From ANALOGUEMAN Sent Wed, Apr 17th 1996, 15:30
From ANALOGUEMAN Sent Wed, Apr 17th 1996, 15:30
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17 April 1996
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>From the great responce that I received for my review of the first batch of
Doepfer modules that I bought, it seems that a further instalment for the latest
batch would seem in order. For all those who have been waiting, apologies for the
delay. So here goes...............
N.B. Whereas the first batch could be classed as the basic bread and butter
configeration modules, this second batch are more utilitarian, and vary
somewhat in their usefulness.
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A-114 Dual Ring Modulator
--------------------------
Mmmmmmm........ I'm not quite sure what I can really say about this module, apart
from the fact that it is two self contained ring modulators. Each ring mod has an
X and a Y input socket and an X*Y output. Internally, each has an MC1496N, and a
TL062CN ic a piece. It's a simple module that sounds fine.
A-115 Audio Divider
--------------------
This was a module that I was looking forward to using. It only has two sockets on
the front panel, one signal input and a mixed signal output. There are five pots
to play with, which mix the divided input signals. The divider gives you the
original signal out, along with one, two, three and four octaves below. The
resulting waveform outputs are squarewaves. Now, I've never owned any of Roland's
SH series of synthesisers, and so the usefulness of this kind of modifier has
always passed me by, until now. Talk about rattle the windows! Wow! This really
is a most usefull module to add to the system. And yet the pcb is very sparse.
One transister, five capasitors, eight resistors, one TL061CN, and a CD4024BE ic.
Quite how this stands up against Roland's hardwired versions, I don't know, but
it is very good.
A-116 VC Waveform Processor
----------------------------
The waveform processor has, in the past, been described as voltage controlled
distortion. I wouldn't go as far as that. In the time that I've had with this
module, I've found it to be a modifier of subtlety, rather than harshness, and
although I don't posses an oscilliscope, the inputed waveform is definitely
changed somewhat. The module has four sockets, one audio in, one audio out, and
two cv inputs. The audio input is complemented with a level pot, and a manual
clipping level knob. The change of waveform symmitry can be done manually, with a
dedicated pot, or with a control voltage, whose amount can be varied with it's
own knob, as can the waveform clipping, which has one too. It's obviously a shame
that more of the modules don't have this degree of voltage control. The pcb has
two ics on it. One TL064CN, and a CA3080E. I find it quite difficult to describe
how the processor effects the waveform input in sound terms, other than that the
results are quite pleasing, and laid back, rather than in your face, which I
think most people were expecting.
A-132 Dual VCA
---------------
This is a cheap simple dual VCA module, which the manual recommends to be used
for control voltage purposes ie. non-critical amplification. Each VCA has two CV
inputs, a signal in and a signal output socket. Internally, each uses a TL061CP,
and a CA3080E ic.
A-151 Sequential Switch
------------------------
The sequential switch is very much self explanitory. It has a trigger in, a reset
in, and a commonm in/out socket. It also has four seperate in/out sockets that
are stepped through as a result of a received trigger in. Each of these four
sockts have an individual LED indicator to show which of them is active. I can't
say that I've found a use for this module in my system as of yet, but it's use as
an electrical rotary switch for use in automatic switching of oscillator
waveforms etc could be useful in the future. It uses two ics....a CD4024BE, and
an HCF4052BE.
A-160 Clock Divider
--------------------
Now this is one module I have used a few times. I suppose you could say that this
thing is the equivelant for triggers, as the A-115 is for audio. You put a
trigger, or clock source into the trig.in socket, and that trigger is then
outputted in a divided down form, from six seperate output sockets, each one
exactly twice as slow as the previous one. So if a clock rate of 32 hertz were
inputted, the first output would be 16 hertz, the one below it would be 8 hertz,
and so on etc. This on it's own may seem fairly boring, until, when creating a
percussive type line, you put the trigger in, and start to take some of the
divided down outputs (using the A-162 delay) to seperate sound sources, and
suddenly, you have a slightly unpredictable, but never the less, worthwhile drum
track (or whatever other sounds you may be using). Make no mistake, this is
brilliant fun, and what synthesis, at least for me, is all about. Each of the six
output sockets have an LED, and there is a reset input socket as well. It only
uses one ic.......a CD4024BCN, and nine BC549 transistors.
A-161 Clock Sequencer
----------------------
The Clock Sequencer is a module that must be used with the A-160 Clock Divider.
It only has outputs, and receives it's clock/trigger from an internal connection
via ribbon cable with the A-160. This panel expands what the A-160 does, by
outputting a sequential trigger starting at output socket one, and running
through to output socket eight. Each output has it's own LED, and the pcb has a
CD4017BCN ic on it. In connection with the above module, these two modules are
useful and great fun, especially when used to trigger multiple EGs etc.
