This document is intended for A-100 users who want to learn a little bit about the technical details of the A-100. We will start with some electronic basics and introduce at first the most important electronic parts used in the A-100 circuits. Then we will show how some basic circuits (like attenuators, amplifiers, mixers, inverters and so on) can be realized with these parts. The following paragraph will show some simple modifications of A-100 modules: e.g. changing the sensitivity of CV or audio inputs, increasing or decreasing output levels (e.g. VCAs or mixers with maximum amplification > 1), adding offset feature to mixers, changing between DC and AC coupled inputs/outputs, adding feedback inserts for VC resonance to all filters and many more.
This page starts September 2004. New items will be added little by little. If you have any suggestion for this page please send your ideas to hardware@doepfer.de. We will try to fulfil all wishes, providing they are possible and will not contain confidential information.

Additional information about technical details (e.g. CV/gate control principles, A-100 bus, A-100 power supply) and mechanical details (frontpanel measures, A-100 frame concept) is available in these documents:

• A-100 Technical details

• A-100 Mechanical details

The A-100 service manual is available only for A-100 customers (see price list for current price). The words - mainly building, testing and adjustment notes for the manufacturer - are in German but the schematics, silk screen and bill of material are international.

Other pages of interest for DIY:

• Vactrol basics

• A-101-1 Technical Details

1. Electronic Parts

(For some parts different signs are shown. Normally the left one is used in USA or Japan, the right one in Germany or Europe)

Fixed resistors

A resistor is determinded by these parameters:

• value (... Ohm, ... kOhm, ... MOhm, usual abbreviations kOhm = k and MOhm =M, e.g. 2.2 kOhm = 2.2k or 2k2)

• power (.. mW, ...W)

• tolerance (%)

• max. voltage

• dimensions (e.g. length, diameter and especially the grid between the legs on the pc board)

In the A-100 normally only resistors with 1/4W (250mW) and 5%, 1% or 0.1% tolerance are used. For the value and tolerance of a resistor normally a color code is used (should we add the color code at this place ?).

Potentiometers

Potentiometers are available as rotary potentiometers or fader types. Normally, a potentiometer has 3 terminals: two end terminals and a slider terminal (upper picture). The slider touches a resistance surface that is located between the end terminals. Sometimes the second end terminal is not shown (lower picture) if only one end terminal is required, e.g. if the part works only as a variable resistor rather than a voltage divider.

A potentiometer is determined by these parameters:

• value (... Ohm, ... kOhm, ... MOhm)

• power (.. mW, ...W)

• tolerance (%)

• characteristics (law)

• mechanical dimensions (e.g. diameter, type, length and material of the axis, distance and diameter of the holes required on the pc board, position of auxiliary terminals without electronic function and so on)

The characteristics - sometimes even called law - is a very important parameter of a potentiometer. This parameter describes the connection between the rotary angle (resp. fader position for fader potentiometers) and the resistance value between terminal 1 and slider terminal. Typical characteristics are linear, logarithmic and  inverse logarithmic. Sometimes special characteristics are used (e.g. S-type law) but these are not very common. For audio attenuation normally logarithmic potentiometers are used as the human ear senses the loudness of an audio signal in a logarithmic way too. The same applies to potentiometers that are used to control time parameters (e.g. attack/decay/release time of an envelope generator). For attenuation of control signals normally linear potentiometers are used. For special functions inverse logarithmic potentiometers are used (e.g. resonance/emphasis control in filter circuits).
Another special type is a stereo potentiometer: two potentiometers with one common axis. The values for the two potentiometers vary in the same way. Used e.g. for manually controlled filters or stereo applications.
Other special types of potentiometers are not described here (e.g. dual potentiometers with 2 concentric axis, or potentiometers with additional terminals) as they are not used in the A-100.

A very special circuit is a so-called vactrol. This is a combination of a light depending resistor (LDR) and LED both put into a small 100% light-proof case. For details please refer to the vactrol document.

front view	rear view
Potentiometers used in the A-100

The above pictures shows the type of potentiometers used in the A-100 system. These potentiometers are equipped with a mounting bracket that increases the mechanical stability. For most of the A-100 modules the potentiometers (together with the sockets) are used to mount the pc boards to the front panels.
The A-100 potentiometers are available as spare parts with these values: 10K (A and B), 50K (A, B and C), 500k (B), 1M (A and B) with A = logarithmic (audio type), B = linear and C = inverse logarithmic (ususally for filter resonance controls used). For prices please look at the price list.

