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Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900 Manual

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Summary of Contents for Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900

  • Page 1 3900 manual...
  • Page 3 Michael Johnsen and me to expand the possibilities of analog synthesis. I am very proud of the Microvolt 3900 and what it represents to me. Please use this synthesizer as a laboratory for experimentation and fun.
  • Page 4 Do not attempt to modify the Microvolt 3900. Tampering with the circuitry may cause permanent damage. • Do not place heavy objects on the Microvolt 3900. The user interface is mounted on a PCB that can be damaged if stressed by excessive weight.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    1. Microvolt User Interface Map………………..Page 6 19. Microvolt Patch Examples……Page 52 2. Microvolt Patch Bay Map………………………….…...8 20. Midi Factory Reset…………………...66 3. Microvolt 3900 Connections and Signals…………..10 21. Service and Other Information..…….68 4. Interface Conventions……………………………..…...13 22. Warranty…………………………...….69 5. Internal Signal Routing………………………………...14 6.

  • Page 6: Microvolt User Interface Map

    1. Microvolt User Interface Map Voltage Controlled Oscillator Output 1. Fine Tune Slider - Adjust the oscillator pitch. 25. Output Drive Trimmer - Set the output drive gain. 2. Pulse Width Slider - Set the width of the pulse wave. 26.

  • Page 9: Microvolt Patch Bay Map

    2. Microvolt Patch Bay Map Clock Filter 120. Frequency Input Jack - Frequency modulation CV input. 100. Input Jack - Clock signal input. 121. Input Jack - Binary filter audio input. 101. Output Jack - Clock signal output (40ms 5v gate signal). 122.

  • Page 10: Microvolt 3900 Connections And Signals

    A gate can be shaped using the function generator or envelope generator to create more complex control voltage (CV) signals. A gate signal or CV signal can be patched to any CV input on the Microvolt 3900 to be used as a modulation source. For example, a CV signal from the output of the function generator patched into the FM input of the oscillator section controls the frequency of oscillator based on the current state of the function generator.

  • Page 13: Interface Conventions

    4. Interface Conventions The Microvolt 3900 uses several simple labeling conventions to make the user interface and signal flow easy to understand. The labeling is meant as a starting point and not a definitive rule. Experimentation is key. Large white outlines are used to separate individual synthesizer sections such as the voltage controlled oscillator and the waveform mixer.

  • Page 14: Internal Signal Routing

    The internal signal routing of the Microvolt 3900 is clearly marked on the panel using arrows and lines pointing toward the signal destination. Plugging a patch cable into an internally patched input jack will override any...

  • Page 17: Internal Signal Routing Map

    6. Internal Signal Routing Map a. Midi / Arpeggiator Pitch Output Midi pitch and octave shift information sent from the midi Pitch Out (104) to the Pitch Input Jack (110) of the arpeggiator. b. Modulation Sources Output of the modulation Source Balance Trimmer (34) is sent to the oscillator Frequency Modulation Trimmer (4) using FM CV Jack (111), Pulse Width Trimmer (5) using Width CV Jack (112), and Timbre Modulation Trimmer (6) using Timbre CV Jack (113).

  • Page 18: Individual Synthesis Sections

    7. Individual Synthesis Sections The Microvolt 3900 is comprised of 10 individual synthesis sections. Each section has a corresponding set of jacks in the patch bay. The following pages will explain the features of these sections.

  • Page 21: Voltage Controlled Oscillator/Waveform Generator

    8. Voltage Controlled Oscillator / Waveform Generator The voltage controlled oscillator section uses a unique VCA saw core oscillator circuit to generate a full range, temperature stabilized, analog saw wave. Frequency is variable from sub-audio, low frequency oscillator range to ultrasonic allowing the oscillator to function as an audio source or modulation source.

  • Page 22: Waveform Mixer

    Patch the output of the filter(122) or dynamic vca(125) into the external input (102) then adjust the external gain(9) and external level(10) to beef up or blow out the waveforms. • External instruments can be inserted into the Microvolt 3900 signal path using the external input(102).

  • Page 25: Binary Filter

    10. Binary Filter The binary filter section utilizes the core circuitry of the classic Pittsburgh Modular filter to create a smooth 12db low pass filter. The custom state variable filter topology offers near infinite resonance with or without self oscillation. The signal level going into the filter has a large impact on the resonance and overall sound of the output.

  • Page 26: Dynamic Vca

    11. Dynamic VCA The dynamic VCA is the heart of the Microvolt 3900. An unique processing circuit that adds dimension to the audio waveforms. The basic function of a VCA is to control the loudness of the sound over time. This includes turning a sound on and off or subtly changing the output level.

  • Page 29: Output

    12. Output The output section conditions the Microvolt 3900 audio signal for a mono line level output(108) and a stereo (dual mono) output(109) for headphones. The output drive trimmer(25) uses our unique soft clipping overdrive circuit to push the audio signal to extremes.

