Suchergebnisse: Dance Music

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box opened, product in perfect working order***


Module A-149-1 is the first module of the A-149-x range. In this group we present by popular request several functions of Don Buchla's "Source of Uncertainty 265/266" (SOU) modules that cannot be realized with existing A-100 modules. Many functions of Buchla's 265 and 266 SOU can be realized with existing A-100 modules. For details please refer to A-100 patch examples.

Module A-149-1 has available four different analogue random control voltages that are generated in different ways.

The "Quantized Random Voltages" section has available 2 CV outputs: "N+1 states" and "2N states". N is an integer number in the range 1...6 that can be adjusted with the manual control (Man N) and an external control voltage CVN with attenuator. Whenever the rising edge of the input clock signal (Clk In) appears a new random voltage is generated at the N+1 resp. 2N output. The N+1 output is capable to generate N+1 different voltage levels (or states), the 2N output up to 2N different states. If for example N is set to 4 the N+1 output generates up to 5, the 2N output 16 different states. The voltage steps of the 2N output are adjusted to 1/12 V in the factory. Consequently, exact semitones can be obtained in combination with a VCO. The voltage steps of the n+1 output are adjusted to 1.0 V in the factory corresponding to octave intervals in combination with a VCO. For each output a trimming potentiometer is available on the pc board that enables the user to select other voltage steps for the output in question.

Even the "Stored Random Voltages" section has 2 stepped CV outputs available: one with even voltage distribution of the max. 256 output states and second one with adjustable voltage distribution probability. The distribution probability is adjusted by a manual control (Man D) and an external control voltage CVD with attenuator. With the control set fully counter-clockwise most of the random voltages will be low magnitude but even medium and high magnitude voltages may appear but with smaller probability. As the control is turned to the right (or a positive control voltage appears at the CVD input) the distribution moves through medium to high magnitude voltage probability. The symbol at the lower jack socket shows this coherence graphically. The voltage range is 0...+5V for both outputs of the "Stored Random Voltages" section. For each output a trimming potentiometer is available on the pc board that enables the user to select another voltage range for the output in question.

The A-149-1 can be extended by 8 random digital voltages with the A-149-2 Digital Random Voltages module.

Dimensions
12 HP
60 mm deep

Current draw
40 mA +12V
10 mA -12V

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box damaged, product in perfect working order***


Module A-196 contains a so-called phase locked loop (PLL). The basic PLL system is shown in the sketch at the bottom of this page. A PLL consists of three parts: voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), phase comparator (PC), and low-pass filter (LPF). All parts are normally connected to form a closed-loop frequency-feedback system.

This is how a PLL works: The output of the internal VCO (linear CV control, rectangle output) is compared with an external signal (e.g. the rectangle output of a A-110 VCO) in the so-called phase comparator (PC). The output of the phase comparator is a digital signal (low/high/tristate) that indicates if the frequency resp. phase difference of the two input signals is negative, zero or positive. The output of the phase comparator is processed by a low pass filter (LPF) to generate a smooth voltage that is used to control the frequency of the internal VCO. The 3 units VCO, PC and LPF form a feedback loop that works like this: The control voltage (output of the LPF) increases as long as the external frequency is higher than the frequency of the internal VCO und stops increasing when both frequencies become identical. The control voltage decreases as long as the external frequency is lower than the frequency of the internal VCO und stops decreasing when both frequencies become identical.

But there are some stumbling blocks: Different types of phase comparators with advantages and disadvantages can be made. Some phase comparators e.g. even lock at harmonics, i.e. if the two frequencies to be compared are integer multiples. But for some applications this can be used to create interesting effects. The A-196 contains 3 different types of phase comparators: PC1 is a simple exclusive OR, that even locks at harmonics. PC2 is a so-called RS flipflop and PC3 a more complex digital memory network. The user can select one of the three phase comparators with a 3-position switch. When PC2 is used a LED displays the "locked" state, i.e. when the frequency of the internal VCO is identical to the external frequency.

Special attention has to be directed to the frequency of the LPF. To obtain a smooth control voltage for the VCO the frequency of the LPF has to be much smaller than the lowest frequency of the internal or external audio signal. Otherwise the frequency of the internal VCO will jitter or wobble around the correct frequency. But for special effects this frequency jitter can be used intentionally. Example: frequencies in the range 50Hz...1kHz have to be processed with the PLL. Therefore the frequency of the LPF has to be about 10Hz or even less. Such a low frequency of the LPF causes a noticeable slew of the internal VCO. When the frequency of the external signal jumps e.g. between 500Hz and 1kHz it takes about 0.1 second until the internal VCO reaches the new frequency (like portamento). So one has to find a compromise between frequency jitter and portamento. But these remarks are valid only for the "ideal" working PLL. As the A-196 is used in a musical environment the "problems" and disadvantages with jitter and slew time lead to additional musical applications like portamento effects, wobbling frequencies or harmonic locking according to the type of frequency comparator and time constant of the PLL low pass filter. Instead of the internal manually controlled low pass filter the voltage controlled slew limiter A-171 can be used to obtain voltage control of this parameter. Normal audio filters (e.g. A-120, A-121) cannot be used for this job as the minimum frequency is to high (down to a few Hz or even less necessary) and the signal has to be DC coupled due to the low frequencies. Audio filters are normally AC coupled.

Another very important application of a PLL is frequency multiplication in combination with an external frequency divider. For this the output of the PLL-VCO is processed through an external frequency divider (e.g. A-163, A-160, A-161, A-115) before it is fed to In1 of the phase comparator. In this case the frequency of the PLL-VCO will be a multiple of the master frequency. E.g. if the A-163 is used and adjusted to dividing factor 5 the frequency of the PLL-VCO will be 5 times the frequency of the master VCO. Consequently, frequency division (A-163) leads to frequency multiplication with the PLL circuit. In combination with the PLL low pass frequency several effects can be realized (frequency multiplication with portamento or wobbling). The frequency multiplication can even be used to drive a graphic VCO. If your graphic VCO e.g. has 8 steps (e.g. A-155) and you use a frequency divider with factor 8 in the PLL feedback the output of the graphic VCO has the same frequency as the master VCO. Another application is the generation of pseudo-harmonics (not real harmonics as only rectangle waves are available) or clock generation for switched-capacitor filters.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box opened, but product is in excellent condition and in perfect working order***


Module A-147-5 contains four voltage controlled low frequency oscillators (VCLFO) with triangle waveform outputs. All LFOs share a common frequency control. Each of the LFOs 2, 3 features a Delta control which is used to shift the frequency of the LFO in question up or down. With the Delta controls at center positions the frequencies of all LFOs are roughly the same. To control the frequencies by external control voltages four CV inputs are available which follow roughly the 1V/oct standard.

