# Pittsburgh Modular — Synthesizer Box - [Manual PDF](../../manuals/Synthesizer Box - Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers.pdf) --- [Manual PDF](https://pittsburghmodular.com/s/Synthesizer-Box-Manual.pdf) # Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer Box — creative patch ideas with other modules The **Synthesizer Box** is basically a compact semi-modular voice made from: - a **complex analog oscillator** with sub, blade wave shaping, FM, PWM/waveshape modulation - a **wave mixer** - a **3-mode LPG / filter / VCA** - a **wide-range LFO** - an **ADSR** - a **final VCA** - built-in **glide** What makes it especially fun in a larger Eurorack system is that the normalled internal routings can be overridden almost everywhere. So it can be: 1. a complete standalone synth voice, 2. a collection of utility submodules, or 3. a modulation/audio hub for other voices. --- ## Quick summary of the normalled architecture Useful to keep in mind before patching externally: - **LFO TRI** is internally routed to: - oscillator **FM** - oscillator **MOD CV** - **Envelope OUT** is internally routed to: - **LPG CV** - **VCA CV** - Oscillator/mixer is internally routed toward the **LPG** - **LPG OUT** is internally routed to **VCA IN** - **1V/O IN** is hardwired through **Glide** into the oscillator That means the module already gives you a playable “default voice,” and every patch cable you insert can selectively break that normalization. --- # Best roles for the Synthesizer Box in a system ## 1. Compact main voice Use it as your primary mono voice and expand its modulation and timbral range with external modules. Best companions: - **sequencer** or keyboard CV source - **clocked modulation** - **sample & hold / random** - **extra envelopes** - **effects** like delay, reverb, wavefolder, distortion ## 2. West-coast flavored voice core The **blade waveform**, **sub**, **LPG ping mode**, and internal modulation make it particularly nice for plucky, organic, woody, and animated tones. Best companions: - **function generator / slope** - **random voltage** - **low pass gate or resonator** - **wavefolder** - **strike / trigger sequencer** ## 3. Breakout utility cluster You can split it apart: - use the **LFO** elsewhere - use the **ADSR** on another voice - use the **VCA** as a utility amp - use the **LPG** as an external processor - use oscillator outputs independently This is especially valuable in small systems. --- # Creative patch ideas ## 1. Dual-motion oscillator animation The oscillator has two juicy destinations: - **FM CV IN** - **MOD CV IN** Instead of relying on the internal LFO for both, send **two different modulation sources**: - a **slow random** or stepped CV into **MOD CV IN** - a **sine/triangle LFO** or envelope into **FM CV IN** ### Result The pitch movement and waveform movement become decorrelated, which makes the oscillator feel much more alive. ### Great companion modules - **Make Noise Wogglebug** - **Mutable Instruments Marbles** - **Xaoc Batumi** - any **function generator** like Maths, Rampage, Delta-V --- ## 2. Audio-rate modulation from another oscillator Because the LFO can go wide range and the oscillator has FM input with **linear/exponential switch**, the Synthesizer Box likes cross-modulation. ### Patch - External oscillator sine/triangle -> **FM CV IN** - Try **linear FM** first - Tune the external oscillator to harmonic intervals or detuned offsets ### Result Metallic, vocal, bell-ish, tearing, and complex analog FM tones. ### Best module partners - a clean sine-core VCO: - **Intellijel Dixie II+** - **Doepfer A-110-6** - **Instruō Ts-L** - or another character oscillator for dirty FM Tip: also send a related envelope to **MOD CV IN** for evolving spectra. --- ## 3. Use the blade input as a timbre injection point The **BLADE IN** is one of the most interesting inputs on the module. Since the blade waveform is a special complex saw-derived shape, feeding voltage there should let you animate it in ways that differ from ordinary PWM. ### Try feeding BLADE IN with - a slow triangle LFO - an envelope - audio-rate oscillator - filtered noise - stepped random voltage ### Result Shifting asymmetry, spectral movement, sharp vocal/tearing textures, and unstable “alive” harmonics. ### Best partners - another VCO - random source - envelope follower - chaotic modulation source A neat patch: - **noise -> slew limiter -> BLADE IN** This gives semi-fluid, organic timbral drift. --- ## 4. Ping the LPG with trigger patterns The module’s **LPG** has a **PING** mode that converts modulation into a short trigger-like strike. This is one of the most musical parts of the Synthesizer Box. ### Patch - Set LPG mode to **LPG** - Set mod/ping switch to **PING** - Send triggers, gates, or rhythmic pulses into **LPG CV IN** - Feed oscillator, external audio, or noise into **LPG IN** ### Result Bongo-like, plucked string, woody percussion, struck-filter sounds. ### Companion modules - trigger sequencers: - **Tiptop Circadian Rhythms** - **Steppy** - **Pamela’s New Workout** - probability trigger generators - burst generators - noise/percussion sources This patch is fantastic with: - **noise into LPG IN** for hand drum / shaker / click percussion - **external wavetable or FM oscillator into LPG IN** for plucked digital-organic hybrids --- ## 5. Use the LPG as an external processor Because **LPG IN** overrides the internal audio routing, the Synthesizer Box can become a character processor for other modules. ### Feed into LPG IN - drum loops from a sample player - a digital oscillator - chords from a polyphonic voice mixed to mono - noise or field recordings - another synth voice Then use: - internal envelope normalled to LPG CV - or external modulation into **LPG CV IN** ### Result A more organic, dynamic, less static version of the source. In LPG mode especially, louder moments get brighter while quieter parts stay more natural. ### Best source types - harsh digital oscillators - wavetable voices - samples - external drum voices This is a very strong way to “analog-ize” sterile sound sources. --- ## 6. Use envelope and LPG separately for two jobs One overlooked trick is to break the module into independent sections. ### Example patch - Use **ENV OUT** to modulate an external filter or oscillator - Feed an external modulation source into **LPG CV IN** - Use Synthesizer Box oscillator through LPG/VCA as usual ### Result You effectively gain an extra system envelope while still using the voice. Even better: - Use **ENV OUT** on an external reverb/delay CV input while the internal LPG is pinged by triggers. This gives coherent articulation across the whole patch. --- ## 7. Parallel waveform processing The oscillator offers multiple outs: - **TRI OUT** - **S/B OUT** - **SQR OUT** - **MIX OUT** These are gold in a modular setup. ### Patch idea - **TRI OUT** -> wavefolder - **SQR OUT** -> clock divider / subharmonic processing / logic / comparator - **S/B OUT** -> filter - mix externally ### Result A single oscillator becomes a layered composite voice with separate spectral lanes. ### Great supporting modules - mixers - VCAs - wavefolders - filters - resonators - crossfaders Specific modules: - **Xaoc Tallin** or **Intellijel Quad VCA** for dynamic mixing - **Bastl Ikarie** or **QPAS** for stereo filtering - **Joranalogue Fold 6** or **Intellijel Bifold** for triangle folding --- ## 8. Build a pseudo-duophonic patch The Synthesizer Box is monophonic, but you can make it behave like two related voices. ### Patch - Use **MIX OUT** as voice A through the internal LPG/VCA - Send **TRI OUT** or **SQR OUT** to an external filter + VCA as voice B - Use same pitch CV to both paths - Modulate one path differently ### Result Layered intervals, pseudo-paraphonic behavior, stereo spreads, body + edge combinations. For example: - internal path = plucky LPG voice - external path = long filtered drone or delayed pad layer --- ## 9. Turn the LFO into an audio oscillator The LFO is described as **wide range**, including audio-rate modulation territory. ### Patch - LFO **TRI OUT** or **SQR OUT** -> external mixer / filter / VCA - Sequence the rate manually or CV it indirectly through a VCA-and-offset setup elsewhere ### Result A bonus lo-fi oscillator or modulation-rate audio source. ### Fun uses - audio-rate modulation for another oscillator - sub-audio square for rhythmic gates - triangle as a second crude audio source to layer with the main VCO Especially good if you want: - beating - rough