background image

2

3

DOEPFER

Dark Time

Owners Manual

Safety Instructions

Please follow the instructions for use of the instrument carefully because this will guarantee

proper operation of the instrument. 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 has not been observed.

Disregard of the instructions can void the two years covered by warranty.

The instrument may only be operated at the voltage stated on  the power input on the rear panel. Before

opening the case, disconnect both  power plug and power adaptor.

All eventual modifications are to be performed by a qualified person only in accordance with  valid safety

instructions. With the introduction of a third person, the warranty will be void. In case of a destroyed 

 warranty seal, any warranty claim will be rejected.

The instrument must never be operated outdoors but solely in dry rooms. Never use the instrument in a

humid or wet environment, nor near flammable goods.

No liquids or conducting substances must get into the instrument. Should this be the case, the instrument 

is to be disconnected from mains power immediately and  examined, cleaned and possibly repaired by a 

qualified technician.

Never expose the instrument to temperatures above +50° C or below -10° C. Before operation, the 

instrument should have a temperature of at least 10°C. Do not expose the instrument to 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 instrument is supported properly and cannot drop, slip or fall over because people might get injured.

Never use the instrument in the immediate proximity of electronic devices (e.g. monitors, power

supplies, computers) as these interferences could cause malfunctions within Dark Time and corrupt  

memory data.

The instrument is to be shipped in the original packaging only. Any instrument shipped to us for return,

exchange, warranty repair, update or examination has to be in its original packaging! All other deliveries

will be rejected. Therefore, make sure you keep the original packaging and technical documentation.

The instrument may only be used for the purpose described in this operating manual. Due to safety 

reasons, the instrument must never be used for other purposes.

When using the instrument in Germany, the appropriate VDE standards are to 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.

Content:

 

 

Safety Instructions   

 

 

  2 

 

1. Introduction 

1.1. Preface

 

      4

 

1.2. Preparations

 

     5

 

 1.2.1. 

Setup 

    

 

 

1.2.2. Connections   

 

  5 

 

2. Function Overview

 

 

 

  7 

 

3. Functions 

3.1. The Controls

 

     9

 

 

3.1.1. Step-Input 

 

 

  9 

 

3.1.2. CV/Gate-Ouput sockets 

10 

 3.1.3. 

Sequence-Control 

 11 

 3.1.4. 

Tempo/Timing 

  13 

 3.1.5. 

Transport 

Keys 

  15 

 

3.2. Individual Step Parameters

 

 

3.2.1. Parameter Assignement 

15 

 

3.2.2 MIDI Controller Assignement  16 

 

3.3. Synchronization and Remote Control  

 

 3.3.1. 

MIDI-Interface 

  17 

 

3.3.2. Additional MIDI Functions 

18 

 3.3.3. 

MIDI-Clock 

  20 

 3.3.4. 

Analog-Interface  21 

 

3.3.5. Dark Time as MIDI-Clock  

 

          to Sync Interface 

 

25 

 

3.4. Menu Overview   

 

 

28

 

 

3.5. Show OS Version / Reset 

 

29

 

 

3.6. Firmware Update 

 

 

29

 

 

3.7. +12V Modification 

 

 

31 

 

4. Nuts and bolts of step sequencing

 32 

 

5. Addendum

    35

Содержание ark time

Страница 1: ...Dark Time Owners Manual V1 2 DOEPFER MUSIKELEKTRONIK GmbH ...

Страница 2: ... Make sure that during transport and in use the instrument is supported properly and cannot drop slip or fall over because people might get injured Never use the instrument in the immediate proximity of electronic devices e g monitors power supplies computers as these interferences could cause malfunctions within Dark Time and corrupt memory data The instrument is to be shipped in the original pac...

Страница 3: ...p Dark Time to your setup After that you will find a brief overview of its functions Sequencer experts may use this as a quickstart guide You should not skip the complete description of the entire Functions section in the next chapter though Dark Time hides some interesting features under its hood If sequencer technology especially the secrets of analog sequencing are totally new to you please ref...

Страница 4: ...r envelopes which in turn normally control the VCF and output VCA CV1 determines the pitch of the VCO s The Clk In Out jacks make synchronization with vintage drum machines or sequencers possible that have not been MIDIed Using additional connections Dark Time will become capable of controlling two analog synthesizers or their parameters in parallel Also some of Dark Time s functions can be remote...

Страница 5: ... On On On On On On On On On On 5V On Down Down 1 8 Combi Midi USB 1 On On On On Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont Cont 1 Cont Cont Cont Pulsewidth Clock Transpose Range Quantize Direction Link Sync Cont DARK TIME DOEPFER 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 ...

