Robin Vincent of MoltenModular had the opportunity to sit down with Dieter Doepfer, the inventor of the Eurorack format, and chat about modular with a specific focus on his new polyphonic range of modules.
" Thomann took a bunch of YouTubers to their shop and told us to go play and make videos.
So we did.
This is straight to camera, one take, off-the-cuff, honest and fabulous.
Thanks to Thomann for the opportunity and thanks to Moog for the loan of the ONE (that I then had to give back).
Search for #TSR19 for more fantastic videos from fabulous synthesizer YouTubers. "
I recently found these 2 older videos with Dieter Doepfer from video collective "Open Video Medien Labor", an open non commercial platform for video art.
As far as I know it is an open project - step by step - which could possibly finish with a Doepfer movie.
I like the way it is filmed anyway... but i have the feeling that it might become a looooong project.
I contacted the makers and hope to follow-up this blogpost with more info.
#07 Interview with HANS ZIMMER - A private conversation with Hans Zimmer and Dieter Döpfer The Secret Doepfer Files from Open Video Medien Labor on Vimeo.
Hans Zimmer: "The reason why I like 'playing music' is because the word 'play' is there."
From https://vimeo.com/115523628
#08 Backstage Talk with JEAN MICHEL JARRE - after his concert at Philharmonie, Gasteig Culture Centrum in Munich 22.03.2008" The Secret Doepfer Files 08 - Dieter and Jean Michel Jarre from Open Video Medien Labor on Vimeo.
Dieter Doepfer: "All the bread-and-butter analogue modules are done... most what can be done with analogue circuits is (already) available"
From https://vimeo.com/115544995
At Dancefair/Musicfair, I had the chance to talk with an engineer from AQA Elektrix, one of the more recent new brands in Eurorack, about their range of Eurorack modules.
Me and the AQA ElektriX engineer
AQA Elektrix is a Eurorack Modular Synthesizer manufacturer that works closely with musicians. The modules by AQA Elektrix are inspired by classic circuits that get modified and developed further. They are also working on complete new designs with new functionality.
The modules are manufactured in Berlin, look very nice and the knobs feel solid as a rock.
AQA only released a few modules so far;
the TEG-1 / Triple Envelope Generator,
M/S-Matrix, a module that converts a Left/Right-Stereo-Signal into its Mid and Side Components
the QLFO / Quadrature Low Frequency Oscillator and the DUAL SVF / Dual 12 dB State Variable Voltage Controlled Filter
AQA ElektroniX modules
He also showed me their new 21 HP wide Dual VC Delay that produces some very cool and interesting 'dubby' soundeffects.
Used in parallel/stereo-mode it generates voltage controlled modulated spatial effects with it´s own special character.
Features:
- Delays can be routed in parallel or serial configuration (A => B or A II B)internal feedback with a 6dB HP and LP filter in series for each delay, feedback signals are attenuverted
using normalized feedback in and out jacks, the feedback loops can be opened to insert other stuff
feedback can be switched between parallel and cross routing between A and B
- Audio input attenuators for each Delay
each delay time can be independently controlled by knob
each delay time can be independently modulated by an attenuverted external control voltage
each delay time can be independently modulated by an attenuverted external control voltage
- Normalized audio signal Inputs
- Outputs for the delayed signals
- Outputs for the delayed signal and HP+LP filtered delayed signal (for feedback use)
- Normalized feedback-signal Inputs
Check out the video below for soundexamples.
AQA ElektriX new Modular Euro Rack Synthesizer Modules Dual DELAY AQA at Dancefair 2016
" The frequency of the input signal (preferably the rectangle output of a VCO) is divided by an integer factor N (N = 1, 2, 3, 4 ... up to 32). N can be adjusted manually and modulated with an external control voltage (e.g. from LFO, ADSR, Random, MIDI-to-CV, Theremin, Light-to-CV, analog sequencer) with attenuator.
The control input has polarizing function, i.e. the manually adjusted dividing factor can be modulated upwards or downwards. The basic idea of a polarizer is described in the modules A-133 Voltage Controlled Polarizer and A-138c Polarizing Mixer.
A-163 Frequency Divider
The output waveform is rectangle with 50% duty cycle. Unlike the A-115 with fixed dividing factors
Applications: dynamic voltage controlled frequency division of audio signals or modulation signals. More details concerning frequency division of audio signals can be found in the Trautonium or A-113 information.
Inputs: CV In, Audio In (rectangle)
Output: Audio Out (resp. rectangle modulation CV out after modification)
Controls: Manual N, CV attenuator
After a small modification (a capacitor has to be shortened or replaced by a wire for DC coupling) the A-163 can be used for low-frequency control signals too.