Trimming potentiometers

The electronic function of a "normal" potentiometer and a trimming potentiometer is the same. The only difference is the mechanical appearance: trimming potentiometers are normally much smaller and have a very short axis that is adjusted with a screw driver. Trimming potentiometers are used to adjust parameters that have to bet set once at the factory and that are normally not controlled by the user (e.g. offset frequency and scale of a VCO, maximum/minimum limitation of values, adjustment of click/pop feedthrough of sound processing devices like VCA, VCF, ring modulator, frequency shifters and so on). Sometimes users replace trimming potentiometers with normal ones to have access to such additional parameters.
Trimming potentiometers are available normally only linear. Apart from that they are defined by the same parameters as normal potentiometers.

Capacitors

A capacitor is determinded by these parameters:

• value (... pF/picofarad, ... nF/nanofarad, ... uF/microfarad, usual abbreviations pF =p, nF =n, uF =u, 2.2 nF = 2.2n or 2n2)

• type of dielectric (foil, ceramic, multilayer, electrolytic)

• tolerance (%)

• max. voltage

• polarized/non polarized (electrolytic capacitors are normally polarized)

• dimensions (e.g. length/width/height or length/diameter and especially the grid between the legs on the pc board)

In the A-100 all types of capacitors are used. Value, voltage and tolerance are normally written as normal characters on the component (e.g. 4n7  63V). But even color codes and number codes are used (e.g. 103 means 10x1000=10000). Sometimes it is difficult to find the value of a capacitor. E.g. "100" without additional pF/nF could mean 100pF or 100nF. Some experience is required to find out the correct value if the declaration on the component is not readable, or complete. To be certain of a capacitors value, one could use a capacitor measuring instrument such as a multimeter with capacitor measuring option.

So-called electrolytic capacitors are used for values of 1uF and more as the other types of capacitors would be too large. Normally electrolytic capacitors are polarized (i.e. one has to pay attention to positive and negative terminal of the part). If there are "+" or "-" signs in a schematic this means that an electrolytic capacitor is used. The three examples on the left with "+" and "-" signs denote an electrolytic capacitor.

Other types of capacitors (e.g. variable capacitors) are not used in the A-100.

Diodes

Electronic part that works as one-way for electric current. The triangle terminal (left) of the symbol is the positive side (or anode), the single vertical line (right) is the negative terminal (or cathode). Used e.g. for clipping, rectifying or overvoltage protection. Even light emitting versions (LED) available in different colors (red, green, yellow, orange, blue, white). In this case the brightness is approximately proportional to the current.

A very special circuit is a so-called vactrol. This is a combination of a light depending resistor (LDR) and LED both put into a small 100% light-proof case. For details please refer to the vactrol document.

Transistors

Different types of transistors are available, e.g. bipolar npn or pnp, field effect (FET). A transistor can be used with the suitable circuit (i.e. with additional resistors and capacitors) e.g. as amplifier, switch or current source.

Operational Amplifiers

Operational amplifiers are special integrated circuits that make available a standard amplifier with 2 inputs (inverting and non-inverting input) and high amplification (typ. > 1000). Circuits with one, two or more opamps (abbreviation for operational amplifier) are available. The following table shows the pin-out of the most popular types of single, dual and quad opamps.

	Single type e.g. uA741, TL061, TL071, TL081, TLC271, NE5534, LF411, LF351, LF356
	Dual type e.g. uA747, LM1458, LM4558, TL062, TL072, TL082, TLC272, NE5532, LF412, LF353
	Quad type e.g. LM124, LM224, LM324, TL064, TL074, TL084, TLC274, LF444

The power supply pins (marked with the "+" and "-" triangles) of the integrated circuit in question have to be connected to +12V and -12V for A-100 applications. In schematics the power supply pins of opamps are often omitted. The left opamp symbol includes the power supply pins. The right symbol is without the power supply pins.
Unused OpAmps (if e.g. only 3 devices of a quad opamp are used) have to be terminated in this way: non-inverting input has to be connected to GND, inverting input and output have to be connected (directly or even via resistor in the 1k...100k range).

