Doepfer

hello all,

i am the owner of an A-100 basic system who just joined your group.  it seems as though the oscillators(A-110) in my system are not exactly in tune with eachother, when both the range and the fine tune (set to 0) are set the same, one oscillator is slightly higher in pitch.  its slight, but still audible.  is this normal?  if not, does anyone know of an internal potentiometer of some sort, that i would be able to calibrate?  also, with the factory reference offset at 0, should the A-100 be in tune with the rest of my synths, i.e. when i press C on my midi controller, should the doepfer be playing a C (when the tune is on 0)?  this does not seem to be the case, so i adjusted the ref. offset to compensate.  also on ref. offset,  i am not sure how stable the A-110 modules are in general, for example, when setting the reference offset should i do this with the tune set to 0? or should i set the tune at say... 5, to give my self room in case i have make minor adjustments up or down?  

about scaling:  every once in a while my midi interface module A-190 seems to reset to a crazy scaling where the bottom octave plays a disturbing augmented scale, and then all other keys play the same high frequency (i have no idea why this sometimes happens, and any insight into the causes would also be immensly helpful).  so... when i reset the A-190 to the default factory settings the scaling is always slightly off.  i have read the manual about how to adjust the scaling, and i seem to have done it properly, however, the language and wording in the manual can be slightly difficult to completely understand.  my questions on this issue are, do i have to change the bottom note once i initialize the A-190 or can i leave it as note number 36? cuz in the manual it reads "After setting the bottom note and voltage offset...".  When setting the voltage offset to tune the osc. to the rest of my synths, which note should i be pressing? cuz if the scaling is off, and im tuning a note in the middle of the keyboard wont the tuning then change a bit once i adjust the scaling? what is the best way to tune the synth? i have a guitar tuner im using, and im not sure whats the best wave to use as to not introduce any harmonics that might throw the tuner off, would sine be best?  and finally which key should i be pressing when setting the scale, 2, 3, or 4 octaves up from the bottom note?  which is best? in the manual it says "an octave or several octaves above the bottom note" a bit vague isnt it?  

im sorry to assault you guys with this violent barrage of questions and interrogation, but im a fairly new user who is trying to get the most out of this awesome machine and im excited to have found other owners of this synth who i can correspond with.

> it seems as though the oscillators(A-110) in my system are not 
> exactly in tune with eachother, when both the range and the fine 
> tune (set to 0) are set the same, one oscillator is slightly higher 
> in  pitch.  its slight, but still audible.  is this normal?  if not, 
> does anyone know of an internal potentiometer of some sort, that i 
> would be able to calibrate?  

Timothy Stinchcomb described how to do this in an earlier post. 
Search the archives.

> also, with the factory reference offset at 0, 
> should the A-100 be in tune with the rest of my synths, i.e. when i 
> press C on my midi controller, should the doepfer be playing a C 
> (when the tune is on 0)?  this does not seem to be the case, so i 
> adjusted the ref. offset to compensate.  

So did I, but I was using a different base note than the factory 
preset. No big deal.

> also on ref. offset,  i am not sure how stable the A-110 modules are 
> in general, for example, when setting the reference offset should i 
> do this with the tune set to 0? or should i set the tune at say... 
> 5, to give my self room in case i have > make minor adjustments up 
> or down? 

Mine are stable enough that they come into tune after a few moments or 
warmup. Setting the offset so that they are in tune with the tuning 
knob centered is an interesting idea, though. However, it might cause 
trouble later if you added one or more A111 VCOs.
 
> about scaling:  every once in a while my midi interface module A-190 
> seems to reset to a crazy scaling where the bottom octave plays a 
> disturbing augmented scale, and then all other keys play the same 
> high frequency (i have no idea why this sometimes happens, and any 
> insight into the causes would also be immensly helpful).  

The only time my A190 went whacko like that was when I stupidly 
scrolled into the menues while midi notes were playing - which of 
course changed the base note. 

> cuz in the manual it reads "After setting the bottom note and 
> voltage offset...". 
> When setting the voltage offset to tune the osc. to the rest of my 
synths, which note should i be pressing? 

The base note.

> what is the best way to tune the synth? i have a guitar tuner im 
> using, and im not sure whats the best wave to use as to not 
> introduce any harmonics that might throw the tuner off, would sine 
> be best? 

