A-116 Voltage Controlled Waveform Processor

Another good way to mess up your audio (and CV signals) is with the A-116 VC Waveform Processor module.

After the input amplifier, the signal goes through two parallel processors: a clipping circuit, and an asymmetrical amplifier.
In a way you could see this module as a cut-down version of the A-137-1 that i reviewed in an earlier post.
Cut-down, but still very effective...

The processed signals are added together and sent to the output.
Clipping-Level and Symmetry amounts are manually controllable, but can also be modulated by control voltages like ADSR's, LFO's, Noise, etcetera.

It is a fun module to experiment with, although i haven't used it in a while.
Take a look at the video by Hawklord2112 that gives a nice impression of what this module can do.

Video: A-116 Demo

" basic functions of the A116 VC Waveform Processor from Doepfer. "

Find more of his videos at http://www.youtube.com/hawklord2112

LFO's A-145 and A-147

Low Frequency Oscillators or LFO's produce periodic control voltages that can be used as a modulation source for all kinds of other modules.

The A-145 LFO1 was the first and one the most basic single Low Frequency Oscillators that Doepfer sold.
It provides 5 different waveforms; sine,sawtooth, triangle, pulse and inverted sawtooth ,and each waveform has their individual (and simultaneous) output.
With the Frequency-knob and the 3-way switch you can select a wide range of frequencies, from on cycle every minute up to audio frequency at the highest.
A reset input allows you to synchronize the LFO signal to an external trigger signal and each trigger will re-start the waveform from its zero-point.

The most obvious use for an LFO is to do some pitch modulation on a VCO to create a vibrato and to modulate amplifiers (VCA's) for a tremolo effect, but with a creative mind you can use these two modules for all kinds of sound manipulating.

The A-147 Voltage Controlled LFO is basically the same LFO as the A-145.
It doesn't have one of the A-145's sawtooth waves, but does have an extra Control Voltage input that is very useful.
Think of an A-174-2 Wheels Module or A-174-1 Joystick Controller as the most used control voltages, but dare to think further... how about controlling the A-147 frequency with noise or perhaps another LFO for example?
My personal favorite use is to put a voltage of an A-198 Ribbon Controller or Theremin Voltage though the CV input and send it to an VCA to get a tremolo effect, but at a higher frequency in the higher notes.

I will discuss the A-146 LFO2 in a future post because it is a slightly different module with different features and uses.

A-136 Distortion / Waveshaper

The A-136 Distortion/Waveshaper module is a nice distortion/wave-shaping module with external CV control possibilities. It can be used for audio-distortion, but also to modify control voltages ( create new control waveforms made from LFO, ADSR, or Random voltages ) with it.

The module divides the incoming signal into 3 different components; the positive, the negative and the original signal. The 5 knobs and the 2 CV inputs let you adjust the positive and negative amplification and the clipping levels.

With all the different different settings you can create complex wave-shapes and impressive sounds, but to be fair, i have heard better (extended?) distortions. This might perhaps be the reason why Doepfer advices you to use it in combination with filters... not sure though...

For mild and subtle distortions this module sounds alright, but the wilder, clipping distortions are a bit too extreme for me.
Personally i prefer the A-137 Wave Multiplier or the A-116 WP Waveform Processor controlled by random voltages, for the more interesting ( subtle and extremer ) wave-shaping.

Happy Modding II - Joystick Spring Removal

The A-174 Joystick Controller outputs 2 control voltages, generated by a spring-loaded X/Y cross potentiometer.
Two springs inside the module take care that the controlling lever returns to it's centre position if untouched.

One very easy modification is the removal of a spring from this module


The process of removing is quite simple, and is described clearly on the Doepfer DIY page / section 4.2.10.

I decided to remove one spring only, the horizontal one. ( X-axis )
This way the Controller stays fixed, even if i let go of the lever, and doesn't automaticly go back to the middle.

If you do this to the Y-axis ( vertical ) of the module, the lever would fall down to it's lowest position due to gravity, which also can be handy in some situations, but not mine at the moment.

This small modification adds just that tiny bit more flexibility to my setup.

Note: Pay attention that warranty is lost if the joystick is modified !

A-174-2 Modulation Wheels CV Source

Last week i received my latest A-100 Module.
It's the A-174-2, Modulation Wheels CV Source, a module with two wheels.
I got the original version, with a spring loaded wheel at the left side with bipolar voltage output, and a wheel without spring at the right side with only positive voltage output.

It doesn't make any sounds, but it does offer me more (voltage) control over the sound. Both wheels deliver two identical voltage outputs.

First times i tried it out was in combination with the filters, adding voltage to the cutoff range and adding resonance... very basic stuff, but impressive.
This should also work very well with the Voltage Inverter Module (A-175), i can't wait to try this (and more) out soon.

I can't say it is the prettiest module because the wheels are quite large, but they feel great and seem to react very accurate.

Best Friends Forever I

Van PatchPierre

A few times a year i unwire my whole A-100 system, it's like putting up a fresh canvas. New inspiration, new sounds in this case.

There are a few thing i never unwire, because i use them that much.

My first example is this one; The A-174 Joystick and the A-175 Dual Voltage Inverter.
They both sit neatly next to each-other in my rack, and i always keep the two yellow cables between them connected. What a dynamic duo...

I use my A-174 the most for controlling the cutoff of filters or for controlling the speed of the A-147 Voltage Controlled LFO module

The A-175 is such a simple but effective module, and its inputs are internally linked, so you can use the other socket as a mini-multiple

This allowes you to have both control voltages and its identical inverted voltages available at the same time.