The module has these controls and in/outputs available:

Control F: manual control of the frequency for all four LFOs
Control Delta F2, F3 and F4: manual control of the frequency shift up/down for the LFO in question
Sockets CV 1...4: Frequency control voltage inputs (normalled from top to bottom)
Sockets with triangle symbol 1...4: triangle outputs
LEDs: visual displays of the triangle outputs (red = positive, yellow = negative output voltage)

Application examples:

Generation of four triangle modulation signals with a common frequency control for all LFOs and individual controls for the frequency deviation of each LFO, manually adjustable and controllable by external control voltages
Generation of modulation signals for polyphonic FM/PWM applications. For this the four CV inputs are connected to the same control voltages which are used to control the frequencies of the corresponding VCOs. That way each LFO follows the frequency of the associated VCO with the possibility to control the frequency of all VCOs (control F) and the frequency deviations (Delta F controls). For the simultaneous modulation depth control the Quad VCA module A-130-4 is recommended.
Generation of complex modulation signals by summing up the outputs (e.g. by means of a mixer module A-138n / A-138i / A-138j)

Technical notes:

The level of the triangle outputs is about +/-5V (10Vpp)
The manually adjustable frequency ranges from about 0.025 Hz (about 40 seconds) to about 50 Hz with the delta controls of LFOs 2, 3 and 4 about center position
The frequency deviations adjusted by the delta controls are about +/-1:5. Example: with 1 Hz in center position the frequency shift ranges from about 0.2 Hz in position -5 to about 5 Hz in position +5 (1 Hz/5 = 0.2 Hz, 1 Hz*5 = 5 Hz).
The manual frequency controls and the control voltage inputs have an exponential control behavior
With external control voltage the max. frequency is about 150 Hz, the minimum frequency
The scale of the CV inputs is roughly 1V/oct (not adjustable)
The CV inputs are normalled from top to bottom. Provided that only socket CV1 is patched CV1 controls the frequencies of all four LFOs.
When each CV input is patched to it's own control voltage each LFO is controlled individually by it's own CV. In this case CV1 controls only the frequency of LFO1.
Internally the rectangle outputs are available at four terminals (typ level +/-10V or 20Vpp). If required they can be wired to four sockets of a DIY breakout module made by the user, 1k protection resistors are recommended to avoid short circuits. If lower levels are required passive attenuators (voltage dividers) may be used.
Internally is even an (unbufferd) triangle sum signal available. For this each of the four triangle outputs is simply connected to the sum output terminal via a 47k resistor. This output has high impedance and should be buffered or amplified to avoid level drop when the load changes (e.g. by means of an A-180-3 or A-180-4 or A-183-3).
By changing the values of the capacitors in the LFO circuits even other frequency ranges are possible (e.g. Quad VCO to form kind of a cloud VCO). Pay attention that the accuracy of the CV input scales is not sufficient for precise 1V/oct VCO applications. The 1V/Oct scales cannot be adjusted and the circuits are not temperature compensated.

Dimensions
4 HP
45 mm deep

Notes: Module A-130-2v is composed of two identical voltage controlled amplifiers (VCA). Each VCA has a manual gain control (also named Initial Gain) and a control voltage input with attenuator. The character of the control scale can be switched to linear or exponential. All inputs and outputs are DC coupled. Consequently the VCAs can be used to process both audio and control voltages (e.g. for voltage control of the level of LFO or envelope signals). The signal input has no attenuator available but is capable to process up to 16Vpp signals (i.e. -8V...+8V) without distortion. For the processing of higher levels an external attenuator (e.g. A-183-1) is recommended.

The amplification range is 0...1. Even with a higher external control voltage the amplification remains at 1 (kind of "amplification clipping" at 1).

Controls (for each of both units):

Gain: manual gain control (Initial Gain) in the range 0...1
CV: attenuator for the CV input
lin/exp: switches the VCA characteristic to linear or exponential, in center position the VCA is off (mute function)
Inputs and outputs (for each of both units):

CV: control voltage input, min. +5V required for max. amplification (1) with CV control fully CW and Gain fully CCW
In: signal input, max. 16Vpp (+8V...-8V) without distortion
Out: signal output

A-130-2v is the slim version of module A-132-3 and offers essentially the same features. But the distances between the controls are smaller and rubberized small-sized knobs are used. In return the front panel has 4 HP only which is half the width of the A-132-3. The module is primarily planned for applications where only limited space is available.

Power consumption: 30mA at +12V and 30mA at -12V

Depth: 50mm

HP : 4

Notes: Module A-130-4 contains four linear VCAs with a common level control section for all four VCAs. It can be used for all applications of simultaneous amplitude/level control of up to four different audio or CV signals. A-130-4 is the replacement of the no longer available module A-132-2. Compared to the A-132-2 the width has been reduced from 8HP to 4HP.

The module has these controls and in/outputs available:

Control Man.: manual control of the amplification
Control CV: attenuator for the control voltage applied to socket CVo socket Input 1
Sockets In 1...4: VCA inputs 1...4
Sockets Out 1...4: VCA outputs 1...4

Application examples:

simultaneous amplitude/level control of up to four different audio or CV signals
polyphonic application 1: simultaneous control of the frequency modulation depth of 4 VCOs (Quad-LFO A-145-4 or Quad-VCLFO A-147-5 > A-130-4 > FM inputs A-111-4)
polyphonic application 2: simultaneous control of the pulsewidth modulation depth of 4 VCOs (Quad-LFO A-145-4 or Quad-VCLFO A-147-5 > A-130-4 > PWM inputs A-111-4)
simultaneous control of quadrophonic signals

Technical notes:

The maximum amplification for each VCA is about 1 ("Man." control fully CW). Even with an external control voltage applied to the CV input the maximum amplification is limited to 1.
The module is equipped with two internal connectors (pin headers with 4 pins each). Pin header #1 can be used to normalize the four inputs to other modules (e.g. Quad LFO A-145-4 or A-147-5, Quad ADSR A-143-2). Pin header #2 can be used to connect the four outputs to other modules.
The max. level at the VCA inputs without clipping/distortion is about 20Vpp or +/-10V.

Dimensions
4 HP
45 mm deep

Notes: Module A-147-5 contains four voltage controlled low frequency oscillators (VCLFO) with triangle waveform outputs. All LFOs share a common frequency control. Each of the LFOs 2, 3 features a Delta control which is used to shift the frequency of the LFO in question up or down. With the Delta controls at center positions the frequencies of all LFOs are roughly the same. To control the frequencies by external control voltages four CV inputs are available which follow roughly the 1V/oct standard.

The module has these controls and in/outputs available:

Control F: manual control of the frequency for all four LFOs
Control Delta F2, F3 and F4: manual control of the frequency shift up/down for the LFO in question
Sockets CV 1...4: Frequency control voltage inputs (normalled from top to bottom)
Sockets with triangle symbol 1...4: triangle outputs
LEDs: visual displays of the triangle outputs (red = positive, yellow = negative output voltage)

Application examples:

Generation of four triangle modulation signals with a common frequency control for all LFOs and individual controls for the frequency deviation of each LFO, manually adjustable and controllable by external control voltages
Generation of modulation signals for polyphonic FM/PWM applications. For this the four CV inputs are connected to the same control voltages which are used to control the frequencies of the corresponding VCOs. That way each LFO follows the frequency of the associated VCO with the possibility to control the frequency of all VCOs (control F) and the frequency deviations (Delta F controls). For the simultaneous modulation depth control the Quad VCA module A-130-4 is recommended.
Generation of complex modulation signals by summing up the outputs (e.g. by means of a mixer module A-138n / A-138i / A-138j)

Technical notes:

The level of the triangle outputs is about +/-5V (10Vpp)
The manually adjustable frequency ranges from about 0.025 Hz (about 40 seconds) to about 50 Hz with the delta controls of LFOs 2, 3 and 4 about center position
The frequency deviations adjusted by the delta controls are about +/-1:5. Example: with 1 Hz in center position the frequency shift ranges from about 0.2 Hz in position -5 to about 5 Hz in position +5 (1 Hz/5 = 0.2 Hz, 1 Hz*5 = 5 Hz).
The manual frequency controls and the control voltage inputs have an exponential control behavior
With external control voltage the max. frequency is about 150 Hz, the minimum frequency
The scale of the CV inputs is roughly 1V/oct (not adjustable)
The CV inputs are normalled from top to bottom. Provided that only socket CV1 is patched CV1 controls the frequencies of all four LFOs.
When each CV input is patched to it's own control voltage each LFO is controlled individually by it's own CV. In this case CV1 controls only the frequency of LFO1.
Internally the rectangle outputs are available at four terminals (typ level +/-10V or 20Vpp). If required they can be wired to four sockets of a DIY breakout module made by the user, 1k protection resistors are recommended to avoid short circuits. If lower levels are required passive attenuators (voltage dividers) may be used.
Internally is even an (unbufferd) triangle sum signal available. For this each of the four triangle outputs is simply connected to the sum output terminal via a 47k resistor. This output has high impedance and should be buffered or amplified to avoid level drop when the load changes (e.g. by means of an A-180-3 or A-180-4 or A-183-3).
By changing the values of the capacitors in the LFO circuits even other frequency ranges are possible (e.g. Quad VCO to form kind of a cloud VCO). Pay attention that the accuracy of the CV input scales is not sufficient for precise 1V/oct VCO applications. The 1V/Oct scales cannot be adjusted and the circuits are not temperature compensated.

