DOEPFER Dark Energy User manual

Dark Energy
Owners Manual
DOEPFER MUSIKELEKTRONIK GmbH

2
Safety Instructions
Please follow the given instructions for use of the instrument carefully because this will guarantee
correct instrument operation. Due to the fact that these instructions touch on Product Liability, it is
absolutely imperative that they be read carefully. Any claim for defect will be rejected if one or more
of the items was observed.
Disregard of the instructions can endanger the two years warranty.
The instrument may only be operated with the voltage written on the power input on the rear panel. Before
opening the case disconnect the power plug and power adaptor.
All eventual modications must only be carried out by a qualied person who will follow the valid safety
instructions. With the introduction of a third person the warranty will be lost. In case of a destroyed warranty
seal, any warranty claim will be rejected.
The instrument must never be operated outdoors but in dry, closed rooms. Never use the instrument in a
humid or wet environment nor near inammables.
No liquids or conducting materials must get into the instrument. If this should happen the instrument must
be disconnected from power immediately and be examined, cleaned and eventually be repaired by a quali-
ed person.
Never subject the instrument to temperatures above +50° C or below -10° C. Before operation the instru-
ment should have a temperature of at least 10 øC. Do not place the instrument into direct sun light. Do not
install the instrument near heat sources.
Keep the top side of the instrument free in order to guarantee proper ventilation, otherwise the instrument
could be overheated.
Never place heavy objects on the instrument.
Transport the instrument carefully, never let it fall or overturn. Make sure that during transport and in use
the instrument has a proper stand and does not fall, slip or turn over because persons could be injured.
Never use the instrument in the immediate proximity of interfering electronic devices (e.g. monitors, power
supplies, computers) since this could create disturbances within the MS-404 and corrupt memory data.
The instrument should only be shipped in the original packaging. Any instruments shipped to us for return,
exchange, warranty repair, update or examination must be in their original packaging! Any other deliveries
will be rejected. Therefore, you should keep the original packaging and the technical documentation.
The instrument may only be used for the purpose described in this operating manual. Due to safety rea-
sons, the instrument must never be used for other purposes.
When using the instrument in Germany, the appropriate VDE standards must be followed. The following
standards are of special importance: DIN VDE 0100 (Teil 300/11.85, Teil 410/11.83, Teil 481/10.87), DIN
VDE 0532 (Teil 1/03.82), DIN VDE 0550 (Teil 1/12.69), DIN VDE 0551 (05.72), DIN VDE 0551e (06.75),
DIN VDE 0700 (Teil 1/02.81, Teil 207/10.82), DIN VDE 0711 (Teil 500/10.89), DIN VDE 0860 (05.89), DIN
VDE 0869 (01.85). VDE papers can be obtained from the VDE-Verlag GmbH, Berlin.

3
Content:
1. Introduction
1.1. Preface………………………….... 4
1.2. Preparations……………………... 5
1.3. Check it out………………………. 6
2. Overview……………………………………. 8
3. Functionality
 3.1.Signalow………………………..10
3.2. The Modules
3.2.1. VCO……………………... 12
3.2.2. VCF………………………..14
3.2.3. VCA………………………. 16
3.2.4. ADSR…………………….. 17
3.2.5. LFO1 and LFO2…………18
3.3. USB/MIDI Interface
3.3.1. Connection /
MIDI Channel……………. 19
  3.3.2.MIDItoCVInterface…….20
3.3.3. Learn-Mode /
MIDI-Functions………...... 21
3.3.4. Reset…………………….. 24
DOEPFER
Dark Energy
OwnersManual
3.4. Linking / Stacking of several
Dark Energys…………………… 25
 3.5.Modications…………………….25
 3.6.Firmware-Update……………….25
4. Basics of Soundgeneration…………… 26
5. Example Sounds………………………….31
6. Addendum
Service and Terms of
Warranty……………………………... 43
Impressum.……………………..…... 43

4
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1. Preface
WelcometoDarkEnergy.Asyouexpectwithoutanydoubt,yourrecentlypurchasedDarkEnergyisnot
atoolforspaceresearch,neithersuitableforastrophysicalstudies.Neverthelesswendthesetopicsas
fascinatingasmusictechnology–reasonenoughtocelebrateHubble&Co‘samazingdiscoveriesabitand
tocallourbrandnewsynthesizerDarkEnergy.
Doepfer says „Thank You!“
FirstofallwewouldliketothankyouforpurchasingDarkEnergy!Wereallyappreciateyourdecisionand
promiseyouanexemplarysupport,includingusefulinformation,easyserviceandinnovativeproductdeve-
lopement.Hopefully,yourDarkEnergywillbeanimportandsourceofcreativepowerforalongtime.
What‘s that?
DarkEnergyisamonophonicanaloguesynthesizerwithUSB-andMIDIinterface.Theentiresoundgene-
rationaswellasallit‘smodulationsourcesare100%trueanalogue.OnlytheUSB/MIDIinterfaceuses,of
course,digitalcomponents.DarkEnergyishousedinaruggedblacksteelcasewithwoodensidepanels.
Onlyhighqualitypotentiometerswithmetalshaftsareused.Eachpotiisscrewedtothechassis.Thespace
betweentheknobsistlargeraswiththeA-100modularsystemandweusedknobswithaneatvintage
look.SoDarkEnerygisasbeautifultoseeastohearandwellmadeforextensivelivetweaking.Yougetall
theadvantagesofatrueanaloguesoundgenerationaswellasdirectaccesstoallsoundparameters–for-
getaboutconfusingmenuesandsmallsizeddisplays.NeverthelessDarkEnergyisamodernsoundgene-
rationtooland,thankstoit‘sbuiltinMIDI/USBinterface,itcaneasilybelinkedtoeverymoderncomputer
basedstudioorlivesetup.HookingupDarkEnergytoclassicanaloguevintageequipmentortoaDoepfer
A-100modularsystemisalsoeasy.
R.t.f.m.!
Weguessedit:Usermanualsareyourrstchoiceinliterature.Congratulations–wetalkthesamelangua-
ge!Ifyoumighthaveanydoubtsabouttheentertainingqualitiesofthismanual,pleaseconsiderthatit‘s
studywillbecomequiteuseful,sinceitwillhighlyincreasetheentertainingqualitiesofyournewsynthesi-
zer.Sopleasedous–andyours–abigfavour:Read(andunderstand)thef...manual.Thankyou!
IntherstsectionyouwillndallneccessaryinformationtohookupDarkEnergyintoyoursetup.Nextto
thisyouwillndabriefoverviewofit‘sfunctionality.Synthesizerexpertsmayusethisasaquickstartguide.
Neverthelessyoushouldnotmissthecompletedescriptionoftheentirefunctionalityinthenextchapter
–DarkEnergyhidessomeinterestingfeatures.Nexttothis,youwillndusefulsoundsettingexamples.If
synthesizertechnologyandthesecretsofsubtractivesoundgenerationmightbetotallynewtoyou,please
checkout„Basicsofsoundgeneration“inthebackofthismanual.
Enoughtalk–herewego...