Switches

A lot of different switches are available. There exist different distinguishing marks, e.g.:

• type of operation: momentary or permanent

• number of terminals

• number of parallel switches

• number of positions 

The pictures show from top to bottom the symbols for a simple on/off switch (SPDT with one ON contact only) , a change-over switch (SPDT with two ON contacts), a rotary switch with 3 positions, a change-over switch with middle position (SPDT with ON-OFF-ON) and a rotary switch witch 5 positions.

Jack sockets

Standard sockets used in the A-100 for all inputs and outputs. Provided that a plug is inserted into the socket the GND and tip terminals of the plug are connected to the corresponding terminals of the socket. The tip is normally the "hot" pin, i.e. the terminal leading the CV resp. audio signal. The sockets are equipped with switching contacts (the arrow in the symbol). Both the GND and tip terminal are switched but only the switching feature of the tip terminal is used in some A-100 modules. Provided that no plug is inserted into the socket the switched tip contact (arrow terminal in the left symbol) is connected to the "normal" tip contact (the terminal represented by the horizontal line in the left symbol). As soon as a plug is inserted this connection is interrupted and the signal at the tip of the plug is connected to the tip terminal of the socket. This feature can be used for default connections (i.e. connection within a module that is established provided that no plug is inserted into the corresponding socket). Example: internal default connections of the A-109 signal processor. This function is often called "normalling" or "normalizing".

rear view	front view
jack sockets used in the A-100

The above pictures show the type of jack sockets used in the A-100 system. For most of the A-100 modules the sockets (together with the potentiometers) are used to mount the pc boards to the front panels. The A-100 sockets are available as spare parts. For prices please look at the price list.

Power Supply

For each circuit, a power supply is required. The three symbols to the left side denote +12V, -12V and GND. Some circuits may require no power supply (e.g. multiples or the simple attenuator below) or only a positive supply. All circuits that use operational amplifiers require all three +12V, GND and -12V. Some modules even require +5V (mainly "digital" modules with digital circuits - like microprocessors, memories, or logic circuits - which often require a +5V power supply). 

2. Basic circuits

Simple attenuator

This is a simple passive attenuator (i.e. no power supply required). J1 is the input socket, J2 the output socket. A typical value for P2 is 10k...100k. A linear or logarithmic type can be used for P2 (logarithmic especially for audio applications as the loudness characteristics of the human ear is approx. logarithmic).

Simple lowpass

This is a simple passive lowpass with 6dB/octave slope. A non-inverting amplifier can be added at the output (and even at the input) to make the circuit independent of input/output impedance (i.e. the "loads" connected to J1 resp. J2). Replacing of R1 by a vactrol leads to simple voltage controlled lowpass filter. Replacing R1 by a potentiometer leads to a simple manually controlled lowpass filter

Frequency of the lowpass: f = 1/(2 * Pi * R1 * C1) with Pi = 3.14
Example: R1 = 47kOhm, C1 = 10nF -> f ~ 340 Hz

Simple highpass

This is a simple passive highpass with 6dB/octave slope. A non-inverting amplifier can be added at the output (and even at the input) to make the circuit independent of input/output impedance (i.e. the "loads" connected to J1 resp. J2). Replacing of R1 by a vactrol leads to simple voltage controlled highpass filter. Replacing R1 by a potentiometer leads to a simple manually controlled highpass filter

Frequency of the highpass: f = 1/(2 * Pi * R1 * C1) with Pi = 3.14
Example: R1 = 10k, C1 = 2,2n -> f ~ 7.2 kHz

Non-inverting amplifier

This is a simple non-inverting amplifier: The term "non inverting" means that the polarity of input and output signal are the same. In other words: a positive input signal applied to J1 will cause a positive output signal at J2 and a negative input signal applied to J1 will cause a negative output signal at J2.

The amplification of this circuit is 1 + R1/R2.
Example 1: R1 = 0 Ohm (connection), R2 omitted -> A = 1
Example 2: R1 = 47k, R2 = 47k -> A = 2
Example 3: R1 = 100k, R2 = 10k -> A = 11

If R1 or R2 is replaced by a potentiometer the amplification can be adjusted. If e.g. R1 in the last example is replaced by a 100k potentiometer the amplification is adjustable in the range 1...11. This circuit can be used to built an simple amplifier if the desired audio or CV signal is too small for a certain application.

