Animodule V9A VC Sequencer / Waveshaper / Complex Envelope Demo by @DivKid

Animodule V9A

DivKid's latest Eurorack tutorial video is all about the Animodule V9A Voltage Controlled Sequencer / Waveshaper / Complex Envelope

" The V9A is a powerful animal to add to your sequencing arsenal.
Send your CV to the CV In. As the Voltage increases the sequence steps forward.

As the voltage decreases the sequence steps back.
Scale and adjust your input voltage to taste with the Onboard Attenuator and Offset.

Control the Output CV with an individual Potentiometer for each step.
When a step changes, a 10MS trigger is sent to it's corresponding switch. If the latching switch is depressed it allows the trigger to pass to the Trigger Out.
There is a switch per step for slew (portamento/slide).
and a Potentiometer to control the Slew Amount.
There is also an input to allow gated control of when the slew turns on and off which will work in conjunction with the switches."

Width: 14HP Depth: 39mm

Video: Animodule V9A

" A great module for some custom modulation even sequence, bendy LFO (through on board slew), gate trigger, CV sequencing. All sorts going on.
As always fire away with any questions and hit like and subscribe for more videos every week."

Video by Ben Wilson / DivKid - www.youtube.com/divkidvideo

Transistor Sounds Labs Stepper Acid Digitally Controlled Step Sequencer

Like most of you, i have been following this next project for a long time... but it's finally out now and the first ones have been shipped.

The Transistor Sounds Labs Stepper Acid is a 16-step Eurorack sequencer module designed by Nina Richards & Zoë Blade with live performance in mind.
The Stepper Acid was born out of our need for a modern step-sequencer.
The dual micro-controller design ensures tight timing: one runs the sequencer, the other the front panel interface.

It looks and sounds very impressive, and very easy to program... especially compared to a 303 ;-) ...

Transistor Sounds Labs Stepper Acid Digitally Controlled Step Sequencer

Features:
-16-step sequencer
- With adjustable pattern length
- Adjustable analogue slide
- Song mode for pattern chaining
- Stores up to 40 patterns
- Detach mode for playing one pattern while entering another
- 0-5V range CV (5 octaves)
- Gate and accent output
- 5V or 12V selectable
- Variable swing function
- Dual microcontroller design
- Adjustable clock sync input and output
- Includes: 24PPQN (Sync24), 48PPQN, 96PPQN and 4PPQN (one note per pulse)
- Assembled in the UK
- Dimensions
- Width: 32HP Eurorack module
- Depth (excluding faceplate): 31.5mm

Video 1: Stepper Acid Guide

"A guide to the various features of Stepper Acid."

Video 2: Stepper Acid Extended Demo

"We were making some demos of Stepper Acid's features, and Nina got carried away making a track. Enjoy!"

All info at http://www.transistorsoundslabs.com/stepper-acid/
and on MuffWiggler: http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=118964&highlight=stepper+acid

Stepper Acid is available for £295.00
For more information e-mail info@transistorsoundslabs.com

Latest Updates on Twitter: @TSLNow

Video via Transistor Sounds Labs

Entrospec Iungo CV-to-MIDI Eurorack Module

Another new Eurorack manufacturer, now from Bristol, introducing a CV-to-MIDI converter with a twist...

Entrospec Iungo

The Entrospec Iungo is designed to bridge the worlds of modular synthesizers and MIDI controlled instruments.
This module lets you create both monophonic and polyphonic sequences to play your MIDI gear, all controlled by your cv and gate generating modular system.

The Iungo is in essence a CV to MIDI converter, but instead of acting as a direct translator, this module gives you voltage control of the MIDI data stored in banks and patches.
It has the following features:

- Stored MIDI data accessed via cv and gate inputs.
- Banks will store up to 16 notes and rests. Each note can have an independent MIDI channel.
- Each bank can also store 1 program change message.
- 5 memory locations to store patches
- “Chord” mode outputs all notes in a bank simultaneously when triggered.
- “Seq” mode outputs each note in a bank consecutively upon receiving a gate s- ignal.
- “Poly Seq” mode runs all 5 banks in sequencer mode simultaneously.
- The length of each bank is independent, allowing for more complex sequences to be produced.
- Chords and sequences can be transposed via the MIDI input.
- Velocity of MIDI data is determined by the amplitude of the gate signal.
- MIDI input and output via 2.5mm stereo jack to 5 pin DIN cables. The same format adopted by iOS devices.
- Panel size 6HP
- Module depth 41mm
- Maximum current consumption 59mA on +12V "

Price: £139.99 + postage, included with each module are two 2.5mm stereo to 5 pin DIN MIDI cables.

