Doepfer

I was thinking of the proposed A-138m Matrix Mixer and thought of some  
helpful additions and features to add to it.

I earlier made the suggestion of adding a ribbon connector header to  
the input lines so that 2 or more units could be chained/linked to  
make 4x8, 4x12 etc arrays. I think it would be good to also add a  
header for the output columns also so that the matrix could be  
normalized in that axis to another A-138m or to the proposed A-135-2  
Quad Filter Panner Mixer. The A-135-2 looks like a killer modules but  
is a bit too much for me so I think a simple 4-in stereo mixer module  
would be a great compliment to the matrix mixer. It would be a simple  
module with no voltage control needed. four inputs each with level and  
pan, a master level out (this could be 2 pots if that is cheaper than  
a dual pot) and left and right outs. If the cost allows a low power  
stereo headphone monitor (something simple like the output module of  
the Oberheim 2-voice) with a level control and a LED meter could be  
added. Of course following the module way of life, making the  
headphone monitor and LED meters as separate modules would be the way  
to go. Another module in this "family" of output modules could be a  
line level to balanced output (switchable to mic level) module. This  
could be done via transformer or active electronics. Mini jacks in and  
XLR outs with a switch for mic/line level out. Great for connecting to  
the mixing desk or recorder.

Im sure some of this has been suggested before but I think if some of  
the proposed modules are going to be made the internal normalization  
is such a important addition (with minimal cost) that planing ahead  
for this kind of pre-patch ability is a great selling point. In fact I  
would consider the addition of a blank pad (even can be un-drilled) to  
all future normalized inputs on all future modules to make this pre- 
patching easier for the DIY type of user.

-James

> -----Ursprungliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com]Im Auftrag von James Husted
> Gesendet: Dienstag, 16. Dezember 2008 19:22
> An: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: [Doepfer_a100] Some ideas for modules to go with the A-138m
> Matrix Mixer.
>
>
> I was thinking of the proposed A-138m Matrix Mixer and thought of some
> helpful additions and features to add to it.
>
> I earlier made the suggestion of adding a ribbon connector header to
> the input lines so that 2 or more units could be chained/linked to
> make 4x8, 4x12 etc arrays. I think it would be good to also add a
> header for the output columns also so that the matrix could be
> normalized in that axis to another A-138m or to the proposed A-135-2
> Quad Filter Panner Mixer. The A-135-2 looks like a killer modules but
> is a bit too much for me so I think a simple 4-in stereo mixer module
> would be a great compliment to the matrix mixer. It would be a simple
> module with no voltage control needed. four inputs each with level and
> pan, a master level out (this could be 2 pots if that is cheaper than
> a dual pot) and left and right outs. If the cost allows a low power
> stereo headphone monitor (something simple like the output module of
> the Oberheim 2-voice) with a level control and a LED meter could be
> added. Of course following the module way of life, making the
> headphone monitor and LED meters as separate modules would be the way
> to go. Another module in this "family" of output modules could be a
> line level to balanced output (switchable to mic level) module. This
> could be done via transformer or active electronics. Mini jacks in and
> XLR outs with a switch for mic/line level out. Great for connecting to
> the mixing desk or recorder.
>
> Im sure some of this has been suggested before but I think if some of
> the proposed modules are going to be made the internal normalization
> is such a important addition (with minimal cost) that planing ahead
> for this kind of pre-patch ability is a great selling point. In fact I
> would consider the addition of a blank pad (even can be un-drilled) to
> all future normalized inputs on all future modules to make this pre-
> patching easier for the DIY type of user.
>
> -James

Thank you for your detailed suggestions. Some of the suggestions have been
already implemented:

- pin headers for default inputs connected to the switching contacts of the
sockets (for default connections)
- pin headers for expansion of the rows
- pin headers for expansion of the columns

But I don't think that we will offer head phone amplifiers or meters. We
already had similar modules available (A-139, A-197) but discontinued them
because of the poor sales.

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer

Looks like a nice addition to the Doepfer range!I like the idea of the row
and column expandability.



On Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 10:05 AM, <yahoo@doepfer.de> wrote:

>   > -----Ursprungliche Nachricht-----
> > Von: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com <Doepfer_a100%40yahoogroups.com>
> > [mailto:Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com <Doepfer_a100%40yahoogroups.com>]Im
> Auftrag von James Husted
> > Gesendet: Dienstag, 16. Dezember 2008 19:22
> > An: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com <Doepfer_a100%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Betreff: [Doepfer_a100] Some ideas for modules to go with the A-138m
> > Matrix Mixer.
>
> >
> >
> > I was thinking of the proposed A-138m Matrix Mixer and thought of some
> > helpful additions and features to add to it.
> >
> > I earlier made the suggestion of adding a ribbon connector header to
> > the input lines so that 2 or more units could be chained/linked to
> > make 4x8, 4x12 etc arrays. I think it would be good to also add a
> > header for the output columns also so that the matrix could be
> > normalized in that axis to another A-138m or to the proposed A-135-2
> > Quad Filter Panner Mixer. The A-135-2 looks like a killer modules but
> > is a bit too much for me so I think a simple 4-in stereo mixer module
> > would be a great compliment to the matrix mixer. It would be a simple
> > module with no voltage control needed. four inputs each with level and
> > pan, a master level out (this could be 2 pots if that is cheaper than
> > a dual pot) and left and right outs. If the cost allows a low power
> > stereo headphone monitor (something simple like the output module of
> > the Oberheim 2-voice) with a level control and a LED meter could be
> > added. Of course following the module way of life, making the
> > headphone monitor and LED meters as separate modules would be the way
> > to go. Another module in this "family" of output modules could be a
> > line level to balanced output (switchable to mic level) module. This
> > could be done via transformer or active electronics. Mini jacks in and
> > XLR outs with a switch for mic/line level out. Great for connecting to
> > the mixing desk or recorder.
> >
> > Im sure some of this has been suggested before but I think if some of
> > the proposed modules are going to be made the internal normalization
> > is such a important addition (with minimal cost) that planing ahead
> > for this kind of pre-patch ability is a great selling point. In fact I
> > would consider the addition of a blank pad (even can be un-drilled) to
> > all future normalized inputs on all future modules to make this pre-
> > patching easier for the DIY type of user.
> >
> > -James
>
> Thank you for your detailed suggestions. Some of the suggestions have been
> already implemented:
>
> - pin headers for default inputs connected to the switching contacts of the
> sockets (for default connections)
> - pin headers for expansion of the rows
> - pin headers for expansion of the columns
>
> But I don't think that we will offer head phone amplifiers or meters. We
> already had similar modules available (A-139, A-197) but discontinued them
> because of the poor sales.
>
> Best wishes
> Dieter Doepfer
>
>  
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This looks like a VERY useful module. Looking at the 2 options I would
prefer the 4x4 because of the much more intuitive design with the
output jacks at the bottom of the columns. That would be much easier
to deal with in a live situation!

Polarizing switches are a neat idea, as long as the unpolarized
response is smooth through the range of the pot.

Is there perhaps a reasonably priced option for using push/pull pots
to switch individual controls between unipolar and bipolar?

sean

> Is there perhaps a reasonably priced option for using push/pull pots
> to switch individual controls between unipolar and bipolar?
>
> sean

Unfortunately the potentiometers used in the A-100 are not available with
push/pull switches. And I personally don't like this type of potentiometers
because it's difficult to see (especially in a dark environment) if the pot
is in the push or pull position.

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer

hello,

i am just a bit curious... are there any news regarding the proposed
matrix mixer? i am in need of at least one of them in my setup...

regards,
andreas

> The matrix mixer will be manufactured in any case (8x8 version with 
switches
> for attenuator/polarizer). 
> 
> Best wishes
> Dieter Doepfer
>

8x8? Not mentioned in preliminary info.

> hello,
>
> i am just a bit curious... are there any news regarding the proposed
> matrix mixer? i am in need of at least one of them in my setup...
>
> regards,
> andreas

The matrix mixer will be manufactured in any case (8x8 version with switches
for attenuator/polarizer). But we need a custom made version of the rotary
potentiometers and are still waiting for the samples. If the samples are OK
we will order the potentiometers and start the production as soon as they
arrive. But this will take some time (~ 6-8 weeks for potentiometer
manufacture and additional 4-6 weeks to built the modules). Consequently the
matrix mixer will be available not before April 2009 (and the dual
attenuator and single offset/attenuator/polarizer too as they will use the
same type of potentiometers).

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer

> 8x8? Not mentioned in preliminary info.

Sorry - my mistake. I meant 4x4 !

Dieter Doepfer