  • Page 30: Midi / Arpeggiator

    The Microvolt 3900 responds to midi note on/off, midi note number 0-127, midi clock, midi clock start/stop, midi pitch bend, and midi control change messages. By default, the midi channel of the Microvolt 3900 is set to omni allowing the synthesizer to respond to all midi channels.
  • Page 33 13. Midi / Arpeggiator (continued a) Monophonic Mode Monophonic mode works great when using the Microvolt 3900 as a single voice monosynth. Monophonic mode uses a last note played with retrigger keyboard response to determine note priority. That means the last note played sounds when multiple notes are active and the gate retriggers with every new note played.
  • Page 34 13. Midi / Arpeggiator (continued b) Arpeggiator Mode Arpeggiator mode outputs a single CV and gate signal. Up to 16 note arpeggiations are available when multiple keys are pressed at once or added to the arpeggiator sequence. The arpeggiator offers two key input modes. The first is the standard arpeggiator input method of pressing and holding multiple keys at once.
  • Page 37 13. Midi / Arpeggiator (continued c) Additional Arpeggiator Functions The arpeggiator offers 4 additional functions to enhance the active arpeggiated sequence: hold, transpose, random, and arpeggiator range. Hold Function Enable the hold function by pressing the hold button(28). The hold function allows the arpeggiator to cycle through the last set of selected notes after the selected notes have been released, or the edit key is released when using the sequencing input method.
  • Page 38 Additional presses of the clock button will cycle through division options. The midi clock division is saved in memory and recalled when the Microvolt 3900 is powered on.
  • Page 41 Midi Channel The Microvolt 3900 can be assigned to midi channel 1-16 or omni. To set the midi channel, press and hold the edit button(30). The midi can only be changed when arpeggiator mode is NOT active. The first time the octave - button(31) is pressed it will blink showing the currently selected midi channel.

  • Page 42: Modulation Sources

    Complex Random Generator Inspired by the random source on the Buchla Music Easel, the complex random generator on the Microvolt 3900 is a digitally controlled random source generating both gate and CV signals. The random generator functions similar to an analog, 6 stage shift register.
  • Page 45 • Use the random gate output jack(128) to trigger the Microvolt 3900 by patching it into the input jack (135) of the inverting mixer / splitter / offset section. Be sure to turn the In A Level Attenuverting Trimmer(45) full right.

  • Page 46: Function Generator

    16. Function Generator The function generator is a complex dual stage (attack/release) envelope generator with voltage controllable rise (41) and fall(42) times. The cycle button(39) retriggers the function generator at the end of the fall stage to create a voltage controlled low frequency oscillator. When used as a low frequency oscillator, the rise slider(38) sets the length of the rise of the waveform and the fall slider(40) sets the length of the fall of the waveform.

  • Page 49: Envelope Generator

    17. Envelope Generator The envelope generator section is a four stage (attack, decay, sustain, release) envelope generator that smooths the shape of the incoming gates and triggers to produce a more expressive instrument. The envelope generator output can be used to control the amplitude of an oscillator, the cutoff frequency of a filter or any other function that accepts control voltages.

  • Page 50: Inverting Mixer / Splitter / Offset

    The inverting mixer / splitter / offset section is a standalone audio and CV processing module included to enhance the functionality of the Microvolt 3900 patchbay. Because of the flexible design, the functionality of the section can vary based on the needs of the patch.

  • Page 52: Microvolt Patch Examples

    This section contains six patch examples that showcase the wide range of functionality and sounds available using only the Microvolt 3900 and a midi keyboard. The patches are designed to familiarize musicians with the layout, synthesis concepts, and sonic potential available within the Microvolt 3900.
  • Page 55 Microvolt 3900. The important user interface controls are highlighted in blue but all of the controls of the Microvolt 3900 can impact the sound and functionality of the patch. Once the initial patch is set up,...
  • Page 56 The important user interface controls are highlighted in blue but all of the controls of the Microvolt 3900 can impact the sound and functionality of the patch. Once the initial patch is set up, experiment with one setting at a time to understand its effect on the signal path.
  • Page 59 The important user interface controls are highlighted in blue but all of the controls of the Microvolt 3900 can impact the sound and functionality of the patch. Once the initial patch is set up, experiment with one setting at a time to understand its effect on the signal path.
  • Page 60 The important user interface controls are highlighted in blue but all of the controls of the Microvolt 3900 can impact the sound and functionality of the patch. Once the initial patch is set up, experiment with one setting at a time to understand its effect on the signal path.
  • Page 63 Understanding this patch will further expand the functionality of the function generator as a modulation source. The important user interface controls are highlighted in blue but all of the controls of the Microvolt 3900 can impact the sound and functionality of the patch. Once the initial patch is set up, experiment with one setting at a time to understand its effect on the signal path.
  • Page 64 The important user interface controls are highlighted in blue but all of the controls of the Microvolt 3900 can impact the sound and functionality of the patch. Once the initial patch is set up, experiment with one setting at a time to understand its effect on the signal path.

  • Page 66: Midi Factory Reset

    20. Midi Factory Reset Performing a factory reset returns all of the stored settings to the default setting. Hold down edit first then hold down octave - and octave + for 5 seconds. The arpeggiator button, hold button, clock button, octave - button, and octave + button will blink to show the reset is complete.

  • Page 68: Service And Other Information

    21. Service and Other Information Please contact us for service or other information related to the Microvolt 3900 or any other Pittsburgh Modular product. www.pittsburghmodular.com/contact...

  • Page 69: Warranty

    Synthesizers LLC. We will repair it (or at our option, replace it) at no charge, and pay the cost of shipping it back to you. This warranty is void if in our opinion the Microvolt 3900 has been damaged by accident, mishandled, altered, improperly serviced, or repaired by the customer where such treatment has affected its performance or reliability.

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