Doepfer A-198-2: The Ribbon Controller Gets an Upgrade

After a bit of delay... Doepfer has finally released the new A-198-2 Trautonium / Ribbon Controller module.

The original A-198 was released in early 2003, and  this re-design is a big improvement from that first version.
The new module features a clear backlit screen, and in performance mode you can easily select one of the 9 user programmable Quantize modes that are stored in memory by pressing buttons that will light up when selected. This looks pretty useful in the dark.

Although the new version is 2 HP smaller than the old one, Doepfer still managed to put 2 more connections on the frontplate.
Besides the CV and Gate-signal for the pressure-sensor and the CV and Gate output from the position-sensor there are two more sockets; 
Switching between quantized/not quantized can be performed on the module or via external control voltage input Qnt, which can be controlled from for example a foot switch (module A-177-2) or any other trigger, for dynamic quantize switching while playing.
Switching between retrigger on/off can also be done on the module or via external control voltage input Rtr.

The position CV range across the 60 cm ribbon controller manual is adjustable in 5 steps from 1 octave up to 5 octaves range, while the pressure sensitivity is also adjustable in 7 steps.

The direction of the manual is also selectable.

There is an optional Midi output signal available (instead of the input socket Rtr or via passive breakout module).... I will probably build a simple 2 HP wide breakout panel with a MIDI out socket after my holiday break next week.
All parameters can also be stored nonvolatile (incl. 9 quantizations), but i haven't figured out if there is a way to re-call the factory-settings yet.

The Ribbon manual itself hasn't changed since the update it got in 2005 (it has a more sensible pressure sensor and the improved sensor works even along the entire manual since then).
The (1Kg heavy) metal ribbon controller bar with the pressure-sensitive ribbon feels solid, but the USB connection on it still feels a bit wobbly... I was hoping a new kind of USB connector would be used in newer models. (this is my third Ribbon already)

I don't know yet if there will also be a new version of the (stand-alone) R2M.

The old (left) and the new A-198 

The main reason why I bought this module was mainly because of the space it saves in my mobile eurorack setup. The 2HP less width is a plus, but I also do not need an external Quantizer anymore. I did have the A-156 (Dual) Quantizer in combination with the old Ribbon controller manual, but this combo seems obsolete now.

Ofcourse I do like the new A-198-2, the bright screen, the hands-on control and easy switching between modes, but the settings menu's feel a bit overkill (to me), although these fine-tune settings will probably improve the precicion of the module) .
I would have rather seen a A-156- style quantize selection menu, perhaps even extended with a few new options? (... a 24 steps per octave (24TET) setting is/was the first thing that slipped into mind.) Microtonal music seems to be getting pretty mainstream lately.... and how about an adjustable slew limiter...

All I wanted...
A-156 Quantizer controls 

So, in the end, I’m quite happy with the new A-198-2. 

It does exactly what I was looking for: It saves a little precious space in my portable rack and eliminates the need for a separate quantizer. The extra features and deeper settings may be more than I personally need, but they certainly make the module more versatile.

And the best part is that I now have two Ribbon Controller modules. :) 

The new A-198-2 will stay in the portable rack, while the original A-198 gets a permanent place in the main studio system. That means I can simply move the controller between the two rooms and plug and play, which, for me, is probably the most useful upgrade of all.

Source: https://www.doepfer.de/a1982.htm
....more A-198 posts by PatchPierre HERE 

Doepfer Spring 2026 Announcements

More than a month ahead of the annual Superbooth event in Berlin ( 7-9th of May), my favorite brand Doepfer has announced their latest batch of A-100 modules.
New Doepfer modules get me excited every time, it means spring is coming... ;) 

The overall theme seems to be Micro again, because they released four new ultra-compact modules that pack serious functionality into minimal space.

The A-140-3 Micro ADSR (4 HP) delivers a classic exponential ADSR envelope with voltage-controlled times and dual outputs, but only half the space of the original A-140 ADSR module

Module A-142-3 Envelope Controlled VCA (4 HP) combines a linear VCA with a built-in AD/AR envelope (switchable to LFO mode), making it perfect for quick percussive voices.

The A-180-6 Triple Adjustable Buffer / CV Source (4 HP) offers three buffered channels with individual level controls, ideal for multiples, level matching, or simple adjustable offsets.

Finally, the tiny A-190-9 Micro MIDI-to-CV Interface (only 2 HP) provides basic monophonic MIDI-to-CV/Gate conversion with multiple outputs.

