Doepfer MS-404

In December 1994, Doepfer released the Doepfer MS-404
The MS-404 is a MIDI analog synthesizer with a 24db resonant filter that Dieter Doepfer intentionally created for his own personal pleasure earlier that year.

MS-404 close-up - Picture via Matrixsynth

In the summer of 1994 he created a monophonic analog synthesizer in a 19-inch rackformat / 1 unit high.
Although his module could do so much more than reproducing the sound of a TB-303, most consumers looked at it as an extended clone of the classic Roland TB-303 bassline.

Its two LFOs (that can modulate the single VCO) add a lot extra to the original 303 functionality.
Other extra features include a full ADSR envelope generator, noise, FM and PWM capabilities, an external filter input, CV/GATE interfaces, MIDI implementation and a glide effect.
The MS-404 can be played via MIDI but all parameters are controlled manually only.
The slide and accent effects from the TB-303 are possible on the MS-404 via glide control and it uses MIDI velocity for accent.

MS-404 Picture via Matrixsynth

The price was around 300 Euros (598 DM) and the module was released in a time when the demand for 303-clones was huge and many different manufacturers were building those; Future Retro 777, Syntecno TeeBee, Control Synthesis Deep Bass 9, and MAM MB33 were  few competitors, to only name a few. (A large list of 303-clones can be found on Wikipedia)

In the beginning Doepfer only planned to launch 50 to 100 modules, but they received almost 500 orders in the first two months in 1995.
At the end of 1997 Doepfer had sold more than 3000 MS-404 units.
The last MS-404 was sold in March 2001, as the amount of inquiries was falling (from 100 items per month to hardly 10 items per month at the end of 2000).

The few differences between the 2 regular versions of this module are minor.
There were always rumors that the different versions of the MS-404 sound different, but there were never any changes in the MS-404 hardware.
Version 1 can not use MIDI sustain, but this doesn't have any effect on the sound.

The rare green version of the MS-404
(Picture via Marc C Young)

In 1997 approximately 100 limited edition synths (with a green faceplate and a printing 'Music Store') were sold as a 25th anniversary special for Music Store of Cologne, Germany.

Doepfer still offers technical support for the unit and the manual is still available online.

Video: Doepfer MS-404

" Smooth synthpop demo made with the Doepfer MS-404.
This is really a little 1 VCO beast. Multitrack + external FX. "
Uploaded by SyntheticMachines

More:
http://www.doepfer.de/ms404_e.htm
http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/ms404.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-404

New BNC Connectors For A-178 Theremin Antenna

It's good to see that Doepfer also keeps improving the older modules.
I already complained in July 2011 about the lousy connector of the A-178 Theremin antennas
(read the post HERE), and look now what they recently announced:

" From August 2012 an improved version for the antenna connector is used.

A so-called BNC connector is used to connect the antenna to the module (same type of connector as used in measuring equipment like oscilloscopes)."

The old A-78 antenna with mini-
jack connector

The new version of the module is so brand new that it still has to be sent to Doepfer's photographer for taking pictures.
The new model seems to have a completely different front panel and pc board.

If you are experienced with DIY you may replace the 3.5 mm socket by a BNC socket yourself and increase the diameter for the new connector in the front panel, but you can also place it parallel to the original antenna socket at the same height, but more to the right where there is more space behind the front-panel (at the other side of the PCB).

Doepfer wrote to me:
" We never tried it but it should be possible to remove the old miniature jack socket and widen the hole asymmetrically (i.e. not drilling it but using a rasp) so that the BNC socket can be mounted and manually wired to the pc board.
But I cannot guarantee that it works as I have no old A-178 available to try it out.
But you may also connect the BNC socket in parallel to the miniature jack socket.
Pay attention that an isolated version of the BNC socket is required
(no electrical connection to GND/front panel is allowed) ! "

The connectors are not available via Doepfer, but i did already place an order today for 2 new antennas (for 20 Euros each).
You can probably read more about this project next month...

SiteTip: Waveform City

Another interesting site that i only recently discovered is WaveForm City.

Waveform City produces and publishes interviews with synth-manufacturers and influential people in the field of analog synthesizers.
Pretty interesting stuff... so far they published 14 episodes since the beginning of this year.
They have already posted interviews with Harvestman, WMD, Make Noise, Mark Verbos, Richard Devine, Tom Erbe and many others, i hope they will interview Dieter soon...

You can find all interviews at: http://waveformcity.blogspot.com



You can also follow Waveform City on SoundCloud via
https://soundcloud.com/blz

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

YouTube Tip: MrWogie's Channel

Okay... i was kind of excited when i accidentally landed on THIS obscure YouTube channel, and to be honest... i still am (a bit).

Screenshot of MrWogie's setup

There is not a lot of info accompanying the videos, but YouTuber MrWogie (Wolfgang Giesecke) uploads a lot of analog/modular studies, soundscapes, drones, very cool modular synth improvisations and other interesting analog compositions.
A bit weird for some perhaps, but sonic p*rn for some.

All uploads are mainly audio, but a lot of his videos have a slow slideshow showing some pictures of (assumably) his setup.
His latest videos seem to involve a very nice system (A-100, Dark Energy, Yamaha EMP100 effects, and several PC's running virtual synths).
It sounds like MrWogie is a classically trained musician, you will also find orchestral music in his YouTube stream.

The weirdest thing in my opinion is that these videos hardly have been viewed or played.
I'm sure you'll like them if you're an analog music fan like me.
Here's a preview...one of the least weird ;-)

Video: Sequenc1 by MrWogie


The video above is totally not representative of the the rest... there are weirder, more obscure pieces of art on this channel.
Check out the rest at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrWogie
and his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wolfgang.giesecke.5

Dark Energy II Coming Soon

It looks like the long-awaited Dark Energy II will almost see the daylight.
Doepfer receives the first batch of pre-serial Dark Energy II models any time now...

After these models are tested and checked (and no major flaws are discovered), the first production-order will be placed and Doepfer can start distributing the first modules.*
A part of that first production-batch is reserved for people who pre-ordered their DEII.

Dark Energy II

To fresh you up, the main differences between the Dark Energy II and the original Dark Energy are:

- 12dB multimode filter with lowpass, notch, highpass and bandpass (instead of 24dB lowpass of Dark Energy I)
- the previous LM control of the filter becomes the filter type control (continuous crossfade lowpass - notch highpass - bandpass)
- the LM function of the filter is no longer available
- the waveform switch is used to select between saw and clipped/distorted saw (in the center position the saw is off)
- the basic waveform of the VCO is saw (not triangle like the Dark Energy I).
- because of the pure analog circuit and the temperature control it takes about 30 minutes until the VCO is in tune.
- the VCA has a exponential scale (not the combined linear/exponential scale of Dark Energy I)

*Via StromKult.de

Random Video: First Stage of a Modular Synth

I found this informative and interesting video on the web about basic rack/case-building... enjoy!

Video: First Stage of a Modular Synth

" Just started building my Eurorack modular synthesizer. I wanted to demonstrate that building your own "Frankenstein" system is easy to do. This video demos, the set up of the power supply and bus board, and a single VCO module."

Uploaded by kj6bbs (Chris)