Now available as a free download: Andreas Krebs, Das große Buch zum Doepfer A-100 Modulsynthesizer

The book: All current A-100 modules are described systematically and in detail. In addition, many unusual patches "from the bag of tricks" are presented (illustrated in colour throughout). Sound generators - filters - unusual sound benders - modulators - everything for amplifying, mixing and splitting sounds - manipulating triggers - cabinets. Especially for beginners: basics of modular systems, connections, overview of all filters and their differences, how to turn a low-pass filter into a high-pass filter, example systems for different purposes, etc. Especially for advanced module users: Unusual modules and their possibilities - e.g. how a flexible waveshaper can be built from a max/min module, how a comparator transforms oscillations, what a polariser has in common with a ring modulator or why an oscillator can also simply sing along with you.

The author: Andreas Krebs has been working with analogue (and other) synthesizers for about 30 years. After graduating in psychology, he has been working in the IT field for many years. Andreas composes and improvises strange music.

Our opinion: The book describes all modules very competently and in detail (as of 2011) and was designed by the author with a lot of devotion to detail. Highly recommended !

The book is out of print, but the author kindly offers it for free download:

http://www.a100.ideenhase.de/Krebs_Doepfer_A100_small.pdf.

Further information is available at www.ideenhase.de

Today Animal Factory Amplification will share a video demo of the upcoming Orobas module!

It would be wrong to typecast the Orobas as just another VCA. It makes use of the characteristics of 1950s-era 6SJ7 vacuum tube to distort, wave shape, duck, expand, saturate and completely dismember the soul of the incoming signal.

The Orobas took inspiration from the fantastic body of work laid down by Eric Barbour of Metasonix.

Find more informations here.

The Synthesis Technology E520 Hyperion Stereo Effects Processor is now available from us, in silver or black.

The E520 Hyperion is a mono/stereo in, stereo out effects module.

Powered by a 480MHz ARM Cortex M7 CPU, the E520 has 64MB on on-board SDRAM for recording up to 6min of stereo audio at 48KHz sample rate. The LCD screen and optical encoder navigation uses the same 'shallow' menu scheme of our E352 and E370 modules, with the addition of 4 'soft keys' for selecting options without having to leave the main page.

The module uses a premium audio path not usually found in Eurorack. Crystal Semi CODECs, TI OPA-series op amps (in the audio sections) are used along with low-noise, dedicated LDO voltage regulators for a clean, full soundstage. Audio conversion uses 48KHz sample rate, 24bit resolution with a line or synth level setting.

The Analogue Systems RS-650 Echo/Reverb module is a combination of the RS-310 Reverb/Chorus and RS-440 Analogue Delay.

They are based on the most versatile BBD (bucket brigade delay) chip out there: the MN3011. Thanks to this chip, the RS-650 offers both delay and reverb settings in one module. Flip the switch to quickly change between delay or reverb effect.

The MN3011 BBD was an intermediate stage between normal delay chips and digital reverb. It has multi-tapped outputs which are configured in a way that simulates multiple acoustic reflections with a non-overlapping pattern. This yields a semi-reverberant characteristic and produces a warm, dense and organic reverb sound.

In Echo mode the delay time can be set with the according potentiometer between 75 and 200 milliseconds and with control voltages, from 50 to 2000 ms. Beyond a delay time of 300 ms the internal clock frequency becomes audible which can be minimised by using a low-pass filter. Create a chorus effect by sending an LFO to the Delay Time CV Vary input. Adjust the speed and depth to taste! The intensity of the effect is voltage controlled thanks to the Dry/Wet CV input. This offers further creative possibilities.

The resonance parameter sets the number of repeats and can be considered as the feedback parameter. It goes up to self-oscillation which will work even without input signal. Try sending a trigger into the audio input!

All in all the RS-650 brings a great vintage and oldschool BBD sound to the table!