doepfer-a-196

Doepfer A-196 PLL

Phase Locked Loop for frequency tracking and harmonic chaos

8 HP Eurorack module

The A-196 PLL is a Phase Locked Loop module consisting of an internal VCO, three selectable phase comparators, and a low-pass filter working together in a closed feedback loop to lock the internal VCO to an external signal's frequency. Musically it produces frequency multiplication, portamento-like frequency gliding, harmonic locking, wobbling pitches, and clock generation for graphic VCOs and switched capacitor filters — making it a highly experimental and unpredictable sound design tool.

Features

  • Internal VCO with linear CV response and rectangle output
  • Three selectable phase comparators: XOR (PC1), RS Flipflop (PC2), complex digital network (PC3)
  • Internal low-pass filter with manually adjustable frequency control
  • Normalled sockets for standard closed-loop PLL operation without patching
  • Normalled sockets can be broken by inserting patch cables to allow custom routing
  • LED lock indicator active when PLL is locked in PC2 mode
  • Three VCO frequency ranges (low, mid, high) with offset control for maximum frequency
  • VCO CV input normalled to LPF output for closed-loop operation
  • VCO Out normalled to PC In 1 for internal feedback
  • PC Out normalled to LPF input for standard signal chain
  • Insert points allow external modules (e.g. frequency dividers, VCF) to be inserted into the loop
  • Supports frequency multiplication when combined with external frequency divider (e.g. A-163)

Controls & Jacks (23)

  • Low Pass Filter Frequency— Adjusts the cutoff frequency of the internal low-pass filter
  • VCO Offset— Sets the maximum frequency of the VCO within the selected range
  • VCO CV In
  • VCO Out— VCO output with rectangle waveform; connected internally to phase comparator input 1
  • PC In 1— Phase comparator output; digital signal internally connected to low-pass filter input
  • PC In 2 (Signal In)— Three-position frequency range switch for the VCO (low, mid, high)
  • PC Out— Low-pass filter output; generates smooth control voltage for VCO; internally normalized to VCO CV input
  • Phase Comparator Type— Three-position switch to select phase comparator type (PC1: Exor, PC2: RS Flipflop, PC3: digital network)
  • Lock— Indicates when the PLL is locked (internal VCO frequency matches external signal frequency)
  • In 2
  • Low Pass Filter Out
  • Out (PC)— output jack
  • Offs.— Sets the maximum frequency of the VCO within the selected range
  • Range— Three-position frequency range switch for the VCO (low, mid, high)
  • Type— Three-position switch to select phase comparator type (PC1: Exor, PC2: RS Flipflop, PC3: digital network)
  • Frequ.— Adjusts the cutoff frequency of the internal low-pass filter
  • VCO Range— Phase comparator input 2; external PLL signal input (e.g., from A-110 VCO or frequency divider A-163)
  • CV In— Control voltage input for the VCO; receives filtered CV from the low-pass filter
  • Out (VCO)— VCO output with rectangle waveform; connected internally to phase comparator input 1
  • In 1— Phase comparator input 1; normalized to internal VCO output
  • In 2 (Signal In)— Phase comparator input 2; external PLL signal input (e.g., from A-110 VCO or frequency divider A-163)
  • Out (LPF)— Low-pass filter output; generates smooth control voltage for VCO; internally normalized to VCO CV input
  • LED— Indicates when the PLL is locked (internal VCO frequency matches external signal frequency)

How-To Guides

  • Basic PLL Frequency Lock
  • Frequency Multiplication with A-163
  • Harmonic Locking with PC1
  • PLL Portamento Effect
  • Frequency Wobble and Jitter
  • Standalone Rectangle VCO
  • Graphic VCO Clock Generation with A-155
  • Insert External VCF into VCO Feedback Loop
  • PC3 Experimental Chaos
  • Slowly Wobbling Drone via LFO Input

Explore the interactive A-196 PLL panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.

8c571ce