Remark: From 2007 the module is equipped with an additional jumper at the bottom side of the pc board. This jumper is used to select DC coupled (jumper installed) or AC coupled mode (jumper removed).
If the module is used to divide slowly changing signals (like clock, trigger, gate or rectangle signals of an LFO) the DC coupled mode has to be selected. For audio signals the AC mode is recommended."
(2, 4, 8, 16) the dividing factor of the A-163 is voltage controlled and can be any integer value between 1 and about 20 (but only one output). In contrast to A-113 the dividing factor of the A-163 is voltage controlled and the output waveform is rectangle (the A-113 has 4 sawtooth outputs with 4 adjustable but not voltage controlled dividers).
Video: Doepfer A-163 Voltage Controlled Frequency Divider (Full Playlist)
" A short overview of the basic features of the A-163 VC Frequency Divider. A short audio demonstration is provided.
The A-166 is a Dual logic module with 3 inputs for each unit.
The logical states of the inputs ("1" = high / "0" = low) are linked together in 3 ways: AND, OR, EXOR (exclusive OR). The three functions are available simultaneously at three outputs with LED display of the output states.
Additionally two inverters are avaliable to obtain the inverted functions NAND, NOR and NEXOR.
The sockets of each triple unit are "normalized", i.e. the switched contact of socket 2 is connected to input 1 and the switched contact of socket 3 is connected to input 2.
Provided that no plug is inserted into socket 1 resp. socket 2 the socket is connected to the input above it.
This simplifies the usage of the module when only 2 signals are combined. E.g. the logic functions AND and OR have different neutral input levels ("1" is the neutral state for AND, "0" is the neutral state for OR).
Here's the playlist , future videos will be added automagically every week on Thursday or Friday.
The VCO has a range of about 12 octaves, and produces four waveforms simultaneously: pulse (rectangle), sawtooth, triangle and sine waves.
The VCO's frequency is determined by the position of the range switch, tune and fine tune controls, and the voltage at the two pitch CV inputs, CV 1 and CV 2. Footage (the octave of the fundamental) is set by the Range control, which has seven octave steps.
The Tune control is used for coarse tuning, and the Fine control for fine tuning of the VCO pitch.
The A-111 can be modulated by both exponential and linear FM (frequency modulation).
You can control the pulse width of the square wave either by hand, or by voltage control - Pulse Width Modulation, or PWM for short. The A-111 also has inputs for Hard Sync and Soft Sync.
As the special circuit CEM3340 used in this module is no longer available the module has to be discontinued.
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
Qu-Bit Electronix has published more info and a video about their latest module, the Nano Rand.
"Nano Rand is a sample and hold, noise source, and random voltage generator in 4 HP.
It takes inspiration from and improves upon the analog concept of a random voltage module; moving forward in leaps and bounds into the digital domain.
At its core is an 8 bit microcontroller which allows for an extremely versatile, and more importantly, musical type of random.
- 4 switchable random voltage algorithms
- Can be internally or externally clocked
- Random gate source that generates musical derivatives of incoming clock
- Generates random frequency audio rate square waves allowing it to be both audio and control source
- Random voltage can be unipolar or bipolar
Back in August of this year Raul Pena published his series on the Doepfer A-137-1 Wave Multiplier module (11 parts!)
Now he's back with the first tutorial videos starring the follow-up to this module, the A-137-2.
The A-137-2 is another version of a wave multiplier.
In contrast to the A-137-1 Wavemultiplier I the A-137-2 generates four phase-shifted copies of a VCO signal applied to the audio input. The four shifted signals are added to the original signal to obtain a fat sound similar to five independent VCOs.
Doepfer A137-2 VC Wave Multiplier II (Playlist)
"A short overview of the basic features of the Doepfer A137-2 Voltage Controlled Wave Multiplier II. Includes a short demonstration of a few oscilloscope views. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."
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."
" // experimenting with the epoch modular eurorack version of rob hordijk's benjolin and the make noise dual prismatic oscillator. patch notes: // benjolin high and band pass outs into schippmann vcf-02 filter // dpo saw tooth and sine wave outs into make noise mmg // steady state fate ultra random clock out striking dpo, cycling maths and brain seed, triggering quantimator, gating modcan quad lfo and wmd sequential switch matrix. Self patched clock fm from sample out a. // mmg freq 1 modulated by ssf ultra random sample out b // dpo osc 1 expo fm from wmd ssm expand 1-3 out // dpo osc 2 expo fm from wmd ssm expand 1-4 out // modcan quad lfo 4 to quantimator in // ssf quantum rainbow 2 patched into intellijel planar, cv from modcan quad lfo 4 and maths eoc // brain seed seed out modulating vca with ssf quantum rainbow 2 // schippmann filter modulated by quantimator out 3 and modcan quad lfo 4 // desk effects: space, el capistan & moogerfoogers"
Video 1: Doepfer A-116 VC Waveform Processor Basic Features
" A short introduction to the features of the Doepfer A116 Voltage Controlled Waveform Processor. A short demonstration with audio is included. Video one of three.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."
