Kenton PRO SOLO mk3 User manual

PRO SOLO mk3
HIGH SPEC MIDI TO CV CONVERTER
Operating Manual

2
FCC STATEMENT FOR PRO SOLO Mk3:
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
WEEE DIRECTIVE:
(applies to the European Union & other European countries with separate collection systems)
The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol affixed to this product indicates that it should not be disposed of with other household wastes at the
end of its working life. To prevent possible harm to the environment or to human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please separate
this from other types of wastes and recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable re-use of material resources.
Household users should contact either the retailer where they purchased the product, or their local government office for details of where
and how they can take this item for environmentally safe recycling. Business users should contact their supplier and check the terms and
conditions of the purchase contract. This product should not be mixed with other commercial wastes for disposal.

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Contents
Introduction
Connections 4
System Diagram 5
Getting Started
Editing Parameters 6
Loading & Storing Setups 7
Setting Up Your Synth 8
Using the Aux Outputs 9
Using the LFO 10
Using the ADSR Envelope Generator 11
Using the Drum & Note Triggers 12
Using the Clock Outputs 13
Parameter List
General & Note 14
Aux 1 17
Aux 2 19
Aux 3 20
LFO 21
Clock 23
ADSR Envelope Generator 24
Other 25
Appendix
Factory Defaults & Synth Settings 27
Firmware Upgrade 28
MIDI Analyser Mode 29
MIDI Implementation 30
Specification / Warranty 31

4
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase. The PRO SOLO Mk3 is a high specification, extremely
accurate and flexible MIDI to control voltage converter. This new third version of our long-
running PRO SOLO series now includes additional auxiliary outputs, a built-in ADSR envelope
generator and the ability to generate trigger outputs for drum synthesizers.
Connections
MIDI IN
Plug your MIDI keyboard or sequencer’s output
in here.
MIDI THRU / SYNC 24
Software selectable to operate either as a MIDI
Thru or as a Sync 24 port (also known as DIN-
SYNC), for clocking vintage drum machines etc.
CV
Plug this into your synthesizer’s input marked
CV IN, VCO IN, KYBD IN, etc. This voltage
controls the pitch of the oscillator(s) on your
synthesizer.
GATE
Plug this into your synthesizer’s input marked
GATE, V-TRIG, S-TRIG, etc. This signal turns the
note on and off on your synthesizer.
AUX 1, 2 & 3
The Aux outputs can be assigned to many
different things on the PRO SOLO Mk3, but are
commonly used to connect to filter, volume or
clock inputs on a synthesizer.
DC IN 9V
Plug the supplied power adapter in here.
(9V DC @ 100mA, 2.1mm connector, centre
positive)
WARNING!
Do not use an adapter with a voltage output of more
than 9V. The PRO SOLO must not share an adapter
with any other device. Failure to observe this will quite
possibly damage the PRO SOLO, other device and
and/or the power supply; and will invalidate your
warranty.

5
System Diagram

6
Editing Parameters
The PRO SOLO Mk3 has a number of parameters, each with several possible values. Settings
are changed by selecting a parameter and then adjusting the value accordingly. To switch
between parameter and value modes, briefly press the SELECT button.
Parameter Mode SELECT Value Mode
When the PRO SOLO Mk3 is in Parameter Mode, the PARA dot will be lit and “P” will appear in
the left digit. The parameter number will be shown in the right two digits. An overview of the
parameter list is printed on the PRO SOLO Mk3 itself, although whenever the parameter
number is changed, its name will scroll across the display –i.e. “MIDI rec channel”. The full list
of parameters and their associated values can be found starting at page 14.
When in value mode, the VAL dot will be lit instead. The value will be displayed across all three
digits. A negative value is signified by a minus appearing in the left digit.
The value or parameter can be adjusted using the INC and DEC buttons to scroll through the
available options. To increment or decrement the value faster, hold either the INC or DEC
button and then press the other.
When you change the value of a parameter, this will be stored in memory and recalled on start-
up. The PRO SOLO Mk3 can store and recall 32 sets of parameters, referred to as a setup.
Note: Holding down the SELECT button (as long as the current Parameter is not 98 or 99) will clear any
playing note in the event of a ‘stuck note’.

