Showing posts with label Re-design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Re-design. Show all posts

Friday, May 03, 2019

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

Thursday, March 31, 2016

New Doepfer High End VCOs A-111-2, A-111-3 and A-111-4 Thru-Zero Announced

Doepfer has announced two new High End VCO's at the Superbooth event in Berlin (March 31st - April 2nd, 2016)

The A-111-2 is based on the CEM3340 Rev G chip
There was a close cooperation between Doepfer and OnChip since 2015 regarding to the new re-issue of the CEM3340 and they received the first samples in January during NAMM for development.
The first production batch of the CEM3340 Rev G arrived 2 weeks ago and the production of the A-111-2 has started during the next few days (they are still waiting for the latest front panel and pcb samples). 
Doepfer expects the first modules to be finished around the end of July/August. 
The A-111-3 is also based on the CEM3340 Rev G ,and Doepfer is working on a Thru-Zero VCO based on the CEM3340 Rev G too (module A-111-4).

The Doepfer A-111-2High End Voltage Controlled Oscillator II is the successor of the obsolete High End VCO I A-111-1 and here are the most important features of the planned module:

Triangle core, min. 15 octaves pitch range (typ. 0.5Hz - 20kHz)
perfect 1V/octave tracking over min. 12 octaves (typ. 5Hz - 20kHz)
Exponential frequency controls and inputs:
Tune (~ 1 octave range)
Fine (~ 1 semitone range)
A-111-2 Prototype June 2016
Octave (range switch with 6 positions)
1V/octave CV input
XFM input with attenuator
access to bus CV (via jumper, optional)
Linear frequency controls:
LF (manual linear frequency control: fully CW = standard setting for usual VCO applications, fully CCW: close to 0Hz frequency)
LFM input with attenuator, DC coupled

Pulsewidth controls for rectangle output:
PW (manual pulsewidth control from 0%/output = fixed at "low" state up to 100% / output fixed at "high" state)
PWM input with attenuator
Hard Sync input
Soft Sync input
Waveform outputs:
Sawtooth
Rectangle (with PWM)
Triangle
Sine
Nearly "perfect" waveforms (no glitches)
High end triangle to sine converter with excellent sine waveshape (thanks to Tim Stinchcombe who recommended this circuit)

14 HP Width
Price: about Euro 250.00
Available: spring/early summer 2016

The other new High End VCO  is the A-111-3 High End Precision VCO with a panelwidth of just 4HP.
Essentially it's the same basic circuit as the A-111-2 but with reduced features:

A-111-3 High
End Precision
VCO
Triangle core, min. 15 octaves pitch range (typ. 0.5Hz - 20kHz with appropriate external CV)
Perfect 1V/octave tracking over min. 12 octaves (typ. 5Hz - 20kHz)
Exponential frequency controls and inputs:
Tune (~ 1 or ~ 10 octaves range, selectable via internal jumper, maybe different ranges in the final version)
1V/octave CV input
XM input with attenuator
access to bus CV (via jumper, optional)
Linear frequency controls:
LM input with attenuator, DC coupled


Pulsewidth controls for rectangle output:
PW (manual pulsewidth control from 0%/output = fixed at "low" state up to 100% / output fixed at "high" state)
PW input (without attenuator)
Sync input (selectable hard or soft sync via internal jumper)

Waveform outputs:
Sawtooth
Rectangle (with PWM)
Triangle
Nearly "perfect" waveforms (no glitches)
Only 4HP wide panel

Price: about Euro 150.00
Available: spring/early summer 2016

All features, specifications, prices, date of delivery are still without obligation
Source: http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Doepfer A-121 Multimode Filter Re-Design

A-121-2 Re-design
We all knew a re-design of the Doepfer A-121 Multimode Filter has been in the pipeline for a while, due to the unavailability of certain chips inside.

Since the beginning this has always been one of my favourite filters, because of it's sophisticated sound and the VC infut for resonance control. Oh, and the multiple simultanuous outputs...