Video 2: Doepfer A116 VC Waveform processor-Audio/Oscilloscope Views Pt.1
" Continuing the Doepfer A116 VC Waveform Processor series. This time we look at oscilloscope views of the effects of the A116 on a basic Sine and Triangle Wave. Video Two of Four in series..Sound and Video by Raul Pena."
Video 3: Doepfer A116 VC Waveform processor-Audio/Oscilloscope Views Pt.2
"Continuing the Doepfer A116 VC Waveform Processor-Audio Oscilloscope segment. This time we look at more oscilloscope views of the effects of the A116. Video Two of Four in series..Sound and Video by Raul Pena."
Video 4: Doepfer A116 VC Waveform Processor- Modulation Effects Pt. 1
Continued exploration of the Doepfer A116 Waveform Processor. In this video we look at a few modulation patches with simple waveforms. Sound and Video by Raul Pena.
Video 5: Doepfer A116 VC Waveform Processor- Modulation Effects Pt. 2 Continued exploration of the Doepfer A116 Waveform Processor. In this video we look at a few modulation patches with simple waveforms. Sound and Video by Raul Pena.
"A dirty cheap (picked it up for £32, new they are less than £50) 5 band EQ from LADIK. The module has +/- 12dB EQ at 12.8kHz, 3.2kHz, 800Hz, 200Hz and 50Hz. Really nice to have some proper EQ shaping in my set up. As always hit subscribe and like for more videos every week and ask any questions in the comments."
I like the latest upload by Iteration and Discord a lot... great sounds and build-up;
Video: Modular Synth Jam - Remedy Without Fear
" This patch started with the piston honda mk2. I wanted to use it as a noise source which became more of a snare drum. Next was tuning the tiptop dixie2 into a bass drum and using the doepfer bbd delay to make it interesting. There are other parts courtesy of the tiptop 808 drums and the epoch modular benjolin. Nothing real complex here but it was definitely fun.
Also the make noise erbe verb played a big part in the beginning and also for making noise swells. All live, what you see is what you're hearing. I'm using an analog mixer to bring parts in and out. Thanks for watching and please check out my channel if you like modular synths.
I seek out synth related videos and watch as many as i have time for. Please consider subscribing for more synthesized awesomeness."
Felix (The Tuesday Night Machines) uploaded a cool demo in which he explains Rob Hordijk's Benjolin module.
But first some info about the Benjolin, gathered from various sources;
" A darling of the DIY synth community for years now, Rob Hordijk's benjolin circuit is really like no other synth/noisemaker out there.
The Benjolin is the smaller sibling of Rob's now legendary Blippoo Box, the subject of his 2009 article in Leonardo Music Journal (Vol. 9).
Both the Blippoo Box and the Benjolin emerged from Rob's attempts to design a circuit that was, as he puts it, "bent by design".
As such both modules function according to the basic principles of Chaos theory, where short to long sputtering patterns spontaneously alter themselves over time, at times gradually and at times quite suddenly, morphing into new pattern doublings and bifurcations.
The result is two incredibly unique instruments that function in a sense autonomously or can "play themselves" if you like.
Klangbau Koln Benjolin by Rob Hordijk
Both the Blippoo Box and the Benjolin are based around similar "chaotic cores," which in the the case of the benjolin, is comprised of two vcos and a unique circuit designed by Rob, which he calls a Rungler.
The Rungler is basically an 8 step shift register that takes its serial input from the squarewave of one oscillator and its clock input from the other.
The digital outputs of the shift register are than put through a primitive digital to analogue converter to create stepped voltage patterns, which are then wired back into the oscillators.
The effect of this arrangement is to create a complex interference pattern that gives the Benjolin its unique, aleatoric character."*
Rob Hordijk's Benjolin as a Eurorack module,(This version is made by made by Klangbau Köln) consists of two VCOs, a VCF, the famous "Rungler" and an audio mixer, which can mix the classic PWM sound with the dry VCO waveforms for added fatness.
The VCOs can cross-modulate each other, VCO2's triangle wave can control the filter cutoff (if no external cutoff CV signal is plugged in) and the Rungler CV can of course modulate everything too. It's a complex instrument, which doesn't necessarily need any other modules to be enjoyed.
