MFB DRUM-06 Operating Manual

General
The DRUM-06 module basically derives from the tom circuit found in the MFB-503. It allows
the same comprehensive sound editing. In addition, DRUM-06 offers CV-control over the
parameters Decay, Tune, Pitch and Panorama. These parameters can be controlled by sources
like envelope generators, LFOs or step-sequencers.
Set-up
DRUM-06 is fully compatible to Doepfer's A-100 modular system - in size, bus-power and
CV/Gate voltage. Connect the 10-pin cable to a corresponding 16-pin jack on the Doepfer
mainframe bus (or on the MIDI/CV circuit-board). Supply voltage needs to be +/- 12 volts, 5-
volt connections are not required. The wattage is +/- 30 mA, the module size 12 TE
(Teileinheiten) = 60 mm.
ATTENTION: Please, check for correct polarity! The colored side of the connector-cable
needs to point downwards, so that the cable is not twisted.
Functions
The tom sound is triggered by the Trigger input. Common triggers are analogue or digital
gate-signals of a step-sequencer, a MIDI-CV/Gate-converter or a square-LFO. Alternatively,
drum pads, dynamic or piezo-trigger-microphones may also be used. Dynamic triggering will
not only affect the sound's volume but also attack, decay and pitch slightly.
Sens is a trim control to adjust the input's sensitivity to the trigger-signal. The highest
sensitivity allows triggering at a minimum voltage of approx. 0.1 volt. The input only reacts to
the positive slope of the signal.
L Out R carry the audio signal. This can be routed into a mixer (e.g. DRUM-99), a VCA or
any other sound manipulating module. You may also use the output to connect the DRUM-06
module directly to your mixing console or audio-interface.
Parameters/Controls
The tom sound consists of four parts: a basic tone that derives from a triangle-like waveform, a
harmonic that also uses a triangle-like waveform but decays faster, a short impulse and an
additional noise part.
The basic tone's pitch is adjusted by Tune, ranging from approx. 60 to 200 Hz. This
parameter can be externally controlled by a CV-source send to CV-input Tune with its
corresponding attenuator.
The second path to pitch modulation is the Pitch control. This parameter sets the duration of a
predefined pitch-bending that is also preset in its modulation-depth. This creates a typical
sound-element of analogue tom-sounds as seen in products from Simmons or the TR909. The
corresponding attenuateable CV-input Pitch allows control of this parameter through an
external source, e.g. a CV-sequencer or LFO. Pitch duration will last approx. one second at its
maximum.
Decay sets the overall duration (decay time) of the tom-sound, up to a maximum length of
approx. two seconds. This parameter can be controlled by an external source using the CV-
input Decay with its corresponding attenuator.
The Panorama-control places the Tom-sound in the stereo-panorama. This parameter can be
controlled by external sources using the CV-input Panorama. This input will only accept
positive voltages, so place the Panorama-control fully clockwise when applying a CV-voltage
for modulation.
Attention: The required voltage for all CV-inputs needs to be within a range of 0 to 10 volts.
Two additional parameters Attack and Noise, with corresponding controls on the top of the
module, can be adjusted manually:
Noise adds a noise-source to the tom-sound. Using this with the right intensity allows
replicating the legendary electronic drum-sounds found in Simmons products.
Attack adds a short impulse with fixed duration to create additional percussiveness. The knob
controls the level at which the Attack is mixed to the tom-sound.