Attention ! The minimum amplification of this circuit is 1 (no real attenuation possible provided that no external attenuator is used).

Inverting amplifier

This is a simple inverting amplifier: The term "inverting" means that the polarity of input and output signal are opposite. In other words: a positive input signal applied to J1 will cause a negative output signal at J2 and a negative input signal applied to J1 will cause a positive output signal at J2.

The amplification of this circuit is  - R2/R1 (" - " indicates the opposite polarity of input and output)
Example 1: R1 = R2 = 47k -> A = - 1
Example 2: R1 = 10k, R2 = 100k -> A =  - 10

If R2 is replaced by a potentiometer the amplification can be adjusted. If e.g. R2 in the last example is replaced by a 100k potentiometer the amplification is adjustable in the range 0...-10. This circuit can be used to built an simple (inverting !) amplifier if the desired audio or CV signal is too small for a certain application.

The minimum amplification of this circuit is zero (if R2  = 0). To obtain a non-inverted output another inverting amplifier with amplification - 1 has to be used.

The inverting amplifier can be extended by adding more input sockets (J1) and corresponding input resistors (R1). The right terminals of all input resistors are connected to the inverting input (-) of the operational amplifier O1. The relation between the corresponding input resistor R1 and R2 (the same for all inputs) defines the sensitivity of the input in question. If all resistors have the same value (e.g. 100 kOhm) the amplification is "1" for all inputs. Lowering R1 (e.g. 47k or 22k) increases the sensitivity of the input in question. Increasing R2 (e.g. 220k or 1M) increases the amplification resp. sensitivity for all inputs simultaneously.
The minus terminal of the operational amplifier is often called "virtual GND" in this circuit as the voltage measured at this point is very close to GND within a few millivolts - independent of the incoming voltages!

The first circuit example (chapter 3: "CV mixer with offset function") shows a typical application of inverting amplifiers with several inputs.

Voltage clamping / limiting / clipping

This is a circuit that limits an incoming voltage to the range U1-UD2 ... U2+UD1. The voltage U1 has to be less than U2. UD1 and UD2 are the forward voltages of the diodes D1 and D2. To keep these voltages as small as possible Schottky diodes (e.g. BAT42) ore germanium diodes are recommended because their forward voltages are in the 0.2...0.3V range. R works as a serial protection resistor. A typical value for R is 1k.

A typical application is the limitation of an analog voltage to 0...+5V (e.g. for the inputs of Pocket Electronic or USB64). In this case U1 is connected to GND and  U2 to +5V.

Another application is sound distortion by voltage clipping. If U1 and U2 are variable voltages (e.g. outputs of operational amplifiers of one of the circuits in this document) the clipping levels can be voltage controlled too.

3. Circuit examples

4. Module modifications

P1 is the manual control of the corresponding parameter (e.g. tune for a VCO, frequency for a VCF, manual gain for a VCA, manual phase shift for a phaser and so on). P1 generates the voltage U1.
J1 is the (first) input socket for the external control voltage. P2 is the corresponding attenuator. The slider of P2 outputs the voltage U2. Additional CV inputs with our without attenuators may be available (e.g. two or more CV inputs for frequency control for a VCF). The dashed line in the picture is the common point in the circuit where all CV's are added.
The output voltage of the circuit (output of O1) is used to control the corresponding parameter (tune, filter frequency, gain ...) of the module in question. The output voltage is defined by:

R3/R1 * U1 + R3/R2 * U2

The relations R3/R1 resp. R3/R2 determine the sensitivity of the corresponding control (P1) resp. input (J1/P2). If for example all resistors are 47k (a common value in the A-100) the sensitivity is 1 for each input. Provided that R3 remains unchanged the resistors R1 and R2 determine the sensitivity of the corresponding control resp. input. Reducing the resistance of R1 resp. R2 increases the sensitivity of the manual control (P1) resp. input (J1/P2). Increasing the resistance of R1 resp. R2 reduces the sensitivity. To modify the sensitivity of a control knob (P1) or CV input (J1/P2) the corresponding resistor R1 resp. R2 simply has to be changed.
Changing the resistance of R3 has the opposite effect and affects the sensivity of both the manual control and CV input.

