Doepfer A-134-1 Vc Pan MKII

This is quite a useful module. It does panning when that is what you need. But it is also useful for other things. The center mix output makes it effectively a VC mixer too. So, panning, VCA or VC mixer – in one!

I dont really like the feeling of the knobs and jack sockets. The knobs are a bit heavy and the jack sockets feel a bit loose. But that is a matter of taste.

Another con was that I could not find any indication which way around to put the power connector, neither in the manual nor on the module. And since it is rotated 90° from the usual Doepfer orientation the "red-stripe down" mantra fails to make sense. I got it wrong at first, but vigilantly looking at the power LEDs, I quickly turned off power before the magic smoke was let out. The module still worked fine when I got it connected correctly.

The correct orientation of the power cable is show on the Thomann product description page images. So study that before trying to connect.

I bought this module to add a bit of stereo movement to my modular synth - but it does much more than that!

One of the more common uses I have for this module is to send the signal to two different effects chains / filters, so that I can add extra reverb so certain passages, or delay only specific notes,or adjust the timbre of the sound in interesting ways.
With two sound sources input it can also be used as a voltage controlled cross-fader, very useful for creating sounds that morph over time, or expressively with added pressure to a ribbon controller for example.
It can also be used as a spare VCA if you run out!

As always with Doepfer, the build quality is spot on, the features are well considered, and it is really easy to use.

I purchased this primarily to automate movement around the stereo field, which is does brilliantly.

It also works well as a dual VCA, albeit one that can't be modulated by an external input at the only CV control relates to the stereo pan position and not the volume.

It's perhaps worth noticing that you would need both Level dials set at the same level to get the best effect, even if there is only one input being used as these refer to the output level and not the input.

This would be a great way to automate an oscillator's output to two different filters, automatically crossfading between the two. I can see more than one of these having a home in my rack.