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Pittsburgh Modular Taiga User Manual

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Taiga
pittsburgh
modular
keyboard
User Manual
Taiga Keyboard Electronic Musical Instrument Manual V1.0.0
Taiga is a trademark of Pittsburgh Modular LLC. Copyright © Pittsburgh Modular LLC. 2024

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  • Page 1 Taiga pittsburgh modular keyboard User Manual Taiga Keyboard Electronic Musical Instrument Manual V1.0.0 Taiga is a trademark of Pittsburgh Modular LLC. Copyright © Pittsburgh Modular LLC. 2024...
  • Page 2 Taiga Keyboard is a new window into the world of Taiga . It is a showcase of how new approaches to synthesis can push analog synthesis forward. I believe in analog and I believe that analog synthesis is bursting with amazing worlds left to discover.

  • Page 3: Please Read

    Do not attempt to modify Taiga Keyboard. Tampering with the circuitry may cause permanent damage. • Do not place heavy objects on Taiga Keyboard. The user interface is mounted on a PCB that can be damaged if stressed by excessive weight.

  • Page 4: User Interface

    2 User Interface Taiga clock pitch vel / cv a touch pitch sync pitch sync pitch sync ch 1 ch 2 triangle triangle sample hold(clk) freq 1 freq 2 resp time phones pittsburgh output modular clock gate multi shape sine...
  • Page 5 2 User Interface 2 User Interface Mixer/Preamp/LFO/Sample and Hold/Filter Taiga clock pitch vel / cv a touch pitch sync pitch sync pitch sync ch 1 ch 2 triangle triangle sample hold(clk) freq 1 freq 2 resp time phones pittsburgh output...
  • Page 6 2 User Interface Mixer Splitter/ADSRs/Dynamics/Echos/Outputs Taiga clock pitch vel / cv a touch pitch sync pitch sync pitch sync ch 1 ch 2 triangle triangle sample hold(clk) freq 1 freq 2 resp time phones pittsburgh output modular clock gate multi...

  • Page 7: Rear Connections

    2 User Interface Rear Connections power dc 15v left right midi out midi in Power Power Switch Barrel Jack - 15v 1.5A DC 5.5mm Barrel Connector Output Jacks Left Jack - ¼ mono Audio Output Jack Right Jack - ¼ mono Audio Output Jack MIDI Jacks Midi Out Jack - 5 pin DIN MIDI Output Jack...
  • Page 8 Connect different functions using patch cables to create complex sounds and textures. The Taiga Keyboard signal path is divided into two types of signals: audio signals and control voltages. The audio signal is the sound that is produced. The audio signal path starts at an oscillator or other sound source. The audio signal is then patched through other functions used to shape the sound such as a filter or dynamics module.
  • Page 9 3 Taiga Keyboard Overview 3.2 Panel Labeling Conventions: The Pittsburgh Modular Taiga Keyboard uses several simple labeling conventions to make the user interface and signal flow easy to understand. • Input jacks are labeled in Green. • Output jacks are labeled in White.
  • Page 10 3.4 Internal Patching Taiga Keyboard utilizes internal patching to create a three oscillator synth voice that does not require patch cables to play. The default internal patching is meant to create the expected or most commonly used signal path for each function. The default patch moves the audio and control signals from left to right.

  • Page 11: Panel Layout

    4 Taiga Keyboard Modules 4.1 Panel Layout Taiga Keyboard is organized into 11 independent synthesizer modules plus a 24hp eurorack expansion bay. Each module contains a feature set specific to its function. This following pages includes a detailed explanation of each module.