You're getting really anal here.

> and finally which key should i be pressing when setting the scale, 
> 2, 3, or 4 octaves up from the bottom note?  which is best? in the 
> manual it says "an octave or several octaves above the bottom note" 
> a bit vague isnt it?  

I used a note three or four octaves up from the base note, but if the 
manual says an octave is adequate, there's no reason to doubt it, is 
there?

Joe

I have had theese kind of problems myself with my A110 and that is why I
hate it. I have recalibrated the damn thing about 20 times or so and it
always gets out of tune after a while. So now I have given up and use it as
an LFO. That's not very helpful and perhaps I have a crazy one, but you are
not alone ;)


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jed Cappelli" <exacta@mac.com>
To: <Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 7:06 PM
Subject: [Doepfer_a100] Re: tuning and scale


> hello all,
>
> i am the owner of an A-100 basic system who just joined your group.  it
seems as though the oscillators(A-110) in my system are not exactly in tune
with eachother, when both the range and the fine tune (set to 0) are set the
same, one oscillator is slightly higher in pitch.  its slight, but still
audible.  is this normal?  if not, does anyone know of an internal
potentiometer of some sort, that i would be able to calibrate?  also, with
the factory reference offset at 0, should the A-100 be in tune with the rest
of my synths, i.e. when i press C on my midi controller, should the doepfer
be playing a C (when the tune is on 0)?  this does not seem to be the case,
so i adjusted the ref. offset to compensate.  also on ref. offset,  i am not
sure how stable the A-110 modules are in general, for example, when setting
the reference offset should i do this with the tune set to 0? or should i
set the tune at say... 5, to give my self room in case i have make minor
adjustments up or do!
> wn?
>
> about scaling:  every once in a while my midi interface module A-190 seems
to reset to a crazy scaling where the bottom octave plays a disturbing
augmented scale, and then all other keys play the same high frequency (i
have no idea why this sometimes happens, and any insight into the causes
would also be immensly helpful).  so... when i reset the A-190 to the
default factory settings the scaling is always slightly off.  i have read
the manual about how to adjust the scaling, and i seem to have done it prope
rly, however, the language and wording in the manual can be slightly
difficult to completely understand.  my questions on this issue are, do i
have to change the bottom note once i initialize the A-190 or can i leave it
as note number 36? cuz in the manual it reads "After setting the bottom note
and voltage offset...".  When setting the voltage offset to tune the osc. to
the rest of my synths, which note should i be pressing? cuz if the scaling
is off, and im tuning a note!
>  in the middle of the keyboard wont the tuning then change a bit once i
adjust the scaling? what is the best way to tune the synth? i have a guitar
tuner im using, and im not sure whats the best wave to use as to not
introduce any harmonics that might throw the tuner off, would sine be best?
and finally which key should i be pressing when setting the scale, 2, 3, or
4 octaves up from the bottom note?  which is best? in the manual it says "an
octave or several octaves above the bottom note" a bit vague isnt it?
>
> im sorry to assault you guys with this violent barrage of questions and
interrogation, but im a fairly new user who is trying to get the most out of
this awesome machine and im excited to have found other owners of this synth
who i can correspond with.

>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> doepfer_a100-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

hi andreas and jed,
do you have the a185 bus access module???when you
connect the a190 thru the a185 to the two a110's must
stay pretty much in tune for some octaves...
also,jed,about the two a110's: i think it's normal to
have a slightly different pitch when the tune knobs of
both a110's are set to "0".this is the beauty of
vco's!
but with a decent midi-cv interface they should track
quite well.
about the a190:i have one for two years and use it
with no problems at all.(i have never done the
calibration process you're talking about...)
bakis.




