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Dark time
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Functions
Functions Dark time
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3.3.5. Dark Time as a MIDI-Clock-to-Sync interface and Clock-Converter
We could not resist to present a goody right at the end: Next to his internal clock-divider (page 13) Dark
Time offers additional input- and output clock dividers. They all work independently from each other. This
offers some very interesting opportunities:
• Internal clock divider (page 13) and output clock divider have different settings. You may solve
sync-problems or generate different tempo of Dark time (master) and external slave device.
• Dark Time’s input clock divider differs from the clock rate of an external master. Again, you may
solve sync-problems or generate different a tempo of the external master and the slaved Dark
Time – again rhythmically correct.
• Dark Time’s input- and output-clockdivider have both different settings. Dark Time now works as a
”transmission gear” to convert the clockrates of the external master and the external slave device.
Thus, two external units may be synchronised to each other.
Interesting as well is the fact, that Dark Time does not make any distinction between an analogue clock
signal at the Clk-In socket and a MIDI clock signal received at the MIDI input or the USB port.
So you may use Dark Time as a MIDI-Clock-to-Sync interface. When running as a slave with sync switch
set to ”MIDI/USB” and synced to an external MIDI-clock (master), Dark Time will send out a clock signal
from its Clk-Out socket according to its clock divider setting (please refer to section 3.1.4, page 13). You
may route this signal to another, non-MIDIed device (e.g. suitably equipped vintage drum machine or se-
quencer) in order to synchronize it with the master MIDI device.
Start/stop and reset signals coming in through Dark Time’s analog interface sockets are also available as
MIDI signals at the MIDI-out socket and the USB-port respectively.
Start/Stop and Reset sockets:
Each time Dark Time is started, the St/St Out socket puts out a +5V voltage (default setting). When Dark
Time is stopped, this voltage goes down to zero level (0V).
Each time a reset function is performed, Dark Time’s Reset Out socket will send out a short volateg pulse
of +5V.
Changing the gate output voltage from +5V (default) to +12V by changing an internal jumper (see page 30),
will also generate start/stop- and reset signals of +12V.
There are many uses for these signals, especially in combination with a modular
synthesizer system, e.g. the Doepfer A-100. You can trigger envelope generators in
time when Dark Time starts, stops or resets (e.g. the Doepfer modules A-140, A-141,
A-142), synchronize suitable LFOs (e.g. Doepfer A-145) or start/stop additional
sequencers, e.g. another Dark Time. The clock signal described above will ensure
the same rate for all units connected, the start/stop/reset-triggers will make sure that
both units will perform these actions at exactly the same time.
Running two Dark Times the way we have just mentioned suggests that the slave device can be started,
stopped and resetted by means of external signals. You have guessed it again – this exactly is the job of
the St/St In and Reset In sockets. Once the Reset In socket receives a positive voltage (switching from 0V
to +5V). Dark Time performs a reset function.
The same goes for the ST/ST In socket: As soon as a positive voltage is received (+5V), Dark Time starts
running resp. keeps on running as long as this voltage is received. As soon as this voltage goes down to
zero (0V), the sequencer stops.
The start-/stop-/continue commands of incoming MIDI data are available as +5V (+12V) voltages from the
St/St Out and Reset-out sockets of Dark Time.
Please note: A successful synchronization is only possible when all devices have suitable and matching
specifications. Especially in the field of vintage instruments, there are several manufacturer-related charac-
teristics that may cause problems. Especially ”scanning” a MIDI-clock signal at Dark Times inputs may not
allways lead to sufficient results. Please accept our sincere apologies that we at Doepfer cannot provide
you with any support if some devices behave unpredictably when hooked up for syncing.
External Sync:
Usually, a clock signal is a sequence of short and regular trigger signals.
With sync switch set to ”External”, Dark Time‘s ”engine” can be driven by allmost every kind of trigger
signal, even without any constant timing or time related reference. This can be triggers, single note events
or clock-signals, received at the Clk In socket. Even MIDI note on events received at the MIDI In socket or
the USB port will do the job (see also page 20). Each incomming event sets Dark Times sequencer one
step further.
If the incomming signals jitter, Dark Time jitters in the same amount.
In opposite to the ”MIDI/USB” setting, the signals are not scanned and interpreted by Dark Time into its own
internal clock signal. Dark Times ”internal clock” is disabled. This means, that no timing related
functions like shuffle or clock divider are available when Sync is set to ”External”. The incomming signal is
sent through unprocessed to the clock out socket.
MIDI/USB
External
Internal
Sync
Clock Out
internal Clock off
Clock In
(analogue trigger)
MIDI/USB In
MIDI/USB Out (MIDI note on)
or and
You are not limited to use start/stop or reset signals of another Dark Time or a drum
machine when you use these sockets. You may use every kind of device that is
capable of putting out a +5V voltage. This can be a suitable footswitch or – again
– specific modules of the Doepfer A-100 modular system (just in case we haven’t
mentioned this one yet).