At Namm 2016 Doepfer will present the A-121-2, the successor of the obsolete module A-121.
The circuitry is totally different from the A-121 which used the obsolete CEM3320 filter circuit. 

Module A-121 is a voltage-controlled multi-mode filter with a cut-off slope of -12 dB / octave.
Four simultaneous outputs are available, each with different characteristics: low-pass, band-pass, high-pass and notch (or band reject). 
The cut-off frequency determines the point at which the respective filter effects appear. 
The frequency can be adjusted manually, or by voltage control (Filter modulation, for instance by an LFO or ADSR). 
Two CV inputs are available, whose control voltages are summed. Resonance (Emphasis or Q ) can be adjusted manually, or by voltage control, right up to self-oscillation, in which case it will behave like a sine wave oscillator.

The sound of the new module A-121-2 is identical to filter of the Dark Energy II but has been expanded by the voltage controlled resonance feature (like the original A-121).

Read all about the specs of the original A-121 at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2011/03/filters-ii-121-vcf2-multimode-filter.html

The modules will cost Euro 120.00 and will be available around March 2016

Source: Doepfer.com

Doepfer in Black... Vintage Style

Exciting news from Doepfer for this upcoming NAMM2016.

First this:
Finally they decided to release modules featuring black frontpanels with white print and vintage style knobs.
The result is truly stunning... i would love to change all my silver frontpanels rightaway :)
It will also look great with their latest series of Special Edition modules.

Doepfer A-100 System in black, with vintage-style knobs (click to enlarge)
Imagine this with their new colored knobs too... i'm very excited for this :)

So far for these modules vintage versions are planned:
A-110-1 Standard VCO, ƒA-110-2 Basic VCO, A-114 Ring Modulator, ƒA-118 Noise/Random, A-120 24dB Transistor Ladder Lowpass Filter, A-132-3 Dual Linear/Exponential VCA, A-138 Mixer, A-140 ADSR, A-147-2 VCDLFO, A-148 S&H/T&H, A-180-2 2x4 Multiple and the A-190-3 USB/MIDI-to-CV/Gate Interface.
If there are sufficient inquiries they will offer the black panels and vintage style knobs as spare parts.
There are also plans to offer more modules with black panels (e.g. the sequencer series A-154/A-155/A-156).

Each module (old and new ones) will be available in any case in the standard version (i.e. silver-grey aluminium with grey knobs).
But they will offer some modules also in the vintage edition (black front panels with black glossy vintage style knob with metal disc
at the top) or other Special Editions (like the black/yellow A-124 Wasp, the blue/white A-110-4 Thru Zero Quadrature VCO or the (upcoming) cream/black A-106-5). So there is no need to dispute. Simply order the version you prefer.

Angled view (click to enlarge)

After NAMM Doepfer will decide how they will proceed...
 
Update 22/02/2016:

Presumably in April 2016 these modules will follow as vintage versions:
A-112 Sampler, A-138b Mixer, A-154 Seq, A-155 Seq, A-156 Dual Quantizer, A-160-5, A-170 Slew Limiter, A-188-1 BBD and A-199 Spring Reverb.


Likewise the Low Cost Cases A-100LC3, A-100LC6, A-100LC9 and A-100LCB will be available in black coated versions from April 2016. 
The above picture shows the vintage modules mounted into a black A-100LC3. 
More information, prices, picture, release dates will be available about middle of March 2016. 
The surcharges will be in the range Euro 45 (A-100LC3) to Euro 80 (A-100LC9).

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Doepfer A-139-2 Headphone Amplifier Announced

A-139-2 Headphone
Amplifier
Doepfer also announced a re-design of their (discontinued) A-139 headphone amplifier (find the original version HERE)

Main features:

- Two-channel headphone amplifier
- Two audio inputs with level controls
- Input 1 is normalled to Input 2
- Common loudness/master level control
- Headphone output (stereo 1/4" jack socket)
- Max. output power ~ 2 W per channel (@ 8 Ohm load)
- DC coupled inputs and outputs (i.e. also useful for other applications like small loudspeakers, lamps, LEDs, magnets, motors - provided that the power is sufficient)

6 HP wide - 40mm deep
Price: ~ Euro 50.00
Release date: spring 2015
All features, specifications, prices, date of delivery are still without obligation !

