Doepfer Announcements for NAMM2020

Great news, Doepfer will be at NAMM 2020 again from January 16-19, 2020 at booth # 10302 of their international distributor Alex4. \

Among the brand new A-111-6 mini synth module they will show the prototypes of some planned new modules:

Joystick module A-174-4 outputs three control voltages generated by a spring-loaded X/Y cross potentiometer (so-called joy stick) and a Gate signal. 

The control voltages for X and Y are controlled by the X and Y position of the joystick in the usual way. The third control voltage Z is controlled by the rotation of the spring-loaded joystick knob. 

The offset voltages which are added to the inverting outputs can be adjusted by means of three small potentiometers. That way different kinds of control voltage ranges are possible. 

On top of this the four quadrant voltages Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 are available. A quadrant voltage becomes positive when the joystick is positioned in the quadrant in question. Each CV output is equipped with an LED that displays the present voltage

Module A-130-8 contains eight linear voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs). Each VCA features a control voltage input, a signal input and a signal output. In addition three mixers are included for the sum of the output signal 1-4, 5-8 and 1-8.  

Typical applications • any kind of VCA application (e.g. voltage controlled attenuation of audio or control voltage signals) • two voltage controlled mixers with four channels each • voltage controlled stereo mixer with four channels each, for this the control voltage inputs have to be correspondingly patched or internally normalled: CV1=CV5 /CV 2=CV6 / CV3=CV7 / CV4=CV8 • voltage controlled mixer with eight channels • add-on for the planned Joystick module A-174-4


A-133-2 Dual VC VCA/Polarizer/Inverter/Ring Modulator is the slim version of the A-133 but has some additional features and improvements available compared to the A-133.
Module A-133-2 can be used for many applications: e.g. VCA, VC polarizer/attuverter, VC inverter or ring modulator. The module contains special VCAs that allow both positive and negative amplification. 

The overall amplification is defined by the sum of the voltage generated by the Man control, the external control voltage CV and the position of the CV control which works as an attenuator for the external control voltage. 

By means of the external control voltage CV the manually adjusted amplification can be modulated. CV can be both positive or negative to obtain positive or negative amplification values. 

In addition the CV signal can be modulated via the modulation control input Mod by means of another control voltage. '

The current amplification is displayed by a dual color LED Application examples: • voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) • voltage controlled inverter • voltage controlled polarizer/attuverter • DC coupled ring modulator with offset feature, the "classical" ring modulator corresponds to Man=0 and symmetrical audio signals for In and CV • additional effects by means of the modulation feature of the CV signal (using the Mod input)


Module A-183-4 is a fourfold level shifter.
A level shifter is required if the level of a digital control signal has to be increased or decreased. A typical application is the conversion of a gate, trigger or clock signal with +5V voltage level to +12 level.
The output level can be set by means of a jumper to +12V or +5V. The four output signals are displayed by means of LEDs. The outputs and inputs are normalled: the output signal of the upper unit is used as input signal of the unit below provided that no patch cable is inserted into the input socket of the lower unit. That way the module can be used also as clock/trigger/gate buffer or buffered multiple for digital signals. For this the signal that has to be buffered is connected to input 1. The buffered (and possible level shifted) signal appears then at all four outputs. Input voltages below +0,8 V are treated as "low", voltages above +3 V as "high"

Typical applications • Converting the levels of digital control signals (e.g. gate, trigger, clock) to another voltage level (+12V or +5V) • buffering and duplicating digital control signals (e.g. gate, trigger, clock)
It is not yet certain if the module will be manufactured in the 2 HP or 4 HP version (probably 2 HP).
Release dates: spring 2020 (without obligation)

Source: http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm, and their NAMM brochure (PDF)

Doepfer Superbooth 2019 Slim Line Announcements

This year Superbooth takes place again in Berlin from May 9-11th.
As promised in a recent interview with Dieter Doepfer, the company will be focussing on the public demand for smaller modules this year.
Especially the live Eurorack performers would love to see these new modules, which are basically smaller versions and re-designs of Doepfer's 'greatest hits'.

The first batch of Slim Line modules will include:
A-111-6, a miniature Synth Voice, quite similar to the A-111-5 and Dark Energy in just a 10 HP wide panel, and the following 4HP wide modules;

A-118-2 Noise Generator/Random/Sample and Hold module
A-121-3 12dB Multimode filter (a la A-121-2 but with smaller knobs))
A-130-2 Dual Liniar VCA
A-138i Interrupting mixer, a four channel mixer with an additional mute switch for each input
A-138n Nano Mixer, a simple four channel mixer, which can be used with either control voltages or audio signals.
A-145-4 Quad LFOs can be treated as a slimmed version of the quad LFO A-143-3 as it has similar features available
and the A-182-2 Quad Switch, a passive module that contains four changeover switches.

More details at http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm
or check the Superbooth PDF
http://www.doepfer.de/presse/Doepfer_Superbooth_2019_English.pdf

Doepfer A168-1 PW/PWM-Generator Announced

Doepfer Announced another new module last week...

