what is a CV?

[makkimo]

just a simple question :oops: comes looking at q&d VCF in Tim site i'D really like to know what is it....
can i build one?
don't know what it is but i want it!!!
layout, links, .....suggestions...
thanks

[bigjonny]

CV = "Curriculum Vitae" is the business world (i.e. a resumé), but in the electronics world, it means "Control Voltage".

You use a CV to affect your sound.  Technically/Typically, the input signal is the CV, but you can get nice effects when you use something else as the CV.  E.g, use a mic'd snare drum's signal to change (modulate) some parameter of your effect (e.g. volume)....

[Marek]

"CV" is coming from the Synth scene. It stands for Control Voltage. In the Guitar effects scene, you get the CV by rectifying (sort of making DC out of AC) guitar signal, and as the signal changes because you are strumming the guitar, you get changes in the control voltage.

You can now use this variable CV to drive e.g. a Filter, and this filter will then be named VCF Voltage Controlled Filter or so called AutoWah.

You can use it on the Oscillator, and then this oscillator will be called: VCO - Voltage Controlled Oscillator (used as building block for different effects).

Ciao!
Marek

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Another useful source of a variable CV, is to connect a 9v battery to a guitar lead, plug it into the input of a foot operated volume pedal, now you get 0 to 9v out of the pedal as you waggle it.
plug it into something that has a CV input (say the oscillator freq input of a Frostwave Blue Ringer ring modulator :wink: ) and you are away.

CV inputs usually want a range like -5 to +5v, or 0 to +10, or something like that. Also, you can often get remarkable effects (no pun intended) by running audio in to CV inputs, but the signal has to be pretty loud (like +5 peak to peak) to get into the CV operating range (crank it up wiht a little audio trnsformer if you have to).

[jmusser]

Do a search for "Need Explaination on Tim's Quasi Synths". I asked the question a couple weeks ago, and he gives a good explaination on it. Basically, I believe you're using your guitar for the source of oscillation, instead of having a true oscillator source. I believe it functions on the order of an Auto-wah, but gives you a synth sound instead.