Pittsburgh Modular Winter 2016 New Product Announcements

New Product Lineup for 2016

It has been an amazing year of design and engineering at Pittsburgh Modular and we are incredibly proud of the results. A deliberate focus on the modular synthesizer as a complete thought has allowed us to create our finest instruments yet. Below is a brief introduction to all our new products. For more information please visit www.pittsburghmodular.com.

Introducing Lifeforms Eurorack Systems

Our best sounding synthesizer yet, Lifeforms systems are available in three configurations. System 101, System 201, and System 301 are the perfect gateway to the eurorack modular synthesizer world.

Interactive inspiration machines. The next generation of our System line of eurorack synthesizers harnesses the power of the new Lifeforms modules and Structure enclosures. Designed around the Lifeforms SV-1 modular analog synthesizer voice and anchored by the classic Pittsburgh Modular filter and two full range analog oscillators packed with harmonically rich waveforms, the Lifeforms Systems offer a rich sound palette with the flexibility of an open, fully patchable analog voice architecture.

The System 201 and System 301 also include the Lifeforms KB-1 pressure sensitive keyboard controller. The pressure sensitive keyboard maximizes the creative process with arpeggios, sequences, triggers, voltage memory, and more. More information on the entire Lifeforms line is available at lifeformsmodular.com.

Evolution of the Synthesizer Voice

The Lifeforms SV-1 is a fully patchable synthesizer module, destined to be the heart and soul of any eurorack modular system. It features two independent, full-range analog oscillators, and the unmistakeable sound of the Pittsburgh Modular filter paired with a highly curated set of modular tools designed to fuel the creative fire. More information on the Lifeforms SV-1 is available at lifeformsmodular.com/sv-1.

Control At Your Fingertips

Shape music like never before with the Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms KB-1 pressure sensitive controller. The Lifeforms KB-1 eurorack module provides a multi-function, expressive, capacitive touch keyboard designed for performance. It contains a powerful one octave pressure sensitive keyboard complete with arpeggiator, step sequencer, preset voltage memory array, and a pair of multi-mode trigger pads. Eleven patchable outputs and a deep feature set enable an unprecedented level of control over any eurorack system. More information on the Lifeforms KB-1 is available at lifeformsmodular.com/kb-1.

Professional Eurorack Enclosures

Our new line of Structure enclosures pushes eurorack case technology forward. With new, innovative power supplies providing extreme amounts of clean, quiet power, up to 3x the power available in other brands, Structure cases are designed to work with the most sensitive analog and power hungry digital modules.

To improve the strength of the Structure shells, our engineers tested countless combinations utilizing different types of wood, joints, adhesives, assembly techniques, and hardware. The result is our most robust and refined case line yet. With massive amounts of both room and clean, quiet power, Structure enclosures are the perfect start to any eurorack modular system.

The Structure enclosures are available in three sizes. 96hp, 208hp, and 360hp. The Structure EP-96 is a 96hp desktop case. A perfect case for starting a eurorack synthesizer. The Structure EP-208 and Structure EP-360 are serious, road ready travel cases. The right choice for large or growing systems. More information on the entire line of Structure cases is available at pittsburghmodular.com/structure.

PITTSBURGH MODULAR ANNOUNCES THE VERBTRONIC MODULE

VERBTRONIC

Reverb creates the illusion of space, adding another dimension to sound and offering a sense of time and distance. The Verbtronic digital reverb module generates spaces large enough to overwhelm sounds and smear the audio spectrum with a wash of relentless reflections and echoes, building a tidal wave of never-ending feedback.

"Space...is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mindbogglingly big it is." - Douglas Adams

We did not design the Verbtronic to mimic the real world; instead we have created a reverb full of lush, artificial spaces that blend perfectly with the electronic sounds of modular synthesis.

The Verbtronic controls offer a full palette of reverberation effects. Tonal Tilt shifts the frequency emphasis from low and dark to high and bright, acting as a tone control for the reverberated signal. The Feedback knob sends a variable portion of the output signal back into the input, creating results similar to simultaneously adjusting both reverb density and decay time. The Verbtronic voltage controlled Mode switch flips between two unique reverbs: Verb mode is a shorter, more natural sounding reverb, perfect for augmenting leads and more fragile sounds; and Tronic mode creates a much larger, synthetic sounding reverb. The voltage controlled Output Mix knob smoothly shifts between the dry input signal and 100% reverb. Giant percussion drowning in feedback and alien soundscapes are just the beginning....Mix in a touch of reverb to add a sense of space or turn it up for full signal saturation. Dial in the perfect mix for any sound.

Price, Availability, and More Information 
The suggested retail price for the Verbtronic module is $199 and it begins shipping to our dealers August 14. More information available at pittsburghmodular.com/verbtronic.

PITTSBURGH MODULAR ANNOUNCES THE GAME SYSTEM MODULE

GAME SYSTEM

Packed with six unique multi-mode sequencers and a fully voltage controllable user interface, the Game System is deep!  Each game represents a different type of sequencing, from classic step sequencers, to unique multi-dimensional clock dividers, to chaotic gate generators. Individual sequencers in the Game System would make great standalone modules. Bundled together, they offer an entire arcade of sequencing options, with lots of room for creativity.

A Unique Set of Controls 
The Game System uses a thumb joystick and button press interface for fast and intuitive navigation of the sequencers. Joystick movements and button presses are voltage controllable, inviting external CV and gate signals to take control of the gaming experience. The Game System can also be computer controlled, freeing the sequencers to shift and morph with the zeros and ones.