A few demos highlight some of the functionality that Iungo provides:

Video 1: Iungo from Entrospec

" A short demo that highlights some of the functionality that Iungo provides. Integrating MIDI controlled instruments with modular synthesizers by allowing voltage control of MIDI data.
A little about the patches:
1 - CV and Gate inputs from Make Noise Rene
2 - Gate from Shuffling Clock Multiplier, voltage offset scrolls through the 5 sequences, then random CV input from noise/sample & hold through an offset generator.
3 - Gate from Shuffling Clock Multiplier "

Video 2: Entrospec Iungo and Hexinverter Midi2cv

" Iungo in polyphonic sequencer mode being used to sequence 3 vco's via a Hexinverter midi2cv.
The vco's are out of shot, the cv outputs of the midi2cv control the pitch of each vco, and the gates trigger envelopes, 2 from the Make Noise Maths and a third out of shot.
The envelopes and vco outputs are patched to 3 channels of a Make Noise QMMG.

Midi2cv is in Poly 4 mode, so each cv and gate pair is addressed with a different midi channel. Note sequences have been stored in the Iungo beforehand, and the parts are brought in by unmuting them in the mute menu.
Iungo is clocked from a 4ms SCM. The pulsewidth of the triggers are increased towards the end, increasing the width of the gates going to the envelopes."

More info at http://entrospec.co.uk/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/Entrospec

Videos uploaded by Entrospec

Modular Wild Presents Synthrotek Sequence 8

Raul Pena started another series of the Modular Wild presents project.

This time it's all about the Sythrotek Sequence 8 Analogue sequencer.

" The ‘Sequence 8′ analog 8-step sequencer is a traditional 8-step sequencer with some extremely handy features.
It’s available in 2 formats: Eurorack or 9V battery/wall wart (the kit version has a FRAC power option).

Features:
- Choose between Eurorack power or 9V battery/wall plug
- 8 Steps with high-gate output per step
- 3 CV Outs, each with their own attenuator, 0-5 volt output.
- Clock Input and Output
- Coarse & fine clock adjustment
- Switchable linear ‘random’ function with speed adjustment
- Momentary & Hard Hold Function
- Manual Step Button
- Internal/External Clock Switch
- Reset Input Jack
- Current draw is 20mA
- Size: 3U 20HP
- Module depth (Eurorack version): 1.5 inches "

Video 1: Modular Wild Presents Profile-Synthrotek Sequence 8

" A short description of the Synthrotek Sequence 8 basic features and functions. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 2: Modular Wild presents SOUNDS-Syntrotek Sequence 8 Basic Programming and Random

" A short overview of the basic programming features of the Synthrotek Sequence 8. Also Contains a short demonstration of the random mode. Sound ad Video by Raul Pena."

New episodes will be added weekly

Other places to find Raul's World of Synths on the Web:

raulsworldofsynths on YouTube

raulsworldofsynths on Vimeo

raulsworldofsynths on SoundCloud

raulsworldofsynths at iTunes

raulsworldofsynths at CDBABY

Twisted Electrons Octopus Eurorack CV Sequencer Module Preview

Twisted Electrons has been a relatively unknown brand on the hardware market, so far they only released a bunch of apps and the (hardware) AY3 synth for chip-tune music based on the AY8912 from vintage machines.

Now it looks like they are getting into Eurorack with their new Octopus CV Sequencer module.
They uploaded this video preview today, but there's not much info yet.
It looks nice, i hope i can add the details soon...

Video: Octopus Eurorack CV Sequencer Module Preview

no description available

Uploaded by Twisted Electrons

Twisted Electrons on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/twistedelectronsofficial

The Rest: Alesis MMT-8 Sequencer

Alesis MMT-8 Multi Track MIDI Recorder

The Doepfer A-100 is not the only equipment in my studio.
Although I am not a collector, I do have some other quite interesting (classic) machines which I review in this section called 'The Rest'
This is the second installment, find part one (about my Waldorf Pulse HERE)

The Alesis MMT-8 Multi Track MIDI Recorder was released at the end of 1987, together with its 'brother', the HR-16 Drummachine.
It is a very reliable sequencer with 100 pattern and 100 song memories and almost as reliable as my old trusty Atari ST computer, which has been the most stable sequencer I ever had... :-(  ...may it rest in peace...

