Quite unexpected, Doepfer announced a black A-124 Wasp filter with yellow knobs today.
This module comes as a limited edition and will be available through your local dealers. (order no. A-124SE)
According to a Doepfer interview with the Sud-Deutsche Zeitung the first batch sold out (to distributors) within 24 hour.
Great marketing-idea by Doepfer IMO, especially to promote the recently announced colored knobs. All kinds of color-schemes are possible now.
While I was gone, Raul Pena kept on making new A-100 video tutorials.
Here's the next series (now presented here as a playlist instead of weekly updating a blogpost), showing you all the ins and outs of the A-106-5 SEM Filter.
A-106-5 12dB
SEM Filter
Module A-106-5 is a 12dB multimode filter that is based on the filter circuit of the Oberheim SEM module.
The filter is equipped with a band pass output and a combined low/notch/high pass output.
For this output a control knob defines the relation between low and high pass signal.
If both signals appear at the same level (i.e. middle position of the Mix knob) one obtains a notch filter. Otherwise the low or high pass signal predominates.
The module does not feature self oscillation in contrast to most of the other filters of the A-100 system.
The module generates a distorted audio signal if the level control is set to about 50% (i.e. center position) or more with A-100 standard signals like VCOs.
Inputs:
Audio In, CV1 In without attenuator, CV2 In with Polarizer
Outputs:
Bandpass Out, Low/Highpass Mix-Out
Controls:
Audio Attenuator, CV2 Polarizer, Frequency, Resonance, LP/HP Mix
Yay... finally a new filter-module :-)
Last week i treated myself with an A-106-5 SEM Filter.
The A-106-5 is a 12dB multimode filter that is based on the filter circuit of the Oberheim SEM module (Synthesizer Expander Module), Oberheim's first official analog synthesizer that was produced from 1974 to 1979.
On the outside it looks quite like the A-124 Wasp filter, but sound-wise they are very different.
The filter is equipped with a band pass output and a combined low/notch/high pass output.
For this output a control knob defines the relation between low and high pass signal.
If both signals appear at the same level (i.e. middle position of the Mix knob) one obtains a notch filter. Otherwise the low or high pass signal predominates.
The module sadly does not feature self oscillation in contrast to most of the other filters of the A-100 system.
I had heard some good things about it, and it really sounds incredible.
I do have a slight preference for 12dB filters (like the A-121 Multimode Filter and the WASP filter - two of my favorites), and this one is another great sounding filter module.
The sound is hard to describe but i can say this one sounds fat enough for me (not very thin like most reviews say), and is already in my favorite filter-list.
It does not sound like any of the other filters that i own...
The only thing i miss in this filter module is an CV input to control the resonance, just like the A-121 Multimode Filter or the other Oberheim filter, the A-122 24 dB Lowpass filter VCF3 have.
Video: Doepfer A-106-5 Filter demo
" Short Doepfer A-106-5 Demo by NetPierre
Starts with a sequenced bassline, generated by my Doepfer MAQ16/3 and Doepfer VCO A-110 (saw wave)
Bandpass Mode first, LP/HP later
A-118 Random voltages added to VC2 input somewhere in the middle.
Drums provided by an Elektron Machinedrum
More info on the A-100 and related stuff at http://PatchPierre.blogspot.com "
Because of its different circuitry and controls, the A-122 has a considerably smooth but thin sound, different like the A-120 'Moog-like' filter and other Doepfer filters.
Also the way the resonance behaves is quite different.
Luckily this module does have Voltage Controlled resonance that cannot only be controlled manually, but by voltages as well, right up to self-oscillation.
In this case, the filter behaves like a sine wave oscillator.
In this oscillation mode, you can simply use the FCV1 input to contol the pitch because it also works on the 1V/ octave rule, like regular VCOs.
I love the sound of it, you can use it to make fat and smooth basses up to the squelchier TB-303 style sounds.
A very nice filter, but not on top of my favorite filters list.
