Showing posts with label A-160. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A-160. Show all posts

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Doepfer A-160-2 Clock Divider II Announced

Doepfer announced a few new modules modules this week.
Starting with this one:

The A-160-2 Clock Divider II is an enhanced version of the standard clock divider A-160.
The 4HP wide module is a frequency divider for clock/trigger/gate signals, designed to be a source of lower frequencies, particularly for rhythm uses.
Doepfer A-160-2
The Clock input will take any digital signal from, eg., an LFO, MIDI sync, or the gate from a MIDI-CV interface.
At the outputs, you have access to three sets of seven different sub-divided clock signals, from half
the clock frequency down to 1/128.
The low/high levels of the output signals are 0V and about +10V.
The A-160-2 also has a reset input. Whenever a reset signal is sensed, all outputs are set to certain levels which depend upon the selected mode.

These are the most important features of the module:

- Three different sets of dividing factors, selected by a three-position switch at the front panel: power of two: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128
prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17
integer: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Two output modes, selected by a two-position switch at the front panel:
- Gate mode: outputs act like the outputs of typical binary dividers
- Trigger mode: in this mode the outputs are AND-wired with the clock signal (i.e. the clock pulsewidth affects the pulsewidth of the outputs)
- Clock edge type selected by a jumper on the pc board:
positive: the rising edge of the clock signal triggers the state change of the outputs
negative: the falling edge of the clock signal triggers the state change of the outputs
- Reset behaviour by two jumpers on the pc board:
level triggered: the level at the Reset input triggers the Reset
edge triggered: the edge of the signal at the Reset input triggers the Reset
positive: a high level (> 2.5V) or the rising edge at the Reset input triggers the Reset
negative: a low level (< 1 V) or the falling edge at the Reset input triggers the Reset
- Output polarity selected by a jumper on the pc board:
positive: non-inverted outputs
negative: all seven outputs are inverted


The module is planned for early 2015, price ~ Euro 100.00

Update Nov 27th 2014:
" we also think about a A-161-2 which is independent from the A-160 (i.e. own clock and reset). Details are not yet available, except one thing: switchable between gate and trigger mode, in trigger mode the outputs are "gated" with the incoming clock signal. 
And we are working also on a clock multiplier module (A-160-3 ?). 
But the release dates, prices and detailed features for these new modules are not yet available."

Sources: Doepfer website
and Dieter Doepfer via the Yahoo Doepfer A-100 usergroup https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Doepfer_a100/conversations/messages/25947

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Random Video: Guitar Straight into the Doepfer Analog Synthesizer

Here's an older video (from August2010) that explains how you can simply play your synth with a guitar by only using a Doepfer A-160 Clock Divider.
This seems to work great and outputs a nice square wave, and logically, this works best with single notes (great for solos after some good practicing)
After the A-160 module you can route the sound to anywhere you like... just plug and play!

Video: Guitar Straight into the Doepfer Analog Synthesizer

" Ok Ok, this is crazy... This video shows you how to (without any 'special' modules whatsoever) play an analog mod synth with a regular ol guitar. I discovered a very common, but unusual module to convert the guitar signal into audio: the clock divider... insanity ensues...
© Philip Mease 2010"
Uploaded by PSMProjectVids

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Creating Two Sequences With One Doepfer A-160 by Frederic Gerchambeau

The latest video from Frederic Gerchambeau features quite an interesting pattern, generated by two different sequences from a single A-160 Trigger Sequencer module.

Video: Creating two sequences with one Doepfer A-160

" With only one Doepfer A-160, it's possible to get two different sequences at the same time. For even more fun, i have used two LFOs to trigger that A-160.
Basically the patch is that one :
Two lfos > multiple > A-160 Trig in
A-160 outputs (x 6) > 3 into mixer 1 and 3 into mixer 2
Output mixer1 > VCO1 and output mixer2 > VCO2
Outputs VCO 1 and 2 > VCA"

Sunday, September 01, 2013

Modular Analog Music and Tutorial Videos by @Flixxx

Felix from Germany (@Flixxx) has uploaded several highly interesting tutorial-videos last week, showing the more interesting/alternative/creative ways of using Eurorack modules.
They are not all about Doepfer, but he shows modules of all kinds of Eurorack brands and he does some nice and clear narration with it.
He even plans to do more of those quick looks in the future, so keep an eye on his YouTube channel.

