doepfer a-180-9 multicore price : $130.00

a-180-9 is another simple but useful tool. it can be used to connect up to 14 audio or control signals between different cases by means of standard network cables (rj45). these cables are available all over world smoothly in different lenghts and colors. from the factory two black network cables with 0.5 m length are enclosed.

the upper network connector is wired to the eight sockets 1-8, the lower to the six sockets a-f. that way it's possible to pre-patch different cases and connect signals, that are required in all cases (e.g. clock, start/stop, master cv) by means of one or two cables only instead of 14 individual patch cables. when only eight signals are required only the upper network connector is required and the sockets 1-8 are used. when more than eight signals have to be patched both network connectors have to be used. it's also possible to wire the upper and lower network to different cases (i.e. signals 1-8 to external case #1 and signals a-f to external case#2).

the module is fully passive (no power supply required) and simply wires the 14 sockets to 14 pins of the network connectors. for operation two modules a-180-9 and one or two network cables are required. the module is available only in pairs.

notes: the module is planned in the first place for the transmission of control signals (control voltages, gate, trigger, clock and so on).

even audio signals may be transmitted but the installation should be tested before the final use to find out if the possible crosstalk between channels is acceptable. especially for longer cables or unshielded cables crosstalk problems may occur.

if the enclosed network cables are replaced by other ones pay attention that shielded cables are used. otherwise the common gnd connection is missing!

it's difficult to predict how the modules behave when another network cable is used. it depends upon the internal structure and length of the cable. we recommend network cables cat7 or cat8 because these are made of four separately shielded wire pairs.

one simply has to try out if the used network cable is suitable for the application. one has to experiment a bit and possible use other channels to obtain better results. for neighbouring channels the chance for an unwanted crosstalk is higher than for more distant channels because in this case the separate shielding is effective.

in principle the module can be used for all kind of signals: control voltages, audio and digital signals (like clock, gate, start, stop, reset). if longer rj45 cables are used the transmission performance and the cross-talk between signals depend upon the length and the quality/shielding of the used rj45 cables. it's recommended to separate audio signals from digital signals (e.g. the upper section "1-8" for audio and cv signals, and the lower section "a-f" for digital signals). but from doepfer's experience that necessary only for very long cables (> 2 m).

if cv signals for vco pitch have to be transmitted via longer cables (>1m) additional buffers are recommended (e.g. a-180-3 or a-180-4).

as a rule the installation should be tested before the final use as it's impossible to predict the interaction of all components in advance (especially if longer cables are used).

from version 2 the module is equipped with additional pin headers that enable the internal connection of two modules a-180-9. when the pin headers are connected with suitable ribbon cables (not included with the modules) the sockets of module #2 are normalled to the signals of module #1. that way three or more cases can be supplied with the same signals without additional patching between the multicore modules.

this module has a maximum current draw of 25ma. it requires 2x4 te/hp worth of space to fit in a eurorack frame.