control voltage

Control voltage, often abbreviated CV, is a voltage signal used to control a parameter of a pedal or other device externally¹. In a rig, it can adjust things like oscillator frequency, pitch shift interval, delay parameters, or filter settings, either alongside or instead of an expression pedal²³⁴. Some pedals offer CV inputs, such as the Adventure Audio Again delay, which allows five parameters to be controlled via control voltage jacks⁵, while others provide CV outputs that send signals like envelope, pitch-tracking, LFO, or Sample + Hold voltages to modulate outboard gear or external synths⁶⁷. CV is described as a concept borrowed from modular synthesis⁸, and expanded CV capabilities are said to permit interactions between pedals beyond simple stacking⁹.