5
Introduction
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER
1.2. Preparations
WhenyourstputDarkEnergyoutofthebox,pleasecheckifeverythingiscomplete.Youwillndthe
followingcomponentsinthebox:
•DarkEnergySynthesizer
•Poweradapter12-15VAC/min. 400mA
•Instrumentcabelwith3,5mmand1/4“plugs
•USBcabel(A-Btype)
•TwoA-100patchcabels
•Thisownersmanual
You will also need:
•Asuitableaudiosystem(mixer,amplier,speakerorkeyboardamp)
TorunDarkEnergyviaMIDI-DINsocketyouwillalsoneed:
•AMIDIcabletoconnectsuitableaMIDIcontrollingdevice/keyboard/computerandDarkEnergy.
•AMIDI-keyboardand/orcomputerwithsuitableMIDIsequencerapplication
TorunDarkEnergyviaCV/Gateconnectionsyouwillalsoneed:
•Atleasttwo3,5mmplugpatchcabelsandasuitablesequencer(e.g.theDoepfersequencermodule
A-155)oraCV/Gatekeyboard(e.g.theDoepfermodelA-100).
Setup:
UseDarkEnergyinalyingorstandupposition.Pleaseuseasuitablesupport.Thewoodensidepanelscan
bedismantledinordertoconnecttwoormoreunitsmechnicallytoonebigdevice.Moreinformationonthis
canbefoundlaterinthismanual.
Connections:
TorunDarkEnergy,youdonotneednecessarilyallit‘sbuiltinsockets.Forabasicsetup,youwillneedjust
theonesshowninthepicturebelow.Makeuseoftheadditionalconnectionfacilitiesandyouwillexpand
DarkEnergy‘ssoniccapabilitiesalot.Theywillbedescribedtogetherwiththecorrespondingmoduleslater
on in this manual.
Tune
Res
ADSR
Range
Shape Shape
Shape
Range
Range
LFO1 LFO2 LFO1
LFO2
up half low
high
highhigh
low
low
ADSR ADSR ADSR
ADSR
down full medium
Attack
Decay
Sustain
Release
medium
medium
Frequ.
Frequ.
Inputs Outputs
GateVCA AVCF FVCO PWVCO F Ext.
Audio LFO1 Envelope Audio
VCO VCF Envelope
VCA
LFO1
LFO2
o o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Frequ. Amp
AMXFMFM
PW
PWM
LFM
Octave
Source Source Source
Source
Track
DARK ENERGY DOEPFER
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Amp or Mixer
MIDI Out
MIDI In
12-15V AC
min. 400mA
Instrument-
Cabel with
1/4“-Plug
Computer
with
Software-Sequencer
USB
USB
MIDI-Keyboard / Sequencer
Power-
Adaptor
Wall-Outlet

6
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER Introduction
•Powersupply:
Connecttheincludedpoweradaptortothe15VACsocketintherearpanelofDarkEnergy.
Importand: Only use this power adaptor or an equal one with exactly the same specs!
ApowersupplyviaUSBisnotpossiblesincetheinternalanaloguecircuitsofDarkEnergyrunwith+/-12V.
Iftwoormoreunitsruninparallel,eachunitsneedsit‘sownpowersupplywithpoweradaptor.Iftherewill
beademand,wemayconsiderofferingabiggerpoweradaptorwithseveralconnections.
•USB:
ConnectDarkEnergy‘sUSBsockettoyourcomputer.Anycongurationworkordriverinstallationisnot
needed.
•MIDI:
TorunDarkEnergyinaconventionalMIDIsetupwithoutUSB,pleaseconnectDarkEnergy‘sMIDI-inso-
ckettotheMIDI-outsocketofyourMIDIcontrollerdevice(e.g.masterkeyboard,synthesizer,sequencer).
ThedefaultsettingofDarkEnergy‘sMIDIchannelisChannel1.Changingthissettingisdescribedon
page 19 in the chapter „USB/MIDI interface“.
•Audio:
ConnecttheAudiooutputsocketonDarkEnergy‘sfrontpaneltotheaudioinputofyourmixer,amp,etc.
Pleaseusetheincludedconnectioncable.
•CV/Gate:
TorunDarkEnergywithaCV/Gatesequencer/keyboard,youhavetoconnectatleastGate-and
VCOFsockets.Gatetriggersthenotes,VCOFdeterminesthepitchofthenotes.Usingadditionally
VCOPW,VCFFandVCAAconnections,DarkEnergy‘scorrespondingsoundparameterscanbe
controlled dynamically via control voltages. More on this topic later on in this manual.
1.3. Check it out
Pleasebringallfrontpanelcontrolstoit‘sbasicsettingasshowninthepicturebelow.ThedefaultMIDI
channelsettingis1andshouldnotbechangedatthismoment.
Tune
Res
ADSR
Range
Shape Shape
Shape
Range
Range
LFO1 LFO2 LFO1
LFO2
up half low
high
highhigh
low
low
ADSR ADSR ADSR
ADSR
down full medium
Attack
Decay
Sustain
Release
medium
medium
Frequ.
Frequ.
Inputs Outputs
GateVCA AVCF FVCO PWVCO F Ext.
Audio LFO1 Envelope Audio
VCO VCF Envelope
VCA
LFO1
LFO2
o o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Frequ. Amp
AMXFMFM
PW
PWM
LFM
Octave
Source Source Source
Source
Track
DARK ENERGY DOEPFER
0
4
5
1
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8

