Analog Experiment

An improvisation with the Doepfer Dark Energy synthesizer and Dark Time Sequencer.
I added delay and Phaser effects afterwards
Synthesizer: Doepfer Dark Energy
Sequencer: Doepfer Dark Time
Keys: Novation Remote 25 SL
Recorder: Korg D3200
Effects: Korg MDE-X
Video: Zoom Q3HD

[@zezem]

I am convinced every Doepfer Dark Time sequencer is infused with the essence of 70's Berlin School. Nicely wielded.

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks! Nice to get a reaction on something that feels ages ago. I sold the Dark Energy, but the Dark Time is still there. ;-)

[@Sequenox]

This is really wonderful! Thanks for showing these two in action! Great sounds!

[@Tom_Synergy]

All audio is from Dark Energy, with a little delay and Phaser from GarageBand. The keys you see are from the Novation Remote 25 SL.

[@czardalan]

Beautiful sequence! Sounds like a perfect soundtrack of a futuristic movie.

[@Zanthxs]

Beautiful ... awesome combination i've been drooling over for the past 2 years ... thank you.

[@spacedrifter1961]

Some excellent sequencing.

[@Tom_Synergy]

The Remote 25 SL is connected via MIDI to the Dark Time, but Dark Time and Dark Energy are connected only via CV/Gate.

[@clusternest1704]

just insanly good. like the moogs but more modern.

[@jumblies9847]

Terrific stuff. Wonderful!

[@Tom_Synergy]

The audio output of the Dark Energy is plugged in the D3200 recorder. So there are no additional instruments, just Dark Energy

[@jtoos]

Good to know, I did miss that part (transposing via MIDI IN) in the manual. Since I was not sure if I understood you right, I just looked it up. Thanks again!

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Beautiful. Seriously thinking about a Dark Energy at the moment.... this is helping!

[@Korgator]

Oh Yeah, what for a wonderful Sequence.Excellent and great!Greetings from Le. Jens

[@Johnalbinm]

I got em both and I love em so much.

[@Tom_Synergy]

I sold my Dark Energy a few months ago. This “Dark set” has made me jump into Eurorack modular. I had a lot of fun with the Dark Energy, but with the modules I have in my modular I don’t really miss it. The Dark Time will stay. Although I have a very nice sequencer in the MiniBrute 2S, I love the oldschool sequencer the DT is in my opinion.

[@Tiefengrund]

Fantastic sounds and demonstration!

[@Tiefengrund]

Fantastic sequence with a very big sound!!!

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks! Nice to see some of the instruments I use in your videos.

[@Tom_Synergy]

@Sequenox Thanks! I really love these two. I am looking forward to the upcoming Dark Energy II. I hope I can post a video in the near future with a MiniBrute added to this setup.

[@pieterstoaling]

Really great demo. I was umming and arring between a Urzwerg Pro II and a Dark Time, but I think I will go for the Dark Time. I need to get into a shop and play with them to make a final decision though...

[@Sequenox]

The MiniBrute is excellent! I played one at this year's NAMM, and also have one on order. I'm a big fan of analog; though not at the exclusion of digital synthesis.

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks! I added a MiniBrute to this setup, makes it even more interesting. I hope to get a Dark Energy II in the future.

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks! I hope You can still find one. Since it is discontinued it is hard to get one, but the development of a Dark Energy 2 is announced.

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks! Inititially I used the second row to control the filter, but the result was not to my satisfaction. You are right about the settings (2x8/random). The keyboard triggered the pitch of the whole sequence. Midi out of the keyboard to connected to Midi in of the sequencer. Then the key you play determine the pitch of the sequence.

[@simontrem080]

YAY! Ill gonna try something and share it to you for sure! Thanks.

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks for the compliment! MFB makes some nice gear, so I can imagine it's a hard decision which to choose. Like to hear what your decission is and a demo of it of course. ;-)

[@Tom_Synergy]

Same with me. Most of my gear is non analog. Analog gear is a nice addition to the stuff I have.

[@clayhorsemusic]

Indeed, that makes perfect sense. The sequencer needs to get the cue from the keyboard. I'd only seen explanations on how to hard-wire the sequence, as you said. Thanks again ~ Bruce.

[@nueschi]

nice demo, thanx!

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@Tom_Synergy]

Vielen dank fur dein Kompliment! Die Dark Energie hat ein MIDI input und ein USB Anschluss so mit die richtige Kabel/MIDI interface ist es sehr gut möglich die Dark Energie mit ein Computer oder ein controller keyboard an zu steuern.

[@lukasmidub]

Very nice work

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks!

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks! Indeed the notes played on the keyboard determines the pitch of the whole sequence. Of course you can use the Dark Time as a standalone sequencer and then the sequence is hard tuned. It is a very nice feature of the Dark Time to put out CV/Gate as well as Midi. The Dark Energy receives CV/Gate signals and the keyboards Midi out is connected to the Midi In of the sequencer. I hope this is an answer to your question. Tom

[@eastwoofer]

So the dark time records the notes you are inputing via midi keyboard? Can you do that for specific steps on the dark energy? (Ex on step 5 input a d# from the keyboard, on step 7 an F?). Thanks

[@Tom_Synergy]

@@eastwoofer Not really. You set each step with the knobs. With MIDI input you can transpose the whole sequence, but individual steps are programmed on the Dark Time itself.

[@eastwoofer]

@@Tom_Synergy how do you know what specific notes you are setting with the nobs?