Outputs:
- Rungler CV
- OSC1 Triangle
- OSC1 Pulse
- OSC2 Triangle
- OSC2 Pulse
- Audio Mixer (VCO1 + VCO2 + PWM)
Inputs
- OSC1 Frequency CV
- OSC2 Frequency CV
- Filter Cutoff CV
A switch lets the Rungler run free, or locks its current pattern.
Video: The BENJOLIN Explained (w/ sound demo) #TTNM
" Wanna know more about this BENJOLIN instrument thing? Then watch this video demo! ... and subscribe:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c...
Chaos, noise, drones and sweet music, all from one device!
The Benjolin is an instrument designed by Rob Hordijk and built and modified by a lot of DIYers, as well as some synth manufacturers. I explain the Benjolin's basics with a Klangbau Köln Benjolin Eurorack module. Don't worry though, you will easily understand all other versions as well, after watching this video.
The cool thing about the Benjolin is, that it has some amazing feedback loops built in, which can be used to modulate the sound to the Moon and back ... well, some people say "to Hell and back" ... you decide. There is also the famous Rungler circuit of Rob Hordijk, which generates random, looping or evolving CV sequences via a shift register design (similar to the Turing Machine Eurorack module).
It's tons of fun!
Got questions or comments? Go ahead and post them below! I try to reply to all of them :)
Thanks for watching! Check out my channel for more Synthesizer Music and Tutorials: http://nightmachines.tv/youtube
Filmed with a Canon EOS 550D (Rebel t2i).
If you've read this far, post a comment with the words "rungle all night long" in it :D
Welcome to your Sunday-morning music service ;-)
I found these 2 interesting new (long) videos by Das Britzel today on YouTube.
Sadly not recorded with a direct input, but good enough sound quality to share it here...
Enjoy!
IsVisible uploaded an interesting new video to YouTube... enjoy!
Video: Modular Synth - An All Doepfer Orchestral (ish) Patch
" Here's a patch I filmed about two years ago. Made with all Doepfer modules. Some patch notes: The A-143-4 Quad VCLFO/VCO is triggering the gate/envelopes of the A-143-2 Quad ADSR, clocking the random voltages from the A-149-1, providing cv for the two filters (A-106-1 Xtreme and A124 Wasp) The A-143-4 is in turn being modulated by two LFO's, A-143-9 and A-146. The two voices are then passed through a channel each of a Tapco 4400 Dual Spring Reverb. www.isvisible.co.uk"
The A-105 is very similar to the A-122 that is made with a CEM chip. But in contrast to the A-122 the A-105 is made with the legendary SSM filter chip SSM2044.
This chip was used e.g. in these synthesizers: Korg Polysix, Korg Mono/Poly, Fairlight II, PPG Wave 2.2 und 2.3, Emu SP-1200, Siel DK600, Siel Opera 6.
The first Prophets used the SSM2040 - the precedessor of the 2044 - that generates a very similar sound.
The special feature of the 4 pole low pass SSM2044 is the patented so-called "true open loop design that delivers a characteristic fat sound not available from other devices" (extract from SSM2044 data sheet).
The module features voltage controlled resonance and a sensitive audio input to obtain distortion - if desired.
Regarding to the functions, controls and in/outputs the module are identical to the 24dB low pass filter A-122 that is built around a CEM chip, but the sound, the resonance behavior and the distortion behavior are completely different for both modules.
As the special circuit SSM2044 used in this module is no longer available the module has to be discontinued. Sale while stocks last !
Video: DOEPFER A-105 SSM 24 dB Lo Pass Filter Module // Endorphines Furthrrrr Generator
" SSM filter chips were used in many great vintage synths in the synthesizers' hall of fame. such as the original SEQUENTIEL CIRCUITS PROPHET V, EMU E2, PPG WAVE 2 / 3. the filter chip is 2044.
Analogue Solutions just released their Telemark Multimode Filter module, a eurorack module based on the Telemark multimode filter.
The Telemark multimode filter module is based on the filter of the legendary Telemark semi-modular synthesizer. It's routes lie in the original 1970s Oberheim SEM, though it has developed a character of its own. The filter is a 12db/Octave multimode type. Multimode means there are more than one type of filter output. There are in fact four: low pass, band pass, high pass and notch filter. Additionally, notch filter can be varied for an even wider range of sounds. Use of Gain and Q allow for even wider possibilities. No special knowledge is required to use this filter. Just plug your audio in the left, and your audio out on the right. Optionally (and recommended!) patch a control voltage in to give the sound movement.
KEY FEATURES OF TMF - Pure analogue circuitry. - Telemark filter - 4 filter types- Low, High, Band, Notch - Resonance (Q) boost feature - Slim design - Spun metal knob caps