--- Andreas Lindholm <andreas.k.lindholm@telia.com>
wrote:
> I have had theese kind of problems myself with my
> A110 and that is why I
> hate it. I have recalibrated the damn thing about 20
> times or so and it
> always gets out of tune after a while. So now I have
> given up and use it as
> an LFO. That's not very helpful and perhaps I have a
> crazy one, but you are
> not alone ;)
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jed Cappelli" <exacta@mac.com>
> To: <Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 7:06 PM
> Subject: [Doepfer_a100] Re: tuning and scale
> 
> 
> > hello all,
> >
> > i am the owner of an A-100 basic system who just
> joined your group.  it
> seems as though the oscillators(A-110) in my system
> are not exactly in tune
> with eachother, when both the range and the fine
> tune (set to 0) are set the
> same, one oscillator is slightly higher in pitch. 
> its slight, but still
> audible.  is this normal?  if not, does anyone know
> of an internal
> potentiometer of some sort, that i would be able to
> calibrate?  also, with
> the factory reference offset at 0, should the A-100
> be in tune with the rest
> of my synths, i.e. when i press C on my midi
> controller, should the doepfer
> be playing a C (when the tune is on 0)?  this does
> not seem to be the case,
> so i adjusted the ref. offset to compensate.  also
> on ref. offset,  i am not
> sure how stable the A-110 modules are in general,
> for example, when setting
> the reference offset should i do this with the tune
> set to 0? or should i
> set the tune at say... 5, to give my self room in
> case i have make minor
> adjustments up or do!
> > wn?
> >
> > about scaling:  every once in a while my midi
> interface module A-190 seems
> to reset to a crazy scaling where the bottom octave
> plays a disturbing
> augmented scale, and then all other keys play the
> same high frequency (i
> have no idea why this sometimes happens, and any
> insight into the causes
> would also be immensly helpful).  so... when i reset
> the A-190 to the
> default factory settings the scaling is always
> slightly off.  i have read
> the manual about how to adjust the scaling, and i
> seem to have done it prope
> rly, however, the language and wording in the manual
> can be slightly
> difficult to completely understand.  my questions on
> this issue are, do i
> have to change the bottom note once i initialize the
> A-190 or can i leave it
> as note number 36? cuz in the manual it reads "After
> setting the bottom note
> and voltage offset...".  When setting the voltage
> offset to tune the osc. to
> the rest of my synths, which note should i be
> pressing? cuz if the scaling
> is off, and im tuning a note!
> >  in the middle of the keyboard wont the tuning
> then change a bit once i
> adjust the scaling? what is the best way to tune the
> synth? i have a guitar
> tuner im using, and im not sure whats the best wave
> to use as to not
> introduce any harmonics that might throw the tuner
> off, would sine be best?
> and finally which key should i be pressing when
> setting the scale, 2, 3, or
> 4 octaves up from the bottom note?  which is best?
> in the manual it says "an
> octave or several octaves above the bottom note" a
> bit vague isnt it?
> >
> > im sorry to assault you guys with this violent
> barrage of questions and
> interrogation, but im a fairly new user who is
> trying to get the most out of
> this awesome machine and im excited to have found
> other owners of this synth
> who i can correspond with.
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > doepfer_a100-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
> 
> 
> 


=====
synthfreak(parallel worlds)
athens-greece
[Doepfer_a100] group owner-moderator

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Hi Jed,

> i am the owner of an A-100 basic system who just joined your 
group.  it seems as though the oscillators(A-110) in my system are 
not exactly in tune with eachother, when both the range and the fine 
tune (set to 0) are set the same, one oscillator is slightly higher 
>in pitch.  its slight, but still audible.  is this normal?

Yes. The 'tune' knob will have been set to roughly the *centre* 
position, = 5, when set-up at the factory

>  if not, does anyone know of an internal potentiometer of some 
sort, that i would be able to calibrate?

The set-up procedure is detailed in the service manual for the A-110, 
available on Doepfer's website, but if I were you, I'd leave this 
well alone until you have a very good idea what all the controls on 
both A-110 and A-190 do.

>  also, with the factory reference offset at 0, should the A-100 be 
in tune with the rest of my synths, i.e. when i press C on my midi 
controller, should the doepfer be playing a C (when the tune is on 0)?

It's unlikely, that is what the fine tune is for.

<snip>

In common with many analogue synths, the A-100 works on '1 volt per 
octave' - the A-110 VCO should be set correctly at the factory to 
respond to this; the A-190 set-up is just to make sure that it 
outputs the correct voltages when it receives appropriate MIDI notes: 
0 volts for the 'ref note', 5V for the note 5 octaves above this. The 
190 set-up procedure is to ensure these voltages are correct (and my 
190 default settings are not very accurate, yours may not be too).

