Most wanted III - DIN Sync

The DIN Sync (or Sync24) standard, was introduced by Roland in the 80's for synchronizing sequencers, drummachines and (synth-) arpeggiators. The name Sync24 is derived from the frequency of the pulses, 24 pulses per quarter note (PPQN). A clock signal  of 2.51 V, at 24PPQN, defines the speed of the sequence or drum pattern. The start/stop signal defines if the sequence is running and has a voltage of 0 or +5 Volts. A lot of Roland's products were using this standard at the time, so some have sync-in, -out, or switchable sockets.

After the wide adaptation of the MIDI standard, the DIN sockets started to dissapear from most instruments. Syncing instruments via MIDI is now handled by the MIDI Beat Clock at a same 24 PPQN rate.

The SYNC plugs look the same as MIDI plugs ( DIN-standard, round with 5 pins ) ,but the pins have a different configuration as the MIDI plugs. The Din Sync standard can only handle clock signals (for tempo) and start/stop signal, so it sends no pitch-control. More info on Doepfer's SYNC FAQ page.

I know the DIN-Sync standard is now close to death. Only a few 'modern' drum-machines still have a SYNC In or Out, like for example the Novation Drumstation that i own.

The idea of a A-100 SYNC converter module doesn't sound bad in my opinion, perhaps a kind (extended) modular version of  MSY2 MIDI-to-SYNC Converter that Doepfer sells? ( A-190-X maybe? )

If i might suggest some extra features, why not add a 16 (or more) trigger outputs (A-160/A161-style) , SYNC-in possibility, reset output(s) and switches on the front for choosing dividing factors.

That, together with a set of MIDI In and Thru, or an internal link possibility  to the A-190, would make an awesome (and not too expensive) module that for example could be used for percussive effects like triggering drumsounds in Sync with your old equipment.

Gate vs Trigger

Both the terms Gate and Trigger are commonly used for a signal out event type, mostly generated by a keyboard or sequencer, to start the process of generating a note or sound.

A trigger is typically of short (fixed) duration, where a Gate is usually continuous and muted when a key is lifted.

Gate-times can often be altered, in fact an Envelope Generator is not much more than a trigger-to-gate converter, often with different kinds of variables.
Most commonly used types of EG's are from the ADSR type ( adjustable Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release time ), but you can also find simpler AR, AD or ADR modules in other analogue systems.

CD-Tip III : Analogklang - Modulsystem A-100 Demo CD

This CD was published by Doepfer in 1995 to show off their then brand new A-100 modular system. It has 29 tracks and a large, colorful, fold-out booklet (in German) with a description of most of their early modules.

All the basic modules are demonstrated on this CD, that was produced by Andreas Merz from Weltklang and  narrated in German by a vocoded voice. The tracks are short, between 25 seconds and 3½ minute, what brings the total length of the CD to just 30 minutes.
This CD itself must be a collector's item by now i guess, because the item isn't available anymore on Doepfer's website. I'm quite sure i won't sell my copy... ever. This CD still means something special to me, and i did listen a lot to it, even before i bought my first modules.

Although the CD isn't available anymore, all tracks ( and some other sound-examples ) are still available for download HERE ( ...sadly enough in a poor ( 16Kbps) quality due to file-size decisions, but if you really need better audio-files you can contact Doepfer for better ones )
A must-have /or at least must-listen CD for all the real A-100 geeks and you might even get some new, fresh ideas out of it.

Modifications III : A-127 Triple Resonance Filter Expander (part 2)

Hmmm... that went faster as i expected.
My brand new self-made A-127 Expander Module is now almost finished.
( Find part 1 HERE)
The switches are wired too, and the overall look of the module is even better as expected.

I did have some trouble with drilling holes through the aluminium front-plate at first, but it seems i aligned the sockets nice enough with the output sockets of the A-127 itself.
The switches work smoothly and the 'new' 12 dB filters sound sweeeeeet.

I'm very happy with this module, and glad that i went with this option instead of just putting switches on the A-127's front panel.


