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Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2 Manual

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Voltage Lab 2 Electronic Musical Instrument Manual V1.0
Voltage Lab 2
Manual
Voltage Lab 2 is a trademark of Pittsburgh Modular LLC. Copyright © Pittsburgh Modular LLC. 2024

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  • Page 1 Voltage Lab 2 Electronic Musical Instrument Manual V1.0 Voltage Lab 2 Manual Voltage Lab 2 is a trademark of Pittsburgh Modular LLC. Copyright © Pittsburgh Modular LLC. 2024...

  • Page 2: Laboratory Oscillator

    Thank You! Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2 Design Team Product Design: Richard Nicol Analog Research and Engineering: Michael Johnsen Sound Refinement and Calibration: Perry Willig Prototyping: Ross Johnson Firmware: Luna Sea Peaks(aka Luna Moth) Executive Producer: Al Joelson Layout and Design: Jongjian Cai...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1 Important Power Information Page 4 2 Voltage Lab 2 Overview Page 5-6 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Page 7-31 - Control Page 8-14 - Chance Sequencer Page 15 - Noise and Sample & Hold Page 16 - Laboratory Oscillator 1...

  • Page 4: Important Power Information

    Do not attempt to modify Voltage Lab 2. Tampering with the circuitry may cause permanent damage. • Do not place heavy objects on Voltage Lab 2. The user interface is mounted on a PCB that can be damaged if stressed by excessive weight.

  • Page 5: Voltage Lab 2 Overview

    The Voltage Lab 2 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 wave folder or dynamics module.
  • Page 6 YELLOW. The Voltage Lab 2 is a fully modular instrument. Patch cables are needed to hear a sound. Input Jacks are labeled with GREEN text and output jacks are labeled with WHITE text. The output volume knob can be patched using the output input [O.IN JACK] and patching out of the [MAIN OUT JACK] (bottom right of Output section) into...

  • Page 7: Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules

    3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Control The digital control module includes a MIDI to CV converter, tap tempo clock source, octave shifting, and a 32 step arpeggiator / sequencer. Chance Sequencer A digitally controlled random source generating evolving CV and gate signals.

  • Page 8: Control

    MIDI to CV Converter The MIDI to CV converter allows the Voltage Lab 2 Voice to respond to digital MIDI messages from a controller or DAW by converting digital MIDI data into analog control voltages. Voltage...
  • Page 9 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Control Clock Source The Control module utilizes 4 clock sources; internal tap tempo, external MIDI, external gate, and internal pseudo-random. The clock is used to advance the Arpeggiator and Sample and Hold. To select the clock source, press and hold the voice section’s [EDIT BUTTON] then press the [CLOCK BUTTON] to cycle through the 4 choices.
  • Page 10 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Control External Gate Clock Source The external gate clock uses an external gate signal to trigger the clock. In external gate clock mode, the voice section’s [CLOCK BUTTON] acts as a clock divider cycling through 4 available clock divisions.
  • Page 11 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Control Using the Note Sequencing Method Enable arpeggiator mode by pressing the [ARP BUTTON]. Press the [HOLD BUTTON] to enable hold mode. Press and hold the voice section’s [EDIT BUTTON]. Press keys on a MIDI keyboard one at a time to create a sequence of up to 32 steps.
  • Page 12 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Control Arpeggiator Octave Range The Arpeggiator Range function sets the number of octaves the active arpeggiated sequence will cycle through. The Arpeggiator Range can be set to 1, 2, or 3 octaves. Set the range by pressing and holding the voice section’s [EDIT BUTTON] then pressing the [OCTAVE DOWN...
  • Page 13 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Control Arpeggiator Gate Length The Arpeggiator Gate Length function sets the amount of time the arpeggiator gate signal is high (on). Set the Arpeggiator Gate Length by pressing and holding the voice section’s [EDIT BUTTON] while the Arpeggiator is active, then press the [CLOCK BUTTON] to cycle through the 4 lengths.
  • Page 14 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Control Velocity Output The [VELOCITY OUTPUT JACK] outputs a 0v to 5v DC voltage derived from MIDI note Velocity messages. MIDI CC Output The [CC JACK] outputs a 0v to 5v DC voltage based on incoming MIDI value of the assigned MIDI CC number or mod wheel.

  • Page 15: Chance Sequencer

    Inspired by the random source on the Buchla Music Easel, the Chance Sequencer on the Voltage Lab 2 is a digitally controlled random source generating both gate and CV signals. The random generator functions similar to an analog, shift register wit up to 32 stages. When the clock signal triggers an update and the next register value is loaded, there is a chance it will evolve.

