Showing posts with label Dieter Doepfer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dieter Doepfer. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2019

The History and Future of Eurorack Modular Synths with Doepfer by @DivKid and @Flixxx

Early contributors to this blog DivKid and Felix from the Tuesday Night Machine finally had the time to have a talk with Dieter Doepfer at a  recent Thomann event... 


" A rare moment of free time and having great people in the right place at the right time here's an interview with Felix of Tuesday Night Machines talking to Dieter Doepfer, THE CREATOR OF EURORACK at the Thomann Synth Reactor #TSR19 event. 

Felix and I wanted to chat to Doepfer about both his history (the history or Eurorack), his current polyphonic modules, future module sand ideas and a quick look at what the future of the Eurorack might be. 
We also talk about the Elektor Formant DIY synth, the new Frequency Shifter module coming later this year, CV controlled LED lighting, Dieter was also the EU distributor for Doug Curtis' Curtis chips/components, Raul's World of Synths, favourite Doepfer modules and plenty more. "

Check these people out - http://doepfer.de 
Subscribe for more DivKid videos: http://bit.ly/DivKidYTSub 
Be awesome! Support DivKid on Patreon - http://www.patreon.com/divkid 

Thursday, April 04, 2019

Doepfer Polyphonic Modules - a conversation with Dieter Doepfer #TSR19 by MoltenMusicTech

Robin Vincent of MoltenModular had the opportunity to sit down with Dieter Doepfer, the inventor of the Eurorack format, and chat about modular with a specific focus on his new polyphonic range of modules. 


" Thomann took a bunch of YouTubers to their shop and told us to go play and make videos. 
So we did. 
This is straight to camera, one take, off-the-cuff, honest and fabulous. 
Thanks to Thomann for the opportunity and thanks to Moog for the loan of the ONE (that I then had to give back). 
Search for #TSR19 for more fantastic videos from fabulous synthesizer YouTubers. "

Molten Modular - http://moltenmodular.com 
Molten Music Tech on YouTube (subscribe!) 

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

Video: The Secret Doepfer Files

I recently found these 2 older videos with Dieter Doepfer from video collective "Open Video Medien Labor", an open non commercial platform for video art.
As far as I know it is an open project - step by step - which could possibly finish with a Doepfer movie.
I like the way it is filmed anyway... but i have the feeling that it might become a looooong project.
I contacted the makers and hope to follow-up this blogpost with more info.

#07 Interview with HANS ZIMMER - A private conversation with Hans Zimmer and Dieter Döpfer
The Secret Doepfer Files from Open Video Medien Labor on Vimeo.
Hans Zimmer: "The reason why I like 'playing music' is because the word 'play' is there."
From https://vimeo.com/115523628

#08 Backstage Talk with JEAN MICHEL JARRE - after his concert at Philharmonie, Gasteig Culture Centrum in Munich 22.03.2008"
The Secret Doepfer Files 08 - Dieter and Jean Michel Jarre from Open Video Medien Labor on Vimeo.
Dieter Doepfer: "All the bread-and-butter analogue modules are done... most what can be done with analogue circuits is (already) available"
From https://vimeo.com/115544995


Monday, January 07, 2019

Dieter Doepfer Live at SchneidersLaden/ Berlin

    Dieter baked cookies (yes), gave a modular beginner workshop, did a presentation of his latest products and performed an interesting liveset. 
You can see the  A-197-3 VCO controlled RGB LED prototype in this video too (the dynamic LED control start about at 6:40)

Schneidersladen uploaded four videos of the evening - all worth checking out!

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Meet the Maker - Modular Synths panel with 6 Eurorack Manufacturers



At this year's Winter NAMM show, Vintage King Audio presented the TEC Tracks panel: "Meet the Maker -- Modular Synths".
This short (35 minutes) panel discussion, distributed by Sound On Sound, brought together 5 well-known modular synth makers to talk about the booming Eurorack format.