The whole procedure should be something like this: reset the A-190 to 
factory settings (in particular put the ref. offset to zero).  Set 
the 'ref note' (stick with 36 until you truly understand what is 
going on!); play this note on your keyboard; adjust 'tune' knob on 
110 so that this is what you get; now play 4 octaves above this - if 
not in tune, adjust 'scale' on 190 until it is - *don't touch the 
110*!. Make sure you come out of the 'edit' mode on the 190 - as Joe 
points out, this is most likely reason for screw-ups and sudden odd 
jumps in scale!

Now the 190 should give exactly 0 to 5 volts, corresponding to a note 
and all the way up to 5 octaves above it. Small adjustments to 'tune' 
on your other 110s should now bring them in tune too, and you should 
also be simply able to use 'tune' on the 110s so that they *are* in 
tune with your other kit, all the way up the keyboard. Only if it is 
not, and you are sure that your other kit is in tune, should you 
start thinking about the possibility that the 110s are not set-up 
properly.

Stick with it, it'll take a few times around the loop, but hopefully 
eventually it will all make sense and you'll get it! (and yes, some 
wording of the 190 manual doesn't help....).

Good luck!

Tim

the a110 vco needs approxímately 45 minutes time for
warming up. maybe this is why it gets out of tune?

best wishes

self oscillate


--- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com, "Andreas Lindholm" 
<andreas.k.lindholm@t...> wrote:
> I have had theese kind of problems myself with my A110 and that is 
why I
> hate it. I have recalibrated the damn thing about 20 times or so 
and it
> always gets out of tune after a while. So now I have given up and 
use it as
> an LFO. That's not very helpful and perhaps I have a crazy one, but 
you are
> not alone ;)
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jed Cappelli" <exacta@m...>
> To: <Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 7:06 PM
> Subject: [Doepfer_a100] Re: tuning and scale
> 
> 
> > hello all,
> >
> > i am the owner of an A-100 basic system who just joined your 
group.  it
> seems as though the oscillators(A-110) in my system are not exactly 
in tune
> with eachother, when both the range and the fine tune (set to 0) 
are set the
> same, one oscillator is slightly higher in pitch.  its slight, but 
still
> audible.  is this normal?  if not, does anyone know of an internal
> potentiometer of some sort, that i would be able to calibrate?  
also, with
> the factory reference offset at 0, should the A-100 be in tune with 
the rest
> of my synths, i.e. when i press C on my midi controller, should the 
doepfer
> be playing a C (when the tune is on 0)?  this does not seem to be 
the case,
> so i adjusted the ref. offset to compensate.  also on ref. offset,  
i am not
> sure how stable the A-110 modules are in general, for example, when 
setting
> the reference offset should i do this with the tune set to 0? or 
should i
> set the tune at say... 5, to give my self room in case i have make 
minor
> adjustments up or do!
> > wn?
> >
> > about scaling:  every once in a while my midi interface module A-
190 seems
> to reset to a crazy scaling where the bottom octave plays a 
disturbing
> augmented scale, and then all other keys play the same high 
frequency (i
> have no idea why this sometimes happens, and any insight into the 
causes
> would also be immensly helpful).  so... when i reset the A-190 to 
the
> default factory settings the scaling is always slightly off.  i 
have read
> the manual about how to adjust the scaling, and i seem to have done 
it prope
> rly, however, the language and wording in the manual can be slightly
> difficult to completely understand.  my questions on this issue 
are, do i
> have to change the bottom note once i initialize the A-190 or can i 
leave it
> as note number 36? cuz in the manual it reads "After setting the 
bottom note
> and voltage offset...".  When setting the voltage offset to tune 
the osc. to
> the rest of my synths, which note should i be pressing? cuz if the 
scaling
> is off, and im tuning a note!
> >  in the middle of the keyboard wont the tuning then change a bit 
once i
> adjust the scaling? what is the best way to tune the synth? i have 
a guitar
> tuner im using, and im not sure whats the best wave to use as to not
> introduce any harmonics that might throw the tuner off, would sine 
be best?
> and finally which key should i be pressing when setting the scale, 
2, 3, or
> 4 octaves up from the bottom note?  which is best? in the manual it 
says "an
> octave or several octaves above the bottom note" a bit vague isnt 
it?
> >
> > im sorry to assault you guys with this violent barrage of 
questions and
> interrogation, but im a fairly new user who is trying to get the 
most out of
> this awesome machine and im excited to have found other owners of 
this synth
> who i can correspond with.
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > doepfer_a100-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> >
> >
> >

That is true, but mine also seems very sensite to room temperature. It tune
very differently at 19 celsius than at 23 celsius and that is just plain
crazy too me. The A111doesn't do that neither the AS95s. So I will never buy
another A110 unless very cheap and as LFO ;)

As for the quality of doepfer modules I can't compare to much, but I don't
think they are bad. The ADSRs are the fastest I have if you don't count the
VCADSR but that is another thing.



