DOEPFER Dark link Owner'S Manual Download Page 9

Dark link

DOEPFER

9

Functions

3. Functions

In this section, we will explore all of Dark Link‘s functions in detail. First, we will have another and more 

closer look at the MIDI/USB hookup. Next to this, we will become familiar with Dark Link‘s learn mode and 

the way to configure it‘s functions easily via MIDI programm change commands.

3.1. MIDI Connection

To connect Dark Link to your MIDI keyboard / controller / computer there are two easy ways to do so:

 

• MIDI via USB or

 

• the „traditional“ MIDI-connection via DIN socket.

• 

USB

: To hook up Dark Link in your MIDI-setup via USB, simply connect the included USB cable with Dark 

Link and with an unused USB port on your Mac or Windows PC.

Mac OSX, Windows XP (SP2 or higher), and Windows Vista offer the necessary drivers and Dark Link will 

be mounted as soon as it has been connected. You will find a new MIDI port in your MIDI application, na-

med „USB audio device“ (Windows XP) or „Dark Link“ (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 

has most likely not been installed or is not working properly on this computer. In this case, Dark Link‘s USB 

port unfortunately cannot be used on this specific computer. We apologize for not being able to support this 

particular problem as there can be various reasons for that misbehavior which are very specific and depend 

on the individual computer. Of course, you can run Dark Link via the MIDI DIN-connection in such a case 

without any problems. The same goes for an older system based on Windows or Mac that does not provide 

you with the necessary drivers.

• 

DIN

 socket: You may alternatively connect Dark Link via MIDI cable to a MIDI interface, a MIDI keyboard, 

or a MIDI hardware sequencer. Simply connect the MIDI output of your MIDI device with Dark Link‘s MIDI 

port. Please do 

not

 use USB and DIN connections simultaneously.

3.2. MIDI channel selection (Learn button):

In order to enable Dark Link to receive incoming MIDI messages, the MIDI channel of both the MIDI device 

and Dark Link have to be identical. This is how you can select Dark Link‘s MIDI channel:

– Select the desired MIDI channel on your MIDI device / software application. Please refer to their 

   respective user manuals when in doubt.

– Press the „Learn“ button of Dark Link and keep it depressed for at least one second. The

   LED will start flashing, showing that Dark Link is in „learn mode“. The delay of one second avoids

   accidental use of the „learn“ mode. The flashing LED always indicates Dark Link‘s active learn mode.

   For easy access to the „learn“ button you can use a pen or a plug.

– Press the key on your keyboard with the lowest key that your connected CV/gate synthesizer is supposed 

   to play. This key will set CV1 (pitch CV) to 0 Volt. The available range will cover five octaves above that

   key. The default setting is MIDI note number 36.

– Now you´re done - Dark Links MIDI channel will now correspond to the one of the connected MIDI

   device. Dark Link will quit learn mode automatically and return to normal running mode. If you enable

   „learn“ mode accidentally, simply hit the „learn“ button again to quit.

When Dark Link receives a MIDI note, the „learn“ LED will turn off briefly. You may use this as a MIDI-in 

monitor, without the need to connect a sound system.

Summary of Contents for Dark link

Page 1: ...Dark link Owners Manual DOEPFER MUSIKELEKTRONIK GmbH ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...1 2 1 Setup 6 1 2 2 Connections 6 2 Overwiew 8 3 Functions 3 1 MIDI Connections 9 3 2 MIDI Channel Selection 9 3 3 The MIDI to CV Gate Interface 10 3 4 Learn Mode MIDI Functions 11 3 5 The Glide Knob 14 3 6 Initialisation 14 3 7 Firmware Update 15 4 Tipps Tricks Nuts n Bolts of MIDI CV Gate Conversion 16 5 Addendum 18 ...

Page 4: ... direct sunlight Do not install the instrument near heat sources like heaters open fire places central heating etc Keep the top of the instrument clear in order to allow proper ventilation otherwise the instrument could eventually overheat Never place heavy objects on the instrument Transport the instrument carefully never let it drop or fall over Make sure that during transport and in use the ins...

Page 5: ...ed in a compact and solid metal enclosure Power supply is an included 12 15 volt wall wart R t f m We knew it User manuals are your first and only choice in literature Hey that s great we re talking the same language here If you are doubting the entertaining qualities of this manual how dare you please bear in mind that its thorough study will eventually turn out to be quite useful as it will high...

Page 6: ...ons You do not necessarily need all its built in sockets to get Dark Link going For a simple setup you will need just the ones pictured below Make use of the additional terminals and you will tremendously expand Dark Link s potential These connectors will be described later on in this manual Power supply Connect the included power adaptor wall wart to the 12V AC socket on the rear panel of Dark Ti...