The wiring of the modules on the backside was quite simple. Red wires were used for switching between the different filter-modes, the blue ones the the audio-multipliers, and yellow ones (not visible in the picture) for the lower switch.
I did the soldering without removing anything from the module, but you might want to remove some components for easier access.

Instead of soldering you can also use small (0.1") wire-sockets at the board's jumper-spots. An example with detailed information of this can be found HERE

Update March 10, 2014
Doepfer announced an official Breakout Module for the A-127,
find out all about it at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2014/03/doepfer-127-bom-filter-breakout-module.html

Modifications II : A-127 Triple Resonance Filter Expander

Now that i finished my first 'real' module-modification i couldn't wait to start with the next project.
At first i wanted to replace a red LED for a blue one on one of my modules myself, but i couldn't decide which module i should pick for this... and i'm still not sure, but that can wait....

Another plan that was in my head from the beginning was the placing of 3 switches on the front-plate of my A-127 Triple Resonance Filter. There are 3 jumpers inside this module that allow the user to switch the filter-type of each of the three channels between Band-Pass (standard) and 12 dB Low-Pass. I have seen some examples on the web of this modification, most of them just with the switches mounted on the A-127 itself, but unexperienced as i am, i was too afraid to damage the front-panel and went for an Expander Module design.

So that is why i am building it into an official 4HP blind-panel that i bought from Doepfer. Each of the three A-127 channels on my expander module design will have a switch to switch the channel's filter-mode and will also provide an extra (linked) audio output.
( mainly to fill up the space, but i aligned these with the A-127's original outputs to make it look more like an official Doepfer module ) .

To complete the expander module i also want to place a switch at the bottom that has the function of the J3 jumper that is inside the A-127 module on the mix circuit-board. This switch can put the module in a mode so that both levels of the filter and the original can be controlled with attenuator 1 ( audio level in )

I am not finished with the project yet, the mounting of the switches and extra outputs is done. Wiring is the next step, i'll write another post on that later this week...
Find Part 2 at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2010/12/modifications-iii-127-triple-resonance.html


Update March 10, 2014
Doepfer announced an official Breakout Module for the A-127,
find out all about it at http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2014/03/doepfer-127-bom-filter-breakout-module.html

Modifications I : A-156 Quantizer Follow

A-156 with modification

Yesterday i picked up the spare parts that i ordered from Doepfer; a few switches, 3.5 mm sockets, LEDs and blindplates of different types and sizes. Now that i have them i couldn't wait to start with my first project.

One of my personal little annoyances that i have with the A-100 system are the tiny internal jumpers inside of some modules. Behind these jumpers are sometimes great functions that make these modules a lot more flexible.

Where i can, i will try to replace the internal jumpers with switches on the front on more modules, but i started with the A-156 Dual Quantizer Module.

A-156 after removing all the knobs
and frontplate

This module has two separate Quantizers, one that only uses a semitone-scale and Quantizer 2 that has much more options like minor/major/chord/quint/6th and 7th scales. There is a way to let Quantizer 1 follow Quantizer number 2 by replacing an internal jumper, but why there? It is probably a cost-saving thing from Doepfer's side but there is enough room on the frontplate of the module to place a switch with the same function. You can find a neat step-by-step guide with pictures on how to do this HERE , but it is quite easy.

Wiring the new switch

After removing the frontplate and drilling a hole for the new switch ( there is enough room above or under the printed 'Options Quantizer 2' text ) i could fit a new Doepfer 1-0-1 (on-off-on) switch in the hole and mount it back together again.

A-156 detail close-up

The wiring was quite simple, so even with my mediocre soldering-skills this was a piece of cake for me. The result is a simple and invisible modification that works perfect. Switch down couples the 2 quantizers, switch up puts quantizer 1 in it's original mode.

Okay... a similar result can be obtained with the use of an extra multiplier, but i found this one more adventurous... and rackspace-saving.

Now its time to experiment with the new options that i have. I can think of some nice patches already, but there are also some good suggestions for the use of this module and this modification at Synovatron's blog.

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