Doepfer A-149-1 RCV
Buchla-inspired quad random voltage source for generative synthesis
12 HP Eurorack module
The A-149-1 RCV (Random Control Voltage) is a dual-section random voltage source inspired by Don Buchla's Source of Uncertainty 265/266. It provides four analog random voltages: two quantized outputs with semitone and octave step intervals, and two stored random outputs with even and adjustable probability distributions. Musically it excels at generative melodic sequences, evolving timbral modulation, and self-composing patch structures that never repeat exactly.
Features
- Four independent analog random voltage outputs
- Quantized Random Voltages section with n+1 and 2^n outputs
- N parameter adjustable from 1 to 6 via manual control and CV
- n+1 output: octave interval steps (1.0V), 0 to +5V range
- 2^n output: semitone interval steps (1/12V), 0 to +5.25V range
- Stored Random Voltages section with two outputs
- Even distribution output with 256 states, ~1/48V steps
- Adjustable probability distribution output controlled by Man D and CV D
- Separate clock inputs for Quantized and Stored sections
- CV inputs with attenuators for both N and D parameters
- LED brightness indicators on all four outputs
- Expandable with A-149-2 module for 8 digital random outputs
Controls & Jacks (20)
- Clk In (Stored) — Clock input for Stored Random Voltages section. Each rising edge triggers generation of a new random voltage value at the two stored outputs
- Man N — Manual control of integer number N in range 1-6, defining the number of possible states at the n+1 and 2^n outputs. The final value of N is
- CVN — Attenuator for external control voltage CVN fed into CV N In socket. Controls the amount of modulation applied to the N parameter.
- Man D — Manual control for the probability distribution of the 256 states appearing at the Stored Random Voltages outputs. With control set fully co
- CVD — Attenuator for external control voltage CVD fed into CV D In socket. Controls the amount of modulation applied to the D probability distribu
- Clk In (Quantized) — Clock input for Quantized Random Voltages section. Each rising edge triggers generation of a new random voltage value at n+1 and 2^n outputs
- CV N In — Control Voltage input for the parameter N. Combined with Man N manual control to set the number of possible states.
- n+1 — Random voltage output with n+1 states. Voltage range 0 to +5V with 1.0V steps (octave intervals). Used for VCO pitch control.
- CV D In — Control Voltage input for the probability distribution parameter D. Combined with Man D manual control to shape the voltage distribution.
- LED n+1 — LED indicator for n+1 output voltage. Brightness proportional to output voltage at n+1 jack.
- 2^n — Random voltage output with even probability distribution. 256 possible output states. Voltage range 0 to approximately +5.3V with approximat
- LED 2^n — Random voltage output with adjustable probability distribution controlled by Man D and CV D. 256 possible output states. Voltage range 0 to
- Even Distribution
- LED Even — LED indicator for Even Distribution output voltage. Brightness proportional to output voltage at Even Distribution jack.
- Adjustable Distribution — LED indicator for Even Distribution output voltage. Brightness proportional to output voltage at Even Distribution jack.
- LED Adjustable — LED indicator for Adjustable Distribution output voltage. Brightness proportional to output voltage at Adjustable Distribution jack.
- CV N — Attenuator for external control voltage CVN fed into CV N In socket. Controls the amount of modulation applied to the N parameter.
- CV D — Attenuator for external control voltage CVD fed into CV D In socket. Controls the amount of modulation applied to the D probability distribu
- Even Distribution Output — Random voltage output with even probability distribution. 256 possible output states. Voltage range 0 to approximately +5.3V with approximat
- Adjustable Distribution Output — Random voltage output with adjustable probability distribution controlled by Man D and CV D. 256 possible output states. Voltage range 0 to
How-To Guides
- Generative Melody with Octave Jumps
- Chromatic Random Melody
- Random Timbre Evolution
- The Buchla Dream Machine
- Random Stereo Panning Field
- Random Envelope and Loudness Variation
- Scale-Locked Random Melody
- Random Frequency Shifting
- Maximum Randomness with Digital Noise Clock
- Random Envelope Sequences
Explore the interactive A-149-1 RCV panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.
