The midiDAC Single Channel midi-CV Convertor

PCBs for this module are now discontinued


The midiDAC is a well specified single channel midi to analogue convertor. This project is a joint development between Oakley Sound and Trevor Page.

The 5U high 2U wide panel layout for the MOTM format module.

The midiDAC is a single channel midi to CV convertor designed to drive any 1V/octave synthesiser. However, it has been designed to fit beautifully into a MOTM or Oakley modular system. Eight outputs are available:

Gate: +5V gate.

Pitch CV (Key CV): 128 steps of 12 bit accurate pitch voltage conforming to 1V/octave (trimmable). Pitch bend is added to this signal which can be adjusted via the bend depth control to give the maximum bend interval.

Pitch Bend: This signal is also available individually. It is bipolar; so with no bend, the output CV is zero.

Velocity: 0 to 10V proportional to midi note on velocity.

Aftertouch: 0 to 10V proportional to midi channel aftertouch.

Legato: This signal goes to +5V when two notes are played at the same time. This can allow slides to be switched in at will; TB303 style.

Modulation wheel: 0 to 10V proportional to mod wheel position.

CC: Continuous controlled number 100.

The outputs are available on two sets of 0.1" connectors at the top of the board but an additional three way header will interface directly to pipe Key CV and gate to the Oakley bus. The design also features a midi thru.

Power Requirements

Power (+/-15V) is provided to the board either by our standard Oakley 4-way header or Synthesizers.com header. Current consumption is approximately +40mA and -30mA. This module will not run from +/-12V supplies.

Other Features

The midiDAC also includes a TB303 style slide circuit. This can be turned on and off manually, or by playing two notes at once. The pitch will glide up or down to the most recently pressed note. A pot can control the speed of the slide.

There is a note stack within the firmware to allow the midiDAC to remember notes pressed. Thus if two or more notes are pressed at the same time, the oldest notes will be remembered so that if the more recent notes are removed the pitch will return to the still pressed older notes.

New note retriggering can be switched in or out to suit your playing style. Note retriggering - called Multiple on the front panel - will allow you to play super fast keyboard runs. Each new note pressed will retrigger the synthesiser's envelopes irrespective of how many others are still held down.

The suggested 19" wide 1U high midiDAC rack layout.


A completed issue 5 midiDAC in a natural finish Scheaffer panel in MOTM format.

The Issue 5 Printed Circuit Board

The PCB has been designed to fit within a double width MOTM or Dotcom style modular face plate or alternatively fitted to a 19" wide 1U high panel. It has three PCB mounted pots, tune, bend depth and slide time. The pots are spaced at 1.625". Midi channel is selected by four data lines in traditional binary fashion. Thus midi channel can be switched by either onboard DIP switches or links. This could also be done by a 16 position rotary HEX switch mounted on the front panel, but this is not provided on the standard midiDAC front panel designs.

The pots I use on this module are the Alpha or Alps 16mm series. They use pot mounting brackets to ensure a firm connection to the front panel and PCB. They are strong enough to hold the PCB in place without any further support.

Power (+/-15V) is provided to the board either by our standard Oakley 4-way header or Synthesizers.com header.

Current draw is +40mA and -30mA for the +15V and -15V rails respectively.

The PCB is a four layer design, has through plated holes, solder mask both sides and full component legending. Board size is 107mm deep x 135mm high.


Project Downloads

midiDAC issue_5 Builder's Guide

midiDAC User Manual

Construction Guide Our handy guide to building Oakley DIY projects

Parts Guide Our handy guide to buying parts for Oakley DIY projects

midiDAC issue 4 Builder's Guide

Schematics are available to purchasers of the PCBs and will only be sent via e-mail when the board(s) are shipped.

Front Panel database

A Schaeffer front panel can be made for this module. The databases can be found by downloading the following links:

5U format in traditional black

5U format in natural silver

19" rack format in traditional black

19" rack format in natural silver

To read these files you will need a copy of 'Frontplatten designer' from Schaeffer. The program also features on-line ordering, so its now even easier to buy your panels from Scheaffer. The company are based in Berlin in Germany and will send out panels to anywhere in the world. Delivery to the UK normally takes around ten days. For North American users you can also order your Schaeffer panels from Front Panel Express.


The control voltage, legato and gate outputs are available on two 0.1" headers at the top of the board. In addition is a three way header designed to connect to the Oakley Bus which transports KCV and gate to other modules.


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Copyright: Tony Allgood.
Last revised: March 07, 2022.