All four modules emphasize Doepfer’s signature reliability and affordability. 

They’re excellent choices for space-saving (portable) compact racks or expanding any Eurorack system without wasting too much HP.

Besides these modules, Doepfer will probably have more news on earlier announced modules like the new A-198-2 Ribbon Controller that was announced last year.. 

It should be ready to ship any time, I guess...

I already pre-ordered mine and can't wait to get my hands on it and replace my old A-198 with this one. The display on the new one, the quantizing options and the additional outputs are a big step forward imho..

I've seen no actual changes announced to the ribbon controller manual though... It could use a better connector instead of that wonky USB connector.

Now that 104HP  (and 7U? high) is becoming kind of a standard case-size (Intellijel), it would make sense for Doepfer to investigate if it is worth to make a 1U high 104HP wide touch sensetive controller strip that would fit into such a case.

It's probably the best use for the 1U high strip after all, 7U never really made sense to me in the first place..

Keep an eye on the Doepfer website for further announcements and details about their Superbooth presence next month... 

Random Video: Jamming on Doepfer A-100 Modular

Found on YouTube:
A short jam showing the possibilities of a Doepfer A-178 Theremin Controller and an A-198 Ribbon Controller combination.

Video: Jamming on Doepfer A100 Modular

" Edwin (Duo Blank) jamming on Doepfer A-100 modular synth triggering sounds notes through theremin and ribbon controllers."

Uploaded by duoblank

Wooden Ribbon Controller Project Part 2

My project is going great so far.
Most of the woodwork seems to be finished.
I carved out the whole  59.7 x  2.4 cm. strip where the fingerboard should come, about 3 mm deep across the whole surface.
I carved a bit too deep at places, but i will fill that up a bit with filler, so that should turn out fine.
The pressure sensor needs a flat surface, so that needs a little bit of extra attention.

I painted the wood 4 times now, with a glossy mahogany varnish, and it looks quite amazing IMHO...
It will get one last layer of varnish after the final assembly of the whole project
I screwed an iron ring at the top (but that might become an brassy one), and i am planning to screw one at the bottom for  attaching a shoulderband.

I changed my mind a bit about the old fingerboard that i wanted to use, but i will order a new pressure-board from Doepfer next week.
I also need to find a smaller piece of wood that can cover up the USB-connector or find another good way to hide the connections.

That does mean i have to wait a few weeks before i can take the last steps and finish the whole project.
I will keep you updated...

Wooden Ribbon Controller Project Part 1

Today I decided to pick up an old idea that i had for a long time.
Whenever i play the Ribbon Controller, i tend to hold it like a guitar, not like most do on a tabletop surface.

I have always loved the combination of wooden elements and synthesizers.
This combination was/is still very popular since the early 1970's.
Look at all those (Mini)Moogs and many other synths with wooden side-panels for example...
That is why i also decided to make my Ribbon Controller out of wood.
It looks like a found a nice solution to an earlier project too.

So today i bought myself a nice piece of wood in the local woodshop.
On forehand i had the idea that the handle of an axe might be the kind of thing that i needed.
They had a few different sizes, but i found a hardwood unpainted axe hande that was 90 centimeters (3ft.) long and perfectly shaped and curved.
I might make it a bit shorter later, but for now this will do just fine.

I dismantled my old Ribbon Controler (i do own another one, the newer version) and drawn out the shape of it on the axe handle. I used 3 screws to fixate the fingerboard while doing that.
Next up is the carving... i want to sink the fingerboard into the handle, but that means i need to carve at least half a centimeter deep.

I already carved the first bit like the last picture shows, but i still have a long way to carve.
But i need to get myself a new chisel now so you will have to wait how this project will continue.
I will keep you updated... but don't expect this to be finished before 2012.

Ribbon Controller versions

Ribbon controllers, old model on top

One of the most used parts of my modular setup is without doubt my A-198 Ribbon controller.
You can read all i ever wrote about it so far HERE.
I love improvising with the manual controller and the sensitivity of the manual makes it fun to play with.

In combination with the A-156 Dual Quantizer and a A-170 Dual Slew Limiter it is quite easy to play, even for beginners.*
Together with and the different scales that are available on the A-156 you can make your ribbon-sliding-skills sound very impressive.
* I should note that is also easier to play the Theremin modules using these two modules.

