Brand: Doepfer
Model: Dark Energy
Link: http://www.doepfer.de/Dark_Energy_e.htm
BLURB: This is an “all-in-one-semi-modular” synth similar to a Korg MS-10. It’s internally patched and allows you to do some basic patching. IT IS AWESOME!
This is a single oscillator PURE ANALOGUE synth with 1 EG, 2 LFOs, 1 VCF and heaps of knobs and switches. It also has a very impressive MIDI (and USB!) spec, plus an audio input.
There’s also CV inputs on the front for VCO pitch, Pulse Width, VCF, VCA, Gate.
PROS: It’s raw VCO sounds are great. The filter is Great – it’s an old Curtis 24 LPF (similar to old Pro5’s). The internal patching is *really* well thought out. You can make some very simple PHAT sounds, then flick a few switches to access the modulation to make some very complex sounds. It’s easy to make a very ballsy 808 kick; zappy Kraftwerk snare; nasty leads; wacky theremins; gentle and spooky lead lines…
It has 4 CV outs on the back – one for CV1 = Pitch, CV2 = Pitch Bend, CV3 = Velocity, CV4 = assignable MIDI controller. Simply patch these into an input on the front of the Dark Energy to make your sounds really pump.
Eg: patch CV3 (Velocity) into the VCF IN on the front panel.
You can drive it using MIDI, or via CV/GATE – we had it running off the MAQ16/3 sequencer the other day. Plus, there are CV/GATE outs on it, so you can use it to drive other CV/GATE analogue gear.
CONS: A sub Osc would be nice.
HINT: Patch it through a sub-oscillator and it will loosen the nails in your floorboards.
This is the perfect little stand-alone synth for anyone who wants to get into modular synths. The patching is basic, but you can do A LOT with it. It’s laid out really well – it’s logical and simple for anyone who is not familiar with modular synths.
There’s also an arpeggiator in it…we’re yet to delve this feature.
We’re going to do some Blipverts on this thing – there is SO MUCH crammed into this little box.