PatchPierre rating: 7/10
Check out the short (and not too in-depth) demo that i shot earlier today:
Video: Doepfer A-122 VCF3 Demo
" Short Doepfer A-122 Demo by NetPierre
Starts with a sequenced bassline, generated by my Doepfer MAQ16/3 and Doepfer VCO A-110 (saw wave)
Slow LFO sinewave A-147 into QCV input - ADSR into VC2 input
Drums provided by an Elektron Machinedrum "
As the special circuit CEM3320 used in this module is no longer available the module was discontinued.
Doepfer recommends the A-106-6 XP VCF, that is based on the filter circuit of the Oberheim Xpander, as a replacement module.
More Video from Raul Pena (of http://raulsworldofsynths.com/)
This time almost 45 minutes long tutorials on using the A-118 Noise/ Random Voltage Generator in combination with the A-120 Moog Style Low Pass Filter... creating some interesting wind-effects...
" Part One Discussing the features of the Doepfer A188 Noise and Random Voltage Source module. Followed by a Demonstration of Filtering white and Colored Noise with the Doepfer A120 VCF Low Pass Filter. Sound and Video by Raul Pena. "
"Part Two Ongoing Demonstration of Filtering white and Colored Noise from the A118 Noise module with the Doepfer A120 VCF Low Pass Filter. Modulation Capabilities also explored with A147 VC LFO and A145 LFO. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."
Read more on the A-118 HERE
Read more on the A-120 HERE
Video 1: Doepfer A110 Filtering with A101-2 and A120 Intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmrB9EOVgb8
" Short Introduction into Filtering the Doepfer A110 Standard VCO. Dicusses Features and Functions of the Doepfer A101-2 Low Pass Gate and A120 VCF Low Pass Filter.Sound and Video by Raul Pena. "
Video 2: Doepfer A110 Filtering with A101-2 Low Pass Gate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBt7wozgjjg
" Demonstration of the Filtering of the Doepfer A110 VCO with an A101-2 Low Pass Gate. Next More Filtering with the A101-2 Low Pass Gate."
Perhaps the best known low-pass filter in analogue synthesis was developed by Dr Robert (Bob) Moog in the late sixties.
It was used in the modular Moog synthesisers of that decade, but it got really popular in 1970 with the introduction of the Minimoog.
Moog's 4-pole filter is built with a co-called "transistor ladder" design with a cut-off slope of -24 dB/octave. That’s what gives it its classic, legendary Moog sound.
Resonance is adjustable all the way up to self-oscillation - in which case the filter behaves like a sine wave oscillator.
The Doepfer A-120 is a very nice Moog emulator, but still most reviews say it doesn't sound 'Moogy' enough.
( i sadly don't have a real Moog to compare and verify that )
Moog's original circuit was flawed because it exhibited a small amount of distortion. Many engineers would have tried to correct this but Moog didn't.
He probably found that the sound was musically pleasing and he was probably right...
Maybe this module just sounds a bit 'too clean'.
It does still have a warm character, and it sounds very impressive in my opinion.
( and definitely unlike any of my other filters ).
Whenever i hear the name Moog i mainly think of great (Minimoog) synth-lead solo's or hand-played fat basslines, but you can also use this filter for wobbly dub-step basslines, sequenced loops and other (housey) basslines.
An interesting and more in-depth study on the Analysis of the Moog Transistor Ladder and Derivative Filters can be found in this PDF by dr. Timothy E. Stinchcombe.
Video : Doepfer A-120 (Moog) Low Pass Filter Demo by NetPierre
" Doepfer A-120 (Moog) Low Pass Filter Demo by NetPierre
created for my blog at http://PatchPierre.blogspot.com
A simple sawtooth wave from my A-110 into Audio in.
An envelope generator signal is sent into CV2, and some noise from the A-118 is fed into CV3.
Drums are provided by an Elektron Machinedrum "
The A-103 18 dB Low Pass filter (VCF6) is Doepfer's own 'TB-303 filter clone' ;
It uses a so-called transistor ladder with a slope of 18 dB/Octave as frequency controlling element.
It is very similar to the transistor ladder of the A-120 24dB Moog type Low Pass filter, but the ladder of the A-103 is a modification of the original Moog ladder and identical to the ladder used in the Roland TB-303.
The in -and outputs are very basic; Three CV inputs are available, and the sum of the voltages from these affects the filter cut-off.
And an audio in- and output are also available, with one level knob.