Video 1: Doepfer A-160 Clock Divider as Sub-OSC/Frequency Divider (Eurorack Modular Synth Demo)

" A short video, showing the Doepfer A-160 Clock Divider Eurorack module being used as a frequency divider/square wave sub oscillator. This works by feeding the trigger input a VCO signal (either a square wave or saw wave) and using the division outputs (/2 /4 /8 etc.) as square wave VCO outputs. If you have any further questions, please post them below :) Thanks for watching!"

Video 2: Intellijel uVCF as Saw Wave VCO (Eurorack/Doepfer Modular Synth Demo)

" Another Modular Synthesizer video! This time I'm talking about how to use the Intellijel uVCF multimode filter module as a sine, saw and spike/rectified wave VCO. If you have any questions or comments, please post them below :) Thanks for watching!"

There's more...
Check out the full Music and Tutorials playlist on his YouTube Channel
Get his music at Bandcamp and/or follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Flixxx

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Random Video: LFO+A-160+A-161+A-138b+monotribe=FUN by Matthias Semmler

This short video popped up on YouTube recently and looks and sounds quite interesting.
It shows a simple patch playing a short sequence featuring an MFB LFO, an A-160/161, an A-138b CV-mixer and a Korg Monotribe.
A bit of flavor is added with the Korg MS20 Mini through a Harvestman English Tear CV-Converter.

Video: LFO+A-160+A-161+A-138b+monotribe=FUN

" Modular Synthesizer on the Installment Plan. The best method to get a great synthesizer, IMHO. Ask if you want to know more."

Uploaded by Matthias Semmler / Ribosom3000

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Random Video: The Doepfer A-160 Clock Divider As Sequencer

I only recently found out that someone on MuffWiggler has created an impressive list with all kinds of Eurorack video tutorials
This list is being updated regularly, because i also see some of my own recent videos in the Doepfer section of the list.

One of the more interesting videos i stumbled upon there was a year-old video by hiawogice from YouTube that shows the use of a Doepfer A-160 Clock Divider as a nifty little stand-alone sequencer module.

Module A-160 is a frequency divider for clock/trigger/gate signals, particularly for rhythm uses.
At the outputs, you have access to the sub-divided clock signals, from half the clock frequency down to 1/64.
The Clock Divider can be used in combination with the A-161 Clock Sequencer to produce stepped sequences with a length of from one to eight events.
This video shows you can also have a lot of fun without the A-161 module...

Video: Doepfer a160 sequence
" demo of a fun, simple concept: clock divider as sequencer. sorry for camera mic audio quality"
Uploaded by hiawogice

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

A-160 to A-161 Connection

Module A-161 is an eight-step Clock Sequencer which is internally connected to the Clock Divider (A-160).
Eight outputs are sequentially switched by the clock signals from the A-160 and can act, for instance, as sequential rhythmic triggers for an envelope. 

A question that popped up in the Doepfer A-100 Usergroup on Yahoo some time ago was how the A-160 and A-161 should be connected together.
This can be found in the A-161 Manual (PDF) ,but i think this post (and picture) will provide the info you need.

A-160 <> A-161 connection
The A-161 must be positioned directly to the right of the A-160.
Join the two modules with the supplied 10-way ribbon cable.
Use the upper 10-way socket on each module.
Make sure that the ribbon cable is not twisted, and that the colour-coded section is oriented the same on both modules.
Only join the A-160 to the system bus! 
Leave the lower 10-way socket on the A-161 unused.

Pay attention not to damage one of the parts on the boards (especially none of the transistors).
If necessary, you may bend the transistors a little (carefully) to plug in the cable.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Random Videos: HOX808

I really like the recent uploads from YouTube user HOX808 from Berlin, Germany.
Focussing on modular analog synths and with their minimalistic approach these video's are simply amazing.
I posted 2 video's below, but be sure to also check out the older uploads by this user.

The first video is a minimal drum sequence, made with only the Doepfer A-160 and 2 A-161 Sequencer/Dividers, TipTop 808 Bassdrum, Snare and Hats drum modules, a touch of (TB-)303, a few samples and some kind of delay.
Quite impressive with these minimum resources.
This does bring back an old wish of me for Doepfer to produce some drum-modules that sound (at least) as good as this though...

Video 1: The Thin Rebirth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XivBQxgERPg
-no description available

The second video also mainly seems to be about drums, but if you look a bit further, you notice that these are not drum-modules, but six (!) Doepfer A-112 8-Bit samplers in a row, and it looks/ sounds like the same TipTop drum-module were used.
Very original again, but what happened with the knobs?