" The MMT-8 is a simple MIDI sequencer that is still used today by some of the biggest names in electronic music (Orbital, Moby, Jimmy Edgar, Autechre and Carl Craig.) because of its simplicity, durability and reliability.

It's a pattern and song based sequencer with 8 separate tracks and each of the tracks can carry 16 channels of Midi info which makes this more like 128 tracks.
Tracks can be muted during playback giving you a lot of performance control for a live situation."

I bought this sequencer second-hand about 15 years ago for around 100 Dutch Guilders (45 Euro), and tried it in my setup for half a year or so, in cooperation with Cubase on my PC with a 4x4 M-Audio MIDI breakout box.
My whole workflow was different then, I tried to get the most of my set by using most MIDI-channels of every synth I had, so i ended up using Cubase more than i did use the MMT-8.

Now that my setup has changed into some kind of minimal live-jam-setup i am really considering integrating this fun little sequencer back in my setup again as a main sequencer.
At the moment my small setup is MIDI-synced via my Roland R-8 drummachine, with my other synths/sequencers playing loops, but it's still pretty basic.
With an extra sequencer I will be able to put more (and longer) melody-lines in my music.
I haven't tried it yet in my current setup, but i think this will work...
My main concern is that the MMT-8 only has a single set of MIDI In/Out/Thru connectors, so i have to put all my machines in a chain-setup.
I just hope this doesn't cause too much lag in the synths that are last in the chain.

Alesis MMT-8 with a quick
manual under the hood

From my own experiences I already learned that the first in the chain to prevent an audible lag should be my Drummachines (R-8 and a Machinedrum), but after that i need to attach at least 5 more synths.
I hope this works out well... I might need to invest in a MIDI-splitter though.(mainly for synchronizing-reasons)
If it doesnt' work out the way I want might want to sell it.

A second-hand MPC-1000 (or newer) is on my wishlist for a long time, but i still don't have the funds yet. #priorities
Multiple MIDI-Outputs are better, and the MPC's have multiple MIDI-Inputs too, which means I can also attach more of my keyboards (JV-90, Prophecy and BassStation).
The built-in sampler will mean that don't need my current E-Mu ESI-32 sampler anymore and that i have to copy over all the samplebanks that i already built for that....

I hope to have my new setup configuration with the MMT-8 ready at the end of next month (depends on the weather too), and I'll let you know how it all turned out.
You will probably spot it in my next live-jam-videos...

First i still need to get my mixing-desk fixed. That's another thing that's gonna cost me a small fortune.
More soon...

Aesis HR-16/MMT-8 book
by Craig Anderton

I'm still looking for this book by Craig Anderton about the MMT-8/HR-16(B)
It seems to be the only printed book relating to the MMT-8.
It is split into four (2x2) sections and the section relating to the MMT-8 doesn't give any more information about the MMT-8 or how to use it than the manual does.

However, certain features are expanded upon and explained in greater detail than the manual.
Overall, the book makes a good introduction for beginners to MIDI and the MMT-8, and is a handy reference for more experienced users.

Source/More info: http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/mmt8.php
MMT-8 Website: http://www.mmt8.com/
Manual (PDF) at http://www.mmt8.com/files/mmt8.pdf

Ginko Synthese TTLFO Clock Synced LFO and VCSQ Step Sequencer

Ginko Synthese TTLFO Clock Synced LFO

And another new Eurorack manufacturer has popped up, this time from my home-country The Netherlands...

Ginko Synthese is founded by Jan Willem Hagenbeek.

As an electronic musician and producer he has first hand experience of the gap between the feel of playing live on stage and the more controlled environment when working in the studio for productions.
Therefore all of his products are designed with a focus on the immediacy of live performance, but can be easily integrated into a studio environment.

Very soon his latest product the VCSQ will be available on his website.
This voltage controlled stepsequencer can be controlled by the earlier released GinkoSynthese TTLFO Clock Synced LFO that is based around the Electric Druid TAPLFO chip.
It's not the LFO you already know... It is synced to your master clock, or sync it with the taps you make on the tap button and it is quite useful as a taptempo master clock generator.

Ginko Synthese TTLFO and
VCSQ Step Sequencer

The VCSQ transforms a CV signal into a sequence; every voltage step of 0.625V gives a next step on the sequencer.