A-162 Dual Trigger Delay
-------------------------
A very useful utility module, in which each of the delays have an input, and an
output socket, an LED for the output, and two pots. One for controlling the delay
time, and the other for adjusting the width of the gate pulse at the output. The
delay time has a maximum delay of about ten seconds. It's uses are almost
infinite- wherever there is a trigger to be used basically. Each of the delays
uses a B556D ic.
A-165 Dual Trigger Modifier
----------------------------
Each trigger modifier has four sockets: two connected inputs, an inverted signal
output, and a short trigger pulse output. This last output gives you a full
trigger for each rising and falling edge of the original input signal. Both of
the outputs have an LED indicator. Each modifier uses an HFC4077BE ic. This
module works just fine as a trigger inverter.
A-170 Dual Slew Limiter
------------------------
The first slew limiter is a fairly standard portmento controller. It has a signal
input, and a signal output socket, two LED indicators (- and +), and a pot for
controlling the slew time. The second one has the same arrangement of sockets and
LEDs as the first, but has a three position toggle switch for changing the time
range. This switch still retains Doepfer's oddball labelling (ie. high to the
left, low in the middle, and med to the right). It also has two control pots. The
first adjusts the portmento rise time, and the second one, the fall time. The
interesting point about this second slew unit, is that it can also be used as a
simple AR generator, when a trigger/gate is applied to the input socket. The
module itself uses two TL062CN ics.
A-175 Dual Voltage Inverter
----------------------------
Each of these voltage inverters are exactly the same. They have two connected
input sockets, and one inverted output socket. There is also two LEDs (-/+)
indicators. Each inverter uses a TL062CN ic.
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This second batch of modules aren't perhaps quite as interesting as the first, as
this batch consists of modules that are perhaps described as occasionally
usefull, rather than the all the time blow your socks off type! The next batch of
modules, which I should be ordering soon, will consist of some of the other CEM
VCFs and stuff, which, judging from the feedback that I've had, are generating a
lot more interest.
One of the changes that I've noticed, is that the LEDs that Doepfer are now
using, are of a different type to those on the earlier modules. The older LEDs on
the LFOs, and the EGs, are of the deep red variety, and are the rounded toppped
type (Roland used them on most of their gear- see the LFO on the Jp8 etc), but
these have been changed on the more recent modules, to ones with a flat top, so
they are absolutely flush with the surface of the faceplate, and are of a more
bright orange colour than before. I think that it's an improvement.
I have, over the last few months, been at great pains to point out to people
enquiring, that this system is in no way competing with Serge, rather it is
complementing the current range of available analogue equipment. I don't know how
well the system is selling in the States, but I do know that orders here in
Europe seem to have taken Doepfer by suprise, leading to slight delays in
delivery, but something that they are coping with quite well. An off shoot of
this, is that Dieter Doepfer has been given the confidence to release a further
range of modules, which seem to be addressing the main gripe from current users,
that being a request for more voltage control of the modules. The information
that I have at the moment, is for a further dozen or so new modules, and these
are listed below, with a short description. They should be available as you read
this.
Hopefully, this posting has proved helpfull and interesting, and if feedback
proves to be as positive as it was for the last one, I will continue to do the
same, for the next batch of modules that I'll receive later this year. Please let
me know what you think :)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A-117 Digital Noise Generator
Digital noise, variable from white noise to slow Geiger counter
like effects. Also simulates TR808 cowbell, cymbal and hi-hats.
A-129 Analogue Vocoder:
A-129/1 Analyser Unit
A-129/2 Synthesis Unit
A-129/3 5-Way Voltage Controlled Slew Limiter
A-129/4 5-Way Attenuator/Offset Generator
A-129/5 Voiced/Unvoiced Sibilant Detector
A-141 Voltage Controlled ADSR Envelope Generator
Each ADSR parameter has a voltage control input, with an
attenuator.
A-146 LFO 2
Variable sawtooth/triangle and square wave outputs, variable
range from several minutes to 5 kHz.
A-147 Voltage Controlled LFO
Frequency controllable from two CV inputs, as well as manually.
A-171 Voltage Controlled Slew Limiter
Single channel, voltage controllable portmento.
A-176 Control Volt/Gate Source
Accesses internal CV and Gate signals, and a button for clock signals.
A-177 External Controller Module
To connect footswitches, volume controllers etc.
A-191 Shepard Generator
Sixteen phase shifted control voltage outs, creating infinite rising
effects, when used to control phasers, VCFs etc., or translate pitch,
modulation, volume, pitchbend, velocity etc., from a single midi
channel input.
These newly announced modules mean that Doepfer are now offering a selection of
44 modules altogether, with possibly more to come, depending upon feedback, and
sales levels.
I have to say, that I'm slightly perplexed at the moment, as I've yet to see
anything of the supposed deal that Doepfer struck with CEM, for a range of their
chips. Apart from the filters and amps, most modules seem to use fairly standard
ics, so where the rest of the curtis chips have dissapeared to, I don't know.
Perhaps in future modules..............
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*** sean coppinger ;) ***
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