Doepfer A-157-4 Module, Trigger Sequencer Midi/USB/control outputs Announced for Superbooth 2018

A wide range of more than 200 exhibitors is now preparing for the upcoming Superbooth event (May 03 until 05, 2018,) in Berlin.
The program for the three days consists of exhibitions, concerts, workshops, DIY and more.
You can find all info at https://www.superbooth.com/

Doepfer will be there too, ofcourse... and besides the already announced 'new' modules, they will also show a new expansion-module for the A-157 Trigger Sequencer combo (or Mini Schaltwerk), the A-157-4 Midi/USB/control outputs.

They will have a working prototype available that will be shown at Superbooth.

It offers the control signals Start, Stop, Reset and Clock as outputs so that the A-157 module combo can be used as master for other devices (e.g. A-154/A-155, another A-157 or other sequencers).
It also connects the A-157 to Midi (in and out) and USB.

Doepfer will be demonstrating the A-157-4 at the Superbooth controlling the instruments of a Roland TR-8 via Midi or USB.

The Doepfer booth number is O212.

New Doepfer A-157-1/2/3 Trigger Sequencer Prototypes

Doepfer has published another (4th?) collection of new prototypes of the A-157-1/2/3, and seem to be preparing it for a NAMM 2015 lauch...
I have been following this project since February 2011, and i am still looking forward to this one...

The graphics have changed, the A-157-1, the main trigger part with 160 buttons and 160 leds, has a nice black-and-silver colorscheme, and the function buttons on the right side have been labelled now...

The full subsystem will still contain several modules:

- The LED/button matrix module A-157-1,
It seems to feature some nice functions like Invert Row (when shift left and right are operated simultaneously) have been added for each row, plus mute and select for each track, shift pattern, first/last step and different running modes (fwd/back/pendulum/random)

- The trigger output module A-157-2
The A-157-2 provides single outputs for each track

- , and one of the control modules (A-157-3, A-157-4 ...)
A simple controller with basic functions like start/stop, reset and clock, which can  be controlled via input triggers or the dedicated push-buttons.

Release date: ~ early in 2015 (NAMM!?)

(only A-157-1 ... 3, so far there is no release date available for the planned module A-157-4 and the stand-alone unit Dark Flow!)

Update January 16 2016:

Dieter in the Doepfer Yahoo Usergroup:

"The A-157 are now in production and the first batch will be shipped ~ middle of February. But it depends upon the orders of your dealer when they arrive at your dealer. As far as I know the first batch is already sold out."

Read all my earlier A-157 Trigger Sequencer blog-posts at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/search/label/A-157

Note: I replaced the Version 2 frontpanels by the final Version 3 ones

Source: http://www.doepfer.de/a157.htm

A-157 Trigger Sequencer Final Prototype?

A new picture has been posted to the Facebook Doepfer A-100 Analog Modular Synthesizer group of what appears to be the latest version of the A-157 Trigger Sequencer (or Mini Schaltwerk) prototype design.

This new version (prototype 3?) has even more buttons, 32 more than prototype 2 to be exactly, that brings the total to 160(!) buttons.

Doepfer A-157 Trigger Sequencer Prototype 3?

The picture seems to come from Dieter Doepfer himself , the latest panel design comes with new features like mute , invert , and left/right buttons for each row that can shift a row one step to the left or right.

This is probably the final design, and forms a complete trigger sequencer with the A-157-2 (8 separate trigger output module) and the A-157-3 (basic controller).

Doepfer was also planning a more complex control module A-157-4 that allows additional functions like 128 memories for trigger sequences, different clock/start/stop/reset for 2 or 4 groups of rows (e.g. common for rows 1-4 and 5-8, or in pairs), independent first/last step for each row, independent direction (forward/backward/pendulum/random) for each row, one-shot mode, LC display and so on.
But these ideas are very preliminary

Read all my earlier A-157 Trigger Sequencer blog-posts at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/search/label/A-157
I wonder what this all means for the stand-alone (Dark Flow) version of these modules that Dieter also mentioned a few years ago.

The latest info says the basic set will be available earliest Autumn 2014 (without any obligation ! )

HatTip to Kay Stollberg for sharing this

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!

Another A-157 Series Update

A little bit more info on the A-157 series (or Mini-Schaltwerk) has appeared on the Future Models section of the Doepfer website.
The A-157 series is Doepfer's  trigger sequencer sub-unit with 8 tracks, and 16 steps each.

Doepfer A-157 Trigger Sequencer, as shown at

MusikMesse 2012. Picture by @Cymatics

I am still looking forward to this module, ever since it first appeared on the website and on exhibitions, and i wrote about the various prototypes several times already.
Find all PatchPierre posts about the progress on the A-157  HERE

The biggest announcement is that the series will not include two, but three separate modules;

A-157-1: A button/LED control unit with 8x16 momentary switches and LEDs, 8 trigger outputs

A-157-2: A standard control unit for A-157-1, inputs and buttons for Start, Stop, Reset and Clock, memory for at least 64 patterns

A-157-3: An enhanced control unit for A-157-1 with still to be specified features (e.g. separate Clock/Start/Stop functions for each row or groups of rows, forward/backward/pendulum/random, shifting of tracks relative to the other tracks, ...)

The A-157-1 and A-157-2 are planned for the end of 2012/early in 2012, price is still unknown.