It can be internally connected by the TTLFO via a wire, and playing with the distort knob gives nice changes in the sequence.
If you put in a sine wave the sequence is bouncing.

The final design of the VCSQ was finished a few days ago and they will order the pcb's in the first week of January.
It will probably appear on their website soon...

Specifications of the TTLFO:
- Eurorack size
- Width: 10HP (50.5mm)
 +/-12V and 5V
- compatible with Doepfer
Features:
- 8 waveforms
- multiplier / clock divider
- horizontal wave distort
- external clock input
- CV input for distort amount
- CV input for multiplier
- LFO output (selectable between 0/5V and -5V/+5V)
- clock output

- manual available on the site (PDF)

If you're interested in ordering one, you can fill out the form on their website.

Update October 27 2014:
There will be an upgrade for the Tap Tempo LFO available soon. 

This chip is specially designed for Ginko Synthese by Tom Wiltshire and is only available through the GinkoSynthese TTLFO upgrade-chip productpage.

What’s different?
The tap tempo speed of the LFO is currently limited to a little less than 1 cycle per 4 seconds and with the multiplier at ½ to 1 cycle per 8 seconds max. The new chip will push the maximum cycle time up to 1 cycle per 20 seconds! This comes in handy by creating slow evolving pads and when the Tap Tempo LFO is used in combination with the Voltage Controlled Sequencer.

Intellijel Metropolis Preliminary Info

One of the most interesting modules i have seen in a while has been sent out to various testers in the last few weeks.

The original:
RYK M-185 Sequencer

The Intellijel Metropolis is a 'complex multi stage pitch and gate Eurorack sequencer', based on the RYK M-185 sequencer from the early Roland M-100 series.
This RYK module has always intrigued me, and i was always hoping someone would bring this style of sequencing/programming to the Eurorack.
(Watch some of the original RYK M-185 demos HERE and HERE)

Intellijel worked out an agreement with RYK earlier this year to create this only official Eurorack adaptation of his brilliant sequencer design.

It has taken many months to procure all the special parts and the design has already gone through several hardware revisions. 

Looking at the prototype picture that i see floating all over the internet, i see it has a quite lot of extra features.
It's a big, space-consuming module (34HP wide) and it looks very impressive with its rows of sliders for pitch and pulse count, the switches for different gate modes, and buttons for slide on/off and skip step.
All the core original M-185 functions seem to be there...(Read more here)
On the left side of the module is a 5 digit LED screen, buttons for complex programming/editing and a few knobs for AUX-levels, Gate- and Slide-time plus one for data input.

Intellijel Metropolis Sequencer

Some of the features :
-Sequencer modes:
Forward, Forward-fixed, Reverse, Reverse-fixed, PingPong, PingPong-Fixed, Random, Random-fixed, Brownian, Brownian-fixed
-TB-303 style slide (constant time portamento) with adjustable time
-Stage skipping (double click slide buttons)
- Internal quantizing with selectable scales and keys
-Can act as a master clk with BPM control or slave to an external (using clk src function)
-Save/load panel settings
-shuffle
-Internal clock divider
-Sync output (sets output pulse on last clock step of a sequence, used to slave other sequencers via reset)
-Two assignable AUX inputs which can control: gate length, transpose, key shift, root shift, sequence length, and step divisor.
-config menu to set slider pitch range, clock div type, clock offset
-tap tempo when in internal clock mode and tempo lock with bpm detect in external mode.

-All menu actions are one level deep. i.e. press the menu button and spin the encoder.
There are no hidden levels or sub menus.

Info via MuffWiggler

Video: Metropolis Scrutineering by Dudadius
Metropolis Scrutineering from dudadius on Vimeo.
" First go around with the Intelljel Metropolis. This is a pretty basic setup; I didn't get into using the aux inputs to modulate things within the Metropolis. I'll try that next! As you can see though, the Metropolis really lends itself to performing and improvising. Very hands-on and easy to go all sorts of crazy ways, melodically. Similar to the Rene, in that regard, but from a totally different point-of-view.Patch notes. Pamela is sending clock to Metropolis, Trigger Riot, Modcan Dual Delay, and Sound of Shadows.
Metropolis is sending the same note info to three different oscillators. The third one going through a uScale first to create intervals. All going into the Dubmix. The Trigger Riot is controlling Tiptop drums, mixed through a VCA Matrix then an M277 for a little grit. That's into channel 2 on the Dubmix, where I add a little Spring Reverb at one point.
The kick and snare are ultimately doubled with the Cwejman BLD and DPO. Lastly, I dialed into some sustained notes on the Pressure Points and a Modcan Triple OSC. The uStep is advancing the Pressure Points.
I had some troubles with the Trigger Riot losing sync when I would change presets.
I'll have to delve into that some more."