Even the input resistors of CV or audio mixers (e.g. A-138a/b) can be changed to allow "real" amplification (i.e. > 1). The factory values of the resistors in the mixer modules A-138a/b allow a maximum amplification of about 1 (which is not really amplification). Reducing the input resistors (R2 type) or increasing the feedback resistor (R3 type) will increase the amplification of the circuit.

The factory values of the corresponding resistors (R1, R2, R3) for all modules can be found in the A-100 service manual. Normally they are in the 100k range (~ 47k...220k).

The left picture shows the resonance control in a filter or phaser circuit. Essentially it is an attenuator that controls the feedback of the circuit. To enable external control of the resonance external access to the feedback loop is recessary.
For resonance control normally C-law potentiometers are used (i.e. inverse logarithmic, e.g. 47kC).

This is the first solution how to install the insert sockets (pre resonance control). J1 is connected to the slider of the resonance control. Provided that no plug is inserted into J2 the function of the module is unchanged as the switching contact of J2 is active.

As soon as a plug is inserted into J2 the default connection is interrupted and the signal fed to J2 is used as feedback signal. Consequently J1 and J2 can be used to insert e.g. an external VCA to control the resonance. J1 has to be connected to the audio input of the VCA, J2 to the audio output of the VCA. The resonance control can be used to adjust the maximum resonance available with different gain settings of the external VCA. But not only a VCA but any audio processing module can be inserted into the feedback loop (e.g. phaser, spring reverb, waveshaper, limiter, wave multiplier, divider, ring modulator, frequency shifter, or even another filter).

This is another solution how to install the insert sockets (post resonance control).

The location of the resonance control at the pc board for all modules in question can be found in the A-100 service manual.

• AC coupling (alternate current)
• DC (direct current)

AC coupling means that only the AC parts of the signal will pass. For this normally a capacitor is used that connects the two circuits. The minimum value of the capacitor depends upon the lowest frequency (f) that has to be transmitted and the input/output impedance (R) of the two circuits. The approximate formula for the minimum capacity is C ~ 1/(R*f) with f = lowest frequency, R = in/output resistance

Example: minimum frequency = 50Hz, in/output resistance = 10kOhm -> C ~ 2 uF (u = micro = 1/1000000). A usual value would be 2.2uF in this example.

AC coupling is normally used for audio signals. For audio signals AC coupling has the advantage that unwanted DC shares in the signal are removed. For some AC processing circuits (e.g. amplifiers, filters) DC voltages are not allowed in the input signal. Therefore very often a capacitor can be found in the input stage of such circuits.

DC coupling means that both DC and AC parts of a signal are transmitted. For control voltages (normally) only DC coupling can be used as even fixed voltages (e.g. coming from a manual control) have to be transmitted.

In a module patch each A-100 module can be treated as an electronic circuit that is connected to another one. Consequently one has to take into consideration the type of coupling (AC or DC) between modules as the strict differentiation between AC and DC applications os softened for some A-100 modules. E.g. a VCA can be used to process audio signals (i.e. normally AC coupled signals) as well as slowly changing CV voltages (e.g. envelope or modulation amount). Therefore one needs to know if a VCA used is AC or DC coupled. Another example is a divider (e.g. A-115 or A-163) as even these module can be used to process audio or (slow) clock/gate signals.

Luckily it is not very complicated to switch between AC and DC coupling. All one has to do is to bride (i.e. short circuit) the capacitor in case of an AC coupled in/output. The left picture shows how the switch is connected in parallel to the AC coupling capacitor (the broken line resistor symbol represents the load to GND that is always available in each circuit as reference to GND). If AC coupling is required for a DC coupled in/output simply a capacitor has to be added.

From the schematics it can be seen if an in/output is AC or DC coupled. We will add this information also to the user's manual for modules that may be used for both types of coupling.

For some circuits resp. modules changing from AC to DC coupling is not possible. E.g. the "old" VCAs A-130 and A-131 (those with CEM3381 or CEM3382) are AC coupled as the special CEM circuits cannot be DC coupled because of the internal negative reference voltage. The "new" VCAs A-130 and A-131 (those with CA3080) are DC coupled and can be used to process CV signals too.