----- Original Message -----

From: "selfoscillate" <synaptic_music@yahoo.com>
To: <Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 7:26 AM
Subject: [Doepfer_a100] Re: tuning and scale


>
> the a110 vco needs approxímately 45 minutes time for
> warming up. maybe this is why it gets out of tune?
>
> best wishes
>
> self oscillate
>
>
> --- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com, "Andreas Lindholm"
> <andreas.k.lindholm@t...> wrote:
> > I have had theese kind of problems myself with my A110 and that is
> why I
> > hate it. I have recalibrated the damn thing about 20 times or so
> and it
> > always gets out of tune after a while. So now I have given up and
> use it as
> > an LFO. That's not very helpful and perhaps I have a crazy one, but
> you are
> > not alone ;)
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jed Cappelli" <exacta@m...>
> > To: <Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 7:06 PM
> > Subject: [Doepfer_a100] Re: tuning and scale
> >
> >
> > > hello all,
> > >
> > > i am the owner of an A-100 basic system who just joined your
> group.  it
> > seems as though the oscillators(A-110) in my system are not exactly
> in tune
> > with eachother, when both the range and the fine tune (set to 0)
> are set the
> > same, one oscillator is slightly higher in pitch.  its slight, but
> still
> > audible.  is this normal?  if not, does anyone know of an internal
> > potentiometer of some sort, that i would be able to calibrate?
> also, with
> > the factory reference offset at 0, should the A-100 be in tune with
> the rest
> > of my synths, i.e. when i press C on my midi controller, should the
> doepfer
> > be playing a C (when the tune is on 0)?  this does not seem to be
> the case,
> > so i adjusted the ref. offset to compensate.  also on ref. offset,
> i am not
> > sure how stable the A-110 modules are in general, for example, when
> setting
> > the reference offset should i do this with the tune set to 0? or
> should i
> > set the tune at say... 5, to give my self room in case i have make
> minor
> > adjustments up or do!
> > > wn?
> > >
> > > about scaling:  every once in a while my midi interface module A-
> 190 seems
> > to reset to a crazy scaling where the bottom octave plays a
> disturbing
> > augmented scale, and then all other keys play the same high
> frequency (i
> > have no idea why this sometimes happens, and any insight into the
> causes
> > would also be immensly helpful).  so... when i reset the A-190 to
> the
> > default factory settings the scaling is always slightly off.  i
> have read
> > the manual about how to adjust the scaling, and i seem to have done
> it prope
> > rly, however, the language and wording in the manual can be slightly
> > difficult to completely understand.  my questions on this issue
> are, do i
> > have to change the bottom note once i initialize the A-190 or can i
> leave it
> > as note number 36? cuz in the manual it reads "After setting the
> bottom note
> > and voltage offset...".  When setting the voltage offset to tune
> the osc. to
> > the rest of my synths, which note should i be pressing? cuz if the
> scaling
> > is off, and im tuning a note!
> > >  in the middle of the keyboard wont the tuning then change a bit
> once i
> > adjust the scaling? what is the best way to tune the synth? i have
> a guitar
> > tuner im using, and im not sure whats the best wave to use as to not
> > introduce any harmonics that might throw the tuner off, would sine
> be best?
> > and finally which key should i be pressing when setting the scale,
> 2, 3, or
> > 4 octaves up from the bottom note?  which is best? in the manual it
> says "an
> > octave or several octaves above the bottom note" a bit vague isnt
> it?
> > >
> > > im sorry to assault you guys with this violent barrage of
> questions and
> > interrogation, but im a fairly new user who is trying to get the
> most out of
> > this awesome machine and im excited to have found other owners of
> this synth
> > who i can correspond with.
> > >
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > doepfer_a100-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> doepfer_a100-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>