7
Introduction
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER
Assoonasthepoweradaptorisconnected,DarkEnergyispoweredon.TheLEDsinbothLFOsections
shouldnowlightupandtogglebetweenredandgreen.TheLEDonthebackpanelshouldashforapprox.
2 seconds and light up permanently.
First contact:
Turnthevolumecontrolofyouramp/mixerfullyOFF,BEFOREpoweringitup.Turnupvolumecontrolof
yourmixer/ampslowlyandplayanoteonyourkeyboard.Youshouldnowhearastatictone.Choosea
comfortablevolume.Andnow–LadiesandGentlemen,haveawarmwelcometoDarkEnergy!
Thecurrentlygeneratedsounddependsonthesettingofallknobsandswitches.Itwillbemosteasyto
createmusicallyusefulpatches,ifyoustartatthisbasicsettingand„compose“yoursoundsstepbystep
from that point on.
WewillnowtakeabrieflookatDarkEnergy‘ssoundgenerationandsoundmanipulationmodules.
Adetaileddescriptionofallfunctionsfollowslateron.
Nowthatyoubroughtallknobsandswitchesintotheirbasicsettings,youwillhearasimpleandstatictone.
Theoscillatorgeneratesasimplesquarewave,thatisaudibleattheaudiooutput,yetwithoutbeingmanipu-
latedinanyway.NowmovetheVCOtuneknobandtheoctaveswitch.Youcancontrolthetuningandthe
pitchrange of the tone.
AssoonasyoucrankuptheFMknob,youwillnoticean„automatic“changeintuning:LFO1isselectedas
amodulationsourceandit‘scontrolvoltagegeneratesaperiodicchangeintuning,resp.VCOfrequency.
NowturntheLFO1Freq.knob.Youwillhearachangeinthemodulationspeedresp.LFO1frequency.
Nowlet‘stakeabrieflookattheltersection(VCF):Turnit‘sFrq.knobslowlycounterclockwise.Youwill
hearthesoundbecommingmoreandmore„dull“untilitgetsinaudible.NowturntheFreq.knobin12
o‘clockpositionandcrankuptheXMknobslowly.Youwillhearaperiodicmodulationofthetimbre,done
byLFO2.Again,youcanalterthemodulationspeedwiththeLFO2Freq.knob.Playacoupleofnotesand
changethesettingsoftheenvelopesection.Youwilnoticeachangeintheloudnesscontourofthenotes.If
youswitchtheSourceswitchesintheVCOandVCFsectionintotheADSRposition(theknobsFMandXM
havetobecrankedupatleastto10o‘clockposition),theenvelopewillcontrolnotonlyloudnessbutalso
pitchandtimbre.
Please note:
DarkEnergy‘sparametersmostlyinteractwitheachother.Thatmeans,thereareoftenmorethanjustone
waytoachieveaspecicresult.Inotherwords:Toenableacertainparametertogenerateawantedresult,
itmightbynecessarytosetotherparametersintoaspecicsetting.Thismightbeabitconfusingfromtime
totime.Anexample:IftheADSR‘ssustainknobissettoit‘smaximum,turningthedecayknobwillnothave
anyinuencetothesound.AlltheADSRcontrolswillnothaveanyinuencetothetimbreofthesound,as
longastheSourceswitchoftheVCFsectionissettoLFO2.ThesamegoesfortheSourceswitchinthe
VCAsection.TomakeuseofDarkEnerg‘sfullsonicpotential,itisimportandtounderstandtheseinterac-
tionofparameters.Pleasedonotgetworried–exploresystematicallyeachparameterandit‘sinteraction
withothers.Youcannotdoanythingwrong.
Ifanaloguesoundsynthesisistotallyknowtoyou,pleaserefertothesection„BasicsofSoundgeneration“
in this manual.

8
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER Overview
2. Overiew
DarkEnergy‘sarchitecturetiesupwithaclassicmonophonicmodularsynthesizer.It‘ssignalpathsare
wiredinternally,thusDarkEnergyisverycompactandeasytouse.Themostimportandmodulationpaths
canbesetviatoggleswitches,additionalsocketsdelivercontrolvoltagesandallowtheconnectionof
externalmodulationsources.TheinternalMIDI/USBinterfaceallowstheeasyusewithinaMIDIsetup.
DarkEnergycanalsobeusedasaMIDItoCV/Gateinterface.
Tune
Res
ADSR
Range
Shape Shape
Shape
Range
Range
LFO1 LFO2 LFO1
LFO2
up half low
high
high
high
low
low
ADSR ADSR ADSR
ADSR
down full medium
Attack
Decay
Sustain
Release
medium
medium
Frequ.
Frequ.
Inputs Outputs
GateVCA AVCF FVCO PWVCO F Ext.
Audio LFO1 Envelope Audio
VCO VCF Envelope
VCA
LFO1
LFO2
o o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Frequ. Amp
AMXFMFM
PW
PWM
LFM
Octave
Source Source Source
Source
Track
DARK ENERGY DOEPFER
0
4
5
1
3
2
10
9
7
8
0
4
5
1
3
2
10
9
7
0
4
5
1
3
2
10
9
7
0
4
5
1
3
2
10
9
7
0
4
5
1
3
10
9
7
0
4
5
1
3
10
9
7
0
4
5
1
3
10
9
7
8
0
4
5
1
3
10
9
7
8
0
4
1
3
10
9
7
8
0
4
5
1
3
10
9
7
8
0
4
1
3
10
9
7
8
0
4
1
3
10
9
7
8
0
1
3
2
10
9
8
0
4
1
3
2
10
6
9
7
8
0
4
1
3
2
10
6
9
7
8
0
4
1
3
2
10
6
9
7
8
triangle waveform based VCO
- tuning knob
- range switch -1 / 0 / +1 octave
- FM (frequency modulation) knob with selectable
modulationsource (LFO1 / off / ADSR)
- pulswidth knob for squarewave
- PWM (pulswidth modulation) knob with selectable
modulationsource (LFO1 / off / ADSR)
- waveform switch (saw / off / triangle)
The sum of the squarewave signal and the waveform
selected with the waveform switch is fed into the audio
in of the filter module (to disable the squarewave both
PW- and PWM-knobs have to be turned fully counter-
clockwise).
VCO CV inputs
- VCO frequency (1V/octave)
- pulswidth of squarewave
24 dB lowpass VCF
- cutoff knob (freq.)
- tracking switch half / off / full
(internally connected to the VCO control
voltage)
- XM: exponential frequency modulation
knob with selectable modulationsource
(LFO1 / off / ADSR)
- LM: linear frequency modulation knob;
modulationsource is the VCO‘s
trianglewave (resp. the VCF gets linear
FM from the VCO with adjustable
intensity)
- resonance knob (up to selfoscillation)
audio input
(the connected signal is
mixed into the VCF input)
VCF CV input
- VCF frequency (1V/octave)
VCA
- amplitude knob
- AM (amplitude modulation) knob
with selectable modulationsource
(LFO1 / off / ADSR)
VCA CV input
- VCA amplitude
LFO1 and LFO2
- frequency knobs
- waveform switches (triangle / off /
square)
- range switches: low (up to several
minutes per cycle) / audio (up to
5 kHz) / medium (normal LFO range
from some seconds up to several
10th hertz)
- dual LEDs yellow/red show positive
and negative halfs of the LFO waves
LFO1 CV output
(inverted)
ADSR
- knobs for Attack,
Decay, Sustain and
Release
- range switch long / short /
medium
- blue LED for envelope
activity
ADSR CV output
gate input
audio output