Dimensions
4 HP
45 mm deep

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Item refurbished, repaired and in perfect working order.***


A-138s is a simple but useful 4-in-2 mixing tool. It has four inputs available. Each input is equipped with an attenuator (Level) and a panning control that is used to distribute the signal to the left and right output. Beyond stereo mixing it is equally suited to create variable parallel routings. For example: Any of the four inputs may be routed in variable intensity to feed two filters.

You may regard the A-138s as a smaller version of the A-138m Matrix Mixer.

Inputs and outputs are DC coupled, i.e. the module can be used for the mixing of control signals too.

- 3U Eurorack module, 8 HP wide, 30 mm in depth
- Power consumption: 10 mA at +12 V and 10 mA at -12 V

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box damaged, product in perfect working order***


Module A-140 is an envelope generator, and, since it puts out control voltages, counts as one of the modulation devices in a modular system. As soon as the gate input receives sufficient voltage, the ADSR generates a variable voltage, changing in time, called an envelope. This varying voltage is output in normal (positive) and inverted form, and can be used, eg. for voltage controlled modulation of a VCO, VCF, or VCA, or for processing other modules' inputs and outputs.

The shape of the envelope is governed by four parameters: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release.

The envelope is started (triggered) by a gate signal either from the INT.GATE voltage on the system bus, or, if a signal is put into it, from the gate input socket.

The envelope can also be re-triggered, i.e. start from scratch again, each time a trigger signal is sensed at the Retrig. input socket, when the gate is still open.

Module A-140 has available a three-position toggle switch to select one of three time ranges. The envelope duration ranges from about 50us (microseconds) up to several minutes.

In combination with the Comparator module A-167 a free-running "ADSR-LFO" can be realized.

Notes: Module A-183-5 is a simple passive quad attenuator. Passive means in this context, that each unit is made of two sockets and a 50k linear potentiometer only. There are no active parts like amplifiers or buffers and no power supply is required.

This is how the A-183-5 works: At the output socket appears the attenuated input signal, i.e. zero level at the fully CCW position and max. level and the fully CW position.

Applications:

Adjustable level of CV or audio signals to control other modules that do not have attenuators available.

Dimensions
4 HP
20 mm deep

Notes: The Doepfer A-126-2exp is an expander for the A-126-2 Voltage Controlled Frequency Shifter.

It adds two outputs from the Dome filter (+45 and -45 degrees) as well as separate outputs from the ring modulators 1 and 2, and from the internal envelope generator. Furthermore, it offers dedicated outputs for Up and Down Shift, allowing the module to be patched in stereo.

*Note: The expander can only be used in conjunction with the module A-126-2.

HP : 2

Notes: The Doepfer A-126-2exp is an expander for the A-126-2 Voltage Controlled Frequency Shifter.

It adds two outputs from the Dome filter (+45 and -45 degrees) as well as separate outputs from the ring modulators 1 and 2, and from the internal envelope generator. Furthermore, it offers dedicated outputs for Up and Down Shift, allowing the module to be patched in stereo.

*Note: The expander can only be used in conjunction with the module A-126-2.

HP : 2

Notes: Theremin module for generating a variable control voltage by approaching/removing hand to/from an antenna.

The distance range is about 30 cm. Additionally the module is equipped with a Gate output with adjustable threshold level. To simulate the original Theremin two A-178, a VCO (e.g. A-110) and a linear VCA (e.g. A-130 or A-132) are required. But of course the A-178 can be used to control other functions in the A-100 (e.g. filter frequency, modulation depth and/or speed, tempo, attack/decay time and so on).

The CV output voltage of the A-178 can range - according to the setting of the front panel controls - from -10V...+10V.

The gate output switches from 0V to about +10V.

Power consumption: 60mA at +12V and 20mA at -12V

Depth: 40mm

HP : 8

Notes: Module A-182-4 is a simple passive module that contains two mechanical rotary switches with 4 positions each. According to the position of the control knob socket 1, 2, 3 or 4 is connected to the common socket C.
As the module is fully passive it works bidirectional, i.e. the sockets 1...4 can be inputs and then C is the output. The other way round C can be the input and the sockets 1...4 are the outputs.
By means of an internal jumper the terminals C of both switches can be connected. That way the module can be used as kind of a miniature 4x4 matrix. Rotary switch A is e.g. used to select one of the four sockets 1...4 as input and this signal is sent to one of the four sockets 1...4 of switch B.

Applications:

switching of audio or control signals in the modular system without the need to unplug and plug patch cables (i.e. no signal interruptions)
building a small 4x4 miniature switch matrix

Width: 4 HP / 20.0 mm
Depth: 20mm (measured from the rear side of the front panel)
Current: 0mA (+12V) / 0mA (-12V)

Notes: Module A-138f contains two identical crossfaders with three inputs and one output each. Three different signals are connected to the inputs A, B and C. In the ccw position of the corresponding control only signal A appears at the output. Between ccw and center position a mix of the signals A and B appears at the output. In the center position only signal B appears at the output. Between center and cw position a mix of signals B and C appears at the output. In the cw position only signal C appears at the output.
The module is DC coupled and can be used for both audio and control voltage processing.

Application examples:

Crossfading of VCO waveforms (e.g. saw - rectangle - triangle)
Crossfading of VCF outputs of multimode filters (e.g. lowpass - notch - highpass - bandpass)
Crossfading of control voltage signals (e.g. envelope - LFO - random)

Width: 4 HP / 20.0 mm
Depth: 30 mm (measured from the rear side of the front panel)
Current: +10mA (+12V) / -10mA (-12V)

Notes: Module A-179-2 can be used to convert different illumination intensities into corresponding analog voltages and a gate signal derived from the analog voltage. It's the successor of the obsolete module A-179.
A light sensitive resistor (LDR) converts the illumination of the internal light sensor into a corresponding analog control voltage. The internal sensor is located at the front panel. Instead of the internal sensor a remote sensor can be connected via a standard patch cable to the module (ext.Sens. socket). An external sensor with a 2 m patch cable (A-100C200) is included. The external sensor is mounted on a small pc board which is equipped also with a 3.5 mm jack socket. The nut of the socket can also be used to mount the external sensor.

The module A-179 is similar to the Theremin module A-178 but uses the illumination intensity instead of the distance between hand and antenna for generating the analog voltage.
One can choose between passive control by covering/shading the sensor via hand or body, or active control by using e.g. a pocket lamp or flashlight. For this two versions of output voltages are available (CV Out + und CV Out -).

The module has these controls and in/outputs available:

ext. Sens.: by means of a standard patch cable the external sensor can be connected to this socket. In this case the internal sensor is turned off.

CV Offset: control to adjust the output voltage which is assigned to a certain illumination (e.g. 0V for complete darkness)

CV Level: control that is used to adjust the sensitivity of the generated output voltage (i.e. how much a certain difference in brightness affects the output voltage)

Gate Threshold: control that is used to adjust the threshold for the generation of the gate signal, an internal jumper is used to define if the gate signal is derived from the CV Out+ or CV Out- voltage.

CV Out+: positive control voltage output, increasing brighness causes the increase of the voltage at this output

CV Out+: negative control voltage output, increasing brighness causes the decrease of the voltage at this output

LED CV Out: bipolar LED (red/yellow) as display for the CV outputs

Gate: gate output with LED display

Applications:

controlling any voltage controlled parameter e.g. pitch or pulswidth of a VCO, filter frequency or resonance of a VCF, loudness of a VCA, time of an envelope generator, frequency of a VCLFO
triggering activities via gate with adjustable threshold, e.g. starting an envelope, starting/stopping a sequencer or any switching function (e.g. with A-150-1 or 151).
Conversion into MIDI control change messages is possible with the A-192-2.