So far there is no planned release date for the A-157-3

Future Modules Update

Last week, Dieter Doepfer took the time to answer some questions in the Yahoo Doepfer A-100 Usergroup on the state of the new modules that will be released this year. I did mention most of them earlier, so no big news this time, but some really informative background info.

About the A-190-5 (four voice polyphonic Midi to CV/Gate interface):
" The new A-190-5 prototype (version with LC display) is on my table since a couple of months. But we did not continue because of some more important projects (e.g. Dark Time, Dark Energy II). I think we will be able to finish the hardware until summer (end of summer is in September :-) but I don't think that the final firmware with all planned modes will ready at that time. But we plan to add the firmware update feature via the USB interface."

Doepfer A-157 Trigger Sequencer, as shown at
MusikMesse 2012. Picture by @Cymatics

A-157 Trigger Sequencer -update:
" We are working on the A-157 right now. The new button/LED board with 16x8 is already made and tested. But we are about to redesign the control board as we determined that the microcontroller used in the first prototype (the pictures with the 8x8 board) is not powerful enough for all planned features. In addition the manufacturer announced the discontinuation of the chip. So it will still take some time until the module is ready."

He continued:
" I hope that these 3 new modules will available during this year: A-192-2 /CV/Gate-to-Midi/USB converter), A-190-5 (polyphonic USB/Midi-to-CV/Gate interface), A-157-1 (16x8 LED/button board with 8 trigger outputs), A-157-2 (control board #1 for A-157-1).
But I'm not sure about the order of the release dates.
Probably the A-192-2 will be the first one as the development is nearly finished (we have to built one more prototype and hope it will be the last one).

We (also) think about a "real" ASR (analog shift register) module because the A-152 cannot be used as ASR in all applications.
But this has no priority at the moment and is not yet mentioned in our list of planned modules."

Note: Please don't call or mail them too often at Doepfer about release-dates or updates of future modules. The Doepfer website is updated very regularly, so you will find all the latest info THERE...

MusikMesse 2012 Dark Energy II and A-157 News and Pictures

The Dark Energy II prototype with
Dieter in the background

As promised a few pictures from the Doepfer goodies at the Alex4 booth from the MusikMesse this year.

The most interesting Doepfer product on exhibit was by far the new Dark Energy II, that looks surprisingly the same as the Dark Energy I.
The DE II will be available this summer.
Check the specifications of the DE II HERE.

Dieter also had a pleasant announcement that the CEM3394 will probably be fabricated again (but it's not certain when they will be available), so there is a possibility that the Dark Energy (I) will also return once those chips arrive...

A closer look at the Dark Energy II

The A-157 (or 'Mini Schaltwerk') Trigger
Sequencer prototype

The A-157 (or 'Mini Schaltwerk') that was on display again didn't look much different than what we saw at NAMM 2010.
Doepfer could however confirm that this module will probably available around june 2012.
I haven't had a chance to talk to Doepfer about it, but i do hope they will switch the layout; inputs on the left and outputs on the right, but that is just a personal preference.

You can watch a short interview with Dieter Doepfer (in German) and some sound-examples of the new DE II by De:Bug Magazin Musikelektronik  HERE
...and another video of the big Doepfer modular in the Alex4 booth by SessionMusikTV (also in German) HERE

*Pictures exclusively made for PatchPierre by @cymatics, check out his music and blog at
http://cymaticsmukick.bandcamp.com and http://howdoyoumakemusic.tumblr.com

MusikMesse 2012 - Alex4 Booth

This year you will find Doepfer products at the MusikMesse (in Frankfurt/ Germany), that started today, in hall 5.1 at booth D86 of their new distribution partner Alex4.

Alex4 is Doepfer's latest partner that aims to "collect regular products and innovations from smallest manufacturers in Europe, the USA or elsewhere to promote and sell them with specialized retail partners over europe fulfilling all european regulations while trying best to go a „green“ way wherever this could be possible."

They also distribute other (small) analog synthesizer brands like Alyseum, Cwejman, Flame, Kenton, Manikin, MFB, MIDI Solutions, Moon Modular, OTO Machines, Sherman SND, Studio Electronics, Vermona and WMD, so they have a very exciting booth at the MusikMesse

Dark Energy II working prototype,
as shown at MusikMesse 2012

A big A-100-System is on exhibit, and the first working prototype of the Dark Energy II is shown at the booth.
Dieter Doepfer was also there today to tell more about their latest products.

Besides the Dark Energy redesign you could also see the A-157 Trigger Sequencer (or so-called 'Mini Schaltwerk') again, although it is still the same version that was shown 2 years ago at NAMM 2010.

The current state of the A-157 is that the new pcb with 8x16 buttons and LEDs is already made and that Doepfer is about to develop the controller board. There is no release date available yet.

Other newsworthy bit was that the Dark Energy 1 will probably return, because the chipmaker that made the CEM3394 chip has promised to start making those chips again. No (re-)release date yet, but i personally don't expect the return of the DE1 this year...

Most of Doepfer's OEM products, the USB/Midi-to-CV/Sync interfaces and the master keyboards were also shown, and loads of other cool hardware from the other brands.

MusikMesse still lasts until March 24...
More info at
http://musik.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/besucher/willkommen.html

Many thanks to 'special reporter' at MusikMesse:

@Leonathorst from http://leonathorst.tumblr.com/