9
Overview
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER
CV1 Gate Learn Midi In USBCV2
Outputs
CV3CV4400mA
(Audio Out)15V AC
DARK ENERGY
ANALOG SYNTHESIZER
DOEPFER
power supply
(12-15VAC, min. 400mA)
CV outputs
CV1: controlled by MIDI note messages, 1V/octave, 0...+5V
(internally routed to the VCO frequency input)
CV2: controlled by MIDI pitchbend data (centered approx.
-2,5...+2,5V or positive 0...+5V, userselectable via internal
jumper, no fixed internal routing; can be connected via patchcord
with e.g. the control voltage input of the VCO or VCF)
CV3: controlled by MIDI velocity data (0...+5V, no fixed internal
routing; can be connected via patchcord with e.g. the control
voltage input of the VCF or VCA)
CV4: controlled by MIDI control change messages, learn mode
for setting of controller number (0...+5V, no fixed internal routing;
can be connected via patchcord with e.g. the control voltage
input of the VCF or pulswidth input of the VCO)
gate output
(with LED, also for learn
function), 0/+5V
Learn button
MIDI input
USB
(for MIDI via USB)

10
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER Functionality
3. Functionality
Inthissection,wewillexploreallofDarkEnergy‘smodulesandfunctionsindetail.Wewillalsohavea
closelookonthemodulesinteractionandnallytheMIDIfunctionality.
3.1. Signalow
USB
MIDI In
MIDI / CV
Interface
Oscillator
(VCO)
Filter
(VCF)
Amplifier
(VCA)
Low Frequency
Oszillator 2
(LFO1)
Low Frequency
Oszillator 2
(LFO2)
Envelope
Generator
(ADSR)
Audio
Output
Gate Signal
Envelope Control Voltage
LFO Control
Voltage
Pitch Control
Voltage
Audio Audio Audio
CV 4 CV 3 CV 2 CV 1
ThegureaboveshowsabriefoverviewofDarkEnergy‘ssignalow.
Thedarkercolouredboxesshowallmodulesthatgenerateorprocessthesoundresp.theaudiosignal.
TheyarelabelledVCO,VCFandVCAandformtheaudiopath.Thelightgreyboxesarecontrolmodules.
Insteadofaudiosignals,theygeneratecontrolvoltages,whichmodulatetheaudiomodules.Theenvelope
generatorcansendcontrolvoltagetoVCO,VCFandVCA,thelowfrequencyoscillators(LFO1andLFO2)
cansendtheircontrolvoltagestobothoscillatorsandtothelter(LFO2)resp.theamplier(LFO1).
TheMIDItoCV/Gateinterface„translates“incommingMIDIdataintocontrolvoltagesthatcanbeaccessed
atthesocketsCV1–4.CV1isalsofedintotheVCOsinputtocontroltheoscillatorpitch.Nexttothis,the
MIDItoCV/Gateinterfacegeneratesagatesignalwhichtriggerstheenvelopeandstartsatone.
Thegureonthefollowingpageshowsthecompletesignalpathinallit‘sbeauty.Userswithsometechni-
calskillsmayeasilyreenactallroutings.Allinputsandoutputs,knobsandswitchesaswellasallinternal
submodules,suchasaddersandinverters,areshowninthegracs.
Thefunctionalityofallmodulsisdescribedinthefollowingsectionfrompage12on.Amoregeneraland
easytounderstanddescriptionofthebasicsofanaloguesoundgenerationcanbefoundinsection4
„Basics of Soundgeneration“.

11
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER Functionality
VCO
LFO1 LFO2
Envelope
(ADSR)
VCF
Frequ. Frequ.
Release
Sustain
Decay
Attack
PW
Tune
Range
Range
Range
ShapeShape
up
low
low
low
high
high
high
medium
medium
medium
LFO2 LFO1
Exponential Frequency Control
Adder Adder adder
PWM
FM
off off
ADSR ADSR
Source Source
Gate
Shape
off
Outputs
Rectangle
Pulsewidth
Control
Section
Adder
down
tune
range
(JP4)
Resonance
Control
Section
Linear Frequency Control Resonance Control Audio In
Audio
Out
Inverter
Audio In
LFM
Res
VCO PW
VCO F
VCA A
VCA
Amp.
LFO1
amplitude control
AM
off
ADSR
Source
Ext.
Audio
Frequency
Control
Section
Frequency
Control
Section
Envelope
Out
Audio
Out
Audio Output
Miniature Jack Socket Rotary Control (Potentiometer)
LFO1 Output Envelope Output
Octave
USB/Midi Interface
USB Gate/
Learn
Miniature Jack Socket with Switching Contact LED Display
Toggle Switch Momentary Push Button Midi Socket
Midi In
link option
glide option
Learn
Gate
CV1 (Note)
CV2 (Pitch B.)
CV3 (Vol./Vel.)
CV2 (Ctr./Vel.) USB Socket
Internal Connector / Jumper
DOEPFER
Dark Energy
-1
(JP7)
(JP3)
(JP12)
(JP2)
(JP8)
Frequ.
LFO2
Adder
XFM
off
ADSR
Source
Track
off
full
half
1/2
VCF F

12
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER Functionality
3.2. The Modules
3.2.1. VCO
TheVCO,oralternativelytheexternalaudioinput,isthesourceofDarkEnergy‘s„raw“soundmaterial.The
VCOprovidesthebasicwaveformstriangle,sawtoothandsquarewithvariablepulswidth.Themodulehas
modulationinputsforfrequency(pitch)andpulswidth.Thefrequencyrangecoversapprox.10Hzto
12kHz.
TheVCOprovidesthefollowingcontrols:
•Manualtuningknob
Thisknobisusedforsharporatnetuningofthepitch.Aninternaljumperselectsthe
rangebetweenapprox.+/-1/2octaveor+/-2,5octaves.Thedefaultsettingis+/-1/2
octave.
•Rangeswitch-1/0/+1octave
Thisswitchselectsthetuningrange.
•FM(frequencymodulation)knob
ThisknobislocatedinthepitchcontrolinputoftheVCO.Itadjuststhepitchmodulati-
ondepthofaselectedmodulationsource(LFO1orenvelope/ADSR).Thisknobuses
anexponentialcharacteristictoachiveahigherresolutioninthelowerpitchrange.
•FMSourceswitch
ThisswitchselectsthefrequencymodulationsourceoftheVCO.Thechoicesare
LFO1,envelope(ADSR)ornosource(off).TheADSRgeneratesan„oneshot“pitch
contour,whichischaracteristicfore.g.certaindrum-andpercussion-sounds.LFO1
formsaperiodicandcontinousmodulation.LowLFO1frequencysettingswillresultin
vibrati.IfLFO1runsintheaudiorange(high),theVCOgeneratesverynoisytextures.
•ManualPulswidthknob
Thisknobchangesthepulswidthofthesquaresignal.Alteringthesymetryofthe
waveformfromsquaretosharppeakschangesit‘sharmoniccontentandthusthe
timbreofthesignal.Incenterposition,theVCOprovidesarectangular(square)signal
(a).Turningclockwiseresp.counterclockwiserstnarrowsthepulsesuntil,atit‘sextre-
mepositions,theVCOstoppsoscillatingandnopulswavesignalisaudible.
•PWM(Pulswidthmodulation)knob
Modulatingthepulswidthprovidesveryinterestingtextures.Thisknobislocatedinthepulswidthcontrol
input of the VCO.
Itadjuststhepulswidthmodulationdepthoftheselectedmodulationsource(LFO2orenvelope/ADSR).
Withhighmodulationdepthsand/ornarrowpulswidthsettings(manualpulswidthknobclosetofullyclock-
wise/fullycounterclockwise),themodulationdepthmightexceedthemaximumvalueofthepulswidth
rangeandthewaveformwillbreakdown.Asaresult,youwillheardropoutsintheaudiosignal.Thisis
normalandcanbeusedcreativelyasaninteresting„gate“-likeeffekt.
f/1f/1
ab
c