A list with the type of coupling for all modules in question will follow soon. For most of the modules the question about the type of coupling does not arise. E.g. all filters are AC coupled and all CV generating and processing modules (e.g. ADSR, LFO, slew limiter, Theremin, Ribbon controller, random voltage) are DC coupled. But for other modules the type of coupling is not obvious (e.g. VCA, divider, waveshaper).

Examples:

• rectangle output of an LFO to "write" the LFO rectangle as gate signal to the bus gate
• gate input of the A-143-2 Quad ADSR from the bus gate
• CV input of a filter from the bus CV

(how to make use of unused switching contacts of sockets for module pre-patching)

The new version of the A-151 is already equipped with this switch. Thank's to Peter Grenader for this idea.

There are two possible modifications:

Modification #1 refers to the behaviour of the gate row. Without this modification the gate output remains "high" if the sequence stops at a position with the corresponding gate switch in the on position. If this modification is carried out the gate outputs turns "low" as soon as the sequence stops. It's an AND wiring of the gate outpout with the start/stop state of the A-155. If the A-155 is combined with the A-154 this modification has to be removed ! 

Modification #2 is a debounding circuit to avoid multiple triggering if the manual step button is used. This modification limits the maximal clock frequency to some hundred Hz (digital low pass). For normal sequencer applications this is no restriction but if the A-155 is used e.g. as a graphic VCO the modification has to be removed. It is not necessary to remove this modification if the A-155 is combined with the A-154.

Besides the supply terminals (-12V, GND, +12V) these signals are available:

• Address signals A0, A1, A2
• Clock signal

The A-155 control board includes a simply binary counter (CD4024) that generates the address signals (A0, A1, A2). The advance of the binary counter to the next address is triggered by the clock signal. The control boards outputs the three address signals and the clock signal. The potentiometer and switch boards receive these signals. The signals have CMOS levels (~ 0/+12V) as the CMOS circuits of the control board are 12V powered. They are not TTL compatible ! A simple solution to have the address signals A0, A1 and A2 and the internal clock signal available for other modules the corresponding pins of the control board can be connected to sockets via protection resistors (typ. 1k). A better solution is to insert suitable buffers into the outputs. It's also possible to feed the potentiometer and switch boards with other address and clock signals than those coming from the A-155 control board. The signals have to be 12V CMOS compatible (i.e. low = 0V, high = +12V).
All modifications should be carried out by experts only as the modules contain charge sensitive devices. We have to point out that warranty is lost if such modifications are carried out.

(Thanks to Pierre Serné for the permission to publish this picture)

• Usage of a CV buffer between the output of the A-156/A-170 and the VCO input(s), e.g. A-185-1 or A-185-2)
• Shortening the output protection resistor

If the protection resistor is shortened the output is no longer protected against shortening to GND or another output but the voltage drop caused by the protection resistor is eliminated. For the A-170 the protection resistor is R2 (positioned below the imprint "A-100 MODULAR SYSTEM" on the pc board. For the A-156 the resistors are R17 and R20 (above and below the upper integrated circuit IC3/TLC274).

Pay attention that warranty is lost if the joystick is modified !

The jumpers JP4 and JP6 are used to install a small voltage plateau around 0V. The plateau appears if the corresponding jumper is removed (normally used for the spring loaded wheel only to obtain 0V output in the neutral position).
The jumpers JP3 and JP7 are used to select the output voltage range (i.e. symmetrical or positive voltage only). Pay attention that this corresponds to the mechanical adjustment of the wheels ! This means one has to re-adjust the wheels also if the jumper settings of JP3 or JP7 are changed. That's a bit tricky and only recommended for experienced users. Otherwise the voltage range of the outputs will be not correct (e.g. not starting with 0V or a large "dead range" for the wheel without spring, or not 0V in the center position of the spring loaded wheel).

Pay attention that a re-adjustment of the wheels liable to pay costs if the wheel adjustment has been changed by the customer !

5. Simple DIY modules / frames

This is the simple attenuator circuit mentioned in chapter 2. The two sockets J1 and J2, and the potentiometer P2 can be mounted on a blind panel with 8 HP (4 HP will be a little to small for the potentiometer). To take advantage of the whole 8 HP panel a second attenuator or a small multiple (i.e. some connected sockets) can be mounted on the same panel. A value of 50k is recommended for P2 (linear for CV applications, log for audio applications).