Panelists included: Dieter Doepfer (Doepfer), Dan Green (4MS), William Matthewson (WMD), Ryan McGuire (Vintage King moderator), Tony Rolando (Make Noise), Brandon Ryan (Roland) and Gene Stopp (Moog Music)

They talked a bit about the history of the Eurorack standard (with it's US-based Inch-metrics... lol), and the influence of live-Eurorack performers on new modules.
William Matthewson from WMD offered an interesting insight of what to expect in the future with new controls, like tactile things, body movement, gloves, the integration of virtual reality and other new futuristic techniques that can convert all kinds of signals into control voltages.

Interesting to hear was also the process behind the whole module-design and where Dieter shared his point of view about the pros and cons of the community-input, mentioning the importance of the Yahoo A-100 Usergroup (and his annoyance about it sometimes) and the creative input from live musicians like the icelandic band GusGus when it comes to developing new modules.
It reminded me of his work with the guys from Kraftwerk in the past, with the development of the Schaltwerk, the vocoder and other projects...

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Doepfer Thru-Zero Modules

New A-110-2, A-110-3 and A-110-4 Modules
At a workshop in Musikhaus Hieber-Lindberg / Munich/ Germany Dieter Doepfer also presented the first prototypes of the new Thru-Zero VCOs.
I did mention the A-110-4 Quad Thru Zero in an earllier blogpost, the A-110-3 Triangle Thru-Zero was new to me.

After some questions in the Yahoo Doepfer A-100 Usergroup, Dieter had a bit more info about the new modules:

" Currently we have prototypes of three totally different types of thru-zero VCOs to be in the starting blocks:

A quadrature version with sine/cosine outputs (prefect sine/cosine outputs, much better than sine waveshapers): A-110-4
A triangle core version (with waveshapers for saw, rectangle and sine): A-110-3
A trapezoid core version (with waveshapers, based on Don Tillman's idea and with his permission): A-110-5 (?)

The A-110-4 will be manufactured early in 2015. We still have some problems with the A-110-3 and A-110-5 because the prototypes produced so far behave a bit different and we still have to find out the reason and fix the problems.

A-110-2 (final version), A-110-3 and A-110-4 will be introduced at NAMM in January (as well as A-147-2, A-138u, A-160-2, final versions of A-101-6, A-190-5 and A-157, and maybe some more). "


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

SonicState Interviews Mr Doepfer - King of Eurorack

New Sonicstate.com video interview with the great Dieter Doepfer (Doepfer Musikelektronik).
Dieter talks about his first products and the global Doepfer history...

Video: Interview: Mr Doepfer - King of Eurorack

" We caught up with Herr Doepfer at Musik Messe in the Spring"

Uploaded by sonicstate

Read all at http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2014/07/30/interview-herr-doepfer-at-musik-messe/

Friday, May 23, 2014

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

A-101-6 Six Stage Opto
FET Filter/Phaser prototype
In march of this year Doepfer announced the
A-101-1 Six Stage VC Opto FET Filter/Phaser.
This week however, Dieter released a statement about this module:

" After playing around with the module and the comments of people who tried the prototype we are no longer sure if we will release the A-101-6.
The circuit is a bit complex (especially because of the filter mode switching which requires altogether about 20 electronic double-throw switches) and consequently the module will be a bit expensive. 
And the FETs generate a lot of distortion in the sound as they are not linear circuits (like the vactrols).
I think we will do some sound examples and then ask interested customers if they are willing to pay the price. Maybe we offer a lower priced version of the module (< Euro 100) with jumpers instead of the electronic switches.
In this case the user will be able to configure the module by means of the jumpers as lowpass, highpass or allpass.

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer" 
Source: Yahoo Doepfer A-100 Usergroup

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Dieter Doepfer at MusikMesse 2014 by @mmag_ru

Almost a month after MusikMesse 2014 the Russian MusicMag published this video of Dieter Doepfer explaining the very basics of modular synthesis.
Not groundbreaking, but nice for the archive...

