MOTM

It's true that the nature of MIDI is discreet notes, with Pitch bend
controller messages to modify the pitch within a small range.

But couldn't a MIDI ribbon controller be programmed to output it's
'position' as a continuous controller message, rather than a discreet pitch
"number"? That CC stream could then be converted to a control voltage for a
fairly smooth sweep.

No?

I admit that it's a work-around, and I wish MIDI were a bit less 'discreet,'
but couldn't this be done? The CC messages, I believe, have a much higher
resolution than the Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, etc., controller channels.