Doepfer — A-119

Manual PDF

Doepfer A-119 Ext. Input / Envelope Follower

Cheat Sheet

The Doepfer A-119 is for integrating external audio (instruments, mics, etc.) into your modular, providing pre-amped audio, an envelope follower, and a gate comparator.

Inputs

Jack Label	Type	Details
Asym. In (!) (3.5mm)	Unbalanced (mono)	For line-level signals (e.g., synths, drum machines). [Gain x0–20]
Symm. In (") (6.3mm)	Balanced (TRS)	For mic/instrument-level signals (e.g., guitar, microphone). [Gain x0–500]

Note: Only use one input at a time. If both are used, mixed with a 1:25 ratio.

Outputs

Jack Label	Type	Voltage Range	Details
Audio Out (§/$)	Unbalanced audio	up to ±10V*	Pre-amped signal (2 linked outputs, “mini-mult”).
Envelope Out (%)	CV (envelope)	0–~8V (typical max output)	Follows amplitude contour of input.
Gate Out (&)	Gate	0V (off), +12V (on)	High when envelope > threshold.

* Audio Out Overload: Outputs can clip with input gain set too high; watch Overload LED.

Controls, Buttons, Indicators

Label	Type	Range / Purpose
Gain (1)	Knob	Sets input preamp gain (see ranges above)
Thres. (5)	Knob	Sets gate threshold (relative to envelope out)
Overload LED (2)	LED	Lights if preamp output >10V (audio clipping)
Envelope LED (3)	LED	Indicates current envelope level
Gate LED (4)	LED	Indicates gate output status (= high)

Quick Patching Examples

Bring in External Audio:
Plug audio into Asym. In or Symm. In
Set Gain so Overload LED barely lights on peaks
Take pre-amped signal from Audio Out (§/$)
Envelope Following (e.g. for VCF/VCAs):
Use Envelope Out (%) for a dynamic CV
External Gate Source (e.g. for ADSRs):
Use Gate Out (&) when envelope passes threshold
Typical Gate Output Threshold:
Adjust with Thres. until desired triggering
Tip: If Envelope Out (%) is "noisy" with low-frequency inputs (<50 Hz), route through a slew limiter like A-170.

Voltage Ranges

Output	Range
Audio Out	up to ±10V (clipping past 10V)
Envelope Out	0–~8V (typical)
Gate Out	0V (low), +12V (high)

Additional Notes

Use only one input at a time.
Overload LED: Avoid sustained overload for clean audio.
Envelope Out is a full-wave rectified, low-passed envelope of audio input.
Gate Out is held HIGH as long as the envelope stays above threshold.
Two preamp outputs for easy splitting (“mini-mult”).

Reference:
Doepfer A-119 Manual PDF
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