Pittsburgh Voltage Lab 2

• Semi-modular analog synthesizer
• West Coast-style synthesis
• 2 oscillators
• VCO interplay (ring modulation, bit crusher, FM, bi-directional hardsync)
• 2 function generators
• Noise generator
• Sample & Hold
• CV/audio processor
• LFO
• 2 dynamic controllers (LPG/VCAs)
• Mixer/Splitter
• Chorus/Flanger effect (Florist)
• Echo effect
• MIDI to CV/Gate interface with glide control
• Arpeggiator
• Chance sequencer
• Touch Controller
• Step sequencer with 32 steps
• 2 extensive CV/Gate tracks (red & yellow)
• 1 configurable track (blue)
• Main Out & headphone output
• 118 patch sockets Synth
• 28 patch sockets touch controller
• incl. 20 patch cables & power supply

A Buchla in spirit!

The consistently analogue signal path fulfils pretty much all the characteristics you would expect from a semi-modular synthesiser with West Coast-style synthesis. West Coast and its counterpart East Coast date back to the pioneering days of synthesizers in the late 1960s, when there was only Moog (on the American East Coast in New York) and Buchla (on the West Coast in San Francisco). Both approaches to creating and shaping sounds are very different.

The signal path starts with the two LabVCOs, which are equipped differently. Both offer the same Set of standard waveforms; oscillator 1 has a wavefolder with separate controls for the positive and negative parts of the folded waveform. The second oscillator shines not only with classic PWM but also with the extremely rare Pulse Symmetry, which results in animated, stepped square waveforms. The two tone generators can be linked in various ways, including ring modulation, bit crusher, FM and bi-directional hardsync. There is so much sound happening in this area alone, it's simply fantastic!

If the signal path is strictly followed, the oscillators are followed by the two similarly constructed dynamic controllers. They can be used in series and/or parallel and can do much more than just control the level (VCA). Each DC has two audio inputs and can be used as an LPG, among other things. This is where the Voltage Lab 2's ability to filter comes into play! If you connect a dynamic controller, you can even create the famous Buchla bongos.
The Florist and Echos effects round off the package. Thanks to the BBD circuit used, Florist creates beautiful chorus/flanger effects with charm and depth, while Echos is also based on a BBD circuit and envelops the sounds in echo effects with vintage charm.

As far as modulation options are concerned, Voltage Lab 2 draws on the full range: two identical function generators, a noise generator, sample & hold, a CV/audio processor, a simple LFO with two waveforms and a mixer/splitter unit bring everything to life! The function generators act as AD/AR envelopes and can be used as LFOs with variable waveforms in Loop-Mode. Combined inputs and outputs of both FGs generate far more complex modulations. At this point, it is worth remembering that the synth part of the Voltage Lab 2 alone has 118 patch sockets and you can combine and simultaneously modulate pretty much anything.

Sequenced control, melodies and deliberate coincidences

The first three ways to play the sounds of the Voltage Lab 2 are "hidden" on the left-hand side of the synthesis section. The first is the well-equipped MIDI to CV/Gate interface with Glide Control, which also includes an extensively programmable arpeggiator. The Chance Sequencer automatically generates continuously changing CV/Gate patterns. The pitch, note length and frequency of the notes can be set using the controls.

The front section contains the touch controller with a sequencer. This is somewhat more complex than you might think at first glance. When used as a sequencer, you can choose whether the red and yellow tracks should run in parallel (2x16 steps) or in series (32 steps). Both rows generate seven CV/Gate voltages each and their sequencing behaviour can be manipulated via four CV/trigger inputs. The blue row can optionally generate a Gate with variable length, an envelope with adjustable decay time and a non-quantised CV value. This row has an influence on the red and yellow rows; you can switch what/where happens without further ado. As a touch controller, you can use the 16 contact surfaces to generate gate and pressure simultaneously as well as two different CV/pitch voltages with the knobs. The blue row fulfils the same functionality in touch controller mode as in sequencer mode.