Страница 6: ...ge switch When set to 1V the step controls are quantized into 13 discrete semitones one octave or to be more precise a ninth interval e g c to C 2V means 25 semitones two octaves and 5V means 61 semitones five octaves Scale allows the programming of any desired scaling In other words So the sequencer is forced to play only selected notes that fit into a certain musical scale This is how to program...

Страница 7: ...atio keep the Function key pressed and turn the Clock control You will notice the Step status LEDs 1 to 14 light up one by one The highest number lit up corresponds to the clock divider ratio listed in the chart on the following page Please bear in mind that the clock divider is only available when the Sync switch is in Internal or Midi USB position Step Note Setting for C Major Setting for C Mino...

Страница 8: ...e step 1 and 9 2x 1 8 mode or any step in jump position which determines the current starting point of the sequence Step key The first hit will activate the Step key function Each new hit on this key will make the register skip one step forward to the next step available This way you can step through the sequence manually Hitting the Stop key will quit this function Shuffle Divide Off Jump Jump Ju...

Страница 9: ...sation via MIDI Note Events 3 3 Synchronization and remote control of Dark Time Dark Time offers a bunch of useful interfacing options to communicate with external gear You are not only restricted to playing MIDI and or CV gate based synthesizers connected to Dark Time you may also synchronize it to other external instruments and even remote control some of its functions This will be achieved thro...

Страница 10: ... Input clock divider disabled for MIDI Clock Scale Function Step Schalter 1 13 enable disable Noten C bis C1 ON OFF Step Switches ON OFF hold down 5 Sec LED flashes Shuffle Divide Start Stop Reset Step Function Pulsewidth Clock 0 0 4 4 6 5 6 1 1 3 3 2 2 8 8 10 10 9 9 7 7 press hold down 5 Sec LED flashes press Shuffle Divide Start Stop Reset Step Function Pulsewidth Clock 0 0 4 4 6 5 6 1 1 3 3 2 2...

Страница 11: ...tude you name it The sockets labeled Gate 1 Out and Gate 2 Out send out you have already guessed it a gate signal again for each register individually Active sequencer positions put out a signal of 5V 12V or inverted at these sockets The duration of a gate signal depends on the setting of the Pulsewidth control s page 13 positive gate off on off inverted gate on off on The gate signal triggers the...

Страница 12: ...in e g Dark Time and a non MIDIed vintage drum machine a clock signal is needed A clock signal is a pulse wave its frequency pulses per time determi nes the tempo of the synchronized device When active Dark Time will generate such a clock signal and make it available at the Clk Out socket Changing the gate output voltage from 5V default to 12V by changing an internal jumper see page 21 will genera...

Страница 13: ...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 e...

Страница 14: ...top Reset Step Function Pulsewidth Clock 0 0 4 4 6 5 6 1 1 3 3 2 2 8 8 10 10 9 9 7 7 hold down LED lights up Clock Divider intern Shuffle Divide Start Stop Reset Step Function Pulsewidth Clock 0 0 4 4 6 5 6 1 1 3 3 2 2 8 8 10 10 9 9 7 7 and External Dark Time as slave device Sync switch in position MIDI USB Dark Times tempo is now controlled by an external clock source which sends a constant strea...

Страница 15: ...p 2 Gate Out Polarity Step 3 CV Out Value hold on off Step 4 Gate Lenght normal legato Step 5 Merge MIDI In and internal MIDI data Step 6 Send MIDI Realtime data DIN socket Step 7 Send MIDI Realtime data USB Port Step 8 MIDI Transpose Loop function Step 9 Auto Save function Step 10 Step switch position Stop disabled Step 11 Input clock divider disabled for MIDI Clock Scale Function Step Schalter 1...

Страница 16: ...As you allready know Dark Time puts out gate clock start stop and reset voltages via it s analogue inter face By default these voltage have 5V level Some vintage synthesizers may require higher voltages In order to match with these machines the levels of these signals can be changed from their default setting 5V to 12V by changing the position of an internal jumper on one of Dark Times boards Firs...

Страница 17: ...usic is still characterized by the minimalist trademark rhythm of step sequences with just a limited number of stages Think of the Cosmic Couriers of the early 1970s the repetitive robot sound of the proto techno era the acid tracks of the 1990s or the minimal techno productions of today The re petitive rhythm of a step sequencer is still an absolutely essential and important stylistic element of ...

Страница 18: ...rol voltages by one volt would result in pitch changing by one octave This ratio named scaling became a standard very soon and it still is today Exceptions from the rule were some vintage Japanese units e g by Korg and Yamaha that used an alternative method of scaling and interfacing When setting Dark Time s Range switch to another posi tion like 2V or 5V a full turn of a step control will yield a...

Страница 19: ...siness Disposal 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 Ger...

Страница 20: ...38 39 ...

Страница 21: ...Dark Time DOEPFER MUSIKELEKTRONIK GmbH ...

Отзывы: