Doepfer A-189-1 Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier

Module A-189-1 is a voltage controlled bit modifier. It offers several voltage controlled algorithmic functions like voltage controlled bit crunching, bit shifting (with/without carry over), bit exchange, rectifying, absolute value and calculating operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.

The module has two control units both with manual control and CV input with attenuator:

• one for the algorithmic function according to the selected mode (e.g. number of shifted bits): BC and BC CV

• and one for the sampling rate (SR and SR CV).

The signal input is equipped with an attenuator. As the module is DC coupled even control voltages can be processed.

The mode (e.g. bit crunching, bit shifting, bit exchange) is selected by a 16-position rotary switch:

Remark: Module A-189-1 is the first derivative of the universal AD/DA module. More modules derived from this basic idea are planned for the future (e.g. CV delay, CV modifier including Hz/V-to-V/Oct, digital waveshaper/multiplier, clocked audio delay).

Sound examples

These are the first sound examples of the A-189-1 prototype we will show at the NAMM in January 2008. Christian Assall has programmed 16 different operating modes that are selected by the 16-position rotary switch. The simplest mode (mode #1) is the standard bit crunching function. The other modes are different bit manipulation modes. These are the very first trials and the modes of the final version of the module may be different. For all demo sounds the triangle output of a VCO was used as signal input for the A-189-1. For clarity no other sound processing modules are used. The sound is generated only by an VCO and the A-189-1. The VCO pitch is controlled by an A-155 sequencer.

The following samples arised from playing around with the A-189-1. The patch is the same as above but the ADSR is used for both controlling the VCA and the BC CV input of the A-189-1 (inverted output of the ADSR for BC). Several parameters have been changed manually during the examples (mainly envelope amount and offset controls of the VCA and the A-189-1).

Breite/Width: 8 TE / 8 HP / 40.3 mm 
Tiefe/Depth: 60 mm (gemessen ab der Rückseite der Frontplatte / measured from the rear side of the front panel)
Strombedarf/Current: +50mA (+12V) / -20mA (-12V)