Source: Doepfer website http://www.doepfer.de/a1392.htm

Thursday, November 27, 2014

MakeNoise Richter Wogglebug Update

MakeNoise gave their Richter Wogglebug a nice update.
"The "WoggleBug" is a random voltage generator, originally designed by Grant Richter of Wiard Synthesizers.

Richter Wogglebug Re-design
It is a continuation of the "smooth" and "stepped" fluctuating random voltage sources pioneered by Don Buchla within the Model 265 "Source of Uncertainty," expanding it to include the other-worldly Woggle CVs (stepped voltages with decaying sinusoids edges). 
The Wogglebug is a very musical random voltage generator where it is possible to synchronize all random signal to a Master Clock. 
Guaranteed to unleash your synthesizer's ID MONSTER!

The Wogglebug features ( check out the new features below the video):
- Complete Complex Random Voltage system, no external modules necessary
- Two VCOs, Phase Lock Loop, Lag Processor, Clock, Burst Generator and Sample & Hold
- Generates 7 Random Signals simultaneously: Smooth VCO, Woggle VCO, Ring Mod, Stepped, Smooth, Woggle, Burst
- Generates ultra stable, voltage controlled Master Clock
- External inputs for S&H (Heart IN) and Ring-Mod (Influence)
- Disturb button adds performance element
- Wonderful for modulating the Phonogene and DPO

Video: Make Noise Richter Wogglebug

" The Wogglebug is a random voltage generator, originally designed by Grant Richter of Wiard Synthesizers. It is a continuation of the "smooth" and "stepped" fluctuating random voltage sources pioneered by Don Buchla within the Model 266 "Source of Uncertainty."
New features in the Richter Wogglebug:

- A much more stable clock output with the widest frequency range yet seen on a Wogglebug. The clock now goes up to about 200Hz, allowing the Control Voltage and Gate OUTputs to be heard directly as different flavors of analog and digital noise.
- In previous Wogglebugs, the clock had been locked to the internal Sample and Hold Circuit. Now, with the Richter Wogglebug, the clock can be freed by the independent External Clock INput or the Disturb Button. Regardless of what is happening at these control points, the Internal Clock OUTput will continue to run at the specified rate, keeping it open for use as a Master Clock at all times.
- The Disturb Button allows the Sample and Hold Circuit to be clocked manually: press to sample, release to hold. When the Wogglebug is running fast, this can slow it down. When running slow or not at all, this kicks it in the ass and delivers the next set of random values.
- The Smooth VCO is a brand new waveform, Sharktooth.
- The Influence input has a greater effect on all parts of the Wogglebug's psyche than the previous Ring Mod input.
- The Burst output is more active and ALL portions of the Wogglebug are more responsive to control and touch." 

Video uploaded by MAKEN0ISE

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Doepfer A-147-2 Voltage Controlled Delayed LFO Announced

Doepfer recently announced the A-147-2, the successor of the VCLFO A-147.
This module but offers more features than the predecessor and is made of the following sub-units:

VCLFO: voltage controlled low frequency oscillator
VCA: voltage controlled amplifier, switchable to voltage controlled polarizer
VC delay unit: voltage controlled linear attack envelope (only one parameter: attack) for delayed LFO operation in combination with the VCA (e.g. delayed vibrato/tremolo)

