Doepfer

It is very easy to understand the frustration of some of this forum's 
members about the shortcomings of some of Mr. Doepfer's creations. 
Here's my 2 cents: I own numerous analog modular components from 
different manufacturers: MOTM, Arrick (dotcom), Big Briar, Serge 
(including a TKB), Analogue Systems and Blacet, not to mention four 
UEG's and two Expressionists from Encore Electronics, but my biggest 
system is still the Doepfer. I also own a MAQ16/3, which I love, and 
an MCV24 (not bad. Like the Expressionist better, though). Besides 
the much discussed issue of those blasted jacks, I also dislike the A-
190: I just cannot get it to retrigger EG's in a stacatto way! I've 
given up on it, and am now using either the Expressionists or a 
Kenton Pro 2000 (way cool! but too expensive..). Otherwise it(the 
Doepfer) is a wonderful instrument, guys. Period. The comment about 
the A-120 filter being "mediocre" should be followed by a more 
specific, detailed explanation, guys. This filter was marketed as a 
Moog-like, 24-dB transistor-ladder one, and since I also happen to 
own three Big Briar MF-101 (it don't get moogier than this!), I've 
done comparison tests, and while the resonance in the Doeph is 
slightly less "rich" (for lack of a better word) than the MF, the 
difference is barely perceptible (my favorite Doepfer, BTW, is the 
121. Superb...!).Unless a more specific description of the "flaw" of 
this filter is given, it is not fair to make a negative comment about 
the instrument, especially if only based on a subjective assessment. 
On the other hand, faulty jacks and unstable VCO's DO need to be 
mentioned to Dieter, because correction of these problems is vital 
for the survival of the company. Bottom line: Mr. Doepfer needs to 
have some positive reinforcement, but at the same time needs to know 
that the competition is getting fiercer out there, and that consumers 
are getting more and more discriminating. Yes, your prices are great, 
but we'd rather pay a little more money and remain happy longer with 
our toys, than to bitterly regret our purchase months down the line, 
just to find out that  there's no one interested in a second-hand 
lemon. So here's my closing statement: MR. DOEPFER' YOU ALREADY HAVE 
A VAST SELECTION OF MODULES TO CHOOSE FROM, INCLUDING THE LATEST, 
UPCOMING BATCH (THE TOUCH-PLATE KEYBOARD PICTURE AND PROMISED 
FEATURES ARE INCREDIBLE!!), SO NOW, QUIT PUTTING OUT ANY MORE 
NEW "THINGIES". RATHER, GO BACK AND REVISE (IMPROVE) THE EXISTING 
MODULES, OBVIOUSLY AIDED BY THE FEEDBACK FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS, AND 
KEEP SELLING A PRODUCT THAT WILL HAVE STAYING POWER. IF SO, YOURS IS 
BOUND TO BECOME A CLASSIC ANALOG MODULAR SYNTH, LIKE THE MOOG OR THE 
SERGE. YOU MIGHT END UP HIKING THE PRICES UP A BIT, BUT SO WHAT? LOOK 
AT THE MOTM (SYNTHESIS TECHNOLOGY, www.synthtech.com). MARKEDLY MORE 
EXPENSIVE, AND MADE BY A GUY WHO HAS MANAGED TO ALIENATE A HUGE 
PERCENTAGE OF THE AVID MOD SYNTH GEEKS IN USA (AND ABROAD) BY BLOWING 
HIS HORN "A BIT MUCH" ON THE NET (NOT A PROBLEM TO ME. I'M NOT GONNA 
MARRY THE GUY. I JUST BUY HIS STUFF, AND I LIKE IT..!). WELL, YOU 
KNOW WHAT? HIS STUFF IS INCREDIBLE!! THESE MODULES ARE OF UNSURPASSED 
QUALITY, BUT HIS SELECTION IS WAY MORE LIMITED THAN YOURS. SO YOU 
ALREADY HAVE SELECTION, NOW IMPROVE THE QUALITY, AND WATCH ALL THE 
REST SUCCUMB TO THE MIGHTY "D"! WE, YOUR CUSTOMERS, WILL APPRECIATE.
best,

cuari (a loyal customer since 1998...)