Video 2: 6 x Doepfer A-112 8 Bit Sampler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJErS9T04HQ
" 6 x Doepfer A-112 8 Bit Sampler and Tiptop Audio BD SD,Flame Echometer, MFB STEP 64."

Uploaded by HOX808

Friday, December 31, 2010

Most wanted III - DIN Sync

The DIN Sync (or Sync24) standard, was introduced by Roland in the 80's for synchronizing sequencers, drummachines and (synth-) arpeggiators. The name Sync24 is derived from the frequency of the pulses, 24 pulses per quarter note (PPQN). A clock signal  of 2.51 V, at 24PPQN, defines the speed of the sequence or drum pattern. The start/stop signal defines if the sequence is running and has a voltage of 0 or +5 Volts. A lot of Roland's products were using this standard at the time, so some have sync-in, -out, or switchable sockets.

After the wide adaptation of the MIDI standard, the DIN sockets started to dissapear from most instruments. Syncing instruments via MIDI is now handled by the MIDI Beat Clock at a same 24 PPQN rate.
The SYNC plugs look the same as MIDI plugs ( DIN-standard, round with 5 pins ) ,but the pins have a different configuration as the MIDI plugs. The Din Sync standard can only handle clock signals (for tempo) and start/stop signal, so it sends no pitch-control. More info on Doepfer's SYNC FAQ page.

I know the DIN-Sync standard is now close to death. Only a few 'modern' drum-machines still have a SYNC In or Out, like for example the Novation Drumstation that i own.

The idea of a A-100 SYNC converter module doesn't sound bad in my opinion, perhaps a kind (extended) modular version of  MSY2 MIDI-to-SYNC Converter that Doepfer sells? 
( A-190-X maybe? )

If i might suggest some extra features, why not add a 16 (or more) trigger outputs (A-160/A161-style) , SYNC-in possibility, reset output(s) and switches on the front for choosing dividing factors.

That, together with a set of MIDI In and Thru, or an internal link possibility  to the A-190, would make an awesome (and not too expensive) module that for example could be used for percussive effects like triggering drumsounds in Sync with your old equipment.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Most Wanted II - Drum Modules

Drum-synthesizers and drum-machines have been around for a long time.
The first analogue drum synthesizers were introduced in the 1970s, and everyone remembers those classic analog and digital rhythm-boxes made by big companies as Roland, Korg, Simmons and Linn.

 The Mid-nineties analogue revival triggered a whole bunch of new manufacturers like MAM, Vermona and MFB (to name a few) to produce (modular) drum synths.
I always wondered why Doepfer hasn't come up with a modular drum series yet.
The only drumsound-providing module they released so far was the A-117 Digital noise/808 Source, a module that only produces two 808 sounds... ehh well... building blocks.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could fit a variation of different Doepfer drummodules in your rack, perhaps an A-117-X series? How about dedicated Basdrum, Snare, Hihats, Cymbal, Clap and Toms modules etcetera, with (dynamic) triggers and CV-controllable functions like decay, tune, attack and so on, so you could use any CV signal ( like from an LFO or ADSR) to change the different parameters. I see a world of interesting possiblities.

In combination with trigger-producing modules like the A-160/A-161 Clock Divider, the A-166 Logic module and/or a sequencer i'm sure modules like this could create very interesting and vivid rhythms. And how about control with one of the forthcoming touch-sensors...? Hmmmmmmm.... Want!

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Best Friends Forever V

The Best Friends Forever section on this blog is a selection of modules that always stay connected, even when i create new patches.

This combination is not much different from my earlier BFF posts, only thing is that here the modules are already connected internally, and not externally with patch-cords.

The two modules, A-160 Clock Divider and A-161 Clock Sequencer are unmissable for rhythmic purposes and for syncing with MIDI or a ( voltage controlled ) LFO.

The Divider is syncronized via the Trigger and Reset Inputs, this module divides the frequencies in steps from /2, /4, /8, /16, /32 and /64, resulting in very usable trigger signals.

The synced Clock Sequencer is a very simple sequencer with 8 steps, the speed of the steps is controlled by the input of the Divider. In fact this combination of modules is an impressive sequencer on it's own.

The outputs of both modules can be used to control any clock, trigger or gate input.
For example, you can use them to trigger envelope generators, resets and (voltage controlled) switches.
It is also possible to use the A-161's trigger outputs to reset the A-160, check out the video below for the basic functions of these modules.

Video: A-160 Demo


Thanks to @Hawklord2112 for the kind permission to use this video