Width: 4 HP / 20.0 mm
Depth: 30mm (measured from the rear side of the front panel)

Notes: Module A-118-2 generates the signals white noise, colored noise, continuous random voltage and stepped random voltage.

The noise signal is generated 100% analog by amplification of the noise of a transistor. White and colored noise are usually used as audio sources. The random voltages are normally used as control voltages (e.g. for filter frequency or any other voltage controlled parameter).

The A-118-2 gives you the ability to mix the relative amounts of Red and Blue noise (low/high frequency component) in the colored noise output.

For the continuous random voltage the rate of change (Rate) and amplitude (Level) of the random voltage can be adjusted. The continuous random voltage is used as source for the S&H/T&H unit. The type of operation can be set to S&H (sample and hold) or T&H (track and hold). When T&H is chosen the output signal follows the input signal as long as the Clock input is "high". As soon as the clock signal changes to "low" the last voltage is stored. When S&H is chosen the input signal is sampled at the rising edge of the Clock signal. For the Clock signal a "digital" signal (e.g. Clock, Gate, rectangle output of an LFO) is required. Dual color LEDs are used to indicates the continuous and stepped random voltages.

Controls:
Blue: share of the high frequencies in the the colored noise output
Red: share of the low frequencies in the the colored noise output
Rate: rate of change of the continuous random voltage
Level: amplitude of the continuous random voltage
TH/SH: switches between T&H und S&H

Inputs and outputs:
RND: continuous random voltage output (with LED display)
TH/SH: stepped random voltage output (with LED display)
Clk: Clock input of the S&H/T&H unit
C Noise: colored noise output
W Noise: white noise output

Important notes:
After power on it takes a few minutes until the two noise signals and the random signals are generated. The module is not faulty when after power on the signals do not appear immediately!

The S&H/T&H function is realized by pure analog circuitry (electronic switch followed by a holding capacitor and buffer). Consequently the output voltage drifts a bit in the holding state because the capacitor is discharged by parasitic resistors. The drift depends also upon environmental conditions like humidity or temperature.

The level of the random voltage changes with the settings of the Blue and Red controls. Especially the Red control affects the random voltage level (which is derived by low pass filtering from the colored noise signal) because the Red control changes the share of the low frequencies in the colored noise signal. The effect of the Blue control is much smaller because it changes the share of the high frequencies in the colored noise signal which are filtered out by the low pass of the random circuitry.

Power consumption: 20mA at +12V and 20mA at -12V
Depth: 40mm
HP : 4

Notes: Module A-119 (External Input / Envelope Follower) is designed to allow external audio signals to be integrated into the System A-100. It comprises a pre-amp, envelope follower, and comparator.

The pre-amp has two inputs: an unbalanced input for line level signals, with a gain factor of from 0 to 20, and a balanced input with a gain factor of from 0 to 500, for insertion of low level signals, for instance from a microphone or electric guitar. The Envelope Follower reads the signal level of the input, and puts out a proportional voltage as an envelope at its own output. The comparator generates a gate signal whenever the input goes above an adjustable trigger threshold. Three LEDs help you keep track of overload, the envelope, and the gate signal.

Power consumption: 30mA at +12V and 20mA at -12V
Depth: 45mm
HP : 8

The module was designed primarily to derive an envelope and gate signal from the incoming audio signal. The built-in preamp is not "high-end" and shows - depending upon the position of the gain control - a reduction of higher frequencies in the frequency response. It is possible to improve the frequency response by replacing IC1 (the upper of the two integrated circuits) by a more sophisticated circuit. For example the LME49740 can be used. It's no longer in production but available e.g. via Ebay.

Apart from this an incoming audio signal with sufficient level can be patched directly to the audio input of A-100 modules (e.g. filters), i.e. without the detour via the A-119. In this case the A-119 functions only as envelope and gate generator and the audio output of the A-119 remains unused.

Notes: Module A-183-4 is a fourfold level shifter. A level shifter is required if the level of a digital control signal has to be increased or decreased. A typical application is the conversion of a gate, trigger or clock signal with +5V voltage level (tolerance range +2...+5V) to +12 voltage level. The output voltage level can be set by means of a jumper to +12V or +5V. The factory setting is +12V. But it can be changed to convert also a higher to a lower level (e.g. +12V to +5V). But this application is required rarely. The output level setting by means of the jumper is global, i.e. it is valid for all four units and cannot be set individually for each unit. The four output signals are displayed by means of LEDs.

The outputs and inputs of the four sub-units are normalled via the switching contacts of the input sockets, i.e. the output signal of the upper unit is used as input signal of the unit below provided that no patch cable is inserted into the input socket of the lower unit. That way the module can be used also as clock/trigger/gate buffer or buffered multiple for digital signals. For this the signal that has to be buffered is connected to input 1. The buffered (and possible level shifted) signal appears then at all four outputs.
Voltage thresholds for the input voltages:
voltages below +0,8 V are treated as "low"
voltages above +3 V are treated as "high"

Typical applications:

Converting the levels of digital control signals (e.g. gate, trigger, clock) to another voltage level (+12V or +5V)
buffering and duplicating digital control signals (e.g. gate, trigger, clock)

Important note: the module cannot be used for analog signals.

Notes: Lots of functionality in a compact format thanks to Doepfer's typically smart approach. Eight linear VCAs with three mixers built in for good measure. Can be used for both audio and CV signals. Versatile.

Supplier notes:
Module A-130-8 contains eight linear voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs). Each VCA features a control voltage input (CV), a signal input (In) and a signal output (Out). In addition three mixers are included: the socket labelled "1-4" outputs the sum of the VCAs 1-4, the socket labelled "5-8" outputs the sum of the VCAs 5-8, the socket labelled "1-8" outputs the sum of all eight VCAs.

The signal inputs are able to process levels up to 10Vpp without clipping. Each CV input is equipped with a trimming potentiometer that is used to adjust the sensitivity of the CV input in question. In the factory the module is adjusted for the CV range 1...+5V but can be re-adjusted by the user for other control voltage ranges (e.g. 0...+10V).

The amplification range for each single VCA is 0...1. The signals of the sum outputs have a lower amplification to avoid distortion.

The VCAs and mixers are fully DC coupled, i.e. the module can be used for the processing of both audio and control voltage signals. The control voltage and signal inputs can be normalled by means of small solder pads (e.g. 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 and so on, or 1 > 5, 2 > 6, 3 > 7, 4 > 8 for the stereo application mentioned below).

Typical applications:
any kind of VCA application (e.g. voltage controlled attenuation of audio or control voltage signals)
two voltage controlled mixers with four channels each
voltage controlled stereo mixer with four channels each, for this the control voltage inputs have to be correspondingly patched or internally normalled: CV1=CV5 /CV 2=CV6 / CV3=CV7 / CV4=CV8
voltage controlled mixer with eight channels
add-on for the planned Joystick module A-174-4

HP : 6

Notes: A-133-2 is the slim version of the A-133 but has some additional features and improvements available compared to the A-133.

Module A-133-2 can be used for a lot of applications: as a simple VCA, or a voltage controlled polarizer/attuverter, or a voltage controlled inverter up to a DC coupled ring modulator. In principle the module contains two special voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs) that allow both positive and negative amplification.

The overall amplification is definded by the sum of the voltage generated by the Man control, the external control voltage CV and the position of the CV control which works as an attenuator for the external control voltage. Without external CV the amplification is +1 when the Man control is fully CW. In the center position the amplification is zero and fully CCW it's -1 (i.e. the incoming signal is inverted). By means of the external control voltage CV the manually adjusted amplification can be modulated. CV can be both positive or negative (i.e. bipolar) to obtain positive or negative amplification values controlled by the external CV.