Video: mmag.ru: Musikmesse 2014 - Doepfer - аналоговые модульные системы

Google translation of the desciption:
" http://mmag.ru/ (MusicMag) is a music video reviews of new products hardware and software presented on music fair Musikmesse 2014: analog modular Doepfer.
Learn more, discuss and buy Doepfer modular systems, please visit http://mmag.ru/

Find MusicMag Russia on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mmag_ru

Friday, March 21, 2014

More A-190-4 MIDI-CV/Gate/Sync Interface Specifications

Last year, quickly after the A-190-4 prototype suddenly appeared in the wild, i already contacted Dieter Doepfer about some of the specs of the module.

The Doepfer A-190-4 will be the new replacement for module A-190-1 which is no longer available.
The functions of A-190-1 and A-190-4 are nearly the same (Midi In, Midi Out, CV1, CV2, Gate, Clock, Reset), but the operation of the A-190-4 has been improved because a 3-digit LED display is available.

The current values of all parameters (like Midi channel, reference note, clock divider) can be read back and modified by means of up/down buttons.
In addition A-190-4 is equipped with an USB interface and the external +5V supply is no longer available.

A-190(-1)  MIDI-CV/Sync
Interface
The A-190-1 has 2  DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters)
In the original A-190-1 DAC 1 is 'hard-wired' to receive MIDI note messages and convert them into control voltages available at CV output socket CV 1. This DAC has 12-bit resolution, which gives excellent tuning resolution (in steps of 1/4096th). As a rule, DAC 1 will be used to control VCO pitch.
DAC 2 can be assigned to your choice of MIDI controller. This DAC has 7-bit resolution (1/128th steps).

At the time (almost one year ago) Dieter couldn't tell much about the processing power and if any other functions would be available (arpeggiator? like the A-190-3), but this week I have managed to get a bit more info.
Christian Assall, software developer at Doepfer, was kind enough to explain a few more things about the A-190-4 via e-mail:

A-190-4 Prototype
- "The A-190-4 will have 2 new DACs... Because the development of the A-190-1 was now before more than 15 years, it makes sense to use modern pieces."

- "DAC2 will now also be 12 bit and will have a range of 0 ... 10 + volt ( but can also only use it for velocity/controller and things similar to the A190-1 , but not for pitch/tune controlling like the CV1 - so it's not possible to control two voices - because you also have only one gate ;-) - for polyphonic things we have the A190-5 in development"

About future firmware updates:
- "As the next development in schedule list is the A-190-5 - which is something like a 'great' brother of the A-190-4 - the A-190-4 has in most cases the possibility to inherit his features...
...so it's more a question of what we and the users want and decide to include in a preferably easy to use CV-interface the A-190-4 should be... This also belongs to the topic arpeggiator."

The A-190-1 Arpeg. mode never got released 
About the somewhat hidden arpeggiator-function in the A-190-3:
- " It's more a cost-free present or an eastern-egg like thing than a real feature in my eyes, because it hasn't any dedicated switches or display for that - so I think it's for many users hard to use ...
But if you can - sure you can use it and you can do some arp. things without any additional devices/software ...."

- " We never released this feature in the A-190-1, mostly because of the not optimal user interface, that was not suited in our eyes for additional and such a complex features.
An arp. should have a dedicated/suitable user interface - otherwise it didn't make much sense in my experience/eyes.
Sure also the weak processor power was a reason, not to try with many tricks to get an arp. which is in timing and didn't interfere with the other functions of the module.
So, never to release, was more a matured consideration that came from practical experiences..."

The A-190-1 will be replaced by the A-190-4 from about April 2014.
As of April, the Doepfer BS basic systems will come with an A-190-4 installed...

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

MusikMesse 2014 Alex4 Booth with Dieter Doepfer

Once again, SonicState has made a nice video from the MusikMesse booth of European Distributor of analog synths and Eurorack modules Alex4.