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Loading & Storing Setups
One complete set of parameters (except for the ‘Other’ group) on the PRO SOLO Mk3 is known
as a setup, and 32 of them can be stored and recalled.
For example, if you wish to use your PRO SOLO Mk3 with several different synthesizers, you
could have different setups for them, each with its own CV/Gate types and tuning settings. Of
course, as a setup contains an entire set of parameters, you could also use this to store and
recall anything, such as the ADSR settings.
Any value you change is automatically stored to the current setup when changing to Parameter
Mode. To save the setup for future use, select a program to write to using Parameter 99 (Store
Program). Press and hold the SELECT button for approximately 6 seconds until the display reads
[Sto]. The setup has now been saved and can be recalled later.
To load a setup, select Parameter 98 (Load Program) and choose which program to be loaded
as the current setup. Press and hold the SELECT button for approximately 6 seconds until the
display reads [Lod]. The setup has now been retrieved and is in use.
Tip: You can change the current setup from MIDI Program Change commands by enabling
Parameter 97 (MIDI Program Change Receive Enable).

8
Setting Up Your Synth
Before starting, leave your analogue synthesizer disconnected from the PRO SOLO Mk3. If
necessary, give it time to warm up and ensure that it is in tune playing from its own keyboard.
Make sure that it’s set to a basic patch.
For now, just connect MIDI IN to the MIDI output of your keyboard or sequencer and the CV
and GATE outputs to your synthesizer. Set the PRO SOLO Mk3 to the same MIDI channel as
your controller, using Parameter 1 (MIDI Receive Channel).
You will need to set the CV and gate type on the PRO SOLO Mk3 to match those of your
synthesizer, using Parameters 15 and 16. This information is often printed on the synthesizer,
or in its instruction manual. Alternatively, the PRO SOLO Mk3 comes pre-loaded with some
setups pre-loaded for specific synthesizers –see page 27.
Try playing a MIDI note - the synthesizer should sound. At this point, don’t worry if it is not in
tune, although if it is then you can skip the next two steps.
Using bottom C on your MIDI controller (note #36) as a reference, adjust the Coarse Tune and
Fine Tune settings (Parameters 12 & 13) until your synth is exactly in tune.
When this bottom C is in tune, adjust the Scale (Parameter 14) until it tracks properly up the
keyboard. If this is still not the case you may need to repeat the Coarse and Fine Tune
adjustments for final tweaking.

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Using the Aux Outputs
If your synthesizer has inputs for additional control voltages, such as for filter cut-off or VCA
volume, these can also be controlled via MIDI using the PRO SOLO Mk3’s three Auxiliary
Outputs. Each Aux output has its own Controller, to which a variety of MIDI message types,
such as Velocity, Aftertouch, Pitch Bend and CCs can be assigned; as well as a couple of special
modes.
You can only select one Controller for each Aux output; however, you can use the same
Controller for multiple Aux outputs if you want to send the same signal to several destinations.
Aux 1 is a special case in that keyboard scale and the LFO can be routed to it in addition to
whichever Controller is selected. See the System Diagram on page 5.
Each Aux output has an associated minimum value, maximum value and reset value. The full
range of the controller, for example a MIDI CC, will be scaled between the minimum and
maximum values. It is possible to set up an inverted response by setting the minimum value
higher than the maximum.
The reset value determines the level to which the Aux output will reset to at power-on, upon
receiving a MIDI Controller Reset message or loading a new setup.
Example –assigning MIDI note velocity to Aux 1:
Connect AUX 1 to a control input on your synthesizer, such as the filter cut-off. Set
Parameter 20 (Aux 1 Controller), to “VL” for MIDI note velocity. Assuming your MIDI
controller is velocity sensitive, the timbre produced by the synthesizer will change
depending on how hard the note is struck. You may need to adjust the minimum and
maximum values (Parameters 21 & 22) to get the desired range of response.

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Using the LFO
The PRO SOLO Mk3 has its own internal LFO (low frequency oscillator), which can be used to
modulate the CV and/or Aux 1 outputs. The amount of LFO that is sent to each of these
destinations can be controlled independently, and is assignable to a variety of Controllers. By
default, the LFO is routed to the CV output, providing a vibrato effect when the modulation
wheel (CC 1) is turned up.
The rate of the LFO is adjustable from approximately 0.1Hz to 100Hz, and can also be
synchronised to incoming MIDI clock with a variable divide ratio. Various waveshapes are
available, including triangle, sawtooth, several widths of pulse, as well as a pseudo-random
sample-and-hold. The LFO can either be free running or can be reset to a user-specified point
in the waveform on key-on.
For a thorough explanation of all of the parameters and values associated with the LFO, please
see pages 21 & 22.