In addition the CV signal can be modulated via the modulation control input Mod by means of another control voltage. The Mod socket is normalled to +5V, i.e. a constant positive voltage is used as modulation CV provided that no plug is inserted into the Mod socket.

The current amplification is displayed by a dual color LED (note: it's not a signal display but indicates the amplification, probably yellow = positive amplification, red = negative amplification)
Application examples:
voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) with pure positive overall amplification (Man + CV)
voltage controlled inverter with pure negative overall amplification (Man + CV)
voltage controlled polarizer/attuverter overall amplification changing between positive and negative (Man + CV)
DC coupled ring modulator with offset feature, the "classical" ring modulator corresponds to Man=0 and symmetrical audio signals for In and CV
additional effects by means of the modulation feature of the CV signal (using the Mod input)

Notes: Module A-145-4 is a simple quad LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator). Not a very "exciting" module, just a bread-and-butter device and a simple demon for work. Virtually in every modular system several LFOs are required for modulation purposes. The module contains four simple LFOs with the waveforms triangle and rectangle. A dual colour LED (red = positive / yellow = negative output voltage) indicates the triangle output of each LFO. The frequency range can be chosen for each LFO individually by means of a jumper between about 50 Hz ... 0.04 Hz (about 20 seconds, jumper removed) and about 2Hz ... 0.002 (about 8 minutes, jumper installed).

The module can be treated as a slimmed version of the quad LFO A-143-3 as it has similar features available. But the distances between the controls are smaller and rubberized small-sized knobs are used. In return the front panel has 4 HP only which is less than one third of the A-143-3. The module is primarily planned for applications where only limited space is available. The functional difference compared to the A-143-3 are the missing sawtooth outputs and frequency range switches.

Notes: Compact and simple four-input mixer module from Uncle Dieter. Linear pots make it suited to mixing CV signals but it can also handle audio. Mixed signal hard-wired to two sockets.

Supplier notes:
Module A-138n is a simple four channel mixer, which can be used with either control voltages or audio signals. Each of the four inputs has an attenuator available. The output is twice available (two sockets, hard-wired like a multiple).

HP : 4

Notes: Module A-196 contains a so-called phase locked loop (PLL). The basic PLL system is shown in the sketch at the bottom of this page. A PLL consists of three parts: voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), phase comparator (PC), and low-pass filter (LPF). All parts are normally connected to form a closed-loop frequency-feedback system.

This is how a PLL works: The output of the internal VCO (linear CV control, rectangle output) is compared with an external signal (e.g. the rectangle output of a A-110 VCO) in the so-called phase comparator (PC). The output of the phase comparator is a digital signal (low/high/tristate) that indicates if the frequency resp. phase difference of the two input signals is negative, zero or positive. The output of the phase comparator is processed by a low pass filter (LPF) to generate a smooth voltage that is used to control the frequency of the internal VCO. The 3 units VCO, PC and LPF form a feedback loop that works like this: The control voltage (output of the LPF) increases as long as the external frequency is higher than the frequency of the internal VCO und stops increasing when both frequencies become identical. The control voltage decreases as long as the external frequency is lower than the frequency of the internal VCO und stops decreasing when both frequencies become identical.

But there are some stumbling blocks: Different types of phase comparators with advantages and disadvantages can be made. Some phase comparators e.g. even lock at harmonics, i.e. if the two frequencies to be compared are integer multiples. But for some applications this can be used to create interesting effects. The A-196 contains 3 different types of phase comparators: PC1 is a simple exclusive OR, that even locks at harmonics. PC2 is a so-called RS flipflop and PC3 a more complex digital memory network. The user can select one of the three phase comparators with a 3-position switch. When PC2 is used a LED displays the "locked" state, i.e. when the frequency of the internal VCO is identical to the external frequency.

Special attention has to be directed to the frequency of the LPF. To obtain a smooth control voltage for the VCO the frequency of the LPF has to be much smaller than the lowest frequency of the internal or external audio signal. Otherwise the frequency of the internal VCO will jitter or wobble around the correct frequency. But for special effects this frequency jitter can be used intentionally. Example: frequencies in the range 50Hz...1kHz have to be processed with the PLL. Therefore the frequency of the LPF has to be about 10Hz or even less. Such a low frequency of the LPF causes a noticeable slew of the internal VCO. When the frequency of the external signal jumps e.g. between 500Hz and 1kHz it takes about 0.1 second until the internal VCO reaches the new frequency (like portamento). So one has to find a compromise between frequency jitter and portamento. But these remarks are valid only for the "ideal" working PLL. As the A-196 is used in a musical environment the "problems" and disadvantages with jitter and slew time lead to additional musical applications like portamento effects, wobbling frequencies or harmonic locking according to the type of frequency comparator and time constant of the PLL low pass filter. Instead of the internal manually controlled low pass filter the voltage controlled slew limiter A-171 can be used to obtain voltage control of this parameter. Normal audio filters (e.g. A-120, A-121) cannot be used for this job as the minimum frequency is to high (down to a few Hz or even less necessary) and the signal has to be DC coupled due to the low frequencies. Audio filters are normally AC coupled.

Another very important application of a PLL is frequency multiplication in combination with an external frequency divider. For this the output of the PLL-VCO is processed through an external frequency divider (e.g. A-163, A-160, A-161, A-115) before it is fed to In1 of the phase comparator. In this case the frequency of the PLL-VCO will be a multiple of the master frequency. E.g. if the A-163 is used and adjusted to dividing factor 5 the frequency of the PLL-VCO will be 5 times the frequency of the master VCO. Consequently, frequency division (A-163) leads to frequency multiplication with the PLL circuit. In combination with the PLL low pass frequency several effects can be realized (frequency multiplication with portamento or wobbling). The frequency multiplication can even be used to drive a graphic VCO. If your graphic VCO e.g. has 8 steps (e.g. A-155) and you use a frequency divider with factor 8 in the PLL feedback the output of the graphic VCO has the same frequency as the master VCO. Another application is the generation of pseudo-harmonics (not real harmonics as only rectangle waves are available) or clock generation for switched-capacitor filters.

Notes: Touching the sensor with a finger generates a control voltage CV1 that is proportional to the position of the finger. The scale (i.e. the relation between position difference and voltage difference) is adjustable with a potentiometer at the front panel. A hold switch is used to determine if the CV voltage is held after removing the finger (hold = on) or if the CV voltage jumps to 0V (hold = off). In the last case (hold = off) a gate signal is derived from the CV voltage whenever a finger touches the sensor (e.g. for triggering an envelope generator).

A sensitive pressure sensor located below the position sensor generates a second control voltage CV2 that increases with higher pressure of the finger. Even for CV2 the scale is adjustable. A second gate signal is triggered as soon as the pressure exceeds a certain value. The gate threshold is adjustable at the front panel.

The sensors are located in a separate metal frame (length about 600 mm, width about 30 mm, height about 18 mm, weight: about 900 g, colour: silver-grey). The connection between the module and the sensor frame is made by a 4 pin cable (same as used for USB connections).

Typical applications:

- Trautonium manual, the string is replaced by the position sensor that is much easier to use and cheaper than the string. In combination with the Subharmonic Oscillator A-113, the Trautonium Filter A-104 and some auxiliary modules a complete Trautonium replica may be realized. In combination with the Quantizer A-156 exact semitone intervals are possible.

- Ribbon Controller for any A-100 parameter

Notes: 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.

- 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 mains cable has to be purchased by the customer locally, it's not included with the A-100SSB)
- 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
- 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

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box opened, product in perfect working order***


Module A-188-1 is a so-called Bucket Brigade Device module.

BBDs have been used to delay audio signals before digital delays dethroned the BBD based effect units. But BBDs have some very unique advantages (or disadvantages dependent on the point of view) over the digital counterpart which result from the special properties of the BBDs. BBD circuits can be treated as a chain of Sample&Hold units (S&H) which pass on their voltages to the next S&H in the chain at each clock pulse.

