DOEPFER / A-197-3 RGB LED Controller

Variations

The A-197-3 is a control module for RGB LED stripes. The LED stripes are installed inside the A-100 P6 / P9 / PMS6 / PMS9 / PMS12 case and illuminate the module by static or dynamic patching. The dynamic illumination synchronized with the sound is especially eye-catching during live performances.

Each color (Red, Green, and Blue) has a manual control for brightness and a CV input with attenuator that allows dynamic control of brightness by other CVs in the modular system. For example, one can control the volume and filtering of the sound processing module while using the three envelopes for the A-197-3. Of course, you can control with any CV, including LFO, random CV, clock/gate/trigger signals, sequencer, and MIDI to CV.

Main features and specifications
Static or dynamic control module for RGB LED stripes
So far 1m and 2m length RGB LED stripes have been tested. However, longer stripes can be used with sufficient external power supply. It may be necessary to install additional heat sinks for the three power transistors on the PC board to prevent the transistors from overheating.
Manual controls for Red, Green, and Blue (small potentiometers)
CV input with attenuators for Red, Green, and Blue (small potentiometers)
*CV input is designed for CV signals (envelope generators, LFOs, etc.) and is not intended for lighting consoles The CV input is designed for CV signals (envelope generators, LFOs, etc.), not for audio signals with frequency selective processing such as lighting consoles.
The CV input is normalized. The signal CVR is also used for CVG if the plug is not connected to the CVG input, and the signal CVG is also used for CVB if the plug is not inserted in the CVB socket.
Control LEDs of each color (the behavior of the control LEDs may differ from the behavior of the LEDs used in the stripe, so the control LEDs should be treated only as rough indicators. They do not accurately reflect the illumination of the LEDs in the stripe.)
The module has trimming potentiometers available for each color to adjust the basic brightness/offset of each color. （If the manual control is set fully counter-clockwise at the factory (to allow this parameter to be adjusted for LED stripes with different specifications) and no external CV is input (or if the CV attenuator is also set fully counter-clockwise), the stripe trim potentiometer is adjusted so that the LEDs on the
Even faster illumination effects can be achieved because both the control electronics and the LEDs operate at very high speeds. To obtain strobe effects, turn all manual controls fully counterclockwise, all CV controls fully clockwise, and use only the CV input CVR. The next short envelope or pulse wave with a short pulse width input to the CVR (for example, a master clock signal) will produce an almost white strobe effect.
The type of power supply (internal or external) for the LED stripe can be set by a jumper on the PC board.
(LED stripes do not require a high-quality power supply like the one built into the A-100 case.)
External + 12V can be connected via a socket on the front panel (if the additional power supply is located outside the case) or via a pin header on the module's printed circuit board. In this case, the additional power supply must be installed inside the case by the user. Sufficient electronic knowledge is required to install the additional power supply inside the case. If this is difficult, use an external power supply that can be connected to a socket on the front panel.
Maximum current required for 1 meter of RGB LED stripes: approx. 800mA @ 12V (when all 3 colors are lit at maximum brightness)
There is a gap at the upper left edge of the front panel to allow the LED stripe cables to be exposed to the panel. Therefore, the module must be mounted on the left edge of the case; if the LED stripe is to be placed only on the top edge of the case, the module should be mounted on the top left of the case; if the LED stripe is to be placed on the three sides of the case in an "inverted U" configuration, the module should be mounted in the left center or bottom left of the case.
The PCB is equipped with a pin header that can be used to connect the standard LED stripes supplied with the module.
In addition, the PCB is equipped with a second pin header with a 1/10" grid that can be used to connect the LED stripes supplied with the module or user-provided LED stripes.
A cable with open ends for free connection is included.
This module is only compatible with common anode (+12V) LED stripes and 4-wire cables (+12V / R / G / B) on a 12V power supply.
It comes with 1 meter of RGB LED stripes, which is the appropriate length for use with the module. Due to possible problems during installation (e.g. improper gluing/removal or folding of stripes), this is not covered by warranty. Use for testing purposes only.
A separate external 12V power supply must be provided if necessary. (5.5 / 2.1 mm connector, center positive) A 1A power supply is recommended for a 1 meter LED stripe.
The first prototype of the A-197-3 integrated into the A-100 P9 can be seen in these videos recorded at a workshop held in December 2018 at the Schneiders Laden electronic instruments store in Berlin.

Width 4HP
Depth 45mm
Current consumption
+12V : 800mA
-12V : 20mA
* +12V is when all LEDs are turned on at maximum brightness.
Remarks +12V : 20 mA, -12V : 20 mA when used with external 12V AC adapter connected