Klavis CalTrans

MUSICAL FEATURES

Klavis CalTrans is a programmable 4-channel V/Oct calibrator and transposer. Consisting of four V/Oct signal processing channels, this unit can be calibrated to correct tracking and extend the range of pitch signals of any VCO, making it suitable for systems with different ranges such as Buchla. can also be used.

Each channel also features semitone transposition, octave shifting, a switchable semitone quantizer, and adjustable portamento and glissando functions.CalTrans is also very useful if you mainly use these functions and perform calibration when necessary.

• Click-type encoders with separate control for semitone and octave transposition
• Four inputs cascaded without load for stable pitch control
• 4 user presets for saving transposition, portamento and glissando
• Calibration profiles for each channel can be saved
• Voltage range covering up to 10 octaves
• Remains preset, calibrated, and current after power cycling
• 12-tone scale quantizer
• V/Oct input is factory calibrated and stored in flash memory
• Inputs can be scaled by the user to compensate for source voltage errors
• Easy firmware update via simple audio file

HOW TO USE

Calibration

CalTrans solves problems such as tracking problems, non-V/Oct pitch curves, octave width limitations, and annoying transpositions when playing tonal music in a modular system.Correct/expand the range of difficult-to-use VCOs and add V/Oct tracking to any device that can oscillate.

VCOs that do not require calibration can simply be used in "Neutral" mode to benefit from transposition and other musical features.Two rotary encoders with detent mechanism allow precise octave and semitone selection.For VCOs with significantly poor tracking ability, pitches are repositioned to the highest (lowest) octave possible to maintain overall harmony.Portamento and glissando can be set for each channel, and all of these can be saved in user presets.

V/Oct calibration method

The calibration method is simple.Patch the output of the desired channel of Cal Trans to the 1V/Oct input of the VCO you want to calibrate, and patch the VCO's simple waveform output, such as a square waveform or sine wave, to the Cal input of CalTrans.At this point, the Cal LED and all channel LEDs will flash, so press the corresponding channel button to begin calibration. The corresponding channel of CalTrans monitors the output pitch signal and the input sound, and adjusts it so that the VCO responds at 1V/Oct.

When the calibration is complete, the Qtz LED will flash green.Also, the number of lit LEDs arranged horizontally at the top indicates the voltage range that has been calibrated.

"Neutral" calibration method

Even if you do not need to correct V/Oct tracking, performing neutral calibration will allow you to use CalTrans functions such as appropriate transposition.To perform a neutral calibration, patch the output of that channel to the input and disconnect the patch cable from the other channels. Press and hold the Qtz button until the Cal LED flashes. Calibration is successful when the Cal LED lights steadily blue, the Qtz LED blinks, and the LED of the calibrated channel lights up.Finally, remove the patch to the input jack to complete the calibration.

Transpose

Select a channel and shift the pitch signal by semitones with the Semi encoder or octaves with the Octave encoder.A restriction has been added to prevent shifting beyond the calibrated range.If you want to clear the transposition, press both encoders at the same time.

Applying the quantizer

Press the Qtz button to display the quantizer settings page, then press the button for the channel you want to quantize.

portamento and glissando

1. When you press the p/g button, the p LED will flash.
2. Turning the top encoder changes the portamento duration (0-20 seconds) for the selected channel.The yellow LED gives an indication of the applied duration.
3. The bottom encoder works similarly, but for glissando.
4. The p and g LEDs will be displayed depending on whether portamento or glissando was last adjusted.This will help you know what the duration instructions are related to.
5. Pressing an encoder will move the LED focus to that setting without changing the value. 
6. Once the settings are complete, press the p/g button again to finish p/g editing. 

Load/save presets

To load a preset, briefly press the top encoder.The current preset's yellow LED and all red LEDs will flash.Press one of the channel buttons (1-4) to load the corresponding preset (1-4).The corresponding yellow LED will flash briefly to indicate that the preset has been loaded.

To save a preset, briefly press the bottom encoder.The current preset's yellow LED and all red LEDs will flash.Press any of the channel buttons (1-4) to save to the corresponding preset (1-4).The corresponding yellow LED will flash briefly to indicate the preset has been saved.