In any case the sounds generated by module A-188-1 are very special. Typical applications are: Flanger, Chorus, Analog Delay or Karplus/Strong synthesis. But as the A-188-1 has a lot of very unique features (voltage controlled clock rate / delay time with extreme range, polarity switches for the CV inputs, feedback and BBD out/mix, clock and CV output of the high speed VCO, BBD clock input, feedback insert, feedback up to self-oscillation) a lot of unusual applications can be realized with the module (e.g. delay controlled by ADSR, envelope, random or sequencer with positive or negative effect).

The A-188-1 also has no built-in anti-aliasing filter in order not to limit the possibilities of the module. For this the CV out is intended.

This module comes without BBD circuit. The final adjustment is possible only with the BBD circuit used in the module. Electronic experience and measuring equipment (digital multi-meter, oscilloscope, frequency meter) are required.

Notes: Module A-170 contains two separate slew limiters, also known as portamento controllers or integrators. The first SL has just one joint control, which sets both rise and fall times (c. 0 ...10 sec). The second SL has separate controls for rise and fall times, and can therefore be used as a simple AR envelope generator. Over and above this, you can set the overall range for these parameters, with a three-position switch, as on the full ADSRs.

Both slew limiters have two LEDs each, to show the state of the rising and falling voltages.

Additional technical remarks: If the upper slew limiter is used for precision applications (e.g. portamento/glide of one or more VCOs) a buffer (e.g. A-185-1 or A-185-2) is recommended between the A-170 output and the VCO(s) input(s). The reason is a small voltage drop that is caused by the protection resistor at the A-170 output. An A-185-1 or A-185-2 connected between the A-170 and the VCO(s) avoids that voltage loss. For all A-170 manufactured later than May 2009 (recognizable by the label "Version 2" on the pc board) this remark is not valid as these modules are equipped with an additional voltage buffer at the output.

The lower slew limiter cannot be used for precision applications because of the voltage loss caused by the diodes of the circuit.

Dimensions
8 HP
40 mm deep

Current Draw
20 mA +12V
20 mA -12V

Notes: A-174-2 is a modulation wheel module with two wheels. The factory setting is a spring loaded wheel at the left side with bipolar voltage output (i.e. 0V in centre position, positive voltage in the upper range, negative voltage in the lower range, voltage range about -5.5 V ... 0V ... +5.5 V) and a wheel without spring at the right side with positive voltage output (i.e. 0V in the lowest position and positive voltage when operated, voltage range about 0...+8 V). For the spring loaded wheel a voltage "plateau" around 0 V is preset (jumper) so that the output voltage is 0 V in a small area near the centre position.

By means of jumpers the factory settings can be changed. For each wheel two jumpers are available: one for the voltage range (positive or bipolar) and one for the voltage plateau around 0 V. If these settings are changed even the wheels have to be re-adjusted mechanically. Therefore, such modifications should be carried out by a qualified person only. By request the module is available from the factory even with two wheels both with or without springs (additional charges Euro 10.00 for each change).

Important note for module mounting: As the potentiometer of the left wheel projects about 10 mm the rim of the front panel a 2 or 4 HP blind panel has to be mounted left from the module - unless the module left to the A-174-1 has sufficient space in this area (e.g. A-174-1).

Dimensions
14 HP
40 mm deep

Current draw
10 mA +12V
10 mA -12V

Notes: Module A-176 (Control Voltage Source) provides three voltage sources, to use wherever an extra CV is required. The top two voltage sources (CV 1 and CV 2) have controls for coarse and fine control of the voltage output; the third source (CV 3) just has the one control.

The range of the voltages output can be preset, either to 0 to +5 V or to -2.5 V to +2.5 V depending on your likely requirements. There is a jumper on the circuit board for each of the three voltage sources.

A typical use for the module would be to provide fine as well as coarse tuning for an A-110 standard VCO, (which, unlike the A-111, only has one tune control).

In general, this module will be useful whenever you need a manually controllable CV on a module which doesn't itself have a built-in control.

Notes: Economically priced module for connecting one foot controller and one double foot switch for control A-100 functions by means of the feet. For example, the frequency of a filter or the loudness can be controlled by a foot controller, but even other parameters like LFO frequency, modulation depth, phasing, pitch or any other voltage controlled parameter. The gate outputs controlled by the double foot switch can be used e.g. to trigger an envelope generator or to start/stop a sequencer. Even a single foot switch can be used if only one gate signal is required.

A special application of the A-177-2 is the usage within a Trautonium replica. The foot switches can be used to switch the mixtures of the subharmonic oscillator A-113. The foot controller can be used to control the overall loudness in combination with a VCA.

A-177 is compatible with the foot controllers FP5 and double foot switch VFP2. The Foot controller and double foot switch are not included with the module. If you want to use another foot controller or foot switch it has to be compatible to FP5 or VFP2.

If the foot controller FP5 is used the CV output range is about 0...+8V. The gate output levels are 0/+12V in combination with the VFP2 (foot switch not operated = 0V, foot switch operated = +12V).

Notes: Module A-180-3 is a dual buffered 1-in-3 multiple. The signal applied to the input socket appears as a buffered signal at the three output sockets. Each output has its own buffer, i.e. the three output sockets are not simply connected to each other. The lower output of the upper unit is normalled in the factory to the input of the lower unit. That way the module works as a single 1-in-6 buffered multiple provided that no signal is applied to the input of the lower unit. But it's also possible to pick-up the bus CV and normalize the input socket of the lower unit to the bus CV.

Application: copying/buffering of CV, gate and audio signals.

Notes: Module A-182-1 is a simple passive multi-connector similar to the multiples modules A-180-1/A-180-2. In contrast to modules A-180-1/2 each socket is equipped with a 3-position switch that allows to connect the corresponding socket to the internal bus #1 (left position), bus #2 (right position) or to turn the socket off (centre position).

Examples:

- All switches in left position or all switches in right position: 8-fold multiple

- Four switches in left position and four switches in right position: two 4-fold multiple

- X switches in left position, Y switches in right position and Z switches in centre position: two separate multiples with some sockets turned off

Notes: Module A-183-3 is a simple amplifier. It is DC coupled and can be used for both CV and audio signals. The maximal amplification can be switched between 1, 2 and 4 (in position 1 the module does not work as a real amplifier but only as attenuator). The level can be adjusted by means of the Level control between zero and the chosen maximum amplification (1/2/4). Two overload LEDs indicate if the output signal goes beyond about +10V or becomes less than about -10V. Input and output are equipped with miniature 2-fold multiples (nothing but 2 connected sockets).

The main application of this module is to adapt differing audio or CV levels between different modules or systems. For example, LFO, ADSR or Gate levels between modules of different manufacturers can be increased or attenuated. But even audio signals can be attenuated or amplified up to 4. But the module cannot be used as an amplifier for external low level audio signals (e.g. microphones or electric guitars)!

Notes: A-184-1 is the combination of 3 functions which are actually already available in other modules (e.g. A-114, A-148, A-170). In many systems it's not necessary to have two ring modulators (A-114) or two S&H units (A-148) or two slew limiters (A-170) available. That's why we have compiled these function in one small 4 HP module.

The upper section is nothing but half of an A-114, i.e. a ring modulator with the usual X/Y inputs and the X*Y output.

The lower section is a Sample & Hold (S&H) / Track & Hold (T&H) unit followed by a slew limiter. A switch at the front panel to select between S&H and T&H. In S&H mode the unit picks out a sample from the voltage at the SH input at the rising edge of the trigger signal input. In T&H mode the output follows the input voltage as long as the level of the trigger signal is high. As soon as the trigger signal turns low, the last voltage is stored. The trigger input is internally normalled to high, i.e. the unit works as a slew limiter in T&H mode when no trigger signal is applied.