Video by Dudadius / On Twitter: https://twitter.com/dudadius

Watch an early Metropolis prototype testing video (september 2012) at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zkgb9aZocg

Update November 11:
Now available for USD 580 - more info at http://www.intellijel.com/eurorack-modules/metropolis/
Manual as PDF available at http://www.intellijel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Metropolis-Manual-v1.0.pdf

Creating Two Sequences With One Doepfer A-160 by Frederic Gerchambeau

The latest video from Frederic Gerchambeau features quite an interesting pattern, generated by two different sequences from a single A-160 Trigger Sequencer module.

Video: Creating two sequences with one Doepfer A-160

" With only one Doepfer A-160, it's possible to get two different sequences at the same time. For even more fun, i have used two LFOs to trigger that A-160.
Basically the patch is that one :
Two lfos > multiple > A-160 Trig in
A-160 outputs (x 6) > 3 into mixer 1 and 3 into mixer 2
Output mixer1 > VCO1 and output mixer2 > VCO2
Outputs VCO 1 and 2 > VCA"

Uploaded by GruithuisenCityMan

Random Video: Sequencer ratcheting like Tangerine Dream, Doepfer MAQ16/3 by Kittenpurse1

This video appeared on YouTube last month...
It's a demo of a technique that this guy developed using the Doepfer MAQ 16/3 sequencer and an A-150 Voltage Controlled Switch to imitate the the popular 'ratcheting' note trill effect used by Chris Franke in Tangerine Dream.

Video: Sequencer ratcheting like Tangerine Dream, Doepfer MAQ16/3

" The popular 'ratcheting' note trill effect used by Chris Franke in Tangerine Dream can be difficult to imitate. Here's a demo of a technique I developed using the Doepfer MAQ 16/3 sequencer and Voltage-Controlled Switch."

Uploaded by kittenpurse1

Random Video: The Doepfer A-160 Clock Divider As Sequencer

I only recently found out that someone on MuffWiggler has created an impressive list with all kinds of Eurorack video tutorials. 

This list is being updated regularly, because i also see some of my own recent videos in the Doepfer section of the list.

One of the more interesting videos i stumbled upon there was a year-old video by hiawogice from YouTube that shows the use of a Doepfer A-160 Clock Divider as a nifty little stand-alone sequencer module.

Module A-160 is a frequency divider for clock/trigger/gate signals, particularly for rhythm uses.

At the outputs, you have access to the sub-divided clock signals, from half the clock frequency down to 1/64.
The Clock Divider can be used in combination with the A-161 Clock Sequencer to produce stepped sequences with a length of from one to eight events.

This video shows you can also have a lot of fun without the A-161 module...

Video: Doepfer a160 sequence

" demo of a fun, simple concept: clock divider as sequencer. sorry for camera mic audio quality"

Uploaded by hiawogice

Maxi Schaltwerk

It's weird that i haven't posted any video's of the original Doepfer Schaltwerk sequencer (introduced in 1997) on my blog yet.

After the recent announcement of the upcoming A-157 (or Mini Schaltwerk),
I thought it would be interesting enough to look up more info about the Schaltwerk and share it with you.

It will take some time, but I will post more about it in future blogposts, so here is just a teaser, uploaded 2 years ago by popitem

Video: Doepfer Schaltwerk quick demo

" 3 tracks sequencing a modular synth with cv / gate5 tracks sequencing a midi drum modul (mfb kult)"

uploaded by popitem

As you see there are many differences between the original Schaltwerk and the new A-157/Dark Flow modules.

Besides the size, the main thing is that the new modules will only sequence triggers, and no note/pitch info. That's why i think it will be mainly used for triggering drum-sounds with it, that can ultimately result in very complex rhythms once the A-157-4 controller will be out.

