DOEPFER MUSIKELEKTRONIK GMBH News item February 2003 New A-100 Modules and MIDI Interfaces At the NAMM show in January 2003 and the Musikmesse Frankfurt in March 2003 Doepfer will show these new A-100 modules and MIDI interfaces: A-107 Multitype Morphing Filter: Module A-107 is a completely new voltage controlled filter that has available about 30 filter types: different types of low pass, high pass, band pass, notch, all pass with different slopes (6/12/18/24dB) and filters with new response curves that have no names up to now. If you are interested you will find the filter response curves of the new filters on our web site www.doepfer.com (click to the A-107 link). The special feature of the A-107 is that not only switching between the 30 different filters is possible but smooth "morphing" with adjustable morphing time too. The following parameters of the A-107 filter can be manually adjusted and are voltage controlled as well: filter type (one out of about 30), morphing time, filter frequency, filter resonance, amplitude. The filter itself is 100% analog (no DSP) and based on a CEM chip. Only the filter control (switching/morphing between the different filter types, display and button control) is realized with a processor. We break new ground with this filter as there is or was no such complex filter design available on the market as far as we know. The A-107 will be available probably spring 2003. The price will be in the $250 range. A-105 SSM 24dB Low Pass: As many A-100 users asked for filter module based on the legendary SSM2044 chip we designed the A-105. The SSM2044 filter was used e.g. in the Korg Polysix, in the first Prophets of Sequential Circuits and in different devices of PPG and Kawai. The special feature of the 4 pole low pass SSM2044 is the patented so-called "true open loop design that delivers a characteristic fat sound not available from other devices" (extract from SSM2044 data sheet). The module features voltage controlled resonance and the input can be distorted - if desired. Regarding to the functions, controls and in/outputs the module is identical to the 24dB low pass filter A-122 that is built around a CEM chip. But the sound, the resonance behaviour and the distortion behaviour are completely different for both modules. The A-105 will be available spring 2003. The price will be in the $100 range. A-154 Sequencer Controller: This is an expansion module for the Analog/Trigger Sequencer A-155. It enables a variety of new sequencer modes: forward, backward, random, pendulum and voltage controlled addressing of the active sequencer step (i.e. the active step is controlled by an external control voltage). All modes are both manually and voltage controlled. With an external control voltage (e.g. triangle from a very low frequency lfo) one could pass through different modes. Each mode is available as one-shot too e.g. to realize a complex envelope generator. The module contains a voltage controlled clock generator with both voltage controlled tempo and voltage controlled pulse width. So one row of the A-155 can be used to define the time or gate length for each step individually. The A-154 can be used to drive one or more A-155 to obtain longer or parallel sequences. The A-154 offers in combination with one or more A-155 an analog sequencer concept that is not available so far on the market. The A-155 will be available probably spring 2003. The price will be in the $150 range. A-198 Trautonium Manual/Ribbon Controller: Module A-198 is a Trautonium Manual resp. Ribbon Controller. The controlling element of the A-198 is a linear position sensor (length about 50 cm) that has available a pressure sensor too. 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 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. Typical applications of the A-198: 1. 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. More details about the Trautonium principles are available on our web site (use this link: Trautonium). 2. Ribbon Controller for any A-100 parameter (e.g. pitch, filter frequency, loudness, panorama, speed, modulation depth and so on) The A-198 is available end of January 2003. The price will be in the $200 range. A-100 Touch Sensor Keyboard: This is an analog keyboard with 25 touch sensitive keys (no moving parts, each key reacts to the touch of a finger) and a separate pressure sensor under each key. For each key a separate control (rotary potentiometer, maybe even an second or third row of potentiometers in the final version), a gate output with LED display and two CV outputs are available. CV1 is controlled by the corresponding potentiometer (i.e. 25-fold CV source), CV2 is controlled by corresponding key pressure (i.e. 25-fold gate/trigger source). The keyboard has these common outputs in keyboard mode available: gate, CV1 (pitch CV, i.e. the "normal" keyboard CV with 1V/octave), CV2 controlled by potentiometers, CV3 controlled by key pressure. In the analog sequencer mode these common outputs are available: gate, CV controlled by potentiometers (quantized in semitones), CV controlled by potentiometers (not quantized), CV controlled by key pressure. Different sequencer modes are available: turning on/off the active steps by touching the keys in toggle mode, only steps with keys touched at the moment are active, only steps between two keys touched at the moment are active .... and maybe some more. The Keyboard will have a MIDI output too. The A-100 Touch Sensor Keyboard will be available about summer 2003. The price will be in the $300-400 range (depends upon the final features). We will also show these electronics (only pc boards, no complete devices, no cases available, planned for DIY projects): Pocket Electronics: This is an universal electronics DIY kit to built your own MIDI control box. Up to 16 controlling elements (e.g. rotary potentiometers, fader/slider potentiometer, touch switches, toggle switches, foot switches, foot controllers) can be connected to PE transmitting 16 different MIDI messages on different (or even the same) MIDI channels. CTM64: CTM64 is an universal MIDI Out kit. Up to 64 free contacts can be connected to generate MIDI note on/off or program change messages. CTM is suitable to retrofit keyboards, switch panels, button arrangements or any other contacts so that they are able to transmit MIDI data. Up to 4 potentiometers can be connected to generate common MIDI controllers and pitch bend. Additionally a 1/4 jack socket is available for connecting a sustain pedal. MTC64: MTC64 is the counterpart to CTM64. It is an universal MIDI interface that converts up to 64 succeeding MIDI note on/off or program change messages into 64 TTL voltages (0/+5V). The TTL outputs of the MTC64 can be used to control different switching functions. With the additional available driver board relays, lamps, motors, electromagnets, magnetic valves and so on can be controlled. More details are available at the Doepfer web site www.doepfer.com. Doepfer Musikelektronik GmbH Geigerstr. 13 D-82166 Gräfelfing Tel. 089-89809510 Fax 089-89809511 Web Site: www.doepfer.de Email: sales@doepfer.de P.S. Suitable pictures are available on the press page of our web site http://www.doepfer.de/presse/presse.htm. To reach the press page simply click to the PRESS button at the left side of the page.