That is the same layout as the A-102 and the A120 so sadly there is no CV control over the resonance.
Luckily the resonance cán be adjusted with a knob, all the way up to self-oscillation.
And how does it sound?
I've always loved the sound of a real Roland TB-303 and the sound of it's filter.
This one sounds very nice too, it has that nice warmth in the lows, and the typical sharp edge when resonating, but don't expect that you can re-create a whole TB-303 with just this single module.
Some of the TB-303's other features, like the glide, accent and envelope modulation are missing here, and they (partly) give the legendary acid machine it's very original character.With some creative patching you should get very close to re-creating that original Acid sound...
I got pretty close by using my MAQ 16/3 for the sequence, and the A-160/A-161 Clock Divider/Sequencer combo for additional 'accents'. (You can add an LFO, or Noise for more random accents to experiment with / ,an A-142 VC Decay/Gate envelope is also a useful addition with CV modulation to CV2 of the A-103 to create basslines like that* )
Overall this filter module can be a nice addition to your Eurorack. (7/10)
Video: Doepfer A-100 does TB303
* thanks to Jakob Paulussen (@Jakobsweb) for that last tip and the kind permission to embed his video here. More info on the video after the break:
The A-124 is a special 12dB multimode filter using the filter circuit of the EDP Wasp, a monophonic black and yellow analog synthesizer, that was built around the end of the seventies and manufactured by the UK company Electronic Dream Plant.
I totally love the sound of the A-124 Wasp Filter module. It does have it's own special sound due to the special circuits in it which makes the module sound a little dirty and distorted. This can sound very nice with extreme filtersweeps, i often control the cut-off frequency with the pressure CV from the A-198 Ribbon Controller.
The module has 2 audio outputs; a band-pass and a combined low/notch/high pass output that can be controlled with the 'mix' knob that defines the relative amounts of low and high pass signals.
( middle position is notch )
One downside of the module is the lack of a QCV input like most A-100 filters have, so sadly the Resonance cannot be controlled via an external voltage. You can only adjust this manually.
It would have been nice if the Mix could also be controlled by CV... IMHO
Out of the box this filter can't go into self oscillation, in contrast to most of the other filters in the A-100 system, but modifying for self-oscillation is quite easy;
Soldering a 10k resistor in parallel to R13 (27k) leads to self-oscillation of the filter at the max. resonance setting of the resonance control.*
The first Doepfer filter that i ever bought was the A-121 Multimode Filter. It is a 12 dB/Octave filter, and has multiple simultaneous outputs available; a Low-Pass, Band-Pass, High-Pass and Notch (or Band Reject).
It also has 4 CV inputs, 2 for adjusting the cutoff frequency and 2 for resonance.
This is still one of my favorite filter modules, the multiple outputs are very useful, and i like all the CV inputs. It just gives you so much more control over the filter, and that's what i like most in a module; maximum control.
Although it is 'only' a 12 dB filter it sounds very nice, from very smooth and warm up to quite rough, especially with the resonance turned up ( ...up to self-oscillation ).
Most of the times i patch an A-174-2 Wheels CV into FCV1, and a simple envelope CV to the (adjustable) FCV2. Works fine in most situations.
With some analog or digital noise added to QCV2 to give it a touch of unpredictable resonance you will quickly get a convincing fat bassline.
Together with an A-138 B (exp) Mixer you can easily make some pretty impressive stacked bass-sounds, all with just a single filter-module.
Find A-121 sound examples at Andreas Krebs Blog : HERE As the special circuit CEM3320 used in this module is no longer available the module is discontinued. I believe there are still a few available, but they don't make new ones anymore. Doepfer advices modules like the A-106-6 ( with eight simultaneous outputs! ) or A-107Multi-TypeMorphing Filter as a replacement.
I must say i am very happy with my latest module, the A-101-2 Vactrol Low Pass Gate.
This module is a combination of a 12dB Low-Pass Filter and a Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA), with 2 vactrols as controlling elements with very unique characteristics and is very popular amongst the members of the Doepfer A-100 Yahoo Users Group.
The module is based on the Buchla Model 292 Quad Voltage-Controlled Lopass Gate module. '
The term "Low Pass Gate" was first used by Don Buchla for a module that can be switched between Low-Pass and VCA.
