Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms Voltage Lab Blackbox Synthesizer

The Pittsburgh Lifeforms Voltage Lab Blackbox is a complete, standalone desktop format modular synthesizer featuring the Voltage Lab synthesizer voice -- a full compliment of experimental analog tools created for deep sonic research stuffed into a portable, powered steel enclosure. The Voltage Lab Blackbox is a different type of analog synthesizer, where every function of the instrument has been influenced by the behaviors and systems of the natural world. Wildly experimental and extremely deep, the Lifeforms Voltage Lab Blackbox is a sonic playground created to explore the natural systems and lesser known fringes of analog synthesis.

The Voltage Lab Blackbox is more than a simple collection of tools and functions, it is a unique modular synthesizer designed to reward deep experimentation and encourage the creation of unique sonic systems.

GENERATION

The unique sound palette of the Lifeforms Voltage Lab originates with a complex oscillator pair that utilizes a wide range of shaping and manipulation options to move away from basic geometric shapes to more harmonically rich tones. A custom wave folder with enhanced waveform warping, linear FM, amplitude modulation, ring modulation, waveform cycling, hard sync, and more are available for extreme sonic research.

MANIPULATION

A set of multi-function generators work as interactive voltage processing systems to create and modify complex control voltages. The function generators act as voltage controllable envelopes, LFOs,… read more slew generators, and more to produce evolving control signals.

INTERACTION

Twin dynamics controllers pull everything together. A unique circuit expanding on the classic low pass gate, the dynamics controller with variable response adds an organic depth to the sound of the Lifeforms Voltage Lab by simulating the natural behavior of sound. The multi-mode signal processor features a 12db resonant filter, VCA, and percussive low pass gate modes.

DIMENSIONAL

Sound interacts with the world around it. The Voltage Lab uses analog delay to simulate this interaction and create an artificial sense of time and space. Manipulation of delay time and feedback add depth and warmth through reverb, chorus, flanging, Doppler, slap back, and echo type effects.

UNSTABLE SYSTEMS

Chaos is everywhere. Random gates and control voltages spark uncontrolled reactions, disrupt systems, and generate ideas. The Voltage Lab utilizes noise, stepped random CV, a pseudo-random sequence generator, pitched random CV, pitched random sequences, and random gates to add multiple levels of unpredictability to any patch.

MIDI/ARPEGGIATOR

Midi to CV converter with assignable CC/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(s) +/- 2 octaves. The arpeggiator can be clocked using the internal tap tempo, external midi clock, or external gate signal.

DYNAMICS CONTROLLERS

Organic and percussive, the Voltage Lab dynamics controllers are an evolution of the venerable low pass gate. Three output modes, VCA, resonant low pass filter, and low pass gate offer a wide range of creative options. The VCA mode is responsive and energetic, with a transparent sound. The low pass filter utilizes a Sallen-Key topology to create warm and rubbery frequency sweeps while utilizing a smooth and bubbly resonance response. Low pass gate mode manages both timbre and loudness at the same time to replicate the natural transients and vibrance of the world around us. Pluck mode is available for both low pass filter and low pass gate modes adding additional impact transients to replicate a percussive strike. The pluck response can be modulated adding yet another dimension of control to the sound.

ANALOG DELAY

A true bucket brigade analog delay with voltage controlled time designed to add depth and warmth to every patch. A bucket brigade delay works by shifting the audio signal through a series of capacitors to delay playback. The Voltage Lab delay uses 8,192 stages to offer a maximum delay time of 0.33 seconds. Feedback is variable from a single repeat to infinite self oscillation.

SOURCES OF RANDOM

Chaos and unpredictability are everywhere in the natural world. To simulate this, the Voltage Lab offers multiple types of random voltage. Noise normalled to a sample and hold create a stepped random CV. Random CV and gate outputs utilizes a six stage shift register to generate evolving, pseudo random CV patterns. The MIDI section offers a pitched random mode, random sequence generator, and randomized playback of sequenced notes. read less