The left circuit is a simple bypass that can be used to decide if an audio processing module (e.g. a filter or a phaser) is active or not. J1 and J2 form a miniature multiple. J1 is connected to the audio source (e.g. a VCO output or a mixer output), J2 to the audio input of the audio processing module (e.g. filter). J3 is connected to the audio output of the processing module. The position of the switch determines if the audio processing module is active (lower position of the switch) or not (upper position of the switch). The four sockets and the switch can be mounted on a blind panel with 4 HP. 

In the right circuit the bypass is expanded by two attenuators (P1, P2) that can be used to compensate possible audio level differences, i.e. no or little audio level changes appear when the switch is operated. One of the attenuators may be omitted if not both levels have to be adjusted. The four sockets, the two potentiometers and the switch can be mounted on a blind panel with 8 HP. 50k log is recommended for P1 and P2.

5.3. Self-construction of A-100 frames

The left picture shows the construction of the standard 6 HU A-100 frame (A-100G6). The construction is described in detail in this document:

• A-100 Mechanical details

The standard 6 HU frame is made of the following components:

• (1) front rail version 1 (with lip), with threaded inserts (for module mounting)

• (2) front rail version 1 (with lip), with slide nuts (for rear covers mounting)

• (3) front rail version 2 (without lip), with slide nuts (for bus board mounting)

• (4) front rail version 2 (without lip), for increasing stability only

• (5) side plate

• (6) 19" mounting flange

• (x) top and bottom cover (not shown in the picture)

A detailed description of the A-100 frame construction is available as pdf document A100G6_e.pdf

The most expensive parts of the frame are the side plates, mounting flanges and top/bottom covers. If you do not care much for a 19" compatible housing a low cost version of an A-100 frame can be built according to the following instructions.

Pay attention that this is suitable for qualified personnel only who are able to ensure the electrical safety of the final construction. On no account beginners or laymans are allowed to assemble frames. Dangerous mains voltage 115V / 230V. Danger to life !

From the parts list above only the front rails version 1 with "lip" and threaded inserts (1) and the accessory screws are required (the screws that are used to mount the rails to the side plates in the standard version of the frame). Around these 4 rails a suitable case has to be constructed as outlined in the left picture. The rails and accessories are available from the German company ProMA (www.proma-technologie.de) but there are many other companies on the market too. Even rails longer than the 19" standard can be used to obtain bigger non-19" frames (from ProMA e.g. rails with 1m length are available).

At the rear of the case the A-100 power supply (A-100NT12 or A-100PSU2, with mains inlet, power switch and fuse holder) and the bus boards have to be mounted with distance sleeves or spacers.

The wiring of the power supply and the bus boards is described in this document:

• A100_MAINS_PS_BUS.PDF

• A100_NT5_VERDR.PDF (wiring an additional +5V power supply).

As these works affects parts, pc boards and cables that conduct mains voltage (230/115V) carrying out of these works is allowed only for experts or authorized personnel who are familiar with all valid safety rules. Laymen are not allowed to carry out these works ! Danger to Life.

6. Miscellaneous

The A-100 requires a bipolar/symmetrical power supply with -12V, GND and +12V. A high quality linear power supply is recommended. Switching power supplies are not recommended. We tried several switching power supplies for A-100. The main advantages of switching power supplies would be the wide range AC input (typ. 90-240V AC, i.e. no supply modification if you move e.g. from USA to Europe and vice versa), low price and small shape/weight. As some customers suggested switching supplies we ordered three types of switching supplies with different power (Meanwell, Sun Power, Condor/SL) and installed them into standard 6U/84HP cases and a 12U/168HP monster case. For all tested supplies the results are very poor. The main problem is the unsufficient load regulation that may lead to VCO tuning problems. We found up to 200 mV (=0.2 V) voltage change of the +/-12V supplies while the load changes. Such load changes are caused e.g. by different LED illuminations (normally a module will consume more current if a LEDs is bright compared to the dark state) or other effects (e.g. frequency changes of VCO/VCF). If the linear A-100PSU2 was used the +/-12V changed only by about 5mV under the same conditions. Consequently switching power supplies can be recommended only for "non-critical" DIY applications (e.g. if only CV sources/modifiers and audio modifiers are installed). For frames that include one or more VCOs we recommend the A-100PSU2 or another linear supply with good load regulation (10 mV or better).