"LFO: The voltage controlled LFO has the waveforms Triangle, Sine, Sawtooth and Rectangle available and features a Reset/Sync input. Triangle/Sine and Rectangle are displayed by means of dual-color LEDs (probably red/green), Sawtooth has a unicolor LED available (probably blue). 
The output levels are about -4V...+4V for Triangle, Sine and Rectangle. 
The Sawtooth level is about 0...+8V.
The CV control can be switched to attenuator or polarizer ("CV Mode" switch). 
In polarizer mode the CV inputs affects the frequency in the reverse manner when the CV control is left from the center position. In the center position CV has no effect and right from the center the control works like a normal attenuator. 
The frequency range (without external CV) is from about 0,005 Hz (i.e. about 3 minutes per periode) to 200 Hz. In addition a ultra-low mode can be activated by means of an internal jumper. 
When the ultra-low jumper is set a fixed voltage is connected to the switching contact of the "LFO CV" socket. In polarizer mode of the CV control that way extremely low frequencies (up to one hour period and more) are possible.

VCA: This is a linear VCA that can be switched to "normal" VCA (i.e. kind of a voltage controlled attenuator) or voltage controlled polarizer ("VCA Mode" switch). 
In the "normal" VCA mode amplification +1 is achieved with about +5V control voltage. 
In polarizer mode the amplification ranges from about -0.5 (i.e. inverted signal with about 50% level) with 0V CV to +0.5 (i.e. non-inverted signal with about 50% level) with +5V CV. With about +2.5V CV the signal is suppressed.
Details about the functioning of a voltage controlled polarizer can be found in the description of the module A-133. In this mode the VCA can be treated also a DC coupled ring modulator (similar to A-114).
The VCA of the A-147-2 has three sockets available: "In" (signal input), "Out" (signal output) and "CV" (control voltage input).
The Triangle Output of the LFO is normalled to the VCA signal input by means of the switching contact of the "VCA In" socket. If another LFO waveform (or any other signal) should be processed by the VCA the corresponding signal has to be patched to the "VCA In" socket. 
The VCA can be used also independently from the LFO and the Delay CV. 
In this case the VCA sockets In, Out and CV have to be patched accordingly. The VCA can be used also as waveshaper for the LFO signals (e.g. by patching VCA In and VCA CV to different LFO signals, if necessary via attenuator A-183-1 or offset generator/attenuator A-183-2).

A-147-2 block diagram
Attack/Delay: The third sub-unit of the module is a simple, voltage controlled envelope generator that has only the parameter "Delay" (or Attack) available. 
This unit generates a linear increasing voltage that starts from 0V after each Delay Reset until it reaches about +5V.
Then the voltage remains at +5V until the next Delay Reset occurs. 
The inclination or gradient is controlled by the manual Delay control and the Delay control voltage ("Delay CV" input). 
The waveform is linear, the control scale is exponential. The output voltage is displayed by a unicolor LED (probably orange) and available at the "Delay Out" socket.
The manual Delay control ranges - without external "Delay CV" - from about 5ms (fully CW) up to 2 minutes (fully CCW). By means of an external voltage applied to the "Delay CV" socket this range can be extended. A rising CV shortens the delay time (behaviour like a VCO) !
The Delay output voltage ranges from about 0V to +5V. The rising edge of the gate, clock or trigger signal applied to the "Delay Reset" sockets resets the Delay output voltage to 0 V.
"Delay Out" is normalled to the VCA CV input by means of the switching contact of the "VCA CV" socket and consequently controls the Triangle level provided that no other patch is made. 
A typical example is the usage of a Gate signal (e.g. from a USB/Midi-to-CV/Gate interface) as Delay Reset. 
That way a delayed vibrato or tremolo can be realized if the VCA output is patched to the frequency CV input of a VCO (or VCF), or the CV input of a VCA.
But the Delay sub-unit can be used also independently from the LFO and VCA, e.g. as a voltage controlled waveshaper or for other applications where a linear increasing signal with voltage controlled steepness is required."

The module is planned for early 2015, price ~ Euro 120.00, price and release date are still without obligation !

