Silent Way

Device Compatibility

DC-Coupled Audio Interfaces

The following interfaces have been tested with Silent Way. If you have any experience of Silent Way with other interfaces, please let us know and we'll update the chart.

Please note: most MOTU interfaces with TRS outputs are expected to work fine. The ones listed below are only the ones that have been specifically tested with Silent Way.

Note also: Silent Way CV Input has no special requirements and should work with any audio interface. The key with Silent Way CV Input is to have the right VCA - see below.

AC-Coupled Audio Interfaces

Please see this page for information on using Silent Way with AC-coupled audio interfaces.

A Note On Cables

In general special cables are recommended when using a DC-coupled audio interface as a source of CVs. Most audio interfaces have balanced outputs (on TRS ('stereo') jacks or XLRs), while synth CV inputs are unbalanced (usually on TS ('mono') jacks or minijacks). If you use a regular stereo or mono jack lead, you'll be shorting out one of the balanced output signals (usually the R (ring) to the S (shield)). While this probably wouldn't be a problem for normal audio use, when outputting the sustained voltages that are useful as CVs you risk damaging the interface hardware.

The usual recommendation is to make up special cables with a TRS jack at one end and a TS at the other, connecting T->T (tip to tip) and S->S (shield to shield) while leaving the R (ring) floating i.e. unconnected. Such cables can be purchased direct from Expert Sleepers - see the accessories page.

An alternative is to wire a TRS jack to two TS jacks, connecting one T->T/S->S and the other R->T/S->S. This then gives you two copies of the output CV, one of them inverted, which is particularly useful from LFOs. Note that this cable configuration is identical to that of a regular "Y" audio insert lead.

Synths/Modules

The following synths and modules have been tested with Silent Way Voice Controller. If you have any experience of Silent Way with other devices, please let us know and we'll update the chart.

VCAs tested with Silent Way CV Input

The following modules have been successfully used with Silent Way CV Input. If you have any experience of Silent Way with other devices, please let us know and we'll update the chart.