If you want to order an A-100 system we ask you to pay attention to the following notes to avoid unnecessary checkbacks, missing articles, subsequent consignments and similar.

1. Ordering basic systems (A100BS1, A100BS2, A100BSM):

This is the easiest way to start with the A-100 as everything you need is included (modules, power supply and busboards ready assembled within the frame, patch cables, power chord, user's manual). Please specify if you want a 230V or 115V version.

2. Ordering custom-made systems:

If you want to combine yourself a system from the choice of existing A-100 modules please pay attention to the following notes.

The width of the 6HU (HU = height unit, sometimes even "U" only) basic frame A100G6 is 2 x 84HP, i.e. modules with a total width of 84 HP can be assembled into the upper and lower row of the frame. The width for each module is specified in the corresponding module description. If the total width of all module for one row is less than 84 HP the free space has to be filled with blind panels due to safety reasons (dangerous voltages inside the frame). We offer blind panels with 2, 4 and 8HP. The sketch below shows the front view of the 6U frame. The broken lines mark an 2HP grid as the width of each A-100 front panel is a multiple of 2 HP (no odd HP ar used in the A-100). If you need more information about the mechanical construction of the A-100 please refer to A-100 Mechanical details.

At the end of this page you find the pictures of all A-100 modules that are available at present. These pictures have the same scale as the 6HU frame picture. You may use any graphic software that is able to handle pixel pictures to combine your system from the 6HU picture and the module pictures in question (to copy a picture to your computer position the mouse over the picture in question and copy the picture by means of the right mouse button and the menu selection "copy"). The height for all pictures is 200 pixels. The width corresponds to the module width (1HP = 8 pixel, 2HP = 16 pixel, 4HP = 32 pixel, 8HP = 64 pixel and so on).

A more comfortable way to combine your A-100 system can be used if you have available Corel Draw ™ (V7.0 or higher). For this we have available a Corel Draw file that contains all A-100 module front panels that are available at present and an empty 6HU frame. This file enables you to combine your own "virtual" A-100 system by moving the modules to the desired position at the frame (activate "magnetic auxiliary lines" to align the front panels at the right positions within the frame). This is the link to the Corel Draw™  file:

• A100_System.cdr (~ 1.4 MB)

In addition the power supply has to deliver sufficient current for all modules. The old A-100 standard power supply could put out a maximum current of 1200 mA (for old systems or frames manufactured before 2006 even the old power supply with 650mA only may be in use). In setting up a custom-made system, make sure that the total current required by all the modules doesn’t exceed the value of the power supply that is ised (you will find the current for each module at the module description). The PSU2 uses a ring-core transformer and produces much less mechanical and electrical hum noise. In every case the PSU2 is recommended if the spring reverb module A-199 has to be assembled into the frame as the spring reverb system is very sensitive to electrical hum noise.

An additional +5V power supply has to be installed if modules that require +5V too are included in the system (e.g. A-113, A-190, A-191). For this a separate +5V power supply may be installed at the second back plane. Alternatively the +5V low cost adapter can be installed if not more than 100 mA are required at +5V and there is a corresponding current reserve at +12V (the +5V low cost adapter takes the current from +12V). You will find a remark at the module description if the module requires +5V. For details regarding +5V power supply or +5V low cost adapter look at A-100 accessories.

For price/current/panel width calculation of your A-100 system we also have available a suitable Excel™ sheet: A100_SYS.XLS. You need Microsoft Excel™ to modify the sheet for your application. You can download the file or even start Excel from your browser directly by clicking to the link (depends upon the settings of your browser). As soon as you have specified the desired modules for the upper/lower row of the frame in the sheet you obtain the following results:

• Total number of modules

• Total width of all modules in the upper and lower row of the frame (has to be = 84 for a completely filled row)

• Total current consumption for all modules (has to be less than 1200 mA otherwise a second power supply is necessary)

• Total price for the system (only valid if you order directly from Doepfer, if there is a Doepfer representative in your country please ask for the prices in your country)

Do not forget to order sufficient patch cables. We offer patch cables with different lenght. Even the user's manual has to be ordered in addition if you combine your own system and want to have the manual in printed version (all manuals are available as pdf files on our web site too). Please look at A-100 accessories page and the price list for details.