Page 7: ...o not suitable for devices that require a so called switched trigger or S trigger In this case we recommend to order the additional S Trig cable Details are available in the FAQ section of our website see S Trig conversion But Dark Link can be modified for 12V gate voltage or S Trigger The modification should not be carried out by the customer because in this case the warranty is void it is necess...

Page 8: ...eceives MIDI data via it s USB port or the MIDI IN DIN socket Please do not use both simultanously The five 1 8 mini sockets provide the controlvoltages generated by Dark Link Powersupply 12V AC 200mA CV Ausgänge CV1 controlled by MIDI note numbers 1V Octave 0 5V CV2 controlled by MIDI pitchbend data centered approx 2 5 2 5V or positive 0 5V userselectable via internal jumper CV3 controlled by MID...

Page 9: ...lder system based on Windows or Mac that does not provide you with the necessary drivers DIN socket You may alternatively connect Dark Link via MIDI cable to a MIDI interface a MIDI keyboard or a MIDI hardware sequencer Simply connect the MIDI output of your MIDI device with Dark Link s MIDI port Please do not use USB and DIN connections simultaneously 3 2 MIDI channel selection Learn button In or...

Page 10: ...h the suitable inputs you can control it s most important sound parameters dynamically via MIDI velocity and a MIDI controller Depending on the incoming MIDI data note on off notenumber pitch bend MIDI controller velocity the interface will generate The gate signal for the envelope generator polarity can be inverted more on this on page 12 note 4 To generate a switch trigger needed for some vintag...

Page 11: ...1 2 3 4 5 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 4 Trigger Polarity Normal Program Change 7 6 4 4 8 7 Program Change Trigger Polarity Invert Notes 1 MIDI channel reference for CV1 0V In case of an incoming note event in learn mode the note number and the channel of the event will be taken as the new reference tone and MIDI channel of Dark Link The reference key will be the MIDI note number that is assigned to...

Page 12: ...ote event is used to calculate the control voltage together the volume message CV3 resp the unassigned controller CV4 3 Retrigger on off With this parameter you can select whether a new gate trigger pulse is generated when playing legato i e playing a new key on the keyboard without releasing the key played previously The factory default setting is retrigger off Additionally the MIDI controllers l...

Page 13: ... same order in which they have been played on the keyboard After the sixth note maximum capacity the arpeggio will start all over again This mode will collect played keys deleting notes selectively is not possible The entire pattern will be deleted when the arpeggiator is stopped 8 Arpeggiator Sync internal Dark Link s arpeggiator generates its own clock signal The tempo can be controlled via MIDI...

Page 14: ...er as you alter the set tings of Dark Link by such MIDI messages All parameter changes made while in learn mode are stored in Dark Link s non volatile parameter memory When Dark Link is turned on next time the parameter settings will be loaded from this memory 3 5 The GLIDE knob A popular effect or better playing style is bending one note s pitch gradually to the next note You get this effect on a...

Page 15: ...on a standard 5 octave keyboard Retrigger on CV3 volume controller 7 CV4 modulation controller 1 Key assign mode highest note Internal Arp Tempo approx 120 BPM Gate length 6 Octave 1 Arppeggiator Sync internal These values are identical with the factory default settings 3 7 Firmware Update Dark Link s firmware can easily be updated via USB In case a new firmware version is available you can downlo...

Page 16: ... using them in connection with a MIDI to CV Gate interface Voltage control of pitch scaling With most analogue synthesizers 1volt increase of pitch contolvoltage means 1 octave increase of the pitch This so called octave volt scaling has become a common standard and still is for modern analogue synthesizers Also Doepfers A 100 modular system and the Doepfer compact synthesizer Dark Link use this s...

Page 17: ...the modification despite the warranty loss Additional Control Voltages Dark Link is capable to generate three additional control voltages that can be very useful to access more parameters of your analogue synthesizer CV2 is derived from the pitchbend information of the connected MIDI keyboard If your synthesizer offers an additional input for pitch modulation you may use this with CV2 CV3 is deriv...

Page 18: ...sposal This device complies to the EU guidelines and is manufactured RoHS conform without the use of led mercury cadmium and chrome Still this device is special waste and disposal in household waste is not permitted For disposal please contact your dealer or Doepfer Musikelektronik GmbH Geigerstr 13 D 82166 Gräfelfing Deutschland IMPRINT Owners Manual by Matthias Fuchs VISOPHON Berlin Germany Engl...

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Page 20: ...Dark link DOEPFER MUSIKELEKTRONIK GmbH ...

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