Doepfer Dark Time Red

I just received my 2 Doepfer Dark Time sequencers from Thomann one day ago and I'm already in love with how they are bringing out new dynamics in my creativity and music making process. I'm using these in conjunction with an Akai MPC One (MPC=master) to control various synths and drum machines. The MPC innately recognizes the Dark Time by name via USB and setting it up is a cinch. I'm thinking of some different configuration options for how to set things up and there are a few nice possibilities to explore here. The Dark Time teamed up with this current generation of MPC is a potent combination in a midi/cv-gate setup.

The build quality of the Dark Time is extremely solid. Knobs do not wiggle. The sturdy metal enclosure does not shift. It's as they say "built like a tank". Take care not to drop it on your toes or pets. The wood on both of my units is all smooth and uniform in appearance in a medium stained brown, very classic look. The black base paint-job is excellent with clear sharp white lettering that does not appear to be prone to chipping. The oval-shaped buttons are lightly clicky and a little wiggly; completely expected with buttons of this type. All of the toggle switches are very stable in their notch stages and with just the right amount of resistance required to actuate. The toggle handles are approximately 10.5 mm, maybe slightly more. The potentiometers are a bit stiff in turning, but that's not really a bad thing. They feel like quality and I'm sure they will break-in nicely after a little bit of use.

As far as features go, I am completely new to analog style step sequencing, but discovering what the Dark Time can do has so far been fun and intuitive. It does not have ratcheting, but I knew that before I bought.

For everything that this device is and the quality in which it is made I feel that the price is very fair. I expect a lifetime of use out of my Dark Times without a doubt. My adventure has just begun.

I am into ambient atmos soundscapes only. I now have three 3 DDT sequencers - yes I could have bought a very high end synth instead, but no thanks - why, to replace my hands & extra, in order to free up my hands for handling the knobs and switches. I love the DDT because it is human in that it requires accepting the erroneous behavior inherent in pure analog sequencing. The DDT allows external modular clock without a hitch even to a tempo below 1BPM of my tracks. The DDT can send out MIDI and CV/GATE simultaneously and there's switches for 1v/2v/5v and -1oct/0oct/+oct and linear vs random as well as monophonic and duophonic sequence. No menu, nothing, what a blessing just switches like the good old analog days. I keep my three 3 is a crowd as a happy family. Yes I had beatsteps and keysteps, both pro and not-pro, but ditched them all. Yes DDT is not cheap, yes it's build like a tank to last any disaster, yes it looks cool too.

Got the product and it's in theory a great gear for step sequencing.
However is very defective in its construction, not the unit in particular, as knobs are not calibrated i.e. if you dial at 5 you'll obtain different notes on different steps even in note quantize mode.
USB connection is a bit unstable in Windows10, works fine on Mac.
The instruction manual is incomplete.
I wrote to their tech support inquiring about the issues and their rude answer was = knobs are like that, the manual is perfect if you don't like it send it back to where you bought it and try to get a refund. Unbelievably careless

Build quality is excellent. Durable steel case and good looking wood sides. However, the functionality of the sequencer is basic and the editing the less used features should be easier - frequent shift button operation required! Trips to te manual are often necessary.
I would recommend it only if it was two times less expensive. The price is too high regarding the Doepfer's not impressive functionality. Of course, it does not produce any sound - hence one star in this category.