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Kenton 'USB Solo mk2': A Modern Bridge for Vintage Analog Synths

The Music Telegraph | Text 2026/04/10 [15:29]
Product News

Kenton 'USB Solo mk2': A Modern Bridge for Vintage Analog Synths

The Music Telegraph| 입력 : 2026/04/10 [15:29]

© Kenton Electronics



Kenton 'USB Solo mk2': A Modern Bridge for Vintage Analog Synths 

 

 

Kenton, a leader in MIDI-to-CV technology, has announced the availability of the 'USB Solo mk2', the highly anticipated successor to its original USB Solo. Designed as a high-spec, multi-functional MIDI-to-CV converter and USB MIDI interface, the USB Solo mk2 brings classic monophonic analog synthesizers into the modern production workflow with 16-bit precision, ultra-fast response, and exceptional flexibility for both studio and live use.

 

 

An Essential Tool for Modern Musicians 

Modern musicians are increasingly integrating vintage hardware with DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), so the need for stable, high-resolution control has never been greater than it is today. The USB Solo mk2 from Kenton addresses this by acting as both a MIDI-to-CV converter and a dedicated USB MIDI interface, with MIDI over USB and 5-pin DIN. Indeed, it converts MIDI data from USB or 5-pin DIN into CV/Gate signals in 'Standard Mode', and also allows for simultaneous data transmission between a computer and other MIDI hardware, while still converting MIDI to CV, in 'Interface Mode'.

 

Precision and Compatibility

Being built to support almost any monophonic analog synthesizer ever made, USB Solo mk2 features adjustable scaling from 0.92V/Oct to 1.62V/Oct — above and beyond standard 1V/Oct and Hz/Volt systems, ensuring perfect tuning for rare instruments such as those from Buchla or EML. USB Solo mk2's primary CV output is driven by a high-specification DAC, providing rock-solid pitch tracking and eliminating the 'stepping' often found in lower-quality converters.

 

   

© Kenton Electronics



Advanced Modulation and Control

More than a simple converter, the USB Solo mk2 doubles as a powerful modulation source, offering expanded creative control:

  • Three AUX Outputs: Fully variable 3.5 mm outputs that can be assigned to MIDI CCs, pitch bend, velocity, or aftertouch—ideal for controlling filter cutoff, VCA levels, clock signals, and more.
  • Built-in LFO and ADSR: An internal, MIDI-syncable LFO and ADSR envelope generator can be routed to CV or auxiliary outputs, adding modulation capabilities to synths that may lack them.
  • Sync24 Support: The MIDI THRU port can be configured to output Sync24 (DIN Sync), enabling tight synchronization with vintage Roland drum machines and sequencers.

 

Updated Hardware and Design

Housed in a rugged brushed aluminum enclosure, the USB Solo mk2 is built for durability while fitting seamlessly into modern setups. It features USB-C connectivity for both power and data, and can be configured via a clear three-character LED display or the dedicated USB Solo mk2 Configuration Manager software. Users can store and recall up to 32 program presets, making it easy to switch between different synthesizer configurations.

 

 

© Kenton Electronics

 

 

Kenton founder John Price commented:

"This new mk2 version of our USB Solo brings together the features of the Pro Solo mk3—including Volt/Octave and Hz/V modes, Gate and S-Trig, built-in LFO and ADSR, plus three continuously variable auxiliary outputs—and makes them available over USB, while retaining 5-pin DIN MIDI ports. This allows users to convert between USB and DIN MIDI at the same time as generating control voltages."

 

With the USB Solo mk2, Kenton continues to bridge the gap between classic analog gear and modern digital production. By combining precision control, broad compatibility, and expanded modulation capabilities, it stands out as a powerful and flexible solution for musicians seeking to integrate the best of both worlds.

 

 

Price

£199.80 GBP (£166.50 GBP, excluding VAT)

 

* USB Solo mk2 is available now through the Kenton website (https://kentonuk.com/) and its growing global network of authorized dealers (https://kentonuk.com/dealers/).

 

 

For more information on 'USB Solo mk2'

 

 

 



About 'Kenton Electronics Ltd.' (https://kentonuk.com/)

Kenton was founded in 1986 by UK musician John Price, who began by building a MIDI interface for his beloved Oberheim OBX; word soon got around, and today the company continues to design and build ingenious, easy-to-use MIDI interfaces that enable keyboard players and electronic musicians to keep their synths, sequencers, and controllers communicating with each other, regardless of their type or vintage. Widely renowned as MIDI experts, the company has a device for almost any application — often considered the 'glue' that holds customers' electronic music systems together. Theatres and broadcasters also rely on its products in mission-critical applications where MIDI is used as a switching and control protocol. "People often ask where the name Kenton came from; my father, Wylie Price, was a bandleader in the Forties and Fifties, and was a big fan of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, so, when I was born, I was given Kenton as my middle name." (John K. Price)

 

 

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