Back on the NAMM 2018, Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers surprised the community with the Microvolt 3900, a new semi-modular analog desktop Synthesizer. The Microvolt 3900 is not just a standard analog Synthesizer with a big patch bay but includes some interesting west-coast oriented sound features. Per example, in the oscillator section, you find a voltage controlled wavefolder or a rich sine wave. Beside this, it features also a VCA with a dynamic low pass gate modes.
Good news coming today from Pittsburgh Modular. The official pre-order phase for the Microvolt 3900 just started.
Overview
A modern, semi-modular Synthesizer inspired by the instruments designed by our heroes. The Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900 takes a new approach to building a raw, analog mono synth with a host of unconventional and inspirational features. Patch cables optional.
Features
- Voltage controlled West Coast style wavefolder.
- Switchable harmonically rich sine wave.
- External preamp with independent 30x gain and output level controls.
- Classic Pittsburgh Modular low pass filter with extended resonance.
- Dynamic VCA with standard VCA and dynamic low pass gate modes.
- Variable overdrive on output.
- Multi-mode sequencing arpeggiator.
- Chaotic random CV and gate generator.
- Multi-tasking function generator works as a voltage controlled envelope, LFO, and oscillator.
- Highly tuned ADSR envelope generator.
- 39-point Eurorack format compatible patch bay.
Flexible Audio Signal Path
Voltage Controlled Oscillator
Temperature stabilized, dual VCA based, analog saw core oscillator simultaneously outputting saw, sine, pulse, and folded waves. Modulation options include exponential frequency modulation, pulse width and fold timbre. The sine wave is capable of switching from a clean sine to a harmonically rich half rectified sine wave.
Waveform Mixer
Blend oscillator waveforms, analog noise, and preamp. The preamp uses a 30x soft clipping overdrive circuit to push external audio or internally patched feedback loops from mellow to monstrous.
Binary Filter
Based around the classic Pittsburgh filter circuit, the Binary filter in the Microvolt 3900 utilizes a smooth 2 pole, state variable core to create a buttery smooth frequency sweep paired with a new resonance circuit that slides from clean, gummy bubbles to a screaming, overdriving freakout.
Dynamic VCA
Organic and percussive, the dynamic VCA utilizes an entirely new, all analog design to replicate the impact transients and vibrance of a percussion hit. The result is a versatile VCA section that sounds natural and energetic. The dynamic VCA works in two modes: high quality VCA and a lowpass gate mode that manages both timbre and loudness at the same time.
Output Overdrive Line Level and Headphone Outputs
Output section uses a proprietary 30x symmetrical overdrive circuit for additional sound sculpting. Results can vary from subtle warmth to squared out, harmonic bliss. High quality stereo headphone amplifier and monophonic line level outputs controlled by a master volume slider.
Integrated Modulation and Control
MIDI / Arpeggiator
128 note Midi to CV converter with assignable modulation output and variable pitch bend paired with a multi-mode arpeggiator. The arpeggiator offers as played, hold, transpose, multiple octave, random, and 16-step sequencing with rest and note repeat modes. Octave up and down buttons shift the frequency of the oscillator +/- 2 octaves.
Modulation Sources
Balance control mixes a free running, wide range LFO with variable ramp and pulse waves with a complex random CV. The random section offers multiple modes from standard sample and hold type response to evolving six stage shift register pseudo random CV patterns.
Function Generator
Multi-function, periodic control voltage generator can be used as a voltage controllable 2-stage attack/decay envelope generator, voltage controlled LFO, and voltage controlled oscillator. Perfect for modulating the filter or FM’ing the oscillator.
Envelope Generator
A 4-stage envelope generator with independently adjustable attack, decay, sustain, and release stages. The ADSR shapes incoming gate signals to produce a more expressive instrument. The ADSR output can be used to control the amplitude of an oscillator, the cutoff frequency of a filter or any other voltage controlled function.
Inverting Mixer / Splitter / Offset
An extension of the patch bay, this flexible circuit works as a +/- 5 volt CV source, signal attenuator/inverter, 2 channel audio or CV mixer, and audio or CV signal splitter.
39-Point Patch Bay
Override the internal wiring and unlock the unlimited audio and CV signal routing potential of the Microvolt 3900 for maximum creative control. Fully modular patch bay allows almost every function of the Microvolt to be controlled with patch cables.
The Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900 is scheduled to ship to on April 27th, 2018, priced at RRP $629 USD.
More information here: Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers
Available here for pre-order: Microvolt 3900
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