Alex4 Booth, picture by Marko Ettlich
The Alex4 Distribution booth with the big tagline "...you like Synths?" included MFB, KOMA, Doepfer, and Meeblip anodes, amongst other smaller (European) brands.

The SonicState booth-tours are almost an annual ritual, often with owner Andreas Schneider (from SchneidersBuero /SchneidersLaden) showing the whole booth and some of the new goodies...
This time Dieter Doepfer shows the new stuff, focussing on the Dark Flow, the stand-alone version of the A-157 Trigger Sequencer (Mini Schaltwerk) and some of the OEM/DIY products.

Video: MESSE 2014: Dr Doepfer's Dark Flow

" MESSE 2013: Dr Doepfer's Dark Flow - Astronomy inspired trigger sequencer "
Uploaded by

Another nice Alex4-booth impression by Dutch Interface Magazine also popped up on YouTube:

Video 2: Musikmesse 2014 vol 5: Alex 4s Do You Like Synths?

Video uploaded by InterfaceNLvideo

Friday, March 14, 2014

Musikmesse 2014 Introducing New Doepfer Modules by AnalogueZone

AnalogueZone has made a nice impression of the Doepfer booth, with Dieter Doepfer himself telling all about the new modules...

Video: Musikmesse 2014 Introducing new Doepfer modules

"Analogue Zone Modular Synth Store presents:
Dieter Doepfer introduces his new modules at Musikmesse 2014;
Doepfer A-190-4 USB/Midi-to-CV/Gate/Clock Interface

Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Doepfer Re-Designs Update

The 'old' A-166
Dual Logic Module
No exciting Doepfer announcements for the upcoming MusikMesse (The world's largest trade fair for musical instruments 12-15 March, Frankfurt/Germany) yet, but Dieter Doepfer did update the members of the Doepfer A-100 Usergroup today on a few upcoming module-plans and re-designs.

" So far there is no release date for the A-166-2 available the zero crossing comparator was also mentioned as part of the module.
The inquiries for such a module seem to be very poor.
But I will finish this module anyhow (just for myself) because I need such functions now and then (especially the flipflop)..."

The original
A-114 RingMod
Find more about the A-166-2 features in my blogpost from last November HERE

"...In addition we think about the redesign of some older modules.
Especially we think of new arrangements of some dual modules (Dual Ring Modulator A-114, Dual S&H A-148, Dual Trigger Delay A-162, Dual Slew Limiter A-170, Dual Trigger Modifier A-185 ...) as in many cases e.g. only a single ring modulator or a single Sample & Hold.

This will lead to some new combo modules (e.g. combination of S&H and VC slew limiter in one module) with a more value for money as you do not have to pay for unused second sub-units."

Source: Dieter Doepfer

 - Find a selection of Doepfer products at Musikmesse in Frankfurt from 12th - 15th March, 2014 at the booth of their European distributor Alex 4 in hall 5.1, booth nr C54. -

Friday, December 20, 2013

Doepfer A-100 Xmas Edition

The coolest Christmas module comes from the Doepfer website:


" Season's greetings and best wishes for the New Year to all our customers and business partners ! "
- Doepfer

" ...We are closed from December 21st, 2013 until January 06th 2014.
During this time no order processing, no shipping, no email or phone support, no receipt of goods, no repairs and so on."

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Doepfer A-166-2 Logic Module Announced

Via the Doepfer A-100 Usergroup on Yahoo we found out today that Dieter and his crew are working on an additional logic module (A-166-2).

Not the new, but the 'old'
A-166 Dual Logic Module
You probably remember the original A-166 Dual Logic Module, which is a double logic device that combines digital control / clock signals.
Read all about that module HERE.
A typical application of this module is the combination of digital signals of the A-100 gates, clocks and triggers to obtain "gated" clocks or rhythmic clock patterns.

