Pittsburgh Modular has released the Safari Series 9, featuring the return of the Double Helix wavetable oscillator, Local Florist 2, and Crow3 filter.
The US-based company Pittsburgh Modular went a new way with its entire portfolio a few years ago, shifting from regularly available modules to experimental ones in limited quantities.
One of the fascinating ones from its previous lineup was the never released Dual Helix wavetable oscillator, which boasts a distinctive character. There is good news for all those waiting for a successor. Pittsburgh has released three new modules, including a comeback of the Double Helix wavetable oscillator, plus two modules get a new generation.
Pittsburgh Modular Safari Series 9
The Safari series is already in its 9th round. There are three new, exciting modules, all of which are familiar but have been renewed and improved.
The first Pittsburgh Modular Safari Series 9 module is the Double Helix, new digital 9-bit wavetable oscillator for Eurorack.
According to Pittsburgh Modular, the new Double Helix offers a circuitry and code that matches the original prototypes. However, they squeeze it into a more compact 16HP panel size.
Richard Nicol, founder of Pittsburgh Modular also shared the reason why they brought it back now:
Ten years ago we created a digital 9-bit wavetable oscillator module called the Double Helix with a colleague of ours from the UK. After producing 5 or 6 prototypes, the limitations of our small company forced us to shelve the finished module before a full production run was realized.
Recently, we made the mistake of gifting one of these ancient prototypes to our good friend MagicalSynthAdventure who promptly posted a video and story on SonicState that caused our inbox to explode. So, due to popular demand, the Double Helix Wavetable Processor is finally here.
Like the original, it features a chaotic 9-bit digital engine with two banks of 16 sweepable wavetables, each containing 16 sweepable waves. There is also the unique 9-bit resistor ladder DAC, which adds a gritty quality to the sounds.
Another unique feature of this wavetable oscillator is its built-in waveform effects processor, which transforms the waveforms in real-time. You can choose between 16 distinct effects processor modes, including fold, sync, reduce, reflect, AM, FM, phaser, delay, and more.
All this wavetable fun can be fully controlled with a variety of parameters: frequency, wavetable select, wavetable sweep, fine, wavetable detune, and more. Additionally, each parameter is also CV controllable. That’s not all for today.
Local Florist 2
The second new Pittsburgh Modular Safari Series 9 module is The Local Florist 2, the successor of the original Local Florist from 2020. It takes the hybrid flanger/chorus to a new level.
It utilizes an analog bucket brigade (BBD) chip with a 6.2ms – 28.5ms delay time along with an updated second-generation feedback circuit to produce a large bouquet of sonic textures perfect for any occasion.
According to Pittsburgh Modular, the feedback circuit has been enhanced to allow even more feedback before it falls into self-oscillation, and a tilt control has been added to manipulate the frequency response of the wet signal.
The module offers various hands-on controls that can be controlled manually or via CV. The results are impressive and they range from flanging (kinda), chorus (yes), reverb (true), spring-y feedback sounds (all day), karplus strong (not really, but sorta), vibrato (yes), plucky percussive string sounds (yes), and general robot space sounds (often).
Pittsburgh Modular Crow 3
The third and last release of the Pittsburgh Modular Safari Series 9 is the Crow 3, the third generation of its custom PGH filter.
Pittsburgh Modular says that it pairs the destructive power of the original, Safari Series #1 module with the smoothest iteration yet of the Pittsburgh Filter sound. It can sound both beautiful and brutal, or both.
The new Crow 3 comes with the preamp/overdrive circuit again, as well as a custom limiting circuit. Neat, you can switch it off for a completely clean exploration of the Pittsburgh Filter sound.
On the filter side, it hosts a refined version of its original 12 dB state-variable “no-dead-spot” filter. One of its unique defining characteristics is its ability to offer a complete sweepable range without any noticeable dead spots.
Further, it offers manually selectable and stackable filter responses. Lowpass, bandpass, and highpass filter responses can be enabled or disabled for instant parallel processing.
First Impression
Three very exciting modules that bring tons of flavors to your systems. I’m especially pleased that the Double Helix wavetable oscillator is making a comeback.
The new Pittsburgh Modular Safari Series 9 modules are now available: the Double Helix wavetable oscillator for $299, and Local Florist 2 and Crow 3 for $199 each.
More information here: Pittsburgh Modular
Rock solid offering! The Double Helix sounds excellent, in particular, the Process Select & CV input look like so much fun.
And Pittsburgh’s state variable filter is a delight to use. It has a sharp, pristine character. Glad they’re continuing the Crow line with the increased gain distortion.
Additionally, the new panels for the Cre8audio stuff look great. Been thinking about the Capt’n Big-O for a while and now seems like the perfect time to reel one in.
Hello all, I normally don’t comment on stories about my company but I wanted to add that over the last 10 years, I have lost contact with the engineer behind the Double Helix. His email and contact info I communicated through are no longer active. I owe him a commission for his work and would appreciate it if he could reach out to me.
Thanks, Richard
thanks Richard for the info 🙂