  • Page 16: Noise And Sample & Hold

    3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Noise and Sample & Hold Noise The transistor core analog noise source is pitched somewhere between pure white and pink noise. Perfect for percussion or adding a bit of edge to a sound. The output is around +/- 5v. The [NOISE JACK] is normalized to the Sample and Hold [SAMPLE JACK].

  • Page 17: Laboratory Oscillator 1

    The unique wave shaping circuitry we have created is the foundation of our analog sound. The unique sound of the Voltage Lab 2 starts with a refined version of our temperature stabilized, analog VCA saw wave oscillator core. The internal signal path of the Laboratory Oscillator 1 passes the core saw waveform through up to 8 wave shapers before reaching the output.
  • Page 18 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Laboratory Oscillator 1 Positive Positive and Negative Control Clipping The [POSITIVE KNOB] adjusts the height of the top half of the waveform, and the [NEGATIVE KNOB] adjusts the bottom half of the waveform. Positive only or Positive and Negative values can be modulated using Negative the [POS (NEG) CV ATTENUVERTER].
  • Page 19 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Laboratory Oscillator 1 Warp The warp circuit is the last step before the seed wave passes through the wavefolder. Warp mode changes the shape of the waveform without modifying the harmonic content or sound. This allows high harmonic content waveforms like the saw and square to interact strongly with the wavefolder.
  • Page 20 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Laboratory Oscillator 1 MIDI Pitch Response [EDIT BUTTON] + [SEED BUTTON] enables or disables MIDI pitch response. This also determines if the oscillator responds to the [OCTAVE UP BUTTON] and [OCTAVE DOWN BUTTON] in the voice control section.
  • Page 21 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Laboratory Oscillator 2 Overview Laboratory Oscillator 2 utilizes a refined version of our temperature stabilized, analog VCA saw wave oscillator core. The internal signal path passes the core Pulse saw waveform through up to 5 wave shapers before reaching the output.
  • Page 22 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Laboratory Oscillator 2 Select a Waveform The [SEED BUTTON] selects the active waveform. Seed Waveform Options 1. Sine Wave [Sine LED] 2. Triangle Wave [Triangle LED] 3. Saw Wave [Saw LED] 4. Pulse Wave [Pulse LED] 5.

  • Page 23: Laboratory Oscillator Interplay

    3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Laboratory Oscillator Interplay Overview The interplay between the two laboratory oscillators can be harnessed in several ways. Ring modulation, bit crushing, frequency modulation, and bi-directional hard sync are all available to create the widest possible range of sounds.

  • Page 24: Function Generators

    This includes envelopes, LFOs, slew generators, envelope followers, and much more. The Voltage Lab 2 Function Generators can be intertwined for more complex results using trigger conditions and a dedicated mixer section offers four different versions of the combined outputs.
  • Page 25 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Function Generators Trigger Mode Trigger Mode can be used to create a two stage attack (rise), decay (fall) envelope, gate signal delay or clock divider. The internal circuitry responds differently than sustain mode when triggered. A gate or CV signal...
  • Page 26 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Function Generators Generator Mix Outputs The Function Generator section utilizes 4 different mixing circuits to combine the outputs of Function Generator 1 and Function Generator 2. Depending on the relationship between both function generators, these can generate more complex LFO’s, multi-stage envelopes, or react to...

  • Page 27: Audio/Cv Processors

    3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Audio / CV Processors Overview The audio / cv processors are two independent processors that can be summed together to expand their functionality. Together they can be used as a 2 channel mixer or single channel amplifier with positive or negative offset.

  • Page 28: Dynamics Controllers

    3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Dynamics Controllers Overview The Voltage Lab 2 utilizes a pair of Pittsburgh Dynamics Controllers to bring additional depth and dimension to sounds by manipulating both amplitude and harmonic content simultaneously. The Dynamics Controller is a modern interpretation of Don Buchla’s famous “lowpass”...
  • Page 29 3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Dynamics VCA Mode In VCA Mode the Dynamics controllers act as transparent voltage con- trolled amplifiers, only controlling the level of the input signal. In VCA mode, the [RESPONSE KNOB] has little effect on the incoming signal and the [LOW PASS GATE RESONANCE KNOB] has no effect on the incoming signal.

  • Page 30: Patching Utilities

    3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Patching Utilities Signal Splitter The signal splitter is a simple one input, two output buffered multiple. This can be used to route audio into multiple places, or duplicate a modulation signal to control multiple...