Doepfer A-157 (or Mini Schaltwerk)
prototype at MusikMesse 2013

Funny thing is that the A-157 has the same amount of push-buttons (8 x 16 trigger matrix), only on a much tinier surface.
That's just another thing that i like about the Doepfer modules; many features on space-effective modules.
I am aware that in some cases you can hardly turn a knob if you have big fingers, but luckily I am blessed with small hands and fingers.

The original Schaltwerk is no longer available from Doepfer anymore.
Sometimes used ones pop up on eBay and other sites, good luck finding a second-hand one... I wish i had one too.

ps. There are not many Doepfer Schaltwerk videos on YouTube yet... Feel free to upload more Schaltwerk-videos in the near future if you have one.
Thanks in advance, more Schaltwerk next month...

More Darkness: Doepfer MAQ16/3 Dark Edition

It seems that Doepfer is extending their successful  'Dark'-product-range even more with their latest announcement.
A new version of the MAQ16/3 MIDI Analog Sequencer will be black and feature Dark Energy-style knobs.
There's not much additional info, but i guess the inside of this fantastic sequencer will stay the same.

It looks great, and this is not the first time that a black MAQ will be available, but those models had the same style of knobs of the original MAQ, only in black...

New Doepfer A-157 Pictures / Dark Flow Announced

Doepfer posted their latest design and a bit more info on the upcoming A-157 (Mini Schaltwerk) Trigger Sequencer Subsystem modules on their website.
Hopefully the finished modules will be shown later at MusikMesse this year (10th-13th of May in Frankfurt, Germany)

A-157-1 Mini Schaltwerk design

The name 'Mini Schaltwerk' seems appropriate now, because it does look a lot like it's larger Schaltwerk brother.

" The LED/button matrix module A-157-1 is the core of the subsystem.
It is used to set or reset the trigger event on each of the 16 steps of each of the 8 rows.
The trigger output module A-157-2 outputs the 8 trigger signals and has an LED display for each trigger.
We will probably add a mute button or mute switch for each row that allows to turn the trigger output off/on independent for each row.
In the final version the modules A-157-1 and A-157-2 will be probably merged into one module only because both modules are essential for the subsystem.

The module A-157-1/2 (or the merged module that will contain both units) can be connected to a simple control module or a more sophisticated control module which is planned for the future (similar to the A-155 and A-154 conceptual design where the A-155 includes a simple control unit that can be replaced by the A-154 which offers a lot of additional functions).

At the beginning a simple control module A-157-3 similar to the A-155 control unit will be available.
It offers only the functions clock, start/stop and reset (both with manual controls and control inputs).
For this standard control unit the tempo (clock) is the same for all 8 rows, the direction is forward and the length of each row is 16.

We also plan 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 and we will have to find out which functions are essential."

Doepfer also mentions that there are also plans for an A-157 stand-alone version adapted to the design of Dark Energy and Dark Time with the same case dimensions and wooden side panels (provisional name "Dark Flow")

Release date: ~ fall 2013 (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 !)

MAQ16/3 On/Off Switch Modification by fixed1t

Seriously... why do some manufacturers still build equipment without a proper on/off switch?

It looks like Malcolm Dixon AKA fixed1t has tackled the problem that a lot of people seem to have with the Doepfer MAQ16/3 Analog Sequencer not having a power switch on the front panel.
He wrote an interesting post about how he added an on/off switch to the frontpanel of his black MAQ16/3 on his new blog ( find blog-post HERE), and he even made an explanatory video with it.

Video: DOEPFER MAQ16/3 Analogue Switch Modification
" The DOEPFER MAQ16/3 Analogue Sequencer has no front panel switch and its been a constant source of hassle having to unplug its Wall-Wart power supply at the back.
Also pulling cables at the back of the rack constantly unplugged it.
I could take it no longer and decided to put a power switch on the front and one which looks like it should be there.

Finished project with nicely aligned on/off switch

The Mod took a few hours to do (safely) but works a treat.
I decided to video it from my phone.
Let me know if you need more details on how to add a switch to your unit.

The music: Angels v Robots I wrote with the MAQ after making the mod."

Check out his myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/fixed1t
Follow him on Twitter: http://Twitter.com/fixed1t
and keep an eye on his new blog at http://fixed1t.blogspot.com

Doepfer A-154 Sequencer Controller Videos by Raul Pena

After Raul Pena's A-155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer videos from last month,
the only logic follow-up to that series had to be about this next module.

The A-154 is an expansion module for the A-155 that offers a lot of extra features that are not available in the basic control unit of the A-155.
Up to 2 A-155 modules can be controlled by this module.

