Doepfer A-160-2 Clock Divider II

I've been building up my modular system & studio for about a year, and many of the parts (Moog Mother-32, Arturia Minibrute & Microbrute) feature sequencers that can be clocked to each other, which is great.

However this module allows me to use them at different rates while remaining synchronised which has opened up a whole world of experimentation.

The outputs can be used to sync other units, to set the tempo of tapped LFOs on modules such as Mutable Instruments Peaks and the Disting Mk 3.

I like the usual Doepfer high build quality and the fact that you can switch between the three modes; a straight clock divider with 7 divided outputs (half speed, quarter speed and so on), as a set of prime numbers to create poly rhythmic beats and a set of sequenced outputs.

Each output has it's own LED so you can see at a glance what is happening - it's a very slim unit so might not be suited to the edge of a case as this could hinder access to the sockets.

Like all the other Doepfer modules I have purchased from Thomann it comes well packaged and came with two screws and a connecting lead for the bus board.

Highly recommended if linking sequencers is your thing!

This is one of the only clock dividers that can turn gate signals into triggers. I use it to trigger accents at set intervals that are divided from my main clock without having to use up triggers from more exotic modules like Euclidian Circles.

Functionality wise this module is a real lifesaver. Very versatile.

That being said, the jacks are easily the worst I've ever used on any product. They are crooked and skewed so that inserting a cable at a normal angle feels like you're going to break the entire module. You have to insert patch cables from a sideways angle to get them in there, and even then they wobble like hell.

I've had good experiences with Doepfer before so I'm hoping I was just unlucky to receive a poorly assembled module. You might have more luck.

Despite the jacks being loose and crooked, the module has never malfunctioned because of it.

I got this new Deeper clock divider to add to my arsenal of clock dividers and multipliers - you can never have enough clocks! This is a really sweet addition for anyone who wants to add complexity to their clock system in the euro-rack, since not only does it produce the 'standard' 2,4,8,16 divisions it also goes up to 32, 64 and 128. But if that wasn't enough, it offers prime number divisions, which can make for crazy off beat timings at 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 13.... not enough? Then it also does a straight count from 2 all the way up to 8.

The module is switchable to produce triggers or gate outputs too. All this in a tiny 4hp of rack space. Build quality is to the usual high standard offered by Dopfer; nice switches and smooth sockets. I have this sat next to a 4ms rotating clock divider and they compliment each other wonderfully. All in all a brilliant module for a great price. Doepfer rocks around the clock again!

I was so excited when Doepfer announced this unit, I could not wait for it to be released. It lived up to my expectations.
Build and reliability are the usual Doepfer high standards - no surprises there.

The ability to divide a clock into the usual multiples of 2 ( in this case up to 128) is handy enough, but add in the ability to switch the unit to divide by prime numbers (2,3,5,7,11,13,17) or integers (2 to 8) and it makes creating interesting polyrhythms a breeze. The unit can also switch between sending a gate or a trigger.

The standard setting is also 'musical' division (unlike the original A-160 which is Mathematical division) - which means that the output starts high and switches to low, so the outputs will be high on time with the beat.

Note that unlike the original A-160, the A-160-2 does NOT link up to an A-161 clock sequencer. This is not actually an issue though. These units are so small, that I have both versions, which makes for quite a useful set of clocks!