Doepfer A-148 Dual Sample And Hold

This module contains two identical parts, either of which can be set to either sample and hold or track and hold by moving its jumper. By default, you get one of each.

I'm not aware of just how much sample and hold units can vary in quality, although this pair certainly does the job. When it comes to features, Doepfer comes out on top again, as track and hold units are certainly rarer.

Using (A-118) white noise as a sample input and an LFO as a trigger input, you can create the random LFO setting found on classic monosynths like the Roland SH and Yamaha CS ranges. Being modular, you can also put it to other creative uses. For instance, it can emulate the sound of a low fidelity digital sampler, akin to bitcrushing, with a sample rate you can dynamically tweak.

This is one of those small, basic utility modules (along with the A-114 ring modulator and A-150 voltage controlled switch) that are about as useful as you are imaginative. They can greatly expand the possibilities of your A-100 just as long as you can use them creatively.

Most of us will think of a sample and hold in terms of random generated sounds from bleeps to gurgling streams but it can also be used to generate melodies and arpeggios.

I connect an lfo set to square wave as a trigger for sampling.
I use another lfo set to sine wave as sample input, play around with the frequency. The output is fed to either the cv in of a vco or the fm in of a vco if you have one. Play around with these as they give different effects. The key is to experiment with the lfo sample rate which takes you from arpeggio like patterns to random patterns. That's just with one of the sample and hold sections and we have two to play with and the only limit there is your imagination. Thanks Doepfer!

I use this in conjunction with Doepfer's A-118 Noise / Random and A-105 Filter modules to create random, modulating filter cut-offs. It's a classic synth technique, favoured by the likes of Depeche Mode and really straightforward to patch together.

By triggering the trigger input from a gate signal, every time you press a key on a keyboard, it results in a different filter cut-off setting. Makes for very organic sounding baselines.

I believe the Doepfer manuals even have an example patch too so it couldn't be easier to set up!

Again, having two of the Sample and Hold's in a single device / module is another example of Doepfer's excellent value for money.