Please specify if you want to have the modules assembled in the frame or if you want to assemble the modules yourself. We recommend to order ready assembled systems (please look at the price list for the corresponding assembly charges). If you want a certain arrangement of the modules please specify this in your order. Otherwise the modules will be arranged by us. If you want to assemble the modules yourself please read the corresponding section of the user's manual and the A-100 Mechanical details very carefully. Not properly installed modules may be damaged and the warranty is void. One has not to be an electronic specialist to install the modules but a little bit of mechanical skill is necessary. 

We advice beginners or laymans to order ready assembled systems only. Not properly installed modules may be damaged and the warranty is void. The mains cable has to be disconnected before removing or installing modules. Free space has to be filled with blind panels due to safety reasons (dangerous voltages inside the frame) before mains voltage is applied. 

If you still have questions concerning custom-made A-100 systems please address technical questions to hardware@doepfer.de or technik@doepfer.de. If you have questions concerning prices, order-processing, shipment, proforma-invoices and similar please contact sales@doepfer.de.

3. Ordering single modules:

If you want to order single modules please pay attention to the following notes.

Single A-100 modules do not contain power supply and case. Operationg single modules requires a suitable power supply and a 19" frame to assemble the modules. We recommend to use our A-100G3 or A-100G6 as these include the power supply, bus boards and match exactly to the A-100 modules. If you already own a suitable power supply and/or frame please look at the A-100 Technical details and A-100 Mechanical details to find out is your power supply and/or frame is suitable for the A-100 modules. We also have the A-100 bus board and A-100 power supplies available as spare parts. Please look at A-100 accessories page and the price list for details.

If you are familiar with electronics you may use your own power supply and frame. Most of the A-100 modules require a dual +/-12V supply. This means that the terminals GND, +12V and -12V are necessary. Some modules additionally require a +5V supply (e.g. A-113, A-190, A-191). For each module you will find the current required for +/-12V in the module description. The power supply used must be be able to supply the current required by the modules, i.e. the sum of all currents of the modules used in your application. Most of the modules will work with +12...+15V / -12...-15V power supply as well but some specifications given in the module description are no longer valid (e.g. range of some controls) as the modules are tested and adjusted in the factory with +12.00 V/-12.00V power supply. Even some re-adjustments may be necessary (e.g. the feed through for A-114 or A-126). We recommed to use only a power supply that can be adjusted to exactly +12.00V/-12.00V.

These modules are not allowed to be operated at +/-15V supplies. A +/-15V supplies will destroy the (very expensive) CEM circuits in these modules: A-126, A-127, A-129/2, A-130, A-131, A-134 and A-135. These modules use the Curtis chips CEM3381 or CEM3382. The max. supply voltage allowed for these integrated circuits is +/-12V. The modules A-148 (old version until end of 1998, new version from 1999 is OK), A-150 and A-151 will not work with +/-15V too. These modules may be damaged with +/-15V supplies too but the parts that may be destroyed (CD4052 or CD4053) are much cheaper than the CEM chips. For all of these modules a +/-12V power supply is absolutely necessary!

If you want to use your own power supply or install the A-100 power supply you have to be familiar with electronics. You have to guarantee the electrical safety and keep all laws concerning electrical safety valid in your country ! We strictly warn you to install a power supply if you are not familiar with electronics ! This is valid too if you order the A-100 power supply as a spare part ! Only qualified personnel is allowed to install the A-100 power supply !

If the modules are operated with wrong supplies (more than +/-12V, missing GND, inverse supplies, i.e. positive and negative terminals mixed up) the modules will be destroyed. In this case the warranty is void and the working time and spare parts required to repair the module is charged to the customer !

For applications with only one or a few modules a miniature power supply/bus board is available. This can be used if not more than 100mA are required. As this power supply uses a low voltage AC adapter with 9V AC output no safety problems could occur. Please look at A-100 accessories page and the price list for details.

Do not forget to order sufficient patch cables. We offer patch cables with different lenght. Even the user's manual has to be ordered in addition if you order single modules and want to have the manual in printed version (all manuals are available as pdf files on our web site too). Please look at A-100 accessories page and the price list for details.