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Using the ADSR Envelope Generator
New to the PRO SOLO Mk3 is an ADSR envelope generator, which can be assigned to any of the
Aux Controllers. This may be of use to owners of synthesizers which only have a very simple
envelope generator; or to owners of modular systems who would like an additional envelope
without having to buy another module.
The ADSR envelope is controlled using the four parameters shown on the diagram below, but
for more hands-on control, you can assign CCs to them, using Parameters 86 to 89.
Example –producing an ADSR envelope on Aux 1:
Connect AUX 1 to a control input on your synthesizer, such as the filter cut-off. Set
Parameter 20 (Aux 1 Controller) to “Eg”. When a note is triggered, the timbre of the
sound will change automatically over time. The attack time, decay time, sustain level
and release time can be adjusted using the parameters shown above.

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Using the Drum Triggers
One of the possible Aux Controllers is Drum Trigger (“dtr” in the Aux Controller lists). This will
cause that Aux output to produce a brief trigger pulse of a user-specifiable length whenever a
particular MIDI note is pressed, suitable for triggering a drum synthesizer. The velocity of the
note will control the level of the trigger, according to the Aux output’s minimum and maximum
value settings.
Which MIDI note each of the three Drum Triggers respond to can be set individually using
Parameters 29, 34 and 44; but the trigger length (Parameter 93) is common to all of them.
Using the Note Trigger
Whereas Drum Trigger will produce a pulse when specific notes are pressed; Note Trigger (“trg”
in the Aux Controller lists) will produce a trigger pulse when any note on the current MIDI
channel is pressed.
This is included for some synthesizers (mainly vintage ARP models such as the 2600) which
require a trigger pulse in addition to a gate signal for their envelope generators.

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Using the Clock Outputs
The PRO SOLO Mk3 has two clock dividers, each of which take the incoming MIDI clock and
divide it down to a user-specified ratio of clock pulses per quarter note (CPQN).
The outputs of these dividers are made available in the Aux Controller lists, as well as to the
Sync 24 output, as Clock 1 and Clock 2. They are suitable for synchronising drum machines,
arpeggiators, sequencers, etc. to MIDI clock.
The clock divide ratio list also includes two special modes, “c24”and “c48”, which are used to
produce 24 CPQN clock (used for many drum machines) and 48 CPQN clock (used for Linn,
Oberheim and some Korg drum machines).
Example –generating a 16th note clock pulse from Aux 1:
Connect AUX 1 to a clock input on your equipment. Set Parameter 20 (Aux 1
Controller), to “CL1”. Set Parameter 60 (Clock Divide Ratio), to 6. Incoming MIDI clock
will produce a 16th note clock output on Aux 1.
On the subject of clock, MIDI Start / Stop is also made available in the Aux Controller lists as
“stt”. The output will turn on when the sequence is running, and off when it is stopped.
Using the Sync 24 Output
The MIDI THRU socket on the PRO SOLO Mk3 can instead be set to output Sync 24 (also known
as DIN SYNC), for connecting various pre-MIDI drum machines and other equipment. This is
done using Parameter 90 (Socket Select).
When the socket is being used to output Sync 24, there are three possible clock sources. “S24”
produces a fixed 24 CPQN output, suitable for clocking equipment such as the Roland TR-808,
TR-606, TB-303 and MC-202. Alternatively, the two clock dividers (“CL1” and “CL2”) are
available as clock sources, so by setting the appropriate divide ratio to the aforementioned
“c48”, it is possible to sync devices expecting 48 CPQN or indeed any other divide ratio.
Note: If you are having trouble getting MIDI clock to work, start by checking that your sequencer is
actually transmitting it –some have this turned off by default, or restricted to a certain MIDI
port. Some patch bays and mergers also filter out MIDI clock. The MIDI Analyser mode can be
used to confirm whether the PRO SOLO Mk3 is actually receiving MIDI clock –see page 29.