Dimensions
4 HP
40 mm deep

Current Draw
40 mA +12V
30 mA -12V
0 mA 5V

Notes: Module A-184-2 is the combination of two functions and planned primarily as an expansion module for VCOs or LFOs (e.g. A-110-1, A-110-2, A-145, A-147-2).

Triangle-to-Sine Waveshaper:

The upper section is a very precise triangle-to-sine converter (thanks to Tim Stinchcombe who recommended this circuit). It can be used to convert any triangle waveform into a (nearly) perfect sine. The converter is much better than the simple diode converter used in the A-110-1, A-111-1, A-145 and A-147-2. Two trimming potentiometers are used to optimize the sine shape. The converter should be assigned to one VCO or LFO because the trimming potentiometers have to be re-adjusted if the input level or DC offset of the input signal changes. If the trimming potentiometers are deliberately mis-adjusted it can be used also as a waveshaper for non-sine waveforms (e.g. sine-shaped at the top of the signal and a peak at the bottom, even voltage controlled by applying an additional voltage to the waveshaping circuit, "circuit-bending" notes will be available).

The waveform converter is DC coupled and can be used also for low frequencies (e.g. LFO triangle waves).

Voltage Controlled Crossfader:

The lower section is a voltage controlled crossfader. It has two inputs A and B. The two signals are mixed together with variable percentage. When the manual control CF is fully CCW only signal A appears at the CF Out socket. When the manual control CF is fully CW only signal B appears at the CF Out socket. In the centre position of the manual control both signal appear with the same level. In addition a control voltage input CV with attenuator is available to enable voltage control of the crossfade.

Two LEDs display the crossfading shares of input A and B.

The crossfader uses two high quality VCAs (SSM2164). Inputs and outputs are DC coupled. Consequently it can be used for audio signals and slowly varying control voltages as well.

The sockets of the upper section (triangle and sine) are normalled to the inputs A and B of the crossfader section. That way the crossfader is used to fade between triangle and sine of the VCO or LFO connected to the waveshaper. If other signals are plugged into the input sockets A and B these signals are used for crossfading.

The main application is to fade between two different waveforms of a VCO or LFO or two different VCF outputs. But the module can be used for any other signals too as the waveshaper and crossfader sections are independent apart from the normalled sockets.

Notes: Module A-185-2 is a precision control voltage adder/buffer. Precision means that the amplification of the inputs without attenuators is exactly 1.00 and is suitable to add control voltages for the pitch control of VCOs (e.g. from keyboard + sequencer 1 + sequencer 2). Summing resistors matched to 0.1% are used to obtain an accuracy of 0.1% for the added voltages.

The module is equipped with four CV inputs: one with attenuator and three without attenuator. Each input is normalled to +1 V (i.e. if no plug is inserted the input contributes 1 V to the sum appearing at the output).

The input with attenuator can be used for common modulations (e.g. from an LFO, ADSR, Theremin, Pitch-Bender) for all VCOs connected to the output. The Lev.1 control is used to adjust the depth of the modulation, the first switch selects the polarity of the modulation. If no signal is connected to the first socket the attenuator works as a (fine) tuning knob because a voltage in the range 0...+1V (right position of the switch) or 0...-1V (left position of the switch) is added to the CV output.

The inputs without attenuators are planned to add control voltages coming out of keyboards, sequencers, Midi-to-CV interfaces, ribbon controllers or other CV sources that follow the 1V/oct standard. For example the CV of a keyboard can be used to transpose the CV coming from a sequencer, or the CV of a slow sequencer can be used to transpose the CV from a fast sequencer.

Each input is equipped with a three-position switch that determines if the corresponding voltage is added (right position), subtracted (left position) or if the input has no effect (centre position). If no plug is inserted the corresponding switch works as an octave switch for the lower three sections as the default 1 V are added or subtracted to the output voltage according to the switch position. The first switch can be used to add a variable voltage to the sum output. The variable voltage is adjusted with the Lev.1 control and the knob works then as kind of a (fine) tuning control.

The module is equipped with 4 outputs: three non-inverting and one inverting ouput. An internal jumper can be used to connect the non-inverted or inverted output to the CV line of the A-100 bus. That way the module can used to control several VCOs that are connected to the same bus board as the A-185-2 (same functionality as A-185-1).

Notes: Module A-185-2 is a precision control voltage adder/buffer. Precision means that the amplification of the inputs without attenuators is exactly 1.00 and is suitable to add control voltages for the pitch control of VCOs (e.g. from keyboard + sequencer 1 + sequencer 2). Summing resistors matched to 0.1% are used to obtain an accuracy of 0.1% for the added voltages.

The module is equipped with four CV inputs: one with attenuator and three without attenuator. Each input is normalled to +1 V (i.e. if no plug is inserted the input contributes 1 V to the sum appearing at the output).

The input with attenuator can be used for common modulations (e.g. from an LFO, ADSR, Theremin, Pitch-Bender) for all VCOs connected to the output. The Lev.1 control is used to adjust the depth of the modulation, the first switch selects the polarity of the modulation. If no signal is connected to the first socket the attenuator works as a (fine) tuning knob because a voltage in the range 0...+1V (right position of the switch) or 0...-1V (left position of the switch) is added to the CV output.

The inputs without attenuators are planned to add control voltages coming out of keyboards, sequencers, Midi-to-CV interfaces, ribbon controllers or other CV sources that follow the 1V/oct standard. For example the CV of a keyboard can be used to transpose the CV coming from a sequencer, or the CV of a slow sequencer can be used to transpose the CV from a fast sequencer.

Each input is equipped with a three-position switch that determines if the corresponding voltage is added (right position), subtracted (left position) or if the input has no effect (centre position). If no plug is inserted the corresponding switch works as an octave switch for the lower three sections as the default 1 V are added or subtracted to the output voltage according to the switch position. The first switch can be used to add a variable voltage to the sum output. The variable voltage is adjusted with the Lev.1 control and the knob works then as kind of a (fine) tuning control.

The module is equipped with 4 outputs: three non-inverting and one inverting ouput. An internal jumper can be used to connect the non-inverted or inverted output to the CV line of the A-100 bus. That way the module can used to control several VCOs that are connected to the same bus board as the A-185-2 (same functionality as A-185-1).

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Item refurbished, repaired and in perfect working order.***


Module A-185-2 is a precision control voltage adder/buffer. Precision means that the amplification of the inputs without attenuators is exactly 1.00 and is suitable to add control voltages for the pitch control of VCOs (e.g. from keyboard + sequencer 1 + sequencer 2). Summing resistors matched to 0.1% are used to obtain an accuracy of 0.1% for the added voltages.

The module is equipped with four CV inputs: one with attenuator and three without attenuator. Each input is normalled to +1 V (i.e. if no plug is inserted the input contributes 1 V to the sum appearing at the output).

The input with attenuator can be used for common modulations (e.g. from an LFO, ADSR, Theremin, Pitch-Bender) for all VCOs connected to the output. The Lev.1 control is used to adjust the depth of the modulation, the first switch selects the polarity of the modulation. If no signal is connected to the first socket the attenuator works as a (fine) tuning knob because a voltage in the range 0...+1V (right position of the switch) or 0...-1V (left position of the switch) is added to the CV output.

The inputs without attenuators are planned to add control voltages coming out of keyboards, sequencers, Midi-to-CV interfaces, ribbon controllers or other CV sources that follow the 1V/oct standard. For example the CV of a keyboard can be used to transpose the CV coming from a sequencer, or the CV of a slow sequencer can be used to transpose the CV from a fast sequencer.

Each input is equipped with a three-position switch that determines if the corresponding voltage is added (right position), subtracted (left position) or if the input has no effect (centre position). If no plug is inserted the corresponding switch works as an octave switch for the lower three sections as the default 1 V are added or subtracted to the output voltage according to the switch position. The first switch can be used to add a variable voltage to the sum output. The variable voltage is adjusted with the Lev.1 control and the knob works then as kind of a (fine) tuning control.

