clock. Do this in the ES-9 configuration tool from Expert Sleepers. If DC blocking is on, slow signals come in weak and shifted.

ES-5 and expanders

If you have an ES-5 connected to an ES-8 or ES-9, turn on An ES-5 is connected. Then choose what’s plugged into each of its expansion headers: nothing, an ESX-8GT (8 gates) or an ESX-8CV (8 CVs). The ES-5’s own 8 jacks are gates.

Once set up, these jacks appear in each output’s jack menu.

Don’t send anything else to the ES-5’s two channels, such as audio from your DAW. It will scramble the ES-5’s signals.

If an ESX-8CV’s voltages are slightly off, adjust its trim pot as Expert Sleepers’ manual describes. If its range jumper is fitted, choose that option in the setup.

CV in

Choose the CV in shape for a source, then pick an input. All of the source’s other settings still apply.

Clock in

Turn on Follow a clock on an input. Pick the input and how many pulses per quarter note it sends: 1, 2, 4, 24 or 48. You can also pick a reset input.

Pulses over 1 V count. Clocked sources start from the beginning on the first pulse, and on a reset. If no pulse arrives for a few seconds, Modulate goes back to its own tempo.

While a clock input is set up, Modulate ignores MIDI clock.

Microphone permission

Your Mac or iPad treats reading an audio interface’s inputs as using the microphone. It asks for permission the first time. If you said no, CV in and clock in won’t work. To turn it on, go to System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone on a Mac, or Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone on an iPad.