The new A-166-2 "...will also include - among other functions - a flipflop.
( The output will turn high as soon as the first pulse of the "gate stream at audio rate" appears and stay high until the gate turns low.)
Sometimes I'd like to have a flipflop function in certain patches.
A simple zero-crossing comparator could be added to this module too. 
The A-166-2 will probably also include a rising edge detector (outputs a short pulse at the rising edge of a digital input signal) and a falling edge detector (outputs a short pulse at the falling edge of a digital input signal).
I think also about a pitch-change-detector (or more general CV-change-detector). 
It outputs a signal whenever a CV connected to it's input changes (probably with three outputs: positive/negative/both). 

So far there is no front panel layout available as I'm still fiddling about the arrangement of the sockets and controls, which features will be finally included and which front panel width (4/6/8 HP) is the best compromise."

Price and availability are still unknown...

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Doepfer History: MCV8 8-Voice MIDI to CV Interface

In the mid 80s Doepfer released the MCV8, an 8-Voice MIDI to CV Interface.
The MCV8 was/is a simple MIDI-to-CV converter, featuring MIDI in/THRU plus 8 CV and 8 Gate outputs on the backside.
On the front side it had a two-digit LED plus 8 buttons.

MCV8 V2 frontside
A preliminary version of the MCV8 (very different from the final version) was available around 1985/86.
It was very primitive and had only one mode: 8-voice polyphonic.
The only controls were a learn button and a LED (to learn the Midi channel and the reference note for 0V CV). The unit had no storage and the Midi channel and reference note was lost after power off.
Only very few units were manufactured (as far as Dieter remembers less than 10). 

MCV8 V2 backside
A few years later a totally revised version of the MCV8 was available (both kit and ready made). 
The kit was about Euro 150 without case and about Euro 180 with case. 
The ready built unit with case was about Euro 280. It had a 2-digit LED display and 8 buttons with associated LEDs and was available without or with case (a ugly black plastic box, not yet 19"). 
The CV and gate outputs were available as a sub-d socket (no jack sockets) and one had to solder a special cable that converted the sub-d e.g. to 1/4" jack plugs. 

It had already different modes (8 voice polyphonic, 2 x 4 voice, 4 x 2 voice, additional controller outputs and so on) but it had no memories.

Around 1990 version 3 of the MCV8 was released.
It was available as a 19" unit with 16 1/4" jack sockets at the rear panel for 8xCV and 8xGate.
The unit had a non-volatile memory for several user presets.

Doepfer MCV8 19-inch rack with Version 3.1 Manual
The buttons could be used to setup different parameters like Legato On/Off, Gate Polarity, Pitch Bend On/Off (only in V/Oct. mode), Type of CV Characteristic (V/Oct. or Hz/V), MIDI Note Reference for 0V CV in V/Oct. mode and Pitch Bend Travel of CV (only in V/Oct. mode)

The MCV8 Version 3 Offered 6 standard modes/configurations:

Poly 8 (P8): 8-Voice polyphonic
All 8 CV outputs are pitch outputs (controlled by MIDI note on/off) on the same MIDI channel
Poly 4 (P4): 4-Voice polyphonic
The CV outputs 1-4 are pitch outputs (controlled by MIDI note on/off) on the same MIDI channel.
The CV outputs 5-8 are the corresponding velocity outputs (controlled by the velocity values of the note on/off events)
Poly 2 (P2): 2-Voice polyphonic
The CV outputs 1 and 2 are pitch outputs on the same MIDI channel, 3 and 4 are the corresponding velocity outputs, CV5 is the (monophonic) after touch output and CV 6...8 are controller outputs.
Single 8 (S8): 8-Voice monophonic
Each CV output is a pitch output on a different MIDI channel.
Single 4 (S4): 4-Voice monophonic
The CV outputs 1-4 are pitch outputs on 4 different MIDI channels.
The CV outputs 5-8 are the corresponding velocity outputs.
Single 2 (S2): 2-Voice monophonic
The CV outputs 1 and 2 are pitch outputs on two different MIDI channels.
CV 3 and 4 are the corresponding velocity,
5 and 6 the after touch, 7 and 8 controller outputs.