The module is equipped with 4 outputs: three non-inverting and one inverting ouput. An internal jumper can be used to connect the non-inverted or inverted output to the CV line of the A-100 bus. That way the module can used to control several VCOs that are connected to the same bus board as the A-185-2 (same functionality as A-185-1).

Notes: Module A-148 (Dual S&H) has two identical sample & hold modules, designed to produce 'staircase' voltages. The signal present at the sample input is sampled at a rate set by the signal at the trigger input, and held at that voltage at the S&H output.

The exact shape of the staircase depends on the sort of waveform at the sample input: NOISE or RANDOM signals produce random patterns; an LFO produces rising or falling staircase patterns.

Two LEDs for each S&H indicate the voltage (positive or negative) of the sampled signal.

Notes: A-149-2 is an extension module for A-149-1. It makes available 8 digital random voltages (i.e. only low/high states like a gate signal). The outputs are controlled by the "Quantized Random Voltages" section of the assigned A-149-1 and correspond to the 8 digital outputs of the shift register that is used to generate the Quantized Random Voltages. As the alteration of the A-149-2 outputs is clock controlled by the Clk In of the "Quantized Random Voltages" section of the A-149-1 the A-149-2 can be used to create random rhythmical sequences.

The A-149-2 requires the A-149-1 and has to be mounted directly to the left or right of the A-149-1 as an internal ribbon cable connection has to be established between A-149-1 and A-149-2.

Notes: Module A-150-1 (Dual VCS) contains two separate voltage-controlled switches.

Each switch has a control voltage input, a common Out / Input, and two In / Outputs. The switches are bi-directional: they can work in both directions, so can connect one input to either of two outputs, or either of two inputs to one output. Voltages in the range -8V...+8V at the O/I resp. I/O sockets can be processed by the module.

Two LEDs show which in / output is active (i.e. which is connected to the common out / input).

Notes: Module A-162 contains two identical circuits that generate a trigger signal with adjustable delay and length from an incoming rectangle signal (e.g. gate, trigger, rectangle output of an LFO or VCO). The rising edge of the incoming signal is used to trigger the new trigger signal. This module makes it possible to delay the onset of a trigger pulse, and also change its length.

On each of the two units, two controls can alter the onset time and duration of triggers, from about 2 ms up to more than 10 seconds. A control LED shows the generated signal.

Notes: Module A-163 is a voltage controlled audio frequency divider. The frequency of the input signal (preferably the rectangle output of a VCO) is divided by an integer factor N (N = 1, 2, 3, 4 ... up to 32). N can be adjusted manually and modulated with an external control voltage (e.g. from LFO, ADSR, Random, MIDI-to-CV, Theremin, Light-to-CV, analogue sequencer) with attenuator. The control input has polarizing function, i.e. the manually adjusted dividing factor can be modulated upwards or downwards. The basic idea of a polarizer is described in the modules A-133 Voltage Controlled Polarizer and A-138c Polarizing Mixer.

The output waveform is rectangle with 50% duty cycle. Unlike the A-115 with fixed dividing factors (2, 4, 8, 16) the dividing factor of the A-163 is voltage controlled and can be any integer value between 1 and about 20 (but only one output). In contrast to A-113 the dividing factor of the A-163 is voltage controlled and the output waveform is rectangle (the A-113 has 4 sawtooth outputs with 4 adjustable but not voltage controlled dividers).

Notes: Module A-165 (Dual Trigger Modifier) contains two separate trigger modifiers, to use with logical/digital levels (gate, clock, trigger). Each half of the module enables signals generated by the A-100 to communicate with other instruments (such as an external sequencer) or is simply used where you want to reverse a trigger polarity.

Whatever signal is patched into the input, inverted by the module, and fed out of the Inv. Out (inverted output) socket. At the same time, a trigger signal of roughly 50 ms is generated every time an edge of the trigger pulse is sensed (negative as well as positive). This trigger signal is available at the +/- output.

Two LEDs act as indicators showing the level of signal available at the two outputs.

When both units are daisy-chained the module can be used as level shifter for gate/trigger/clock signals (from min. +2,5V up to +12V)

Notes: 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 centre 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)

Notes: Module A-160 is a frequency divider for clock/trigger/gate signals, designed to be a source of lower frequencies, particularly for rhythm uses. The Trigger input will take clock signals from, e.g. an LFO, MIDI sync, or the gate from a MIDI-CV interface.

At the outputs, you have access to the sub-divided clock signals, from half the clock frequency down to 1/64. The low/high levels of the output signals are 0V and about +10V.

The A-160 also has a reset input. Whenever a reset signal is sensed, all outputs are set to zero, until the reset voltage disappears.

The Clock Divider can be used in combination with the A-161 Clock Sequencer to produce stepped sequences with a length of from one to eight events.

Notes: Module A-161 is an eight-step Clock Sequencer which is internally connected to the Clock Divider (A-160). Eight outputs are sequentially switched by the clock signals from the A-160 (see Fig. 1) and can act, for instance, as sequential rhythmic triggers for an envelope. The reset on the A-160 also works on the A-161 (instant return to Step 1). The low/high levels of the output signals are 0V and about +10V. In combination with a mixer (A-138) short analogue sequences can be generated. Our MIDI-Analog-Sequencer MAQ16/3 is suitable for MIDI-controlled analogue sequences up to 48 steps. A "real" analogue sequencer with 8 steps is the A-155.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Item refurbished, repaired and in perfect working order.***


Module A-162 contains two identical circuits that generate a trigger signal with adjustable delay and length from an incoming rectangle signal (e.g. gate, trigger, rectangle output of an LFO or VCO). The rising edge of the incoming signal is used to trigger the new trigger signal. This module makes it possible to delay the onset of a trigger pulse, and also change its length.

On each of the two units, two controls can alter the onset time and duration of triggers, from about 2 ms up to more than 10 seconds. A control LED shows the generated signal.

Notes: The A-139-2 is a headphone amplifier module with two mono inputs and a stereo headphone output. It can be used for driving small loudspeakers, LED strips, small magnets etc.

- Two-channel headphone amplifier
- Two audio inputs with level controls
- Input 1 is normalled to Input 2
- Common loudness/master level control
- Headphone output (stereo 1/4" jack socket)
- Max. output power ~ 2 W per channel (@ 8 Ohm load)
- DC coupled inputs and outputs (i.e. also useful for other applications like small loudspeakers, lamps, LEDs, magnets, motors - provided that the power is sufficient)

Notes: Module A-140-1 is an envelope generator, and, since it puts out control voltages, counts as one of the modulation devices in a modular system. As soon as the gate input receives sufficient voltage, the ADSR generates a variable voltage, changing in time, called an envelope. This varying voltage is output in normal (positive) and inverted form, and can be used, eg. for voltage controlled modulation of a VCO, VCF, or VCA, or for processing other modules' inputs and outputs.

The shape of the envelope is governed by four parameters: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release.

The envelope is started (triggered) by a gate signal either from the INT.GATE voltage on the system bus, or, if a signal is put into it, from the gate input socket.

The envelope can also be re-triggered, i.e. start from scratch again, each time a trigger signal is sensed at the Retrig. input socket, when the gate is still open.

Module A-140 has available a three-position toggle switch to select one of three time ranges. The time ratios for the three ranges are about 1 : 20 : 1000. The absolute Attack times are about:

20uS ... 100ms (switch position L)
400uS ... 2s (switch position M)
20ms ... 120s (switch position H)
The Decay and Release times are about 3-4 times more. Because of the exponential slope and the gradual asymptotic approach to the zero level the exact specification of the decay and real times is a bit difficult.

The voltage ranges of the ADSR outputs are about 0 ... +8V for the two normal outputs and 0 ... -8V for the inverted output.

In combination with the Comparator module A-167 a free-running "ADSR-LFO" can be realized.