Practicality of the Doepfer Dark Energy since discontinuation?

[m.o]

I'd start with one voice, and try out using rows 2 and 3 on your sequencer for extra stuff on that voice; most obvious is filter cutoff, resonance, LFO speeds, ADSR parameters (if you get an ADSR that's got CV for those).

Thinking that you'll plan out and buy everything at once rarelly end up well with modular stuff because
a) It's easy to get overwhelmed and never really learn the stuff you have.
b) It is quite common that once you get your first stuff and start experimenting, you then discover that you want to go in a completelly different direction than before you got it.
c) It can be hard to judge beforehand exactly what you'll need.
d) It'll be very expensive and considering above points even more so

[spain75]

Originally Posted by BM0

Pretty much. You will need 3x modules for 3 voices. Modulars aren't cheap for multiple voices. There are companies that make voice modules, which include oscillator, filter, amp and envlope all in one module, but they aren't really much cheaper than having the individual modules.

Oh, i see. So the oscillator, filter, amp and envelope is the basic elements of a voice module? And what about the rack case, if i get 3 voice modules, can i choose from different rack cases or would it have to be a specific one?

[spain75]

Originally Posted by m.o

I'd start with one voice, and try out using rows 2 and 3 on your sequencer for extra stuff on that voice; most obvious is filter cutoff, resonance, LFO speeds, ADSR parameters (if you get an ADSR that's got CV for those).

Thinking that you'll plan out and buy everything at once rarelly end up well with modular stuff because
a) It's easy to get overwhelmed and never really learn the stuff you have.
b) It is quite common that once you get your first stuff and start experimenting, you then discover that you want to go in a completelly different direction than before you got it.
c) It can be hard to judge beforehand exactly what you'll need.
d) It'll be very expensive and considering above points even more so

Thats a really good point, i will consider this.

Im just trying to get the perpective of how these things work, cause i dont have any experience with it. Only been reading about it lately, but still its hard to get the grip of it. So just to be on the safe side and not buy anything i would be sorry for later i am here to get some idea of how a modular system is built up.

Starting with one voice and using rows 2 and 3 for "other stuff" seems like a good idea. And also quiet necessary, since i dont have a bucket full of cash

[BM0]

Originally Posted by spain75

Oh, i see. So the oscillator, filter, amp and envelope is the basic elements of a voice module? And what about the rack case, if i get 3 voice modules, can i choose from different rack cases or would it have to be a specific one?

Those modules will give you a basic one oscillator voice. Many synths have two oscillators per voice, or at the least, one oscillator that can output multiple wavesforms of the same frequency at the same time, to give the sound more harmonics. Some also have a sub oscillator. As for the case, you will need one large enough to house all of your modules. You can have multiple cases, but that wouldn't be very convenient and it would cost much more money. There is this website that can help you plan out your modular.

[Daniel_Che]

if you wanna real dirt and grit, take the Krakken: AtomoSynth Krakken

[spain75]

Originally Posted by BM0

Those modules will give you a basic one oscillator voice. Many synths have two oscillators per voice, or at the least, one oscillator that can output multiple wavesforms of the same frequency at the same time, to give the sound more harmonics. Some also have a sub oscillator. As for the case, you will need one large enough to house all of your modules. You can have multiple cases, but that wouldn't be very convenient and it would cost much more money. There is this website that can help you plan out your modular.

thanks, great page!

[atma]

i think the doepfer 111-5 IS basically the dark energy, in modular format.

[sergeeo]

Originally Posted by Daniel_Che

if you wanna real dirt and grit, take the Krakken: AtomoSynth Krakken

I've listened to the demos in that site and... is it me or does it have tuning problems? The "Fukushima" lyrics in Radioactivity scared me as hell btw. The Krakken looks really good tho...

I've got a Dark Energy and it's pretty awesome for the money: nicely built and with lot of features. I use it for sound effects and some basses. I'd say it's very cool for IDM madness and ambient stuff. Got the glide kit: easy to install and useful.

A second option would be getting the Doepfer DIY synth kit. It contains very similar modules and it's really easy to build: you need a PSU, a case, some pots and lots of input-outputs jacks or bananas. The manual is quite good.

[carlheinz]

Prices going up?

just buy one and be happy...if it's still in stock


Noisebug

NEW Doepfer Dark Energy analog synthesizer with USB and Midi, FREE Glide option | eBay

[Daniel_Che]

it does require a tuner in order to tune properly, yes

Originally Posted by sergeeo

I've listened to the demos in that site and... is it me or does it have tuning problems? The "Fukushima" lyrics in Radioactivity scared me as hell btw. The Krakken looks really good tho...

I've got a Dark Energy and it's pretty awesome for the money: nicely built and with lot of features. I use it for sound effects and some basses. I'd say it's very cool for IDM madness and ambient stuff. Got the glide kit: easy to install and useful.

A second option would be getting the Doepfer DIY synth kit. It contains very similar modules and it's really easy to build: you need a PSU, a case, some pots and lots of input-outputs jacks or bananas. The manual is quite good.