Doepfer Dark Link User Manual
Dark link
Owners Manual
DOEPFER MUSIKELEKTRONIK GmbH
DOEPFER
Dark link
User Manual
Inhalt:
Safety Instructions………………………………… 4
1. Introduction
1.1. Preface………………………………..5
1.2. Preparations…………………………6
1.2.1. Setup………………….…….6
1.2.2. Connections………………..6
2. Overview………………………………………8
3. Functions
3.1. MIDI Connections…………………..9
3.2. MIDI Channel Selection……………9
3.3. The MIDI-to-CV/Gate Interface…. 10
3.4. Learn Mode / MIDI Functions…....11
3.5. The Glide Control……………….…14
3.6. Initialisation……………………….. 14
3.7. Firmware Update…………………..15
3.8. Changing Gate-Signal and CV2…16
4. Nuts‘n Bolts of
MIDI-CV/Gate Conversion………………17
5. Addendum……………………………………19
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Safety Instructions
Please follow the instructions for use of the instrument carefully because this will guarantee
proper operation of the instrument. Due to the fact that these instructions touch on Product Liability, it is
absolutely imperative that they be read carefully. Any claim for defect will be rejected if one or more
of the items has not been observed.
Disregard of the instructions can void the two years covered by warranty.
The instrument may only be operated at the voltage stated on the power input on the rear panel. Before
opening the case, disconnect both power plug and power adaptor.
All eventual modications are to be performed by a qualied person only in accordance with valid safety
instructions. With the introduction of a third person, the warranty will be void. In case of a destroyed
warranty seal, any warranty claim will be rejected.
The instrument must never be operated outdoors but solely in dry rooms. Never use the instrument in a
humid or wet environment, nor near ammable goods.
No liquids or conducting substances must get into the instrument. Should this be the case, the instrument
is to be disconnected from mains power immediately and examined, cleaned and possibly repaired by a
qualied technician.
Never expose the instrument to temperatures above +50° C or below -10° C. Before operation, the
instrument should have a temperature of at least 10°C. Do not expose the instrument to direct sunlight.
Do not install the instrument near heat sources like heaters, open re places, central heating etc.
Keep the top of the instrument clear in order to allow proper ventilation, otherwise the instrument
could eventually overheat.
Never place heavy objects on the instrument.
Transport the instrument carefully, never let it drop or fall over. Make sure that during transport and in use
the instrument is supported properly and cannot drop, slip or fall over because people might get injured.
Never use the instrument in the immediate proximity of electronic devices (e.g. monitors, power
supplies, computers) as these interferences could cause malfunctions within Dark Link and corrupt memory
data.
The instrument is to be shipped in the original packaging only. Any instrument shipped to us for return,
exchange, warranty repair, update or examination has to be in its original packaging! All other deliveries
will be rejected. Therefore, make sure you keep the original packaging and technical documentation.
The instrument may only be used for the purpose described in this operating manual. Due to safety
reasons, the instrument must never be used for other purposes.
When using the instrument in Germany, the appropriate VDE standards are to be followed. The following
standards are of special importance: DIN VDE 0100 (Teil 300/11.85, Teil 410/11.83, Teil 481/10.87), DIN
VDE 0532 (Teil 1/03.82), DIN VDE 0550 (Teil 1/12.69), DIN VDE 0551 (05.72), DIN VDE 0551e (06.75),
DIN VDE 0700 (Teil 1/02.81, Teil 207/10.82), DIN VDE 0711 (Teil 500/10.89), DIN VDE 0860 (05.89), DIN
VDE 0869 (01.85). VDE papers can be obtained from the VDE-Verlag GmbH, Berlin.
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DOEPFER
Dark link
Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1. Preface
Doepfer thanks you!
First of all we would like to thank you for having purchased Doepfer Dark Link! We really appreciate your
choice and promise you an extraordinary support throughout, including useful information, easy service,
and innovative product development.
May your Dark Link be an important and useful tool for ages to come.