Besides the User Presets it had a memory for 6 user definable presets, what made this a very versatile MIDI-CV converter for its time
The CV-range could be configured to do the usual 1V/Oct (standard) or the Korg/Yamaha type Hz/V,
and the Gate output could be configured to do +5V / +7.5V and/or the Moog type S-Trigger by switching internal jumpers.

The price for the ready built unit was about 380 Euros, the kit was about 275 Euros.
There were some differences in the Version3 firmware features but details are unclear.

Doepfer MCV8 Version 3 Backside
Doepfer still has a text file of the manual on their website, you can find it HERE but a nicer  PDF of the manual can be found via the Cykong site.

It is difficult to say how many were sold as Doepfer only have records from since 1990. 
From 1990-1995 about 300 were sold, but they have no quantities before 1990. 
Dieter expects around 400-500 units were sold altogether.

Sources: http://www.cykong.com/Synths/Doepfer%20MCV8/Doepfer-MCV8.htm
...and there's one MCV8 (V2 - including a breakout box) for sale in the Netherlands now at http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/muziek-en-instrumenten/synthesizers/m724039775-doepfer-mcv8-8-kanaal-midi-to-cv-interface.html?c=8c285449651fa109c354bbabe740c1b&previousPage=lr, where i got those pictures from.

Special thanks to Dieter Doepfer for all additional info.

More pictures of the MCV8 can be found on my PatchPierre Facebook page
Find out more about Doepfer History products HERE

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Dieter Doepfer reacts to I Dream Of Wires: Hardcore Edition Comments

Dieter Doepfer recently replied in the Yahoo Doepfer A-100 Usergroup on comments to his appearance in the I Dream Of Wires: Hardcore Edition documentary that was released last month.

Many members of the group congratulated and thanked him after seeing and hearing him about the early beginnings of the Eurorack standard in the IDOW Documentary
A few people even compared his work to that of Bob Moog and Don Buchla,
but as always, Dieter stayed humble:

I Dream of Wires: Hardcore Edition
"...I would really not place me on the same level with Bob Moog or Don Buchla.
The start of the A-100 was more a "copy job" than a new technology.
The first modules were nothing but copies of the (Doepfer) MS-404 sub-circuits and the MS-404 had its roots in the famous Moog transistor ladder filter and a common VCO circuit.

I think my main idea was to make an analog modular system affordable and to use a mechanical format (now called Eurorack) and a bus concept that was not too expensive (ribbon cables instead of fixed PCB dimensions as used in the industry standard).
This mechanical format was already an industry standard at this time in Germany.

But I really never imagined that such a huge range of A-100 compatible modules would be ever on the market (Andreas Schneider of Schneiders Laden in Berlin mentioned recently that in the meantime more than 50 manufacturers and more than 800 modules are on the market and that they have a bit lost the track)."

Personally i think Dieter underestimates what he has already done for the Eurorack community.
Doepfer was the first brand that brought affordable analog synthesis within everyone's reach and inspired a whole generation of new Eurorack manufacturers.

What is not mentioned in the IDOW Documentary is that he used this synthesizer-format for the first time on the Doepfer Sound Sampler in 1984, read all about that HERE

I Dream of Wires: Hardcore Edition DVD, Blu-Ray and accessories are now available to order at:

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

More A-190-4 News

I contacted Dieter Doepfer about the A-190-4 USB/MIDI-to-CV/Gate/ Sync Interface that showed up at a modular synthesizer workshop in Munich earlier this month...
They showed a prototype of a module that wasn't announced yet, and i was glad Dieter had a bit more information.