  • Page 12: Control Module Overview

    / a.gate clock, MIDI clock start/stop, MIDI pitch bend, MIDI modulation or control change messages, and MIDI Velocity. By default, the MIDI channel of Taiga is set to omni, allowing the synthesizer local to respond to all MIDI channels.
  • Page 13 The internal clock source utilizes the [Clock Button] to modify the rate of the internal clock. Tap the [Clock Button] to change the tempo of the clock. The internal clock rate is saved in memory and recalled when Taiga is powered on. The [Control Clock...
  • Page 14 Press again to advance through the available options. The external gate m.ch / a.octaves clock division is saved in memory and recalled when Taiga is powered on. The [Control Clock Input Jack] functions as a clock input in External Gate Clock mode and triggers the clock with vel / cv mode the rising edge of most waveforms that rise above 2.5v.
  • Page 15 Press once to check current MIDI channel. Press again to advance through the pitch vel / cv clock a touch channels. The selected MIDI channel is saved in memory and recalled when Taiga is powered clock gate multi 1(13) 5(13)
  • Page 16 Note Velocity Mode outputs a 0v to 5v DC voltage based on the velocity value of the active MIDI or arpeggiator note. 5.16 Velocity Output Paraphonic Mode: Taiga utilizes the [Velocity Output Jack] to create a 2 voice paraphonic synthesizer. This means Taiga can play 2 notes simultaneously while maintaining a monophonic filter and Dynamics pitch...
  • Page 17 5 Control Module 5.18 Arpeggiator and Note Sequencer: Arpeggiator mode outputs a monophonic pitch and gate signal. Arpeggios up to 32 notes with velocity are available. The arpeggiator offers two key input modes. The first is the standard arpeggiator input method of pressing and holding multiple MIDI controller keys at once. The second method allows notes to be sequenced one at a time, allowing for the insertion of rests and the use of the same note multiple times.
  • Page 18 5 Control Module 5.23 Arpeggiator Playback Direction Mode: Assign the playback direction of the arpeggiated sequence by pressing and holding the [Edit Button] then pressing the [Velocity / CV Mode Button]. Press once to check current mode. Press again to advance through the available options. The Random function will randomly jump between the notes of the arpeggiated sequence.
  • Page 19 5 Control Module 5.26 Pseudo-Random Sequence Generator Function: Generate a randomized sequence by pressing the [Arpeggiator Button] to enable Arpeggiator mode. Next, press and hold the [Edit Button] then press the [Hold Button]. This will generate a clock pitch vel / cv a touch sequence with a random length (1-32 steps), pseudo-random pitch values, and random velocities.
  • Page 20 MIDI CC message it receives. Simply move a mod wheel or engage an input source on a MIDI controller to assign that MIDI CC number to the [CC Output Jack]. The MIDI CC number is saved in memory and recalled when Taiga is powered on. oct +...

