Hi Doepferites,

I have both a complete System 100 and an A100 Mini System.

For all intents and purposes, they are both quite different instruments.

The Mini System shares only 1 VCF, LFO, EG and VCA for its 2 VCO's.
Of course it's a modular and can be expanded to more power but let
us just consider it as a self contained instrument.

A full System 100 is indeed something like an analogue "workstation".
It's also "semi modular". It has several things that make it
superior to the A100 Mini in that it is of course 2 complete mono synths
in essence, but its design allows the system to function as a very
powerful 2 voice instrument.

The HPF filter in the System 100 is much like a 303 in that it is an 18db
slope filter. It's discrete though and made up of basic components.
It also sounds a lot better (richer) than a 303 and you can get a lot more
out of the sound. You've also got a simple LPF in there as well.

This HPF filter is the key to the sound. The VCO is pretty good and
can generate a very wide range of sounds. An old one can
detune in unwanted ways, but mine has been recapped and holds its pitch
much better than 10 years ago. My System 100 has been completely
recapped and cleaned &c so it does make a good reference.

The A100 filter A120 is much more "transistorised" sounding than
the System 100. I feel it is much closer to the System 100m
which is also a bit more modern in design. I actually wanted
a 100m but couldn't get what I wanted, so went with the A100 instead,
as it is a more modern design and has the sound I wanted. I also
now have a G6 waiting for modules, whereas my System 100 is complete.

The EG in the System 100 is less sluggish than the A100's A140 EG.
It doesn't click on short envelopes like the 140. The 140 does
have more range, but doesn't feel as good as the Roland, which does
beautiful percussive sounds.

The System 100 102 has a terrific S&H section, with lots of pluggability.
It also has a ring mod. The 101 synth is actually a basic thing,
but with lots of sources and destinations for patching. You really
need to have the 102 to unlock the full potential, esp with sync
which the A100 also has. Unlike the A100, you can only sync the
VCO2 as a slave to VCO1.

The System 100 104 is as basic as an analogue sequencer gets.
2 channels of 12 steps each linkable to up to 24 steps.
I trigger it step by step
from Logic using a Gate pulse to move each step forward.

There are no mutes for each step. They are not quantised.
I can get mine to hold a tune and it will even survive being
powered off, provided I don't touch any steps. It's been recapped!

You will need the A190 or MAQ (which I also have) to drive the A100,
but the Mini comes with it.

The System 100 103 mixer is better than people think. It's
relatively quiet and can take a fair load. It also has a very
dense spring reverb and 4 very cool looking v/u meters ;)

You have to hear a full System 100 with the Sequencer and the sound
mixed through the Mixer 103 and its spring reverb to realise it's
a totally unique sound. The System 100 was designed to be a self
contained "workstation" to compose with that gave you a lot of
flexibility but in a controlled environment so you have to work
in that constraint. I think it is closer to an EMS Synthi AKS
than anything else, in concept, if not sound.

I say if you have a Doepfer, try at least to get the 101 and 102
together - the sum is greater than the parts. If you have an A100
already, try the System 100, as it shares the 1/8" plugs and works
just fine. If you already have a 101/102, you should scrounge
for the sequencer, but you can live without it. If you have
the 104 Sequencer and/or the 103 Mixer but no 101/102, sell them
to someone who needs them as they are not that good on their own...


rachel

--
Rachel Polanskis Systems Admin, University of Western Sydney
ADD Werrington North Campus (+61 2) 9678 7291 < r.polanskis@... >
"It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest." - Abraham Lincoln
"Who do you trust " - John W Howard