A-190-4 prototype
He replied to me that the A-190-4 will replace the A-190-1 as the A-190-1 has been developed more than 15 years ago and is a bit old-fashioned and long-winded to operate.
Mainly the missing display has been complained by several customers (i.e. no display of the parameter like midi channel, reference note, scale settings, portamento and pitch-bend range, clock divider, status of the built-in (software) LFO and so on). 

The basic functions of the A-190-4 will be the same as the A-190-1 but the man-machine interface will be better because of the display that shows the parameter value. It will also be equipped with USB. 

The module is still in the prototype state and they expect that it will be available end of 2013 or early in 2014. 
Pricing was not yet available.

At this time Doepfer could not promise that an arpeggiator will be included. 
The programmer of the A-190-4 (Christian Assall) has to decide if this feature will be available (maybe in a future firmware version as the module can be updated via USB)

I guess it does have a little bit more processing power than the original A-190-1, because the 'promised' arpeggiator function on that module never got released.
Last year Dieter already explained to me that there were plans to add an arpeggiator when the A-190-1 was designed about 15 years ago. 
But they found out later that the processor power was not sufficient to add this feature...

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Doepfer A-190-4 USB/Midi to CV/ Sync Interface Prototype Revealed at Workshop

A few weeks ago, on July 13, Dieter Doepfer personally appeared at a modular synthesizer workshop in a shop in Munich, Germany, together with a huge Monster Base rack filled with Doepfer modules and an LCB angled basic case with some of the newer modules like the earlier announced A-157 Trigger Sequencer subsystem and the A-190-5 Polyphonic MIDI-to-CV/Gate Interface.

The two-part workshop was very well attended: 50 synth freaks (newcomers and advanced users) followed Dieter Doepfer’s explanations and presentations with enthusiasm.
Although i wasn't there, it can see what an amazing event this must have been; the A-100 modular system explained by its inventor...

The new Doepfer A-190-5 (Polyphonic) and A-190-4  (Mono) MIDI-to-CV converters

A-190-4 prototype
Find the full report and many great pictures at http://greatsynthesizers.com/en/general-en/2013/07/dieter-doepfer-introduces-new-a-100-modules/

Besides all the new A-100 modules there was also a prototype of an A-190-4 USB/Midi to CV/ Sync Interface, that hasn't even been announced yet...
It looks a bit like any other basic Doepfer MIDI-CV converter (like the A-190-1 and A-190-3), but this one has a basic seven segment LED display for showing parameter settings.
I hope that this one does have a (basic arpeggiator function though...

I hope to get more info soon...

Picture by http://greatsynthesizers.com/en/
GreatSynthesizers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatSynthesizers

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Doepfer Gifts - Full Disclosure

Doepfer mug-shot
Back in January i received an e-mail from Dieter Doepfer himself in reply to a few questions that i had in preparation for a new blogpost.
Doepfer customer service has always been good, and Dieter always tries to personally answer his emails the same day. 
He is always willing to help me out with my retro-product-questions.
Besides the answers to my questions, he also had another nice announcement.

" Hello Pierre,
that's really a nice collection of our history products

When I have the time I could scan all the old documents I still have.
I think this will help you to continue the excellent work.
As you agreed that we link to your page I'm willing to offer some compensation for your job.
Publishing these details will also help us because sometimes customers ask for something like that.
Let me know if you are interested e.g. in a free A-100 module or similar."

Thank you, Dieter

...and last week, my package finally arrived.
They sent me a beautiful black-and-white Doepfer mug and an A-149-1/2 Quantized/Stored Random Voltages combination,  great modules that were high on my wishlist.

Doepfer mug and A-149-1/2 combo
I am very thankful for these gifts, and i see it as a recognition for (over) three years of blogging about modular synthesizers here at PatchPierre.Net.
I also feel that i have to mention these gifts from Doepfer here, as some kind of disclosure.

I will (of course) write one or more blogposts about my new modules, and i will keep on bringing you all the Doepfer news in the future.
Not much will change by these gifts, but i will stay the Doepfer fanboi that i always have been...