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Doepfer A-160-2 Clock Divider II Announced

Doepfer announced a few new modules modules this week.
Starting with this one:

The A-160-2 Clock Divider II is an enhanced version of the standard clock divider A-160.
The 4HP wide module is a frequency divider for clock/trigger/gate signals, designed to be a source of lower frequencies, particularly for rhythm uses.
Doepfer A-160-2
The Clock input will take any digital signal from, eg., an LFO, MIDI sync, or the gate from a MIDI-CV interface.
At the outputs, you have access to three sets of seven different sub-divided clock signals, from half
the clock frequency down to 1/128.
The low/high levels of the output signals are 0V and about +10V.
The A-160-2 also has a reset input. Whenever a reset signal is sensed, all outputs are set to certain levels which depend upon the selected mode.

These are the most important features of the module:

- Three different sets of dividing factors, selected by a three-position switch at the front panel: power of two: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128
prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17
integer: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Two output modes, selected by a two-position switch at the front panel:
- Gate mode: outputs act like the outputs of typical binary dividers
- Trigger mode: in this mode the outputs are AND-wired with the clock signal (i.e. the clock pulsewidth affects the pulsewidth of the outputs)
- Clock edge type selected by a jumper on the pc board:
positive: the rising edge of the clock signal triggers the state change of the outputs
negative: the falling edge of the clock signal triggers the state change of the outputs
- Reset behaviour by two jumpers on the pc board:
level triggered: the level at the Reset input triggers the Reset
edge triggered: the edge of the signal at the Reset input triggers the Reset
positive: a high level (> 2.5V) or the rising edge at the Reset input triggers the Reset
negative: a low level (< 1 V) or the falling edge at the Reset input triggers the Reset
- Output polarity selected by a jumper on the pc board:
positive: non-inverted outputs
negative: all seven outputs are inverted


The module is planned for early 2015, price ~ Euro 100.00

Update Nov 27th 2014:
" we also think about a A-161-2 which is independent from the A-160 (i.e. own clock and reset). Details are not yet available, except one thing: switchable between gate and trigger mode, in trigger mode the outputs are "gated" with the incoming clock signal. 
And we are working also on a clock multiplier module (A-160-3 ?). 
But the release dates, prices and detailed features for these new modules are not yet available."

Sources: Doepfer website
and Dieter Doepfer via the Yahoo Doepfer A-100 usergroup https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Doepfer_a100/conversations/messages/25947

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. -

Monday, June 10, 2013

Doepfer A-135-1 Voltage Controlled Mixer Re-Design

Old version of the A-135
The original A-135 module was a simple quad voltage controlled mixer.
It was made of 4 independent linear VCA's, mixed to one common output.
For each VCA the following inputs and controls were available: audio input with attenuator, control voltage input with attenuator, gain (pre-amplification).
The VCA's were realized with high-quality CEM VCA's (CEM3381).

The module could be used for voltage controlled mixing of up to 4 audio signals with separate control voltages (e.g. by LFO's, ADSR's, Random, Shepard generator, MIDI-to-CV interface or other control voltage sources).

In June last year, Doepfer announced the re-design of several modules because of shortage of CEM3080 Chips that were used in this A-135 and other modules.
This year a few of these re-designed modules were released, each in a slightly extended/ improved version (like the A-130/131 that are now also DC-coupled, and the recently announced A-141-2).*

A-135-1 Redesign of the A-135
This new version of the A-135 also has some nice extras in the form of a Sum Out and 4 single outputs for each channel instead of only one (Mixed) Audio output on the original A-135.
They've also managed to make it only 18 HP instead of  22 HP wide.

The new version of the A-135-1 is also able to process slowly varying control voltages because the signal in/outputs are DC coupled.

The new version is manufactured from May 2013 and is available now.

* More re-designs were also promised to us last year, like the A-107, A-116A-127, A-132-1, A-147, A-171), so that promises a lot for the future...

Find more about various Doepfer re-designs via http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/search/label/Re-design

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Doepfer A-127 VCRF Re-Design

I almost missed this between all Doepfer's other MusikMesse announcements;
As of April 2013 the Voltage Controlled Resonance Filter A-127 is available in an improved version.
Instead of the CA3080 chip (not available anymore) that was used in the original versions, new high-end circuits (SSM2164) are now used.