  • Page 31: Audio Effects

    3 Voltage Lab 2 Voice Modules Audio Effects Overview The Voltage Lab Two includes a pair of our favorite analog, time based effects. The Florist is a flanger, chorus, springy-feedback, reverb-y, vibrato, robot sound generator with highly controlled feedback to maximize repeats before falling into self oscillation.

  • Page 32: Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller

    16-step sequencer, but gives the musician room to go deep and bring in new features over time as you collect knowledge and learn all the components of the interface. The Touch Controller 2 and Voltage Lab 2 Voice sections are fully independent. Patch cables are needed to connect the Touch Controller to the Voice Modules.

  • Page 33: Touch Controller Layout

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Touch Controller Layout Global I/O Red I/O Yellow I/O Jacks Jacks Jacks Red Pitch Knobs CV Channel Knobs Yellow Pitch Knobs Control Touch Pads 1-16 Section Control Section Holding the controller section’s [EDIT BUTTON] and pressing any of the Touch Pads triggers the alternate function written under the Touch Pad in YELLOW or WHITE.

  • Page 34: Global I/O Jacks

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Global I/O Jacks Input Jacks are labeled with GREEN text and output jacks are labeled with WHITE text. Midi In Reset Clock In Jack Jack Jack midi clock thru reset clock clock Midi Thru...

  • Page 35: Yellow And Red I/O Jacks

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Yellow and Red I/O Jacks The Yellow and Red channel have the exact same I/O layout, but their behaviors are independent to each other. The only exception to this is the CV Channel outputs, which share the blue CV Channel Knobs between both channels.

  • Page 36: Getting Started

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Getting Started There are a few calibrations to be aware of when starting to use your touch controller. Touch Pad Calibration The response of capacitive touch surfaces is very sensitive to external conditions like humidity and temperature.

  • Page 37: The Basics

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller The Basics Channel Selection Each channel can be set up and controlled independently, and you choose which channel is being actively controlled with the [RED BUTTON] and [YELLOW BUTTON] found in the bottom left of the controller...
  • Page 38 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller The Basics Sequencer Mode Each channel of the Touch Controller can be used either as a sequencer or an expressive touch surface. To use a channel as a sequence, turn on sequencer mode by pressing the [SEQUENCER...
  • Page 39 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller midi clock red channel yellow channel Touch Controller pittsburgh modular thru reset clock clock scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure...

  • Page 40: Top Row Settings

    (cv) 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller cv ch. value Top Row Settings (tempo) Sequence Direction (cv) seq. direction forward reverse random While in the top row settings menu, press [TOUCH PAD 1-3] to select the Sequence Direction for the active channel: Red, Yellow, or both.
  • Page 41 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Top Row Settings Knob Range tion knob range random 2 oct d 3 oct 4 oct yellow channel While in the top row settings menu, press [TOUCH PAD 4-6] to select the Knob Range for the active channel: Red, yellow, or both.
  • Page 42 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Top Row Settings Keyboard Mode and Knob Mode ange touchpad mode 4 oct keyboard f knob g Press [TOUCH PAD 7-8] to select the Touch Pad Mode for the active channel: Red, yellow, or both.

  • Page 43: Playing Expressively With Pressure

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Playing Expressively with Pressure The Pressure Outputs red channel clock scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure 1-shot cv channel There are two [PRESSURE OUTPUTS] on the Touch Control, one per Channel. These pressure outputs are a 0-5 Volt CV modulation source that can be used to add expression to complex patches.
  • Page 44 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller midi clock red channel yellow channel Touch Controller pittsburgh modular Playing Expressively with Pressure thru reset clock clock scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure scan reset / repeat chance trigger...

  • Page 45: Key And Scale

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Key and Scale The Pitch Outputs red channel clock scan repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure reset / 1-shot cv channel Each channel of the touch controller has two ways of outputting pitch: the [PITCH OUTPUT] and the [PITCH CV OUTPUT].
  • Page 46 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Key and Scale midi clock red channel yellow channel Touch Controller pittsburgh modular Chromatic, Major, and Minor Scales thru reset clock clock scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure scan reset /...
  • Page 47 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Key and Scale Knob Mode Key/Scale In knob mode, the pitch outputs will be a quantized reading from the [PITCH KNOBS]. To change the number of octaves available in a turn of the knob, change the Knob Range in the Top Row Settings.

  • Page 48: The Cv Channel

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Understanding the CV Channel CV Channel Overview midi clock red channel yellow channel Touch Controller pittsburgh modular thru reset clock clock scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure scan reset /...

