A-190 +Hold +Shuffle Doepfer Eurorack

Classic A-190 + DIY Shufflebox = added beat-synced Start/Stop and Swing

Combination of the classic Doepfer MIDI interface A-190 (or A-190-1) which is deprecated, but might be available on ebay, and the DIY kit shufflebox from frequencyresponse:
http://frequencyresponse.ch/?p=shufflebox

The button allows to stop the clock for the A-100 system against a steady external MIDI master clock, then restart it – both actions delayed to the next beat (quarter note). The poti allows to shuffle the clock. All non-clock MIDI messages pass through to the A-190. It works very well.

Requires MIDI sockets in the case. MIDI In from case goes into MIDI In from shufflebox, MIDI Out from shufflebox goes to MIDI In of the A-190, A-190 MIDI Out goes to the cases MIDI out socket. You may want to use coupling jacks between the modified module and the case terminals – one DIN 180° connection using all 5 contacts does the job.

The modifications requires medium skills. Hints:

  • Unsolder MIDI sockets from A-190.
  • Solder shufflebox kit except sockets and switch.
  • Cut shufflebox circuit board to match eurorack height. The MIDI / DIN Sync input selector of the shufflebox is on the removed part. It must be bridged in MIDI position on the remaining part of the circuit board.
  • To piggyback the shufflebox to the A-190 you need to drill one hole in the shufflebox circuit board (the other hole exists already).
  • I placed the shufflebox LED close to the A-190 buttons which have plenty of space to let the light shine through. You could also put the LED in the front plate of the A-190 if you don't mind the additional flashing.
  • I used a heavy "vandalism proof" trigger switch in the right size for the existing hole, and a 17mm aluminum poti cap, both from reichelt.de. The poti can be centered using a washer of matching size. The result feels very solid.
  • 110 mA +12V
  • ? mA -12V
  • 50 mA 5V
  • 90 mm Depth

No info about availability.

$272