FM - pseudo-sync-like interactions --- ## 10. Clock the whole voice with stepped random Since the oscillator and LPG both respond well to modulation, combining a **sample & hold** or **quantized random** source with trigger-derived articulation gets very musical. ### Patch - random quantized CV -> **1V/O IN** - trigger sequence -> **ENV IN** - slower random -> **MOD CV IN** - another slow random or envelope -> **LPG CV IN** ### Result Self-playing melodic lines with animated timbre and organic articulation. ### Excellent partner modules - **Mutable Marbles** - **Turing Machine** - **Pam’s** with random/quantizer support - any quantizer + noise/sample-hold combo --- ## 11. External wavefolder after the triangle output The **triangle output** is perfect folder material. ### Patch - **TRI OUT** -> wavefolder -> external VCA/filter - keep internal voice running from **MIX OUT** or LPG/VCA chain ### Result You get two versions of the same oscillator: - one smoother and folded - one raw/internal This is a fantastic stereo or layered patch. ### Recommended modules - **Make Noise Fold** - **Intellijel Bifold** - **Joranalogue Fold 6** - **Serge-style wavefolder clones** --- ## 12. Use square out for logic-derived rhythms The **SQR OUT** is useful not only as audio but as a modulation/gate source when tuned/LFO’d creatively. ### Patch - send **SQR OUT** into: - logic modules - clock dividers - comparators - switch modules Combine with the internal LFO square or external clock. ### Result Rhythmic structures derived from pitch relationships. Great for techno, generative, and polyrhythmic patches. ### Companion modules - **Doepfer logic** - **Joranalogue Compare 2** - **switches** like Doepfer A-151 - clock dividers / Boolean modules --- ## 13. LPG percussion voice from noise or samples The LPG section can make excellent percussion even without using the oscillator. ### Patch - noise / sample / click source -> **LPG IN** - triggers -> **LPG CV IN** in **PING** mode - optional: **LPG OUT** -> internal VCA or external distortion ### Result Bongos, toms, claves, hi-hats, muted plucks, wooden knocks. ### Best source modules - noise source - sample player - very short envelopes/clicks - digital percussion modules A great trick: - send **pitched noise** or resonant filter noise into the LPG for hand-drum style sounds. --- ## 14. Animate the final VCA separately from the LPG Because there is both an **LPG** and a separate **VCA**, you can get more nuanced articulation than on many compact voices. ### Patch - external envelope -> **VCA CV IN** - different external envelope or trigger source -> **LPG CV IN** - use LPG for tone/body transient - use VCA for macro amplitude contour ### Result Very expressive plucks, bowed-like shapes, reverse-feeling swells, punch + tail behavior. ### Ideal modulation sources - snappy envelope for LPG - slower ADSR for VCA - or vice versa This is one of the most powerful upgrades you can give the module. --- ## 15. Run the oscillator into external spectral processors, then back You can take one oscillator output externally, process it, and then return it to the module’s downstream sections. ### Example - **S/B OUT** -> phaser / wavefolder / resonator / frequency shifter - processed signal -> **LPG IN** or **VCA IN** ### Result You keep the Synthesizer Box’s articulation path while radically changing the timbre source. ### Especially good processors - resonators - comb filters - phasers - analog distortion - frequency shifters - spectral processors Examples: - **Mutable Rings** as resonator - **Doepfer A-126-2** frequency shifter - **Erica Phaser** - **triphonic/stereo filter** --- ## 16. Use glide with quantized sequencing for liquid acid lines The built-in glide is hardwired between **1V/O IN** and oscillator, which makes it naturally playable. ### Patch - quantized sequencer -> **1V/O IN** - gate sequencer -> **ENV IN** - set moderate resonance in lowpass mode or use LPG mode - route accent-like envelope to **MOD CV IN** or **FM CV IN** ### Result Acid-adjacent monosynth lines, but with more analog organic variation than a classic ladder synth. ### Great sequencer types - step sequencer with slides - generative quantizer - probability sequencer ### Bonus Use the **sub