Buchla's current (2004) update is the Model 292e Quad Dynamics Manager ,that is functionally identical to the older model, but includes some extra functions like velocity inputs, allowing controllers to control note volumes with performance gestures and preset storage.
Doepfer's LPG module can handle 2 different incoming control voltages that can be used to control the Low-Pass filter, or to open or close the VCA.
Additionally a combined mode LP + VCA is available which makes the sound more dull as the loudness decreases. This is characteristic of all acoustic instruments (the harder you strike, pluck, or bow, the richer the overtone structure), but had been lacking in electronic instrumentation before..
In contrast to the Buchla design the A-101-2 offers attenuators for both CV and audio input, a manual resonance control and two gate inputs to control the function of the module in addition to the manual toggle switch.
The filter is hard to describe, but vactrols are known for their smooth sound behavior. Compared to a 'normal' 12 dB filter like the Low-Pass filter from the A-121, they sound quite the same, but the Vactrol inside the A-101-2 does give it a smoother edge that can perhaps best be compared with a very subtle 'slew' effect. The VCA has that same 'slewy' characteristic, but doesn't sound dramatically different than a regular VCA to my ears.
The combination of the LPG and VCA, is (obviously) my favorite setting and with the resonance up this module really starts to shine. ( Resonance is adjustable all the way up to self-oscillation )
A nice extra are the 2 Gate inputs, that can make you ( rhythmically ) switch between the two functions of the module with an external sequencer or other triggers. I'm not sure if 2 Gate inputs was necessary though.., personally i had rather seen an extra CV input for the Resonance (QCV) for example.
(Perhaps this can be modified?)
Overall this is a very nice-sounding module, that i will use a lot in the near future. I'm not sure if i put it in my top-5 list of favorite modules, but it will at least be in my top 10 for the next few months.
- Check my earlier Vactrol Basics post for more general details about vactrols,
or take a look at Doepfer's Vactrol Basics page.
More about the A-101-2 LPG including an audio example at Andreas Krebs blog
It is hard to say what my favorite A-100 filter is. Every filter has its own distinctive sound, and they all have a lot of Control Voltage input possibilities. I must admit i prefer low-pass filters... and filters with many outputs.
The A-127 VC Triple Resonance Filter is 3 bandpass-filters in one, each with its own LFO (sine) with adjustable frequency. The module has 3 individually adjustable outputs plus a mix output, and with all the controls for filter frequency and resonance it is a very flexible module.
\All 3 filters have an external CV input too, that by-passes the LFO when a plug is inserted in the socket. The amount of incoming CV's can be attenuated with a knob.
I love the sound of it, one of the characteristics of the 12 dB/Octave filters is that it can produce almost vowel-like sounds. The LFO's can create amazing filter-sweeps as well with the frequency-rate adjuster. As modulation inputs various CV's can be used like ADSR's and other LFO's (triangle/saw/rev saw). Inputting voltages from any Wheel, Joystick or Theremin modules are also awesome ways to control this massive module.
You can even turn this module into a Triple Low-Pass Filter by changing internal jumpers, another nice feature. It might not be my most favorite filter of all, but this one is still the most-used filter that i own at the moment...
Module A-122 (VCF 3) is a voltage-controlled low-pass filter, which's circuitry uses a Curtis Electromusic chip (CEM3320), and sounds very similar to the classic Oberheim filter that was used in the OB8, OBX-a and Xpander synthesizers.
Perhaps the best known low-pass filter in analogue synthesis was developed by Dr Robert (Bob) Moog in the late sixties.
The first Doepfer filter that i ever bought was the A-121 Multimode Filter. It is a 12 dB/Octave filter, and has multiple simultaneous outputs available; a Low-Pass, Band-Pass, High-Pass and Notch (or Band Reject).
I must say i am very happy with my latest module, the A-101-2 Vactrol Low Pass Gate.
In contrast to the Buchla design the A-101-2 offers attenuators for both CV and audio input, a manual resonance control and two gate inputs to control the function of the module in addition to the manual toggle switch.
Inputting voltages from any Wheel, Joystick or Theremin modules are also awesome ways to control this massive module.