Doepfer A-100

Doepfer A-100 Image
VSE Rating
User Rating

Doepfer's A-100 Analog Modular System brings back all the flexibility and old-school programming of vintage modular synthesis - but the A-100 is new and comes with some modern features. Just like the classic Moog, Arp, E-mu, Buchla, Serge, and Roland modular synthesizers of the sixties and seventies, the A-100 system is a true analog system, yet it's only been in production since 1995. It features analog subtractive, additive, FM, wavetable sequencing, and vector synthesis methods. Pictured above is a behemoth system, actually four cases full of modules plus 3 MAQ16/3 sequencers, 3 MS-404's and a Shaltwerk sequencer...all linked into one massive analog beast!

Doepfer A-100 Image

Just above is a more typical A-100 system. Like the vintage modulars, the A-100 system is usually a custom built system. Doepfer offers several function specific modules that you can pick and choose from to fill up and design your system. There are modules for its oscillators, filters, amplifiers, LFOs, sequencers, frequency shifters, effects, and so on (see tech specs below). The true specifications of your A-100 is really only limited by the number and variety of modules you choose. The A-100 system consists of more than 65 different modules (as of May 2001) but the system will be extended in the future. Some of these modules are unique and do not exist in any other synths. Of course, there are also A-100 Basic systems (ready-made) for those of you looking for a powerful synthesizer but don't know a lot about the selecting appropriate modules and designing a modular system (pictured below).

Doepfer A-100 Basic Image

Like its classic predecessors, it has absolutely no patch memory storage...how could it? Like any real modular synth, it is patchable. That means that you have to patch your sounds by hand, linking the osc. to the filters, amps, LFOs, etc. manually. Only then can you start twisting the knobs and shaping sounds. This requires a deep understanding of analog synthesis (or a serious desire to learn it) in order to get the most out of your modular system. But unlike the modulars of yesterday, the A-100 has MIDI control, so it's perfectly suited for any studio work without any hassles. For hobbyists, programmers, and experimental musicians, the A-100 is the perfect choice. for jumping into analog modular synthesis! It has been used by Kraftwerk, Hans Zimmer, Kinetic, Freddy Fresh, Longstone, Nine Inch Nails, Steve Roach, Parallel Worlds, Ian Boddy, Kirk De Gorgio, Dron, Gus Gus, and Human League.

FULL LIST OF MODULES

Sound Sources & Modifiers:

  • A-110 Standard VCO
  • A-111 High End VCO
  • A-112 Sampler and Wavetable Osc.
  • A-113 Subharmonic Oscillator
  • A-114 Ring Modulator
  • A-115 Audio Divider
  • A-116 Waveform Processor
  • A-117 Digital Noise / 808 Sounds
  • A-118 Noise / Random
  • A-119 Ext.Input/ Env.Follower

Filter Modules:

  • A-101-1 Steiner Filter
  • A-101-2 Lowpass Gate
  • A-101-3 Phaser
  • A-102 Diode Low Pass
  • A-103 18dB Low Pass (TB303 type)
  • A-104 Trautonium Formant Filter
  • A-105 6/12/18/24 dB LowPass/BandPass
  • A-106 Xtreme Filter (MS20 LP/HP)
  • A-107 Multitype Morphing Filter
  • A-108 Multimode and Multislope Filter
  • A-109 VC Signal Processor
  • A-120 24dB Low Pass 1
  • A-121 Multimode VCF
  • A-122 24dB Low Pass 2
  • A-123 24dB High Pass
  • A-124 Wasp Filter
  • A-125 VC Phase Shifter
  • A-126 VC Frequency Shifter
  • A-127 VC Triple Resonance Filter
  • A-128 Fixed Filter Bank
  • A-129 Vocoder Subsystem

VCAs, Mixers, Modifiers:

  • A-130 VCA (linear)
  • A-131 VCA (exp.)
  • A-132 Dual VCA (lin.)
  • A-133 Dual Voltage Controlled Polarizer
  • A-134 VC Panning
  • A-135 Voltage Controlled Mixer
  • A-136 Distortion/ Waveshaper
  • A-137 Wave Multiplier
  • A-138 Mixers
  • A-139 Head phone amplifier

Modulation Sources:

  • A-140 ADSR
  • A-141 VCADSR
  • A-142 VC Decay/Gate
  • A-143 Multiple modulation sources
  • A-144 Morphing Controller
  • A-145 LFO 1
  • A-146 LFO 2
  • A-147 VCLFO
  • A-148 S&H

Sequencer & Switchers:

  • A-150 VC Switch
  • A-151 Sequential Switch
  • A-152 Voltage Addressed Switch
  • A-154 Sequencer Controller Module
  • A-155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer
  • A-156 Dual Quantizer

Clocks/Gate/Digital Modules:

  • A-160 Clock Divider
  • A-161 Clock Sequencer
  • A-162 Dual Trigger Delay
  • A-163 Voltage Controlled Divider
  • A-164 Manual Gate Module
  • A-165 Trigger Modifier
  • A-166 Dual Logic Module
  • A-167 Analog Comparator

Voltage Sources:

  • A-170 Slew Limiter
  • A-171 VC Slew Limiter
  • A-172 Maximum/minimum Selector
  • A-173 Distance controlled CV (infrared based)
  • A-174 Joy Stick
  • A-175 Voltage Inverter
  • A-176 CV Source
  • A-177 Foot Controller
  • A-178 Theremin
  • A-179 Light to CV

Special Modules:

  • A-100 Keyboard
  • A-180 Multiples 1
  • A-181 Multiples 2
  • A-185 Bus Access
  • A-190 MIDI to CV/Gate/Sync
  • A-191 MIDI to CV / Shepard Generator
  • A-192 VMC16 (CV-to-MIDI)
  • A-195 Pitch to CV/MIDI interface
  • A-197-1 Analog Meter
  • A-198 Ribbon Controller
  • A-199 Spring Reverb

Lookup Prices for A-100 on eBay

Demos & Media

ACID HOUSE Modular Doepfer System A-100
by
inbetweenmovements

Specifications

Polyphony - up to 4 voices on each midi channel
Oscillators - 1 to unlimited
LFO - 2 standard plus 1 Sample & hold and 1 VCF-LFO
Filter - 24dB lowpass, hipass, bandpass; 12dB lowpass, hipass, bandpass, notch; WASP filter, Oberheim filter, 303 filter, etc.
VCA - Multiple Amp and ADSR envelope modules
Effects - Pitch Shifter, Phaser, Distortion, Spring Reverb, Frequency Shifter, Waveshaper, etc.
Sequencer - clock sequencer, analog/trigger sequencer, quad sequential switch
Keyboard - None (yet)
Memory - None
Control - MIDI, CV/Gate, Footswitch, Light Sensor, Theremin Antenna, etc.
Date Produced - 1995 - Present

Resources

Images from Doepfer On-Line and the Doepfer Dream System.

Thanks to Andreas Lindholm and Bakis Sirros for providing information.