  • Page 21: Saving To Memory

    5 Control Module 5.31 Saving to Memory: Taiga automatically saves digital settings to memory 3 seconds after changes are made as long as the arpeggiator is disabled. If the arpeggiator is enabled, Taiga will wait to save any clock pitch...
  • Page 22 6.2 Oscillator MIDI Control Overview: All three oscillators have access to the Taiga internal midi bus. Press and hold the [Edit Button] then press the [Seed Button] to enable or disable this connection.
  • Page 23 [Octave Down Button]. 6.5 Oscillator Core: The core of the Taiga oscillators manages linear frequency modulation, midi note pitch response, octave switching, and volt per octave pitch tracking to generate a frequency stable saw wave. The core can be modulated using the...
  • Page 24 6 Oscillator Modules Seed Waveform Options 1. Sine Wave [Sine LED] 2. Warped Sine Wave [Sine and Triangle LED] 3. Triangle Wave [Triangle LED] 4. Warped Triangle Wave [Triangle and Saw LED] 5. Saw Wave [Saw LED] 6. Warped Saw Wave [Saw and Pulse LED] 7.
  • Page 25 6 Oscillator Modules 6.10 Oscillator Input Jacks: [Osc Pitch Input Jack] 1 volt per octave pitch input jack. [Osc FM Input Jack] Frequency modulation input jack. [Osc FM Input Jack] is normaled to the LFO Triangle wave output. Plugging a patch cable into the [Osc FM Input Jack] will remove the LFO from the signal path.
  • Page 26 / limiter for internal signals. This circuit sounds very nice patched between the mixer and the filter. It can also be used to patch the output of Taiga back into the mixer section creating a unique feedback drive effect. The [Preamp Output Jack] is normaled to the mixer output.
  • Page 27 7 Dual Mixer / Preamp Modules 7.4 Dual Mixer / Preamp Input Jacks: [Mixer Channel 1 Input Jack] Channel 1 input jack. The [Mixer Channel 1 Input Jack] normaled to the oscillator 1 output. Plugging a patch cable into the [Mixer Channel 1 Input Jack] will remove oscillator 1 from the signal path.
  • Page 28 The Sample and Hold can be clocked using gate and clock signals. It can also be sample & hold clocked using an [Oscillator Audio Output Jack]. The internal wave shaping of the Taiga oscillators requires the Warped Saw Wave [Saw and Pulse LED] to trigger the Sample and Hold.
  • Page 29 9 PGH Filter Module 9.1 PGH Filter Overview: The filter has defined the sound of Pittsburgh Modular from the moment it was introduced. A distinct sound that has been tweaked to perfection. It offers a warm, organic sweep through the full frequency range. The lowpass filter is gummy and relaxed while the highpass is clean and defined.
  • Page 30 9 PGH Filter Module 9.5 PGH Filter Input Jacks: [Filter Frequency CV 1 Jack] Frequency modulation input jack. [Filter Frequency CV 1 Input Jack] is normaled to the LFO Triangle wave output. Plugging a patch cable into the [Filter Frequency CV 1 Input Jack] will remove the LFO from the signal path.
  • Page 31 The envelopes in Taiga are based on the Lifeforms SV-1 ADSR and are designed to be snappy and percussive. Small adjustments to the [ADSR Attack Knob] will reduce this effect and smooth out the sharp attack.
  • Page 32 11 Dynamics Module 11.1 Dynamics Overview: The Dynamics module plays a large part in shaping the output of Taiga by utilizing a unique processing circuit that adds dimension to the sound. The Dynamics circuit is unique in the way that it simulates the characteristics of the natural world. When used in lowpass gate mode, louder sounds contain more harmonic content and quieter sounds contain less harmonic content.
  • Page 33 11 Dynamics Module 11.4 Dynamics VCA Mode In VCA Mode the Dynamics module acts as a transparent voltage controlled amplifier. The [Dynamics Response Knob] has little effect on the incoming signal and the [Dynamics Low Pass Gate Resonance Knob] has no effect on the incoming signal. Plucked Response is also not available.
  • Page 34 11 Dynamics Module 11.6 Dynamics Pluck Response Utilize a sharp gate or envelope signal to pluck or strike the Dynamics module in a percussive way. Pluck uses the [Dynamics CV Input Jack] to create the percussive effect. Turn the [Dynamics CV Knob] full left to hear just the plucked response. Turn the [Dynamics CV Knob] to the right to blend the pluck response with the incoming CV or gate signal.
  • Page 35 12 Echos Module 12.1 Echos Overview: The Echos module utilizes a pair of 4,096 stage BBD chips to produce a voltage controllable analog delay signal. Clean delay time can vary from 16ms to 250ms. The maximum delay time can be increased using the [Echos Time CV Input Jack].
  • Page 36 12 Echos Module 12.4 Echos Mix: The [Echos Mix Knob] acts as a balance control between the dry incoming signal and the wet delayed signal. Turning the [Echos Mix Knob] to the left weighs the output toward the dry signal. Turning the [Echos Mix Knob] to the right weighs the output toward the wet signal.

  • Page 37: Output Module

    13 Output Module 13.1 Output Overview: Line level and headphone outputs. The line level output is monophonic. The headphone output is dual monophonic with the same monophonic signal is routed into both the left and right channels. 13.2 Output Input Jacks: [Output Input Jack] Outputs module audio input jack.

  • Page 38: Factory Reset

    [Velocity Output Jack] needs to be calibrated to output the correct offset voltage for Paraphonic Mode. The calibration procedure is simple and results are saved when Taiga is powered off. 1.Turn up the volume for oscillator 1 and oscillator 2. Oscillator 3 is not needed so turn the volume of oscillator 3 full left to off.
  • Page 39 16.1 Eurorack Expansion Bay Overview: Taiga Keyboard includes a 24hp expansion bay to personalize the instrument to your needs. The fully modular signal path of Taiga Keyboard means an almost unlimited nuber of options are available. Add a 4 or 5 oscillator for incredibly big sounds.

  • Page 40: Warranty

    18 More Information 18.1 Warranty: Pittsburgh Modular warrants to the original purchaser that this unit is free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and maintenance for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. If the unit fails within the one (1) year period, it will be repaired, or replaced, at Pittsburgh Modular’s option, at no charge, when returned prepaid to the Pitts-...

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