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Parameter List –General & Note
P01 MIDI Receive Channel (default: 1)
Range: 1 to 16
Sets the MIDI receive channel.
P02 Re-trigger Time (default: 5 = 1ms)
Range: [off] and 1 to 25 (0.2ms to 5ms)
If set to off, successive simultaneous notes will not re-trigger the gate, also known as legato triggering. If set
to a number, a new note will briefly turn the gate off before turning it back on again. The number relates to
the off time in approximately 0.2ms increments.
P03 Note Priority (default: New)
[nn] New note priority
[lo] Low note priority (lowest note currently pressed)
[hi] High note priority (highest note currently pressed)
Sets the note priority for when multiple notes are pressed. The PRO SOLO Mk3 has a 5-note buffer memory
so trill effects can be achieved.
P04 Pitch Bend Range (default: 2)
Range: 0 to ±48 semitones.
Sets how much the CV output will be affected by Pitch Bend, in semitone steps.
P05 Portamento Controller (default: 65)
[on] Always on
[off] Always off
[Aut] Automatic (normally off, but legato playing turns it on)
0 to 119 CCs 0 to 119 (value of 0-63 for off and 64-127 for on)
Sets which CC number will turn portamento on or off; or sets to it fixed on, off or Automatic mode.
P06 Portamento Rate (default: 98)
Range: 1 to 127 (value does not correspond to any particular unit of time)
Sets how long it takes the CV output to glide from one note to another.
Note: to turn portamento off entirely, set P05 (above) to 0.
P07 Portamento Type (default: Fixed Rate)
[Fr] Fixed rate
[Ft] Fixed time
Sets the portamento behaviour. In Fixed Rate, the CV will glide between notes at a constant speed, so
the time taken will vary depending on their interval. In Fixed Time, the portamento speed will
automatically change to ensure that the time taken to glide between notes is constant. (In extreme
cases this is not always possible)

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Parameter List –General & Note (contd.)
P08 LFO to CV Controller (default: 1)
0 to 119 CCs 0 to 119
[Aft] Aftertouch
[VEL] Velocity
[Pbd] Pitch Bend
[off] Off
Sets which MIDI message will control LFO modulation depth on the CV output.
P09 LFO to CV Minimum Value (default: 0)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the level for LFO to CV modulation when the controller is at its minimum value, allowing for a base
level of modulation to be applied at all times.
P10 LFO to CV Maximum Value (default: 50)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the level for LFO to CV modulation when the controller is at its maximum value.
Tip: Swap the minimum and maximum values so that the controller works backwards.
P11 LFO to CV Reset Value (default: 0)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the amount of LFO to CV modulation that the PRO SOLO Mk3 will reset to at power-on, upon
receiving a MIDI Controller Reset message or a new setup being loaded from memory. Use this if you
want a pre-set amount of modulation that can later be turned off using the chosen controller.
P12 Coarse Tune / Transpose (default: 0)
Range: -24 to +24 semitones
Sets the tuning for the CV output in semitone steps. Some synthesizers may be out of adjustment or
use a non-standard base tuning, such as the original Minimoog (0V results in an F).
P13 Fine Tune (default: 0)
Range: -127 to +127 (approximately a semitone either way)
Sets the fine-tuning for the CV output. All notes are offset by the same amount.
P14 Scale (default: 0)
Range: -127 to +127
Sets the octave scaling (aka scale width) for the CV output. Use this if your synthesizer is not tracking
correctly. Bottom C (note #36) will not move, so tune the C two octaves above that by using this
parameter.

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Parameter List –General & Note (contd.)
P15 CV / Hz Select (default: CV)
[CV] 1 Volt per Octave
[Hz] Hz per Volt
[12] 1.2 Volts per Octave
Sets whether the CV output produces 1V/oct, Hz/Volt or 1.2V/oct control voltage.
P16 Gate Type (default: g05)
[g05] Gate (V-trig) at +5V
[g10] Gate (V-trig) at +10V
[g15] Gate (V-trig) at +15V
[S__] S-trig with no pull-up
[S05] S-trig with +5V pull-up
[S10] S-trig with +10V pull-up
[S15] S-trig with +15V pull-up
Sets the Gate type and output / pull-up voltage.

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Parameter List –Aux 1
P20 Aux 1 Controller (default: 16)
0 to 119 CCs 0 to 119
[Aft] Aftertouch
[VEL] Velocity
[Pbd] Pitch Bend
[off] Off (ignores all controllers and outputs Reset Value)
[trg] Note Trigger
[CL1] Clock Divider 1
[CL2] Clock Divider 2
[Stt] Clock Start / Stop
[dtr] Drum Trigger
[Eg] ADSR Envelope
Sets what Aux 1 will be controlled by.
P21 Aux 1 Minimum Value (default: 0)
Range: -27 to +100 (approximately -2.7V to +10.0V)
Sets the level for Aux 1 when the controller is at its minimum level.
P22 Aux 1 Maximum Value (default: 100)
Range: -27 to +100 (approximately -2.7V to +10.0V)
Sets the level for Aux 1 when the controller is at its maximum level.
Tip: Swap the minimum and maximum values if you need the controller to work backwards.
P23 Aux 1 Reset Value (default: 0)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the value that Aux 1 will reset to at power-on, upon receiving a MIDI Controller Reset command
or a new setup being loaded from memory. This is equivalent to a MIDI message of this value being
received, so it will be influenced by the minimum and maximum settings above.
P24 Key Scale to Aux 1 (default: 0)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the amount of scaled CV that will be added to the Aux 1 output. Use this for synthesizers which
lack keyboard filter tracking when being controlled via external CV.