What‘s this?
Dark Link is an easy to use but pretty powerful USB/MIDI-to-CV/Gate-Interface. Monophonic Synthesizers
that are not equipped with a built in MIDI Interface can be easily controlled via MIDI resp. MIDI via USB.
Your synthesizer simply needs inputs for a pitch control voltage and a gate signal. Dark Link provides not
only a pitch control voltage but also three additional control voltages that are derived from pitch bender,
velocity and MIDI-controller data (e.g. modwheel) of your MIDI/USB keyboard. So it is most easy to hook
up a vintage synthesizer in your MIDI setup. Dark Link is housed in a compact and solid metal enclosure.
Power supply is an included 12-15 volt ”wall wart”.
R.t.f.m.!
We knew it: User manuals are your rst and only choice in literature. Hey, that’s great – we’re talking the
same language here!
If you are doubting the entertaining qualities of this manual – how dare you! –, please bear in mind that its
thorough study will eventually turn out to be quite useful as it will highly increase the inspirational value of
your new MIDI-to-CV/Gate interface. So please do yourself - and us - a big favor: Read (and, if possible,
understand) this frigging manual! Thanks for your time, and bless you for your efforts!
In the rst section you will nd all info needed to successfully hook up Dark Link to your setup.
After that, you will nd a brief overview of its functions. Experts may use this as a quickstart guide. You
should not skip the complete description of the entire “Functions” section in the next chapter, though – Dark
Link hides some interesting features under its hood. If sequencer technology –
especially the secrets of MIDI-to-CV/Gate conversion – are totally new to you, please refer to “Nuts and
Bolts of MIDI-to-CV/Gate conversion“ later on in this manual.
Enough babble - here we go...
5
DOEPFER
Dark Link
Introduction
1.2. Getting started
When lifting Dark Link out of its box for the rst time, please make sure that everything is in its right place.
You will nd the following component parts in the box:
• Dark Link USB/MIDI-to-CV/Gate-Interface
• wall-wart (12V AC / 200mA)
• USB cable (A-B type)
• this owners´ manual
You will also need:
• A suitable monophonic sound generation device with CV/gate connectors.
• A suitable MIDI/USB keyboard, -controller (e.g. a Doepfer master keyboard).
• At least two patch cables with 1/8“ minijacks (to connect to Dark Link) and jacks, tting to your
CV/gate controlled synthesizer.
• (If nec.) a switch trigger cable to control some vintage Moog and Korg synthesizers (available at
Doepfer or your local dealer).
To run Dark Link via its MIDI-DIN socket, you will also need:
• A MIDI cable to connect a MIDI master keyboard / controller to Dark Link.
1.2.1. Setup:
Please use a suitable support. Used pizza cartons or beer crates should not be your rst choice. Don’t say
we didn’t warn you.
1.2.2. Connections:
You do not necessarily need all its built-in sockets to get Dark Link going. For a simple setup, you will need
just the ones pictured below. Make use of the additional terminals and you will tremendously expand Dark
Link‘s potential. These connectors will be described later on in this manual.
• Power supply:
Connect the included power adaptor (“wall wart”) to the 12V AC socket on the rear panel of
Dark Time.
Important: Use this power adaptor only or an equivalent one with exactly the same specs!
Powering Dark Link via USB is not possible since the internal analog circuitry of Dark Link
runs at +/-12V.
• MIDI:
Connect Dark Link’s USB socket with your suitably equipped keyboard or computer. Any
conguration or driver installation work is not required on your computer.You will nd more
information about USB operation in chapter 3 ”Functions” on page 9.
Connect Dark Link’s MIDI-in socket with the MIDI-out socket of your MIDI keyboard to run Dark
Link in a conventional MIDI setup without USB.
The default setting of Dark Link‘s MIDI channel is Channel 1. How to change this setting is
described on page 9 in chapter 3. “Functions“.
Do NOT use MIDI-in socket and USB port simultanously! Misfunctions may occur.
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