Doepfer Dark Energy III

The Doepfer Dark Energy III is a monophonic analog synthesizer with USB/MIDI interface. All sound generation and modulation sources are analogue. Only the USB and MIDI interfaces contain digital components. Furthermore, a VCF, VCA, LFO1 and LFO2 and ADSR envelope generator are available. The Dark Energy is housed in a sturdy black metal case with wooden sides. High-quality potentiometers with metal axes are used. Each potentiometer - with the exception of the filter mode controller - is individually screwed to the housing. The distance between the control elements is larger than with the A-100 modular system and buttons in vintage look are used. It is the successor of the Dark Energy II and has some differences to its predecessor.

The differences to the predecessor

The main differences between the Dark Energy II and III are an improved VCO without warm-up time, with additional triangle waveform and wider frequency range. Also new are the resettable LFOs, improved envelopes and many internal access points for DIY enthusiasts.

The sound generation of the Doepfer Dark Energy III

The Doepfer Dark Energy II is equipped with an analog VCO based on triangle waveform. The frequency range is over 10 octaves. The octaves can be set using a jumper and range switch. For FM (frequency modulation) you can choose between LFO1/off/ADSR as modulation source and PWM (pulse width modulation) with LFO2/off/ADSR as modulation source. VCO frequency and pulse width of the rectangle are controlled via two external CV inputs. An internal CV input for the VCO frequency is connected to the CV1 output of the built-in USB/MIDI interface. Furthermore, the signals of the VCO pass through a voltage-controlled filter, a VCA and ADSR envelope generator. LFO1 and LFO2 are available as modulation sources.