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Parameter List –Aux 1 (contd.)
P25 LFO to Aux 1 Controller (default: 17)
0 to 119 CCs 0 to 119
[Aft] Aftertouch
[VEL] Velocity
[Pbd] Pitch Bend
[off] Off
Sets which MIDI message will control the amount of LFO modulation output on Aux 1.
P26 LFO to Aux 1 Minimum Value (default: 0)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the level for LFO to Aux 1 modulation when the controller is at its minimum value, allowing for a
base level of modulation to be applied at all times.
P27 LFO to Aux 1 Maximum Value (default: 64)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the level for LFO to Aux 1 modulation when the controller is at its maximum value.
Tip: Swap the minimum and maximum values if you need the controller to work backwards.
P28 LFO to Aux 1 Reset Value (default: 0)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the amount of LFO to Aux 1 modulation that the PRO SOLO Mk3 will reset to at power-on, upon
receiving a MIDI Controller Reset command or a new setup being loaded from memory. Use this if you
want a pre-set amount of modulation that can later be turned off using the chosen controller. This is
equivalent to a MIDI message of this value being received, so it will be influenced by the minimum and
maximum settings above.
P29 Aux 1 Drum Trigger Note (default: 60)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets which note Aux 1 will respond to if controller is set to Drum Trigger.

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Parameter List –Aux 2
P30 Aux 2 Controller (default: 7)
0 to 119 CCs 0 to 119
[Aft] Aftertouch
[VEL] Velocity
[Pbd] Pitch Bend
[off] Off (ignores all controllers and outputs Reset Value)
[trg] Note Trigger
[CL1] Clock Divider 1
[CL2] Clock Divider 2
[Stt] Clock Start / Stop
[dtr] Drum Trigger
[Eg] ADSR Envelope
Sets what Aux 2 will be controlled by.
P31 Aux 2 Minimum Value (default: 0)
Range: -27 to +100 (approximately -2.7V to +10.0V)
Sets the level for Aux 2 when the controller is at its minimum level.
P32 Aux 2 Maximum Value (default: 100)
Range: -27 to +100 (approximately -2.7V to +10.0V)
Sets the level for Aux 2 when the controller is at its maximum level.
Tip: Swap the minimum and maximum values if you need the controller to work backwards.
P33 Aux 2 Reset Value (default: 127)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the value that Aux 2 will reset to at power-on, upon receiving a MIDI Controller Reset command
or a new setup being loaded from memory. This is equivalent to a MIDI message of this value being
received, so it will be influenced by the minimum and maximum settings above.
P34 Aux 2 Drum Trigger Note (default: 61)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets which note Aux 2 will respond to if controller is set to Drum Trigger.

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Parameter List –Aux 3
P40 Aux 3 Controller (default: Velocity)
0 to 119 CCs 0 to 119
[Aft] Aftertouch
[VEL] Velocity
[Pbd] Pitch Bend
[off] Off (ignores all controllers and outputs Reset Value)
[trg] Note Trigger
[CL1] Clock Divider 1
[CL2] Clock Divider 2
[Stt] Clock Start / Stop
[dtr] Drum Trigger
[Eg] ADSR Envelope
Sets what Aux 3 will be controlled by.
P41 Aux 3 Minimum Value (default: 0)
Range: 0 to +100 (approximately 0V to +10.0V)
Sets the level for Aux 3 when the controller is at its minimum level.
P42 Aux 3 Maximum Value (default: 100)
Range: 0 +100 (approximately 0V to +10.0V)
Sets the level for Aux 3 when the controller is at its maximum level.
Tip: Swap the minimum and maximum values if you need the controller to work backwards.
P43 Aux 3 Reset Value (default: 0)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets the value that Aux 3 will reset to at power-on, upon receiving a MIDI Controller Reset command
or a new setup being loaded from memory. This is equivalent to a MIDI message of this value being
received, so it will be influenced by the minimum and maximum settings above.
P44 Aux 3 Drum Trigger Note (default: 62)
Range: 0 to 127
Sets which note Aux 3 will respond to if controller is set to Drum Trigger.