Deep Inside The Doepfer Booth at MusikMesse

Ah... the first pictures and videos from the Doepfer/Alex4 booth at MusikMesse are popping up on the internet.

This first one, from http://stereoklang.se/blog/ (@steelberryclone on Twitter) shows the inside of the Alex4 booth with a glipse of their new products... 

Video 1: Deep inside the Doepfer booth at MusikMesse

" A quick tour of all the modular stuff you will find in the realms of Doepfer
Nice and bleepy with loads of modules and flashing lights
Get all your electronic music news first here at Steelberry Clones http://stereoklang.se/blog
SBCLive@MusikMesse2013 "

Source: http://stereoklang.se/blog/deep-inside-the-doepfer-booth-at-musikmesse

The next video, from CDMblogs / CDMTV shows a little more of new A-157 Trigger sequencer.

Video 2: Doepfer Sequencers at Musikmesse

" Impressions from the ALEX4 booth, modular sequencers, sequencing. "

Tipped by FSK1138 from http://www.modulargrid.net/

SonicState gives a nice overview of the whole Alex4-booth in the next 2 videos, with an introduction by Andreas Schneider from Alex4 (+ Schneiders Buro) in video 3, and an interview with Dieter Doepfer in video 4.

Video 3: MESSE13: Alex4 European Modular Synth Distribution

" MESSE13: Alex4 European Modular Synth Distribution Mr Schneider Tells us all about it "

Video 4: Dr Doepfer Introduces New Synth Modules - MESSE 2013
" MESSE13: A Chat With Dr Doepfer New Serge slew, gate sequencer, MAQ16/3 Dark Edition "

More SonicState MusikMesse videos HERE

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.

Doepfer Monster Base Unpacking Video by Raul Pena

Video: Doepfer Monster Base Unpacking

" A short unpacking video of my new Doepfer Monster Base.My subscribers will like to know there will be a change of scenery soon. I though this an appropriate way to let them in on the secret. ;). Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Uploaded by Raul Pena

Custom Wooden Side-panels For Your Synth

I did spend a few words on the wooden side-panels for the Dark Energy / Dark Time that i had seen online more than a year ago.
Until now i had little info on them, but now i have a little bit more.

Dark Energy with custom wooden side-panels

The side-panels are made and sold by Howard, who is calling himself Synthfan73 on eBay UK
He makes and sells these custom made wooden side-panels for all kinds of desktop synths like the Dark Energy (1 and 2), Dark Time, Moog Minitaur, Access Virus b, Waldorf Q(+)
He also created wooden panels for the Clavia Nord Lead Desktop 1 / 2 / 2x, Vermona Mono Lancet and Novation Nova. (see video)

In my opinion they look great and perhaps they are ergonomic too.
If i only had one of these 'Dark' instruments i would definitely try them out.

Due to popular requests, he makes the Dark Energy panels in dark Saple Mahogany wood.

They are coated in Danish finish and fit both Dark Energy and Dark Time and can be found on Ebay UK under 'Doepfer Dark Energy.

£29.99 a set. (+ postage)

Video: Doepfer Dark Energy & Moog Minitaur Custom Panels

" Custom Panels Montage."

Uploaded by Howdy

Available from eBay UK (Not to be confused with the guy in eBay US).

Doepfer A-121 Multimode Filter Tutorial Videos by Raul Pena

As promised, a new series of Raul Pena's excellent tutorial videos has started today.
This time Raul digs deep into, and explains all about one of my favorite filters, the Doepfer A-121 Multimode Filter.

Video 1: Doepfer A121 Multimode Filter Basics

" A brief look at the Doepfer A121 Multimode Filter. Basic Features and functions are discussed.
Audio demonstrations in the next video in the series.
Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 2: Doepfer A121 Multimode Filter Low and High pass Filters Demonstration

" A brief look at the Doepfer A121 Multimode Filter.
Audio demonstrations of the Doepfer A121 Multimode filters.
A specific look at the Low and High Pass Filters. Next video in series looks at the Band Pass and Notch filters.
Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 3: Doepfer A121 Multimode Filter- Band Pass and Notch filters Demonstration

" A brief look at the Doepfer A121 Multimode Filter. Audio demonstrations of the Doepfer A121 Multimode filters. A specific look at the Band pass and Notch Filters. Next video in series looks at Modulation of the filter.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 4: Doepfer A121 Multimode Filter- Modulation Demonstration

" Last segment in the Doepfer A121 Multimode filter series. Segment explores modulation of the A121 via the 1/V per octave inputs for frequency and resonance. 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 MAQ16/3 Already Maxed Out

The announcement of the re-issued MAQ16/3 Dark Edition has been warmly welcomed by most people.

It has also triggered the obvious MAQ-update questions again.
Although i am very happy with my MAQ16/3 MIDI Analog Sequencer, i agree that there are still many points for improvements in my, and other people's opinion.

The main issue that i have with the MAQ is basically the limited number of only 30 presets/memories.

It could also help if it had different scale settings, shuffle control and a bigger display for example.

Sadly the new MAQ Dark Edition will not bring any changes in that...

My Doepfer MAQ16/3 with
firmware version V3.61

Back in 2005, Doepfer explained how they already maxed out the capacity of the original MAQ hardware design.

" We discussed several times a "MAQ16/3 Mark II".
The main reason why we did not develop a new sequencer so far (2005) is because we wanted to offer the possibility to upgrade older devices (as for the CV/Gate output
addition from version 3.0).
Most of the suggested improvements would require a hardware change that does not allow to update older devices (e.g. LC display or a second display for more information, additional LEDs to display the step that's value is displayed currently, rotary encoders instead of potentiometers for exact adjustment, and some more)

Maybe there will come a "MAQ16/3 Mark II" at some time but it will not be possible to upgrade the existing MAQ devices because of hardware/mechanical limitations. 

We believe that the existing hardware of the MAQ16/3 is already "exhausted" and it will be a problem to add more features with the existing controls and displays. 

For example the glowing LEDs to show the currently selected row or the usage of the points of the display are already such makeshifts."

Source: Doepfer Yahoo Usergroup - Oktober 2005  

What you will get with the new Dark Edition MAQ, is still an awesome and affordable sequencer, that hasn't been available in black for a very long time and that will probably look better in your setup as the recent silver(y) edition... (that will also stay available for now)
Doepfer is being very smart IMO with using their already infamous range of 'Dark'-branded products for this latest edition, and that also makes it nice for the collectors.

Find all features of the recent MAQ16/3 at http://www.doepfer.de/maq.htm

Using an A-174-1 Joystick for WobWob

I'm not sure how to name my latest collection of short basic tutorials yet, but i am considering the name "PatchPourri" for this weird collection of short basic patch-ideas.

My latest video shows how you can simply use an A-174-1 Joystick for dubstep-like effects.
The idea comes partly from blogpost i wrote about Dmitry Shtatnov's DIY-fader, but i used this patch before on several other occasions.

In the video a 2-note sequence from the MAQ16/3 controls a standard A-110 VCO.

I connected the X-output from the joystick module to the CV input of a VCA, and the Y-output controls an A-121 Filter (lowpass mode).

Very simple, very basic... off course you can expand this in all kinds of ways.

Have fun experimenting!

Video: Using an A-174-1 Joystick for WobWob by PatchPierre

" Short PatchPierre Tutorial
Equipment used: Doepfer A-100, Roland TB-303, Machinedrum "

Uploaded by PatchPierre (subscribe!)

Read how i removed the spring from the x-axis of the A-174 Joystick module at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2010/09/happy-modding-ii-joystick-spring.html