Doepfer

dear Dieter,

congratulations to a great half page article/interview in the German paper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (to all foreigners: the German equivalent to the New York Times or the Guardian) in the Economy pages...!

(don't know if they'll put that part online -- there is also another half page on modular synths in general where Andreas Schneider of Schneidersladen in Berlin is quoted).

;-)))

Kai

ok, not too bad considering... better than some of those hilarious re-re-translated versions of "Let It Go" on youtube! and i had to leave in where google translated the band name as "power plant"... we all know who they're talking about! ^_^ .....

The Munich Dieter Döpfer built for almost 40 years Synthesizer - and surprised by the recent boom.

Interview by Kai Schwirzke

Dieter Döpfer is something of a pioneer in the international scene synthesizer. As early as 1978 reüssierte the Munich physicist with a separate module for the "Formant", a synthesizer can build yourself electronic newspaper Elektor. This was followed by a complete in-house developments, the music scene has been attentive to the tinkerers. His company "Doepfer Electronics" exists in its present form since the early 1990s. Best seller is the A-100 module synthesizer system. Who wants to try Dieter Döpfers creations can do so only in the music shops. Own shop does not operate the company, it has only four employees.

SZ: Mr. Döpfer how's business?

Dieter Döpfer: Here is just going to hell. There is a lack of people, and the boss has to do everything myself again. Even the trash take out.

So it is going well?

You can say that. I sometimes have the impression that there is currently nothing more important than analog synthesizers. We sell at a pace that is incredible.

Can you quantify?

We actually had always seen a steady increase, about five to ten percent per year. Last year, it went up exponentially. Exact figures I can not even call.

How do you explain that? If the module synthesizer, the new lifestyle product for musicians?

I think so. We have released the Dark Energy two years ago, a small, very handy synthesizer. During the development phase me exhorted my friend, but to pay attention a little more on the optics. So we donated him a fancy, black housing and wooden side panels. At the show, I was then constantly address how sweet looks, while I labored to explain how it is constructed technically. A bit frustrating for a physicist.

A synthesizer as eye-catcher?

So it looks. We have recently also a filter module, we sell quite some time, brought out in a new look. It is now black and has yellow buttons, before it was gray. The first edition was then sold out within 24 hours. We have never had.

They are self-confessed "power plant" fan. It is said that some products were developed in close cooperation with the German electronic pioneers of the 1970s.

Yes that's true. Our MIDI / analog sequencer MAQ16 / 3 for example, we built specifically for band co-founder Florian Schneider and then transferred to the normal delivery program. Even if Florian is now no longer in power plant, the contact with the tape still exists, and occasionally we develop special solutions, for example, a special robot controller for live concerts.

There is a photo of you with Hans Zimmer, the famous composer of Hollywood film music. Uses of your synthesizer?

Yes, the relationship with Hans Zimmer is very relaxed. But honestly: Room buys anyway almost everything there is on the market. And one finds in his composition factory in Santa Monica and the occasional synthesizer of us. For the Hollywood movie "Gladiator", we have built a very special Klangverbieger only for rooms. So a device there was not easy at the store.

Are you sometimes surprised by customers?

Oh yes, recently I was completely stunned that the music band La Brass Banda has bought one of our modular systems. Although're mostly traveling with brass instruments, they now want to go with a synthesizer on tour. Crazy!

In all of this success: Have you ever considered, to increase your business?

No, that was never an option for me. But I have seen far too many companies go down the drain.