13
Dark EnerGy
DOEPFER Functionality
•PWMSourceswitch
Thisswitchchoosesthesourceofthesquarewave‘spulswidthmodulation.Theswitchtogglesbetween
LFO2,envelope(ADSR)andnosource(off).TheADSRgeneratesan„oneshot“pulswidthmodulation,
LFO2formsaperiodicandcontinousmodulation.LowLFO2frequencysettingswillresultin„wide“and
„lush“textureswhichareveryusefulforhugepadsounds.IfLFO2runsintheaudiorange(high),theVCO
generatesnoisytexturesthatwilldiffersonicallyfromFM-effects.
•Waveformswitch(saw/off/triangle)
Nexttothesquarewave,theVCOgeneratesatriangle-andsawwave.Thesumofthesquarewavesig-
nalandthewaveform,selectedwiththewaveformswitch,isfedintotheinputofthelter.Todisablethe
squarewave,movethePW-knobinfullyclockwiseorfullycounterclockwisepositionandshutoffPWMby
turningthePWMknobintofullycounterclockwiseposition.Now,onlythesaw-ortrianglewaveisaudible,
dependingonthesettingofthewaveformswitch.
TodisabletheVCOcompletely,setthewaveformswitchintooff-position,thePWknobintofullyclockwise
orcounterclockwisepositionandthePWMknobintofullycounterclockwiseposition.Usethissetting,ifyou
e.g.wanttofeedanexternalaudiosignalintothelterofDarkEnergy.
•VCOFInput
Usually,theVCOsinternalpitchCVinputisconnectedtotheoutputCV1ofthebuiltinMIDI/USBinterface.
ThisVCO-inputusesthestandard1Volt/Octavescalingwhichiscommenformostofallanaloguesynthesi-
zers.ThisenablesyoutoplayDarkEnergyjustlikeanyotherkeyboardinstrumentwithtemperatedtuning
resp.inhalftonesteps.Youdonothavetoscaleortuneanything.
IncaseyouwanttouseDarkEnerywithoutMIDI,butconnectedtoaCV/GatesequenceroraDoepfer
A-100modularsynthesizer,youwillmakeuseofDarkEnergy‘sCV-inputs.TheVCOFsocketprovidesan
externalCV-inputfortheVCOfrequency(tuning).Assoonasyoupluginacable,theVCOspitchiscont-
rolled via this input.
Pleasenotethatthissocketisnotnormalised.ThismeansthattheconnectionbetweentheMIDI/USB
interfaceandtheVCOisnotdisabledwhenacableispluggedin.TheexternalCVisaddedtothevalue,
providedbytheMIDI/USBinterface.Thisisveryusefultoe.g.transposeasequence,whichisplayedbyan
A-155stepsequencer,withthehelpofaMIDI/USBkeyboardinrealtime.
InsteadaCV/Gatesequencerorakeyboard,youmayalsouseanyothersuitableCVorevenaudiosignals
as modulation source.
•VCOPWInput
IfyouwishtocontrolthepulswidthofthesquarewavesignalwithanexternalCV,usethisinputsocket.A
change of 5 Volts covers the entire modulationrange.
IfanexternalcontrolvoltagemightnotttothespecicationsoftheDarkEnergy‘sCVinputs(VCOF,
VCOPW,VCFF,VCAA,ext.Audio),resp.itistoohighortoolow,pleaseuseanexternalattenuator(e.g.
DoepferA-183-1)oramplier(e.g.DoepferA-183-3).Theseadditionalmodulescaneasilybehousedina
DoepferA-100Minicase.

Thecutofffrequencyofalowpasslterde-
pending on the control voltage
Theresonancecharacteristicsofalowpass
lter
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3.2.2. VCF
Filtersareaveryimportandtoolineveryanaloguesynthesizer.Filtersmodifysoundsbyrejectingsome
frequencieswhileallowingotherstopassthroughinordertomanipulatetheharmoniccontentofthesound.
Therearedifferenttypesoflters;themostcommonandmostmusicallyusefulltertypeisthe24dB‘low-
pass’,whichisusedinDarkEnergy.Accordingtothistermination,alowpasslterpassesallfrequencies
belowthesocalled„cutofffrequency“andrejectsfrequenciesabovethecutoff.Thispointcanbecontrolled
byaknobormodulatedbyacontrolvoltageinordertoachievedynamictimbres.
Anotherimportandltertermis‘resonance’.Theresonancefunctionemphasestheovertones(orharmo-
nics)closetothecutofffrequency.Thesoundbecomesmoreandmore„sharper“.Atacertainlevel,the
lterstartstoselfoscillateandgeneratesawaveformclosetoasinewave.DarkEnergy‘sVCFcanalso
bedrivenintoselfoscillationinodertouseitasanadditionalsignalsourcetoprovidecertain,verypopular
sound effects.
TheVCFprovidesthefollowingcontrols:
•Manualfrequencyknob(Freq.)
ThisknobmanuallycontrolsthecutofffrequencyoftheVCF.Inotherwordsyou
„open“and„close“thepass-through„window“ofthelter.Atfullyclockwiseposition,
thelteriscompletelyopenedandtheentirefrequencyrangeoftheincommingsignal
ispassedthrough.Atfullycounterclockwiseposition,thelterisclosedsofar,thatall
audiblefrequenciesarerejectedandnooutputsignalisaudible.Theentirefrequency
rangeofDarkEnergy‘sltercoversapprox.12octaves.Themorethisknobisturned
intoclockwisedirection,thesmalleristheeffectoftheenvelope(ADSR)tothesound.
•XMknob
Inordertoachievedynamicandperiodicchangesintimbre,thecutofffrequency
canbemodulatedviacontrolvoltages.TheXMknobsetsthemodulationdepth.Set
fullycounterclockwise,nomodulationappears,whilefullyclockwisepositionmeans
maximum modulation depth. The modulation depth is added to the setting of the
manualfrequencyknob.Sincethesumofbothcannotexceedthemaximumvalueof
thecutoffparameterrange,thesettingofthe„Freq.“knobinuencesthemodulation
depth:Thehigherit‘ssetting,thelowertheeffectoftheXMknobtothesound.The
XMfunctionusesexponentialfrequencymodulation.
Insomecases,theFMhastobecontrolledinaveryneway,especiallywhenthel-
terisselfoscillating(resp.workingasasinewaveoscillator)andmodulatedbyLFO2
intheaudiorange.Inordertooptimizetheparameterscaling,theXMknobworksin
anexponentialway.Thus,audiblemodulationmightneedsettingsabove„5“,espe-
ciallywhenusingtheADSRasamodulationsource.
f
c
CV
tuOtuO
.qerF.qerF
f
c
Resonance changes the lter characteristics
f
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Resonance
Frequency
0 db
Attenuation

