What for Constant Voltage?

Hi! Consider, for example, the CV-controlled panning on this stereo mixer:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/erica-synths-black-stereo-mixer-v2

If I want to hold the mono audio at a constant place in the stereo image, say slightly to the left, during part of the song, what module emits that constant voltage? I expect a VCA with bias turned up to amplify zero if there's no input, resulting in zero output. Oscillators oscillate, but I want it to stay constant, so that the panning stays put, like a manual knob that I've left in place for now.

Things that send out voltages for pitch must emit constant voltage, but I only know about MIDI-to-CV modules and sequencers for that. These modules seem overly complex for driving a constant pan.

This is a pretty serious gap in my knowledge of how modular systems are working, but the odd thing is that I can't find any results when searching for "constant voltage" in the forums here, so I'm ignorant in a special way! Any help would be most appreciated.

OK, I'll leave this thread here for future searching newbies like me, and for educational replies, but here's at least one answer found on another forum:

https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43964

Oscillators send a signal even with no input. even if there's nothing saying what pitch to play or when to start/stop - that is done by other modules such as sequencers, VCAs etc. This is true for VCOs - they'll make a constant tone and LFOs - they'll make a constant CV (dependent on settings)

Apparently, oscillators don't always oscillate, and perhaps they're the conventional way to get a constant CV, e.g., for a static setting on a CV-controlled pan: oscillator -> attenuvertor -> pan.

I think that if I configure the Behringer Neutron's assignable output to the oscillator 2 control voltage, I can turn the oscillator 2 tuning knob and emit from the Neutron's patch bay a constant, manually controlled CV. (Page 13 in the manual.) This seems like a straightforward way to control something in a modular system that has a CV control but no knob.

(By the way, this isn't a great sacrifice, because I often don't like the sound of the Neutron's two oscillators working together in sync, and I think it's because of the issue described in this YouTube video of a modification performed to correct the issue: )

OK, so it turns out the keyword I needed was "offset." I think I searched for voltage offset and found nothing. Just the word offset, all by itself, finds modules that emit a constant CV. Here's a small one with a couple other handy features.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/lpzw-modules-wk2

Wow. The Neutron has a tune-pot-bypass feature that allows me to use the oscillator tuning knob for other stuff while using MIDI to control the oscillator in tune. (So it's even less of a sacrifice than I thought.)

Hi great you found the answer yourself.

If you have te possibility to pan manually you also can have a look at this module:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/happy-nerding-panmix-jr

or the more advanced version:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/happy-nerding-panmix

Greets

Jazzy

I would think a digital sample and hold module would be the ticket for this. You need a sample and hold circuit that will stay accurate for a long time.

With that, your panning position should hold until you choose to update it. Trigger the sample and hold circuit again to update the signal to whatever your current incoming value is.

I would think a digital sample and hold module would be the ticket for this. You need a sample and hold circuit that will stay accurate for a long time.

With that, your panning position should hold until you choose to update it. Trigger the sample and hold circuit again to update the signal to whatever your current incoming value is.

-- Ronin1973

That's a great idea, thanks.

2hp DC?

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/2hp-dc

I would think a digital sample and hold module would be the ticket for this. You need a sample and hold circuit that will stay accurate for a long time.

With that, your panning position should hold until you choose to update it. Trigger the sample and hold circuit again to update the signal to whatever your current incoming value is.

-- Ronin1973

That's a great idea, thanks.
-- RelaxedNapper

The Disting Mk4 has a digital sample and hold routine. I would try there first. But you will need a CV controlled stereo panner that takes a single CV input to control panning like an ADDAC System 805 or two sample and hold modules, two VCAs, and two CV sources to control the level to each VCA to adjust panning in the stereo field. I'd go for the stereo panner. You can also find CV controlled panning on the Roland 500 series mixer or the Happy Nerding PanMix.

Yes, @mosorensen, the 2HP DC looks like it was made for this. Thanks.

Just passing by in 2021 but what you could use is the Triatt from Intellijel. Versatile module which will send out a constant CV signal when there's no input. I use it specifically for this combined with the Mutable Links mix/sum tool.
The downside of 2hp DC is that you can only add, so you can't subtract, which you can do with Triatt.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-triatt

EDITED May 7th 2021, 09:03

Just passing by in 2021 but what you could use is the Triatt from Intellijel. Versatile module which will send out a constant CV signal when there's no input. I use it specifically for this combined with the Mutable Links mix/sum tool.
The downside of 2hp DC is that you can only add, so you can't subtract, which you can do with Triatt.

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/intellijel-triatt
-- tboy

Very cool, thanks! That module could do several utilities.

If you are diyer you can build a Kassutronic quad attenuverter / mixer.
Basicaly the first attenuverter provides +5 -5 v when nothing is patched at the input.
And there is a build option to do the same with the 3 other.
All of them are summed at the sum output.
Use center detent pots.

Erogenous Tones Levit 8 do it well too.

Cheers

Maybe one of these?
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/doepfer-a-176