Video 1: Doepfer A155/A154 Analog/Trigger Sequencer and Sequencer Controller Basics

" Sound and Description by Raul Pena."

Video 2: Doepfer A155/A154 Analog Trigger Sequencer Demonstration

" Sound and Description by Raul Pena."

Video 3: Doepfer A155 and 154 Sequential Controller Modulation Part One

" Video Demonstrates Basic Modulation of Doepfer A154 sequential controller when used with the Doepfer A155. Sound and Description by Raul Pena."

Video 4: Doepfer A155 and 154 Sequential Controller Modulation Part Two

" Part Two of a demonstration of Modulation of the Doepfer A154 Sequential Controller when used with the Doepfer A155. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Check out Raul's latest survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K3Z9PVF
Other places to find Raul's World of Synths on the Web
raulsworldofsynths on YouTube
raulsworldofsynths on Vimeo
raulsworldofsynths on SoundCloud
raulsworldofsynths at iTunes
raulsworldofsynths at CDBABY

Doepfer A-155 Video Tutorials by Raul Pena

Last week Raul Pena celebrated one year of Doepfer demo-video-creating with a nice video.
Today he is back with a new series, this time all about the A-155 Analog Trigger Sequencer.

Video 1: Doepfer A-155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer Basics

" Discussing the Basics of the Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer. Sound and Video by Raul Pena"

Video 2: Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer Basics-Notes and Triggers Part One

" Demonstration of Sequencing Notes and Triggers with the Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 3: Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer Basics-Notes and Triggers Part Two

" Demonstration of Sequencing Notes and Triggers with the Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 4: Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer- Frequency Modulation Tutorial

" A demonstration of Frequency modulation of a sequence on the Doepfer A 155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer with low rate CV signals and audio rate signals. Sound and Description by Raul Pena."

Check out Raul's latest survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K3Z9PVF
Other places to find Raul's World of Synths on the Web
raulsworldofsynths on YouTube
raulsworldofsynths on Vimeo
raulsworldofsynths on SoundCloud
raulsworldofsynths at iTunes
raulsworldofsynths at CDBABY

A-160 to A-161 Connection

Module A-161 is an eight-step Clock Sequencer which is internally connected to the Clock Divider (A-160).

Eight outputs are sequentially switched by the clock signals from the A-160 and can act, for instance, as sequential rhythmic triggers for an envelope. 

A question that popped up in the Doepfer A-100 Usergroup on Yahoo some time ago was how the A-160 and A-161 should be connected together.
This can be found in the A-161 Manual (PDF) ,but i think this post (and picture) will provide the info you need.

A-160 <> A-161 connection

The A-161 must be positioned directly to the right of the A-160.
Join the two modules with the supplied 10-way ribbon cable.
Use the upper 10-way socket on each module.
Make sure that the ribbon cable is not twisted, and that the colour-coded section is oriented the same on both modules.
Only join the A-160 to the system bus! 
Leave the lower 10-way socket on the A-161 unused.

Pay attention not to damage one of the parts on the boards (especially none of the transistors).
If necessary, you may bend the transistors a little (carefully) to plug in the cable.

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

Random Videos: HOX808

I really like the recent uploads from YouTube user HOX808 from Berlin, Germany.

Focussing on modular analog synths and with their minimalistic approach these video's are simply amazing.

I posted 2 video's below, but be sure to also check out the older uploads by this user.

The first video is a minimal drum sequence, made with only the Doepfer A-160 and 2 A-161 Sequencer/Dividers, TipTop 808 Bassdrum, Snare and Hats drum modules, a touch of (TB-)303, a few samples and some kind of delay.

Quite impressive with these minimum resources.

This does bring back an old wish of me for Doepfer to produce some drum-modules that sound (at least) as good as this though...

Video 1: The Thin Rebirth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XivBQxgERPg
-no description available

The second video also mainly seems to be about drums, but if you look a bit further, you notice that these are not drum-modules, but six (!) Doepfer A-112 8-Bit samplers in a row, and it looks/ sounds like the same TipTop drum-module were used.
Very original again, but what happened with the knobs?

Video 2: 6 x Doepfer A-112 8 Bit Sampler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJErS9T04HQ
" 6 x Doepfer A-112 8 Bit Sampler and Tiptop Audio BD SD,Flame Echometer, MFB STEP 64."

Uploaded by HOX808