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).

Doepfer A-110-4SE Special Edition Quadrature Thru-Zero VCO

A-110-4SE

Interesting times for the Doepfer collectors.

After the A-124SE Doepfer WASP special edition was announced almost 2 months ago, Doepfer now releases the A-110-4SE Zero-Thru Special Edition module.

From about middle of October a special edition of this Quadrature Thru-Zero VCOs A-110-4 will be available as A-110-4SE.
The special edition is equipped with a blue anodized front panel and white knobs.
The price will be 140 Euro

Blue and white seem to be the colours of the Bavarian flag... #Oktoberfest reference?

Source: http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm

This picture appeared later. Probably explaining the colour-scheme better...

Doepfer A-100SSB Small Power Supply/Bus Announced

A-100SSB is a combination of power supply and bus board with 8 connectors for A-100 modules. Planned for applications with up to 8 modules and a max. current of 380 mA. A-100SSB is available as ready built and tested unit.

A-100SSB Prototype I

These are the most important features:
- wide range mains voltage input 100-240V AC / 50-60 Hz
- IEC inlet on board for the connection of a suitable mains cable (a suitable cable has to be purchased by the customer locally)
- switching supply with +12V/380 mA and -12V/380mA for the operation of A-100 modules up to 380 mA total supply current
- safety cover at the bottom side (covers all elements that lead mains voltage)
- on board fuse
- 8 bus connectors
- LED displays for +12V, -12V and +5V (+5V are available only if e.g. the 5V adapter A-100AD5 is used)
- Dimensions: about 270 mm (length) x 55 mm (width) x 35 mm (height)
- several 3mm holes for mounting the unit on a rear panel or bottom plate

Planned for  ca. Oktober 2015 / ~ October 2015 /  for ~ Euro 75.00

Source: http://www.doepfer.de/A100SSB.htm

Doepfer A-136 Distortion/Waveshaper Tutorial Videos by Raul Pena

Raul Pena published new videos demonstrating the A-136 Distortion/Waveshaper Module

Module A-136 is a distortion and waveshaping module with extensive control possibilities. The incoming audio or cv signal is internally divided into 3 sections:
- positive component of the signal with adjustable clipping level (even externally via jack socket) and positive or negative amplification (+/-) of this component
- negative component of the signal with adjustable clipping level (even externally via jack socket) and positive or negative amplification (+/-) of this component
- original signal with positive or negative amplification (+/-)

Different settings of 5 distortion/waveshaping parameters enable a lot of very complex and extreme waveform modifications. The range of modifications reaches from simple soft or hard clipping to completely altered waveforms where the original signal is no longer recognizable.
The sketch below shows only a few examples when using a triangle as input signal.

Applications: audio distortion (especially in combination with filters very interesting), waveform modification for audio signals as well as for control voltages (LFO, ADSR, random etc.).

Video: Doepfer A136 Distortion/Waveshaper Basics and Demos (Full Playlist)

Doepfer A168-1 PW/PWM-Generator Announced

Doepfer Announced another new module last week...

Module A-168-1 is a pulsewidth modulation generator (PWM Module).

It derives a rectangle signal with adjustable pulsewidth from an external triangle, sawtooth or sine wave. 

The external signal can be an LFO, VCO or any other signal with falling/rising slopes (e.g. ADSR). In addition the pulsewidth can be modulated by a CV signal (e.g. LFO or ADSR). 

The typical application is the generation of a rectangle signal with PWM from VCOs or LFOs which do not yet have this feature (e.g. A-110-4, A-145, A-147-2, A-143-4, A-143-9).

The module is equipped with these controls and in/output:
- Manual PW control (PW)
- PWM CV Input with attenuator (PWM)
- Signal input (In)
- Output with LED control (Out)
- Inverted Output with LED control (/Out)
- Internal trimming potentiometer for PW (is adjusted for symmetrical 50:50 rectangle when the manual PW control is at center position)
- Internal trimming potentiometer for PWM range (is adjusted so that the manual PW control covers the full PW range 0 ... 100%)
- The trimming potentiometers are required to adjust the module for best operation for signals with different DC offsets (e.g. unipolar/bipolar signals) and different signal levels.

Normally the module is assigned to another module because the trimming potentiometer have to be readjusted when the input signal changes (unless the signals have nearly the same DC offset and level)

(planned for November 2015, price ~ Euro 50.00, price and release date are still without obligation)
Source: http://www.doepfer.de/a1681.htm

Doepfer A-124SE Special Edition Wasp Filter Module

A-124SE

Quite unexpected, Doepfer announced a black A-124 Wasp filter with yellow knobs today.

This module comes as a limited edition and will be available through your local dealers. (order no. A-124SE)
According to a Doepfer interview with the Sud-Deutsche Zeitung the first batch sold out (to distributors) within 24 hour.

Great marketing-idea by Doepfer IMO, especially to promote the recently announced colored knobs. All kinds of color-schemes are possible now.

I hope they will do that to more modules...

Find out more about the A-124 Wasp filter at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/search/label/A-124