  • Page 49: The Vl2 Sequencer

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Going Deep With the VL2 Sequencer How it Works The Touch Controller’s Sequencer is two 16-Step CV sequencer that generates a wide range of quantized and un-quantized CV sources. Both channels of the sequencer share Clock Settings, but don’t share a...

  • Page 50: Sequence Settings

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller midi clock red channel yellow channel Touch Controller pittsburgh Sequencer Settings modular thru reset clock clock scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope...

  • Page 51: Timing Effects

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Timing Effects Timing Effects are settings that are assigned per channel, and used to adjust how the step are placed in time by the sequencer. There are three Timing Effects: Quantize, Swing, and Humanize.

  • Page 52: Everything A Step Can Be

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Everything a Step Can Be There are many tools that can be used to change the behavior of each individual step in a sequence. All of the Step Effects that can be applied are: Step Shift, Step Length, Step Jump, Step Roll, Step Condition,...
  • Page 53 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Everything a Step Can Be (Continued) Step Condition sequencer step length Step Condition skips playing steps based on the Condition applied to that step. To add Step red ch. run/stop step jump Conditions, hold the [EDIT BUTTON] and press the [OCT+ BUTTON] to enter the Step Condition...
  • Page 54 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Everything a Step Can Be (Continued) Step Jump Step Jumps cause the sequencer to jump from a step to different step in the sequence when triggered. sequencer They are a way of adding length and creating strange sequencing patterns to extend the Voltage lab step length past it’s 16-step limitations.

  • Page 55: Chance Effects

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Chance Effects What’s a Chance Effect? The Chance Effects are another of the generative sequencing tools available in the Touch Controller. They add random- ization to Pitch, Rolls, Condition, and Shift for a step based on the state of the [CHANCE KNOB] when the step is triggered.
  • Page 56 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Pitch Chance The pitch chance effect is responsive to the touch controller’s assigned key and scale. Both the likelihood of a chance effect triggering, and how drastic of a change it will be are increased as you turn up the corresponding channel’s [CHANCE KNOB], red or yellow.
  • Page 57 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Trigger Chance The rest chance effect will randomly skip note triggers based on a percentage chance determined by the position of each channel’s [CHANCE KNOB], maxing out at 95% chance. This can also be modulated with each channel’s [CHANCE CV IN].
  • Page 58 4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Roll Chance The roll chance effect will cause a step to play multiple triggers, ratcheting over the course of a step’s length. Both the likelihood of a chance effect triggering, and how many retriggers will occur will increase as you turn up the corresponding channel’s [CHANCE KNOB], red or yellow.

  • Page 59: Generating Sequences

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Generating Sequences Generate Sequence The Generate Sequence tool is a rhythm generation tool that can be used in Knob Mode with Sequencer On. It can be used to generate sequences of varying levels of complexity and with different sets of rhythmic opinions.

  • Page 60: Channel Inputs

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Channel Inputs Reset/1-shot Jack Repeat Jack Scan Chance Jack Jack red channel scan reset / repeat chance trigger gate envelope pitch pressure cv channel 1-shot Scan The [SCAN JACK] is 0-5 Volt CV Input that will Scan through the steps of the sequencer, triggering steps as it reaches them.

  • Page 61: Clear Tool

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Clear Tool Clear Step Length Hold the [EDIT BUTTON] and the [RESET BUTTON] and press the [SEQUENCER BUTTON] to set the current active Sequence(s) Length to 16. Clear Step Jumps Hold the [EDIT BUTTON] and the [RESET BUTTON] and press the [RUN/STOP BUTTON] to clear all Step Jumps for the current active sequence(s).

  • Page 62: Load And Save

    4 Voltage Lab 2 Touch Controller Load and Save How to Save To Save a Sequence, hold the [EDIT BUTTON] and press [TOUCH PAD 2] to enter the Save Sequence Screen. Next, press any [TOUCH PAD] to select a Save Location, and your sequence will be saved to that location.

  • Page 63: Factory Reset

    5 Factory Reset Voltage Lab 2 Digital Settings Factory Reset: Press and hold [Octave Up Button], [Octave Down Button], and [Dynamics Mode Button] for 5 seconds to reset all digital modes and functions to the default settings. This action can not be undone.

  • Page 64: Warranty

    This warranty does not apply to damage caused by improper use, accident, abuse, improper voltage service, fire, flood, lightning, or other acts of God, or if the product was altered or repaired by anyone other than Pittsburgh Modular Technical Service Center. Consequential and incidental damages are not recoverable under this warranty.

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