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•XMSourceswitch
Thisswitchselectsthesourceforexponentialmodulationofthecutofffrequency.Theswitchtogglesbet-
weenLFO2,envelope(ADSR)andnosource(off).ControllingthecutofffrequencywiththeADSRisone
ofthemostcommenmodulations,sinceitprovidessimulationofthetypicalcharacteristicsofmostacoustic
instrumentstimbresfrombrighttodull.OfcourseDarkEnergy‘senvelopegeneratorprovidesmuchmore
waystoshapethetimbre.
LFO2formsaperiodicandcontinousmodulation.Lowfrequenciesprovidevibratiintimbre.UsingtheLFOs
highrange,XMgeneratesverynoisysoundsthatcannotbeplayedtonally.Thiswayofmodulationisgreat
foruniqueandinterestingsoundeffects.Feelfreetoexperimentwiththesettingsofcutofffrequency,LFO2
speedandXMknob.
•LMknob
Thisknobsetsthemodulationdepthofthelinearfrequencymodulation-averyspecialfeatureonanalogue
synthesizers.ModulationsourceisalwaystheVCOtrianglewavesignal.IncontrasttoexponentialFM,
linearFMallowstonallyplayablesounds,aslongasVCFcutoffandVCOsignalrunincertainfrequency
proportions.Highlyinterestingsoundscanbeachievedwiththeselfoscillatinglter(highresonanceset-
tings).Feelfreetoexperimentwithcutofffrequency,resonance,VCOtuningandLMknobsetting.Please
notethatevensmallparameterchangescanresultindrasticnewtimbres.
•Resonanceknob(Res)
Thisknobsetstheresonanceintensityofthelter.Thiseffectdependsalotonthecutoffsettingandis
mostintenseatFreq.knobsettingsbetween1and5.Athighresonancesettings,thelterstartstoself
oscillateandgeneratesawaveformclosetoasinewave.Itcanbeusedasanadditionalsignalsourceto
providecertainpopularsoundeffects,e.g.typicalsynthesizerpercussionsoundswhenthecutoffismodu-
latedwithasuitableADSRsetting.
•Whenthelterisselfoscillating(highresonance)andtheVCOisdisabled(waveformswitchincenterpo-
sitionandPWknobinfullyclockwiseorcounterclockwiseposition),thelterrunsasasinewaveoscillator
andcanbelinearmodulatedbytheVCOandexponentialmodulatedbyLFO2atthesametime!TheVCO
frequencycanfollowtheltercutoff.Verycomplexsoundsarepossible.
•Trackingswitch
Thetrackingswitchhasthepositions„half/off/full“.Itdetermines,iforhowmuchtheltercutoffdepends
ontheplayednotes(resp.VCOpitch).Whensetto„full“,highernotessoundmoreandmorebrighter,lower
notesmoreandmoredull.Thiststothetypicalcharacterofacousticinstruments.Whensetto„half“,this
effectisweaker.IfthelterisselfoscillatingandshouldbeplayedtonallyasanoscillatorviaMIDIkey-
board,thisswitchhastobesetto„full“.SoitrecievesthesamecontrolvoltageastheVCO.Thissettingis
alsousefulwhenlinearfrequencymodulation(LM)isusedwiththeselfoscillatinglter.
•VCFFInput
Tomodulatetheltercutofffrequencywithanexternalcontrolvoltageoranexternalaudiosignal,please
usethissocket.Thisinputalsousesan(exponential)1V/Octscaling.SotheselfoscillatingVCFcanbe
played(almost)tunedinhalftones(thescalingisnotaspreciseastheVCObecauseoftechnicalreasons
butmuchbetterasfoundinmanyotheranaloguesynthesizers).Thecontrolvoltagefedintothisinputis
addedtotheinternalCVs(Freq.knob,trackingswitch,XMknob).Pleasenote,thatthesumoftheseCVs
cannot exceed the maximum value of the modulation depth range.
•Ext.AudioInput
Itcanbeveryinterestingandmusicallyusefultoprocessexternalaudiosignals,suchasacousticinstru-
ments,drumloopsorevencompletetracks,withthecomponentsofasynthesizer.Youguessedit–Dark
Energyoffersaninputsocketforexternalaudiosignals,thatcanbeusedasasoundsourcenexttothe
VCOsignals.Signalsconnectedtothissocketarefeddirectlyintothelter.Theinputismonoandproces-
seslevelsupto1Vppwithoutdistorsion.