[@eastwoofer]

@@Tom_Synergy So on this i see you have knobs with range markers 0-10. Heard it “goes from C to C,” which makes no sense since 0-10 gives you 11 semitones and for C to C you would need 12, a full octave. So please explain that one if you can. Does the zero mark start on C and each number represents a semitone higher? That way you could simply have reminder note chart besides you to program the sequence.., 0 - C 1 - C# 2 - D 3 - D# Etc etc…am I on the right track here? I don't want to buy one of these things without the ability to intelligently program a sequence of intended interval initially.

[@Tom_Synergy]

@@eastwoofer It is not that simple. First, you don't simply program a note, but a voltage value. It's a continues signal (although you can quantize it to a scale). You can set a range with the range switch (1V/2V/5V per octave. Since every step is a CV signal you can patch the output to anything you like and sequence for instance Filter Cutoff. With the quantize option it is easier to program the exact notes you like. If you just want to sequence exact notes there are more suitable solutions I think. I use the MiniBrute 2S sequencer mostly for that purpose.

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

And I'm talking about sequencer of course :)

[@jtoos]

Great demonstation, thanks for posting. I'm wondering: You are not using the second row at all, right? It is set to random and you are using the 2x8 setting. What was the role of the keyboard in this setup?

[@eyesintheskies]

I have the dark energy and have resisted the dark time for years (use the Arturia beatstep) but it just seems cruel having one without the other. So hear trying to convince myself to pull the trig!

[@Tom_Synergy]

I sold my Dark Energy when I got more into modular, but I still have the Dark Time. Truth is that I use the sequencer of the Arturia MiniBrute 2S more often, but I like the looks and feel of the Dark Time too much to let it go.

[@eyesintheskies]

@@Tom_Synergy well I have a history of addiction so getting into eurorack would be the end of me 😂 the dark energy is as near to it as I dare go, but the intellijel metropolis is tempting me! Think the dark time would fill the slot, though been able to choose scales on the metropolis is certainly an advantage but the beatstep is pretty good for the price

[@Tom_Synergy]

@@eyesintheskies There is (was?) a eurorack version of the dark energy. ;-)

[@eyesintheskies]

@@Tom_Synergy interesting it does have a good filter, I like the case with the wooden ends though, it feels like there's more in it than would fit in a eurorack module but I guess it's just a circuitboard. But even using the one I have I often knock a knob I don't mean to and lose my sound so reckon I'd find eurorack a bit fiddly. I get it though the idea of building your own unique combo to create a unique synth. Kinda what I do with all my guitar pedals! I was led to believe the dark energy used the legendary Curtis chip is that true?

[@Tom_Synergy]

@@eyesintheskies I really don't know about the chips. I also like the look of the dark series, but my hobby got a bit out of hand so I had to get rid of some stuff. Hard choices have to be made sometimes.

[@davejones6790]

Awesome sound

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks!

[@MichaelOMorah]

This is the next Big Toy I'd like to get for my MiniMoog Voyager! I currently have an Electro-Harmonix 8-Step and it allows for some great Rhythms and Harmonies but it just doesn't have the depth or control that the Doepfer Dark Matter posesses!

[@Tom_Synergy]

I think that's a nice combination, Dark Time and Voyager. I have a Sub Phatty and that's also a lot of fun in combination with the Dark Time.

[@MichaelOMorah]

Tommy29nl Then I guess it's time I sell that Kidney I've been saving!

[@AkAMuzik]

the effects do add a lot of texture

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

Ok but what is the final output before amplifier , what final instrument is connected to amp ? Thanks

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

I'm asking cause I don't see on specs any audio output , thx for help

[@clayhorsemusic]

Great demo! Could you give me just the basic theory for using the keyboard to change the note sequences? Obviously the sequencer is outputting a pattern relative to a note played on the keyboard, rather than having all the notes in the sequence simply hard-tuned. It makes such a huge difference in terms of the musicality of the performance. Thanks so much! Cheers, Bruce.

[@punchingpillow]

Ook filmisch trouwens goed gedaan...

[@sjfkriensm]

Very nice! What do you control with CV2 Out? The cut-off frequency?

[@nadeharry]

schöner fetter sound..... sehr geil

[@rimefrostkitten]

Is MIDI interface utilized, or is the demo purely analog?

[@simontrem080]

WOW! I am a musician who likes to sample here and there....can I sample that?

[@andydorau]

Am a medium... Edgar Froese told me to let you know you rule

[@Tom_Synergy]

vielen dank für das kompliment!

[@hatzygonal]

great man!

[@Tom_Synergy]

Thanks! Yes you are free to sample it (very decent of you to ask by the way), but I hope you will share the result and post it. I am curious what you gonna do with it.

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

what is the out putting audio ? dark energy or synth ?

[@DivineNectarDrops]

Nice, you got my attention. You got a vid with that setup?

[@philoupaulo]

Is it possible to ratchet with a dark time ?

[@DarkvanGalaxy]

very good :-)

[@Tom_Synergy]

you're welcome. Planning to buy a Dark Time or do you already have one?

[@FrancisMulvaney]

is there any chance giving us the notes to this piece? i'm a music engineer student and this is something i'd like to experiment with digital cubase effects :)

[@punchingpillow]

Dit bedoel ik nou! Kun je mij deze track sturen? Dan ga ik proberen hem door Eye Browse heen te mixen! (Ik heb hem trouwens gedeeld op facebook, misschien krijg je daar nog views van liefhebbers!)