Module A-168-1 is a pulsewidth modulation generator (PWM Module).

It derives a rectangle signal with adjustable pulsewidth from an external triangle, sawtooth or sine wave. 

The external signal can be an LFO, VCO or any other signal with falling/rising slopes (e.g. ADSR). In addition the pulsewidth can be modulated by a CV signal (e.g. LFO or ADSR). 

The typical application is the generation of a rectangle signal with PWM from VCOs or LFOs which do not yet have this feature (e.g. A-110-4, A-145, A-147-2, A-143-4, A-143-9).

The module is equipped with these controls and in/output:
- Manual PW control (PW)
- PWM CV Input with attenuator (PWM)
- Signal input (In)
- Output with LED control (Out)
- Inverted Output with LED control (/Out)
- Internal trimming potentiometer for PW (is adjusted for symmetrical 50:50 rectangle when the manual PW control is at center position)
- Internal trimming potentiometer for PWM range (is adjusted so that the manual PW control covers the full PW range 0 ... 100%)
- The trimming potentiometers are required to adjust the module for best operation for signals with different DC offsets (e.g. unipolar/bipolar signals) and different signal levels.

Normally the module is assigned to another module because the trimming potentiometer have to be readjusted when the input signal changes (unless the signals have nearly the same DC offset and level)

(planned for November 2015, price ~ Euro 50.00, price and release date are still without obligation)
Source: http://www.doepfer.de/a1681.htm

Doepfer A-101-6 Six Stage VC Opto FET Filter/Phaser Announced

Another new module announcement from Doepfer.

" A-101-6 is a new filter module that uses so-called opto FETs to control the filter frequency.

A-101-6 Six Stage Opto FET VCF

Opto FETs are very similar to Vactrols but use light depending field effect transistors (FETs) instead of light depending resistors (LDRs).

A Opto FET is a combination of a light depending FET and a LED (light emitting diode) both put into a small light-proof case.

The advantage compared to vactrols is the much faster response of opto FETs compared to LDRs. 

This allows much faster attack/decay times and even FM effects. 

The disadvantage compared to vactrols is that the FET behaves as a normal Ohm resistor only for small levels. With higher levels the FET begins to distort.

Apart from this the notes mentioned on the Doepfer Vactrol Basics page are valid.

Module A-101-6 is made of six serial 6dB filter stages. The stages can be switched simultaneously to lowpass, highpass or one of two allpass types.
The following schematics show one of the six serial stages in the four possible modes:

A-101-6 Principle Schematics

The variable resistor shown in the schematics corresponds to the opto FET.
The type of filter is selected by two toggle switches or 2 control inputs.
The upper switch selects between lowpass and highpass provided that the lower switch is in the LP/HP position.
When the lower switch in the AP (allpass) position the upper switch is used to select between the two allpass types. Instead of the switches even external control voltages can be used (CV LP/HP, CV Allpass sockets).
For this the toggle switch in question has to be in the left position.

The brightness of the Opto FET LEDs and consequently the filter frequency can be adjusted manually (Frequ. control) and controlled by means of an external control voltage (CV) with attenuator.
The LED at the front panel reflects the LED brightness inside the opto FETs.

The resonance is controlled by the Feedback control up to self oscillation. By means of two trimming potentiometers the maximal feedback can be adjusted separately for LP/HP and allpass mode.
High feedback values can be used mainly in the allpass mode to obtain very extreme self oscillation sounds. Even an external feedback signal can be used instead of the internal feedback connection (FB In socket).

The Mix control is used to pan between the original signal (CCW position) and the effect signal (CW position).
In filter mode (LP/HP) this control is usually set fully CW.
In the allpass modes one obtains phasing sounds at center position or "pure" allpass sound in fully CW position."

Update May 6th 2014:
" thank you for your interest in the planned module.
Because of several suggestions by customers there will be probably some additions (like voltage
controlled dry/wet mix and maybe voltage controlled resonance/feedback).
So it will still take some time until the module is available.
An experienced A-100 user is currently about to try out the prototype (still without the additional voltage controlled features) and we wait for his assessment about the features of the module before we continue.
If the module is back I can do some demos." *source Dieter Doepfer

Release date and price for this module are not yet available.
Source: http://www.doepfer.de/a1016.htm
Read more about Opto-Isolators at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opto-isolator
and more about Vactrols at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2011/02/vactrol-basics.html

The new Doepfer modules will be shown at #MusikMesse in the booth of their distributor Alex4 in hall 5.1, booth nr. C54

Doepfer A-127 BOM Filter Breakout Module Announced

Doepfer finally announced a few new modules for this year.
The first one is an expander-module for the A-127 Triple Voltage Controlled Resonance Filter, which has always been my favorite Doepfer filter...

Basically they took advantage of all the filter outputs that were already available in the original A-127 module, but not made available on the frontpanel.

I wrote about how i made my own A-127-expansion-board a few years ago in this blog, but this official board takes it to the next level, with even one more filter and separate audio outputs.

A-127 BOM Filter
Breakout Module

" For early summer 2014 the A-127 breakout module is planned.

This expansion module offers these new functions:
- additional notch filter for each sub-unit
- separate outputs for lowpass, highpass, bandpass and notch for each sub-unit
- separate audio input with attenuator for each sub-unit

The breakout module allows the separate use of each of the three A-127 filters.
In addition the filters can be patched parallel or serial.
Especially the serial connection of three notches generates very complex phasing-like structures.
For parallel filter connection the existing mixer of the main module may be used or an external mixer.
For serial connection the filters are patched in the desired sequence at the breakout module.
A jumper is used to define the filter type for each sub-unit for the mix unit of the main module.

Remark:
The breakout module can be used without modification only in combination with the new version of the A-127 (pcb printing "Version 4").
Only the new version has the expansion connector available, that is required to connect the breakout module.
It's also possible to combine the breakout module with older versions of the A-127 (versions 1, 2 and 3) but in this case soldering is required to connect the breakout module to the main module (soldering 4 wires to each filter unit).

We will publish corresponding modification instructions as soon as the breakout module will be available."

You can still find my own A-127 DIY-expander blogposts via http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2010/12/modifications-ii-127-triple-resonance.html

Source: http://www.doepfer.de/a127.htm

The new Doepfer modules will be shown at #MusikMesse in the booth of their distributor Alex4 in hall 5.1, booth nr. C54

Update May 23 2014: " The A-127 BOM is already in production and should be available July 2014."

Doepfer Pre-MusikMesse 2013 Announcements

Dieter Doepfer made a few announcements today about the upcoming new modules and about the MusikMesse 2013, that will be held from the 10th to the 13th of April 2013 in Frankfurt, Germany.

I'm looking most forward to the new A-157 Mini Schaltwerk prototypes, i cant wait until the are finished.:
Doepfer stated that they " ...will hopefully show the "large" version of the trigger sequencer A-157/miniature Schaltwerk (8 rows with 16 steps each).
The 8x16 button/LED board is ready but I cannot guarantee that the controller board will be also ready for the Musikmesse."

One of the earlier
A-190-5 prototypes

They will also show the prototype of the new version of the A-190-5 Polyphonic USB/Midi-to-CV/Gate Interface (with LCD) and the A-190-8 USB/Midi-to-Sync Interface at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt.

These modules will be available about summer 2013. 

The other news:

The small version of the multiple A-180 is available in April 2013 (2 HP only, name: A-180-2)

The module A-171-2 (licensed copy of the Serge/CGS VCS) will be available about end of April or early in May 2013.
(It will be interesting to see how the Serge's new deal with TipTop works out - expect a surge of Serge for your Eurorack this year /PP)

A-171-2 Serge
Slew Limiter
prototype

The re-designed A-130 (linear VCA) is now delivered with a precision VCA circuit (SSM2164) instead of the CA3080).
The new A-130 is DC-coupled.

The re-designed A-131 (exponential VCA) is now delivered also with an improved VCA circuit (high end THAT VCA circuit instead of the CA3080).
The new A-131 is also DC-coupled.

The A-135 will be available from about May 2013 in a revised version with DC coupling of the signals and single outputs, i.e. it can be used also as 4 separate linear VCAs with manual gain, CV in with attenuator and signal in with attenuator.
Because of the DC coupling it can be used also for modulation signal processing (i.e. voltage controlled mixing of control signals).

So, a lot of updates, can't wait to see the first pictures of the A-157 combo coming from MusikMesse.
Are you going to MusikMesse this year and want to contribute pictures to PatchPierre.Net?
Feel free to contact me via the comments, email or Twitter, thanks in advance!

A-171-2 Voltage Controlled Slew Limiter II Announced

Great news again this morning from the Doepfer Yahoo Usergroup.

The A-171-2 Voltage Controlled Slew Limiter II will be Doepfer's next new module with a lot of additional features beyond a simple slew limiter.

A-171-2 Prototype

It's mostly a licensed copy of Ken Stones VCS which is in turn based on the Serge VCS. (from the POLL earlier, remember?)
Dieter announced that negotiations with Serge and Ken Stone are nearly finished, and that they decided to publish the preliminary info page about the planned module on their website: www.doepfer.de/a1712.htm

The main features:
- Manual control of the Slew-Up time
- CV control of the Slew-Up time with polarizer
- Switch for linear/exponential shape of the rising section of the response curve
- Manual control of the Slew-Down time
- CV control of the Slew-Down time with polarizer
- Switch for linear/exponential shape of the falling section of the response curve
- CV Up and CV Down sockets are normalled
- Signal input (the "to-be-slewed" signal)
- Trigger input
- V/Oct input
- End output
- Cyle on/off (when "on" the End output is internally connected to the Trigger Input)
- Output
- LED display

Doepfer also mentioned that they will add some features so that 3-position switches can be used (e.g. log/lin/exp instead of log/lin only and two different cycle modes), but these decisions depend upon the results with the first prototype which he expects in January 2013.