Doepfer A-127 Triple Voltage Controlled Resonance Filter
"The SSM2164 chip contains four independent voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs) in a single package. High performance (100 dB dynamic range, 0.02% THD) is provided at a very low cost-per-VCA, resulting in excellent value for cost sensitive gain control applications.
Each VCA offers current input and output for maximum design flexibility, and a ground referenced -33 mV/dB control port."

A-127 + Expander
This is probably the Doepfer filter that i use the most, and the brand new re-design also promises to reduces the noise floor and the distortion clearly, according to Doepfer.
(The noise that i never really noticed before...)

The price of the new A-127 VCRF remains unchanged.

Check out how to make an A-127 expander module HERE.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

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!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

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.

Friday, June 01, 2012

New Doepfer Re-Designs Due to CA3080 Shortage


After the unplanned re-design of the Dark Energy (due to the unavailability of the CEM3394 chip ) there now seem to be more re-designs of Doepfer Modules coming up.

This time the problem is the availability of CA3080 (and 3080E) chips.
The CA3080 (datasheet PDF) is a 2MHz Operational Trans-conductance Amplifier (OTA), which is used in quite a few Doepfer (and other brands) modules and there seems to be no direct replacement equivalent.
The original chip itself hasn't been produced since 1975 and the wafers have all been used up a couple of years ago, according to some sources.
No-one seems to have decent stock anymore, and there was a buying craze when it went out of production.

That does mean that some Doepfer modules have to be re-designed in the near future because of this obsolete integrated circuit ( like the A-107, A-116, A-127, A-130, A-131, A-132-1, A-141, A-142-1, A-147, A-171). 

This will take a lot of precious time for Doepfer that would otherwise be spent on manufacturing new modules.
Sadly these re-designs will not have any obvious benefit for the customers.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Most Wanted - Future Modules Update

It is always good to keep an eye on the posts from the Doepfer Yahoo Usergroup.
Not only to get answer to all the A-100 questions you have, the DIY-tips, and the interesting module discussions but also for Dieter Doepfer's own input, troubleshooting and the occasional company updates.
In one of his latest posts he announced a few interesting 'new' things on Doepfer's to-do list, including a few that are not yet on Doepfer's Future Module page.

The ones you can already find on that page are the A-190-5 polyphonic USB/Midi-to-CV/Gate interface, the A-142-4 Quad Decay, A-195-1 Pitch-to-CV/Midi/USB interface, A-192-2 CV/Gate to Midi interface, A-143-4 Quad VCO/VCLFO and the A-100 touch keyboard.

The original A-126(-1)
I already blogged about the forthcoming A-157 Trigger Sequencer (not much info on the Doepfer site, only in a NAMM 2010 brochure), but the update of the A-126 module was new for me.
The A-126-2 Frequency Shifter II will be a redesign of the old module. 
Because of availability of the special circuit CEM3382 used in the original module's internal quadrature VCO, the 'original' A-126 is no longer available and they had to stop the production of this module. 
It looks like Doepfer is now working hard on a succeeding model without an internal VCO.

Other modules that were mentioned were a VC Slope Generator ( no specs or further info available, but maybe something like the Serge Universal Slope Generator ?- i'm only guessing !), a Master Clock module/synced LFO, the A-100 bus board V2 with some Analoge Systems connectors ( no more Analogue Systems-to-Doepfer adaptors necessary? ), and an A-100 miniature power supply redesign 

Besides that, Dieter posted that they are also still working on various non-A-100 Doepfer products like the Dark Matter (Dark Energy expander with Noise, S&H, a second VCO, Multimode-VCF, additional waveforms and maybe some other effects), the Dark Link, and an expansion board for the DIY Synth. 
" ... still on our to-do list. But I can't say in which sequence the planned products will be released."

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...