Price, Availability, and More Information 
The suggested retail price for the Game System module is $299 and it begins shipping to our dealers July 31. More information available at pittsburghmodular.com/game-system.

Game 1: Meteor Shower 
Meteor showers have inspired musicians since the dawn of time. The Game System transforms these celestial events into an 8x8 matrix filled with pixelated meteors, explosions, and one panicked spaceship. Pilot your unarmed ship through the matrix while dodging falling meteors. Explosion based gates and random control voltages react to the action and provide the perfect score to the amazing events taking place in the simulated night sky. God speed, fearless astronauts.

Game 2: Music Programmer (CV/Gate Sequencer)
Create your own musical masterpiece, a melody that defines a generation. Music Programmer is a classic 32 step CV and gate sequencer that is programmed with the joystick or auto-generated using control voltages. Sequences can vary in length from 1 to 32 steps and can be played in forward, reverse, pendulum, or random order. CV output is quantized to 1 volt per octave to keep the resulting patterns well tempered.

Game 3: Percussion Programmer (4 Channel Gate Sequencer)
Hmm.... Percussion can mean anything. A short (or long) burst of sound (or silence) used to create rhythmic patterns (or not) that drive (or don't) the beat of a song (or endless noodle). Regardless of the definition, the Percussion Programmer game features four channels of programmable gate sequencing that can be used for, um... anything. Rock and roll would probably assign the channels to kick, snare, high hat, and crash while EDM would go with something closer to kick, high hat, kick, and kick. Whatever gets you moving....

Game 4: Time Traveller (4 Channel Clock Divider)
A way to be in four places at once. Time Traveller is the first two dimensional clock divider. A game that shifts outputs freely within clock divisions and offsets. Using the idea of a time grid, clock divisions from 1 to 8 are laid out on the x axis allowing the y axis to be assigned to 8 steps of offset. The four outputs can be independently set to a static location, or allowed to freely roam the time grid creating unpredictable results. Time travel can be complicated; don't forget your towel.

Game 5: Probability Machine (2 Channel Chaotic Gate Generator)
The real world is a crazy place and music should reflect that. The Probability Machine creates chaotic gates based on a cascading chance algorithm. The resulting patterns are always in sync with some multiple of the clock, allowing for stuttering but not disjointed patterns. The density of the gates is based on a two dimensional probability field. The X axis defines the potential of an event and the Y axis defines the the depth of the event while the joystick button adds additional layers of complexity to the outputs. Spaztastic!

Game 6: Euclidean Rhythms (Algorithmic Gate Sequencer)
Impress your friends by applying all that geometry you learned in school. Inspired by the paper by Godfried Toussaint, the Euclidean Rhythms game is an auto-generating gate pattern sequencer that organizes complexity. Mathematically, the Euclidean Rhythms sequencer works to evenly space the number of active beats over the length of the sequence. Musically, the Euclidean Rhythms effortlessly creates organic patterns steeped in both Western and non-Western musical philosophies. Add a bit of CV control to create sequences that evolve with the incoming voltages, and suddenly math never sounded so good.

PITTSBURGH MODULAR ANNOUNCES THE CRUSH MODULE

The latest addition to our exceptional line of eurorack format effects modules, the Crush is an audio destroyer; a voltage controlled, all analog sound decimator. A sonic laser designed to shatter waveforms into a million pieces.

Built around a custom, analog downsampling circuit, the sound of the Crush module is defined by two parameters, Sample Rate and Interpolation. Sample Rate assigns the sample timing, breaking down an audio source into ever-larger static chunks. The Interpolate switch attempts to rebuild the original waveform from the remaining pieces, imprinting a second layer of errors and unique artifacts on the output. The results are crushing.

The Crush wrecks audio without ever sounding harsh or thin. Compared to a digital bit crusher, the analog Crush sounds full and warm. Taking advantage of unlimited bit and sample rate resolutions, the Crush avoids lo-fi digital results by smoothly downsampling at infinite resolution.

An integrated voltage controlled mix circuit allows the perfect amount of destruction to be added to the audio. Manually set the mix or use a control voltage to sweep from squeaky clean to completely crushed.

Availability, Price and More Information
The suggested retail price for the Crush module is $199 and it begins shipping to our dealers today. More information is available at pittsburghmodular.com/crush.

Pittsburgh Modular Announces the Switch Module

Take control of your signal path! The Switch is an analog, four channel signal switch with gate control and dual, assignable output busses.

Designed for performance, the Switch offers an interactive way to manage audio and CV signals within a complicated patch. A human or machine controlled signal router that utilizes four independent channels of manual and/or voltage controlled analog switching.

Each channel offers a manual on/off switch that acts as a master on/off control for the channel. With the master on/off switch flipped in the off position, the channel can be enabled or disabled using an external gate signal. If the external gate goes high, the switch opens, if the gate goes low, the switch closes. Easy.

The output signal is routed to three potential destinations. The first is a dedicated channel output jack. The remaining destinations are Bus A and Bus B. The signal can be independently routed to Bus A and Bus B by using the Send Bus Switches. The two Bus outputs can be switched between Bus A and Bus B for maximum signal control.

The Switch module uses fourteen manual switches and four CV inputs to allow intimate control of audio and CV signals. Each channel is routed through a dedicated, four stage switching circuit to ensure maximum signal isolation.

The module is available now exclusively at shop.pittsburghmodular.com. Production of the Switch was limited to 60 modules.

More information is available at pittsburghmodular.com/switch.