Doepfer

Hi Florian,
I haven't really used it in a musical sense (not being a musician), 
but maybe I can help with some technical input (if you don't already 
know it...).

Firstly, unless there have been wiring changes to the module 
(unlikely I suspect), the labelling of the phase comparators in the 
manual is inaccurate - see my post #5550 for the details. I suspect 
the EXOR one, the switch in position 3, will probably be the most 
useful (I suspect it will give the most usable voltage out of the 
filter).

> I use "Comp 2" and "VCO Range Mid", but I do not get more than a 
> tracking of five or six half tones (c to f).
> 
> How do you set the VCO-Offset and the Lowpass Frequency?

Since the VCO-offset sets the range of frequencies that the VCO can 
swing through (given the CV sent it via the filter), and since the 
filter output may not change much, you'll probably need the offset 
pretty high, and the range 'high'. Also the cut-off frequency of the 
filter *decreases* as the 'frequ' knob setting is increased (if you 
haven't already worked this out!), so lower settings will give a 
faster changing input to the VCO (which may or may not be a good 
thing!). (Simulation suggests the filter cut-off is from above 10Hz 
down to about 0.1Hz.)

If you haven't already done so, looking at the datasheet of the PLL 
chip itself might help - I have the Fairchild one, since I have a 
Fairchild chip inserted, and it is quite informative. If you go this 
route I can easily tell you which pots etc. connect to which pins on 
the chip (although obviously it's not hard to figure this out!).

> The A-196 Ins and Outs seem to be very sensitive regarding the load 
of 
> the connected modules. Especially the 196's VCO-Out seems to be 
> influenced by modules which are connected to the further 
audiostream 
> (means the connected to the cable, that is symbolized by the arrow 
in 
> that image)

This doesn't really surprise me - the chip is meant to be driving 
other digital chips, and not analogue stuff such as op amps and the 
like. There must be a suitable digital-type module to buffer it with, 
but can't think of one at the moment!

To get the best from this module will probably require a fair bit of 
trial and error, coupled with a good appreciation of just what is 
going on internally.

Tim