From 2005 the A-198 (and R2M) manuals are equipped with an even more sensible pressure sensor.
The improved sensor now works along the entire manual.
So how can we distinguish these two models?
The newer version is white on top, instead of the greenish grey color of the old model's touch-surface.
The new version also does not have the text 'A-198' printed on it.

Ribbon controllers, new version at the bottom. Note; the orange stickers are not standard

The Doepfer R2M (Ribbon-to-Midi) is the stand-alone version of the A-198 with MIDI and CV/Gate outputs. R2M offers a lot more features than the A-198 (e.g. quantizing, gate function even in the hold mode, inverse scaling and many more)

Currently from June 2011 the cases have changed from silvergrey with black printing to black with white printing... also very slick...

Quick Tip IV : Ribbon Cable

A small personal advice for owners of an A-198 Ribbon Controller or R2M manual controller;

Please unplug the USB-cable when you are not using the instrument.
The weight of the cable has more then once broken the USB-connector on my Ribbon Controller.

Or try to keep the controller and cable on a flat surface...

...also see THIS post.

Best Friends Forever IV - XL Edition

This next quick patch is a small extension of my earlier Best Friends Forever posts.

Although i don't always use this patch, i do like the simplicity of it, getting me more out of my Slew Limiter.

As blogged earlier, I use the A-182-1 Switched Multiple mainly to switch between my keyboard ( via MIDI ) and my A-198 Ribbon Controller.
For this i split up this Multiple in two halves, the upper half controls the Gate, the lower half controls the pitch ( CV )

The black cables that go into the Switched multiple are for ( quantized ) Ribbon Control if channel 2 is selected, the yellow ones are for keyboard control, via channel 1

The only advantage in this patch is that i am now using both halfs of the A-170 Slew Limiter, the lower ( and more extended half ) for the Ribbon Controller, the upper half for the incoming output of the MIDI-CV Interface.

Best Friends Forever III

My next unseparable combo is a threesome this time.

This is another essential combination for me, because i use my A-198 Trautonium/Ribbon Controller a lot to control my A-100 system.
The yellow patchcables between these modules always stay connected whenever i start a new patch.

The Voltage Control output ( pitch control ) of the Ribbon Controller goes straight into the A-156 Dual Quantizer.
This module divides the signal into various little steps that provides many different possibilities to scale the notes that are played, allowing the player to play more accurate notes and scales.

Note that I use the lower and more extended half of the Dual Quantizer.
The upper half has less functions and can only divide the signal into steps of 1 /12th Volt = 1 Volt per Octave


Last in the line is the A-170 Dual Slew limiter. With this one i can add a subtile portamento to the signal.

Again, only the lower half of the module is used in this patch, because this half has more possibilities.
The slewrates are adjustable from low to mid or high, and it has separate controls for rise and fall times.

This patch gives me all the control that i need, and i cannot do without any one of these in my live-setup.

Ribbon Controller USB-connector Project Part 1

After a few weeks of randomly disturbed signals, the USB-connector of my A-198 Ribbon Controller finally broke a pin... or two.

It's not the first time this happened, last time was a little over 2 years ago.
It is just one of the very few weak spots of the whole A-100 system, it might be cost-related, but i'm not sure about that.

Back then, Doepfer was so kind to send me a USB connector for free, and i know that if i'd mail them i can get one again, but i'm not sure this solution will work very long, as i use this Controller a lot lately.
The weight of the USB-connector (and cable) is just too big, and the way i hold it (guitar-style) is probably not the best way to hold it (?)





My plan is to by-pass the USB-connector by wiring the cable in another way. I'm still not sure how exactly, but i'll see. And you will.

Best Friends Forever II

Two other modules i hardly ever unwire are the A-190 MIDI-CV/Sync Interface and the A-182-1 Switched Multiple.
I use this combination to quickly switch between my Keyboard and my A-198 Ribbon Controller to control various sounds.

Like i did with my A-180, i split up the A-182-1 into a 2 x 4 Multiplier.
The lower half handles the Gate signal while the upper half handles the CV/Pitch.

The yellow cables from the A-190 go directly into the Multiplier, and the black cables that go into the Multiplier come (almost) directly from the A-198 Trautonium/Ribbon Controller's outputs, one rack lower.
With the red switches i can now manually decide what instrument i would like to use for the sound i am working on...

If i switch it to 1 it uses my MIDI keyboard, if switched to 2 i can use my Ribbon Controller.