Doepfer Dark Energy I (device no longer available) - Manual (Page 17)

17
Dark EnerGy DOEPFER Functionality
Up to this point we studied modules that generate or process the audiosignal itself. The following modules
generate control voltages in order to modulate the soundforming parameters of VCO, VCF and VCA in a
dynamic way.
3.2.4. ADSR
Dark Energy‘s envelope generator (or „ADSR“) forms a se-
quence of four control voltages, everytime a key on a connected
keyboard is pressed and Dark Energy generates or receives a
MIDI note-on command or a gate signal. The envelopes control
voltages are used to give the sound a dynamic shape.
The envelope provides four parameters:
• Attack
• Decay
• Sustain
• Release
As soon as the envelope generator gets a gate-on signal, it‘s outputted CV rises
from 0 Volt to maximum. The rise time is adjustable and called „Attack“. When
the maximum value has been reached, the voltage falls down within the „Decay“-
time to the „Sustain“-level. The envelope control voltage stays on this level until
the key is released, then it falls down to 0 Volt within the adjusted „Release“-
time.
The envelope generator provides the following controls:
• Knobs for Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release.
Please note that Attack, Decay and Release are periods of time while Sustain
is a level value.
• ADSR Range switch
This switch provides three different ranges (long / short / medium) for the time-
related parameters Attack, Decay and Release. Use „short“ for extremely per-
cussive sounds, „long“ is most useful for slowly evolving pad-sounds, medium
for everything inbetween.
• A blue coloured LED shows the activity of the envelope generator.
• Gate Input socket (back panel)
Instead of the internal gate signal, derived from an incomming MIDI-note, the envelope generator can also
be triggerd by an external gate signal via this socket (0/+5 to +12V). Use this socket, if you wish to play
Dark Energy with a CV/Gate sequencer or keyboard.
• Envelope Output socket
At this socket, the control voltage generated by the envelope generator can be picked up and used for addi-
tional modulation paths.
ADSR Envelope and its Parameters
Sustain
Level
Attack
Time
Decay
Time
Release
Time
+3 ... +12 V
0 V
On Off
Time
ca. +8 V
CV Output Level
Gate