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Whenusinganexternalaudiosignalpleasenote:TodisabletheVCO,putthewaveformswitchto„off“
(centerposition),movethePW-knobinfullyclockwiseorcounterclockwisepositionandshutoffPWMby
turningthePWMknobintofullycounterclockwiseposition.Tomakeaconnectedaudiosignalaudible,Dark
Energy‘sVCAhastobeopened.CrankuptheVCAknoband/orplayanoteonyourkeyboard,whichwill
open up the VCA via gate signal and ADSR control voltage. Of course you can use the external input and
theVCOinparallel.SoyoumayaddasecondVCO(e.g.DoepferA-110,controlledbytheCV1socket)
oranoisegenerator(e.g.DoepferA-117orA-118)asanadditionalsoundsource.
3.2.3. VCA
The VCA provides dynamic control over a third importand parameter – the loudness. A VCA is a voltage
controlledamplier.DarkEnergy‘sVCAissomewhatspecial:It‘scharacteristicsareexponentialfrom
approx.–90dBto–20dBandlinearbetween–20dBand0dB.Thisresultsinadifferentandmusically
moreusefulbehaviourcomparedtoordinaryVCAs.
TheVCAprovidesthefollowingcontrols:
•Amplitudeknob
ThisknobcontrolstheleveloftheoutputsignalinitiallyindependentfromtheADSR/
LFO1controls.Ifonlythisknobiscrankedup,youwillhearastatictone,notyet
inuencedbytheenvelopeorLFO1settings.
•AMknob(amplitudemodulation)
Thisknobadjuststheloudnessmodulationdepthofaselectedmodulationsource
(LFO1orenvelope/ADSR).Pleasenote:Abovethecenterpositionthemodulation
dephtdecreasesagain.Thehighestoutputlevelwithmaximumdynamicscanbe
achieved in settings around the center position. The reason for this effect is: The
maximumamplicationoftheVCAisfactor„1“.TheAMknobvalueisaddedtothe
amplitudeknobvalue.Ifthesumofthecontrolvoltagesbecomesgreaterthen„1“,
theyget„compressed“or„attened“.Thisresultsinanewanddifferentenvelope-or
LFOshapewithreduceddynamicsand–ifLFO1isselectedasmodulationsource
andAMknobissetabove7-8–inatrapezoidshapedvoltagecontour.Toachievea
symmetricalLFOmodulation,theamplitudeknobshouldbearounditscentersetting.
So,nexttothemodulationintensity,theVCAknobscanalsobe„abused“toshapethe
modulationcurve to a certain degree.
•AMSourceswitch
ThisswitchselectsthesourcefortheamplitudemodulationoftheVCA.TheswitchtogglesbetweenLFO1,
envelope(ADSR)andnosource(off).TheADSRasAMsourceprovidesa„oneshot“loudnesscontour.
Thismodulation–youmayremembertheltersection–isoneofthemostimportandstandartsinsound-
synthesis,sinceitsimulatesthetypicalcharacteristicsoftheloudnesscontourofacousticinstrumentsfrom
loudtosoft.LFO1againgeneratesperiodicmodulations.LowLFO1frequencysettingswillresultintremoli.
IfLFO1runsintheaudiorange(high),AMgeneratesnoisytextures.
•VCAAInput
ThissocketprovidesaninputforexternalCVstocontroltheVCAamplitude.Thissocketisnormalised,that
means that a plug disconnects the ADSR or LFO1 from the VCA control input in place of the external CV.
ThemodulationdepthisagaincontrolledwiththeAMknob.Thisinputprocessessignallevelsbetween0
Voltand+5Volt.
Again,thisCVisaddedtotheinternalCVprovidedbytheAMknob.
•AudioOutput
HereyoucanpickupDarkEnergy‘soutputsignal.Maximumlevelisapprox.1Vpp.

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Uptothispointwestudiedmodulesthatgenerateorprocesstheaudiosignalitself.Thefollowingmodules
generatecontrolvoltagesinordertomodulatethesoundformingparametersofVCO,VCFandVCAina
dynamicway.
3.2.4. ADSR
DarkEnergy‘senvelopegenerator(or„ADSR“)formsase-
quenceoffourcontrolvoltages,everytimeakeyonaconnected
keyboardispressedandDarkEnergygeneratesorreceivesa
MIDI note-on command or a gate signal. The envelopes control
voltages are used to give the sound a dynamic shape.
The envelope provides four parameters:
  •Attack
  •Decay
  •Sustain
  •Release
Assoonastheenvelopegeneratorgetsagate-onsignal,it‘soutputtedCVrises
from0Volttomaximum.Therisetimeisadjustableandcalled„Attack“.When
themaximumvaluehasbeenreached,thevoltagefallsdownwithinthe„Decay“-
time to the „Sustain“-level. The envelope control voltage stays on this level until
thekeyisreleased,thenitfallsdownto0Voltwithintheadjusted„Release“-
time.
Theenvelopegeneratorprovidesthefollowingcontrols:
•KnobsforAttack,Decay,SustainandRelease.
PleasenotethatAttack,DecayandReleaseareperiodsoftimewhileSustain
is a level value.
•ADSRRangeswitch
Thisswitchprovidesthreedifferentranges(long/short/medium)forthetime-
relatedparametersAttack,DecayandRelease.Use„short“forextremelyper-
cussivesounds,„long“ismostusefulforslowlyevolvingpad-sounds,medium
foreverythinginbetween.
•AbluecolouredLEDshowstheactivityoftheenvelopegenerator.
•GateInputsocket(backpanel)
Insteadoftheinternalgatesignal,derivedfromanincommingMIDI-note,theenvelopegeneratorcanalso
betriggerdbyanexternalgatesignalviathissocket(0/+5to+12V).Usethissocket,ifyouwishtoplay
DarkEnergywithaCV/Gatesequencerorkeyboard.
•EnvelopeOutputsocket
Atthissocket,thecontrolvoltagegeneratedbytheenvelopegeneratorcanbepickedupandusedforaddi-
tional modulation paths.
ADSR Envelope and its Parameters
Sustain
Level
Attack
Time
Decay
Time
Release
Time
+3 ... +12
V
0
V
On O
Time
ca. +8 V
CV Output LevelGate

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3.2.5. LFO1 and LFO2
ALowFrequencyOscillatorproducesapulsatingsignal,mostlyinthesubaudiorange,whichcanbeused
togenerateperiodicchangesofseveralsoundparameters.DarkEnergyprovidestwoidenticalLFOs.
TheLFOsprovidethefollowingcontrols:
•Frequencyknob
ThisknobcontrolstheLFOfrequencyresp.modulationspeed.
•LFOrangeswitch
ThisswitchprovidesthreedifferentrangesfortheLFOfrequency:„Low“(periods
ofuptoaminute)/„Audio“(above5kHz)/„Medium“(usualLFOrange–several
secondsuptosome10thHertz).
SinceDarkEnergy‘sLFOsproducefrequenciesuptotheaudiorange,theycanbe
usedtogenerateFM-effectswithVCO-pitch,VCO-pulswidthandVCF-frequency
aswellasAM-effects(VCA).Usethisfeaturetocreateinterestingandnoisy
soundeffects.
•DualcolouredLED(yellow/red)showpositiveandnegativewaveformhalfs.Abo-
vefrequenciesofapprox.30Hz,theLEDsseemtolightorange.
•Waveformswitch
ThisswitchselectsthewaveformoftheLFOsignal(triangle/off/square)orshuts
theLFOoff.Trianglesuitssoftmodulations,squaregenerates„jumps“.
•LFO1Outputsocket
TheinvertedoutputsignalofLFO1isprovidedatthissocket.Youmayuseitforadditionalmodulation
paths.
Internaljumpersprovidethenon-invertedsignalofLFO1ortheADSRcontrolvoltageatthissocket.You
maycongurethisjumpertoyourneeds,butpleasekeepinmindthatopeningDarkEnergy‘scasingneeds
somebasicskillsinhandiwork.Ifyoucannotcopewiththis,pleasefeelfreetocontactDoepferanytime.
Youwillndsomemoreinformationinthesection3.5.„Modications“onpage25.

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3.3. USB/MIDI Interface
3.3.1. Connection / MIDI channel
Quitelikely,youwanttoplayyourDarkEnergyviaMIDI–therearetwoeasywaystodoso:
 •MIDIviaUSBor
 •the„classic“MIDI-connectionviaDINsocket.
•USB:TohookupDarkEnergyinyourMIDI-setupviaUSB,simplyconnecttheincludedUSBcableto
DarkEnergyandtoafreeUSBportonyourMacorWindowsPC.
MacOSX,WindowsXP(SP2orhigher)andWindowsVistaprovidethenecessarydriversandDarkEnergy
willbemountedassoonasitisconnected.YouwillndanewMIDIportinyourMIDIapplication,named
„USBaudiodevice“(WindowsXP)or„DarkEnergy“(OSX,WindowsVista)andyouarereadytogo.
Ifthismessageismissingoranerrormessageisshown,e.g.„USBdevicenotfound“,thenecessarydriver
ismostlikelynotinstalledornotworkingproperlyonthiscomputer.Inthiscase,DarkEnergy‘sUSBport
unfortunatelycannotbeusedonthisspeciccomputer.Weapologizefornotbeingabletosupportthispro-
blem,sincetherewillbemultiplecauses,veryspecicanddependingonthecomputer.Ofcourseyoucan
runDarkEnergyinsuchacaseviatheMIDIDIN-connectionwithoutanyproblem.Thesamegoesifyou
useanolderWindowsorMacSystemthatdoesnotprovidethenecessarydrivers.
•DIN socket:YoumayconnectDarkEnergyalternativelyviaMIDIcabletoaMIDIinterface,aMIDIkey-
boardoraMIDIhardwaresequencer.SimplyconnecttheMIDIoutputofyourMIDIdevicetoDarkEnergy‘s
MIDIport.PleasedonotuseUSBandDINconnectionsinparallel.
•MIDI channel selection (Learn button):InordertoenableDarkEnergytoreceiveincommingMIDIdata,
theMIDIchannelofboththeMIDIdeviceandDarkEnergyhavetobeidentical.YoumayselectDark
Energy‘sMIDIchannellikethis:
–SelectthedesiredMIDIchannelonyourMIDIdevice/softwareapplication.Pleaserefertotheiruser
manuals.
–PresstheLearnbuttononthebackofDarkEnergyandkeepitpresseddownforatleastonesecond.
TheLEDstartsashing,showingthatDarkEnergyisinlearnmode.Thedelayofonesecondavoids
unintendedenablingofthelearnmode.TheashingLEDalwaysindicatesDarkEnergy‘sactivelearn
mode.Topressthelearnbuttoneasily,youmayuseapenoraplug.
–Pressthekeyonyourkeyboardwiththelowestnote,thatDarkEnergyshouldbeabletoplay.Thisnote
willsetCV1(pitchCV)to0Volt.Thisisapprox.equivalentto65Hz/„C“,whentuningknobandrange
switcharebothincenterposition.Theavailablerangecoversveactavesabovethatnote.Thedefault
settingisMIDInotenumber36.
–Done–DarkEnergy‘sMIDIchannelnowtstotheoneoftheconnectedMIDIdevice.DarkEnergy
disablesthelearnmodeautomaticallyandchangestousualrunningmode.Ifyoumightenablethelearn
modeunintended,simplyhitthelearnbuttonagaintoleavelearnmode.
WhenDarkEnergyreceivesaMIDInote,thelearnLEDgoesoffforashortmoment.Youmayusethisasa
MIDI-inindicator,withouttheneedtoconnectasoundssystem.

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3.3.2. MIDI to CV/Gate interface
SinceDarkEnergy‘ssoundgenerationworksentirelyrealanalogueandrealanaloguecontrolvoltagesand
gatesignalsareusedinternally,theunitfeaturesacompleteUSB/MIDItoCV/Gateinterface.
This integrated USB/MIDI to CV/Gate interface generates not only a pitch control voltage and a gate signal
totriggertheenvelope,italsoprovidesseveralcontrolvoltagesderivedfromincomingMIDIvelocityand
MIDIcontrollerdata.TheMIDItoCVinterfacealsofeaturesasimplebutusefularpeggiatorandasocalled
referencetone.YouhavemetthereferencetonebeforetoselecttheMIDIchannel–itistheMIDInote,that
setsDarkEnergy‘spitchCV1to0VoltsandthusbecomesthelowestnoteofDarkEnergy‘snoterange.
AllCVsandgatesignalsareprovidedviasocketsonthebackpanelofDarkEnergy.Usepatchcordsto
connectthemwiththemoduleinputsonDarkEnergy‘sfrontpanel.Soyoucancontrolthemostimportand
soundparameters dynamically via MIDI velocity and a MIDI controller.
Youmay„abuse“DarkEnergy‘sMIDItoCV/gateinterfacetocontrolanother,notMIDIedanaloguesynthe-
sizerthattstothespecicationsofDarkEnergy.
DependingontheincommingMIDIdata(noteon/off,notenumber,pitchbend,MIDIcontroller,velocity)the
interface generates:
•Thegatesignalfortheenvelopegenerator,
•CV1:controlledbyMIDInotenumbers;1V/octscaling(internallyconnectedwiththeVCOspitch
controlinput)
•CV2:controlledbyMIDIpitchbenddata(rangesapprox.-2,5Vto+2,5Vor0Vto+5V,selectedablevia
internaljumper).CV2hasnointernalconnection,itcanbepatchedtothecontrolinputsonDarkEnergy‘s
frontpanel as desired.
•CV3:controlledbyvolumeortheproductofvolumeandvelocity(selectablevialearnmode).CV3hasno
internalconnection,itcanbepatchedtothecontrolinputsonDarkEnergy‘sfrontpanelasdesired.Please
refertopage20,section(2).
•CV4:controlledbyafreeselectableMIDIcontrollerortheproductofcontrollerdataandvelocity
(controllernumberselectablevialearnmode).CV4hasnointernalconnection,itcanalsobepatchedto
thecontrolinputsonDarkEnergy‘sfrontpanelasdesired.Pleaserefertopage20,section(2).
Bychanginganinternaljumper,theCV4socketcanbecomeasecondaudiooutput.Inthiscase,CV4is
notavailableanymore.ThismodenablesyoutouseDarkEnergywithoutanycablepluggedintothe
frontpanel. The default setting is CV4.