oscillator** for huge bassline weight. --- ## 17. Turn it into a drone laboratory The module is also great without conventional note gates. ### Patch - open the VCA partially - set LPG to filter or LPG mode - use slow modulation into: - **FM CV IN** - **MOD CV IN** - **LPG CV IN** - optionally process outputs through delay/reverb ### Result Dense analog drone beds with evolving harmonics. ### Great support modules - slow CV sources - chaotic modulators - matrix mixer - stereo effects Specific ideas: - **Batumi** for 4 related LFOs - **Maths** for drifting envelopes - **matrix mixer** for cross-patched modulation blends - long stereo delay + shimmer reverb --- ## 18. Create self-playing feedback ecosystems Because there are several outputs and several modulation inputs, the Synthesizer Box invites controlled feedback. ### Safe-ish feedback experiments - **S/B OUT** -> external attenuator/VCA -> **BLADE IN** - **LFO TRI OUT** externally attenuated/mixed with random -> **FM CV IN** - **ENV OUT** -> external attenuator -> **MOD CV IN** - **LPG OUT** -> distortion/filter -> external VCA -> back to **VCA IN** or **LPG IN** ### Result Wild, semi-chaotic analog behaviors, especially with careful attenuation. ### Important Use attenuators, attenuverters, or VCAs in feedback loops. ### Best helper modules - **Happy Nerding 3xMIA** - **Frap 321** - **Intellijel Triplatt** - **Quad VCA** --- ## 19. Pair it with a matrix mixer If I were adding one “secret weapon” utility to maximize this module, it would be a **matrix mixer**. ### Why You have multiple modulation targets: - FM - MOD CV - LPG CV - VCA CV externally if overridden - BLADE IN externally And multiple modulation sources: - internal LFO - envelope - external random - external envelopes - external audio-rate oscillators A matrix mixer lets you distribute and combine them in subtle amounts. ### Result A small voice turns into a highly animated ecosystem. ### Great options - **Doepfer A-138m** - **AISynthesis matrix mixer** - any compact CV matrix --- ## 20. Stereo expansion patch The Synthesizer Box itself is mono, but it expands beautifully to stereo. ### Patch - internal main voice -> left-side effect chain - separate waveform output -> right-side effect chain - modulate each side differently Example: - **MIX OUT** -> LPG/VCA -> chorus -> left - **TRI OUT** -> wavefolder -> filter -> delay -> right ### Result Huge stereo images from a single oscillator core. ### Good stereo helpers - stereo delay - stereo filter - dual VCA - panner / crossfader --- # Best module types to pair with Synthesizer Box If you want the most mileage, these are the highest-value additions: ## Essential companions - **attenuator / attenuverter** - **utility mixer** - **extra VCA** - **sequencer** - **clock source** ## Modulation expansion - **random voltage source** - **function generator** - **multi-LFO** - **sample & hold** - **envelope follower** ## Timbre expansion - **wavefolder** - **resonator** - **stereo filter** - **distortion / saturation** - **frequency shifter** ## Performance expansion - **joystick controller** - **pressure controller** - **touch controller** - **manual gate / trigger source** --- # Specific module pairings I’d recommend ## Make Noise Maths Perfect with Synthesizer Box because it gives: - extra envelopes - slews - modulation mixing - cycling LFOs - trigger manipulation Use it for: - shaped pings into LPG - slewed random into BLADE IN - envelope variations to FM or MOD CV ## Xaoc Batumi A great modulation expander: - quadrature motion - synced LFOs - multiple related shapes Excellent for evolving FM, waveform morphing, and LPG animation. ## Mutable Instruments Marbles Fantastic if you want the module to become a generative voice: - pitch - triggers - random modulation - musical unpredictability ## Intellijel Quad VCA Super useful because the Synthesizer Box gets much deeper when modulation is attenuated and mixed carefully. ## Joranalogue Fold 6 / Intellijel Bifold The triangle output begs for folding. ## Pamela’s New Workout Great as a timing and modulation brain: - clocks - triggers - synced LFOs - random - envelopes in a pinch ## Make Noise Mimeophon / XAOC Timiszoara / stereo delays and reverbs The Synthesizer Box sounds great through time-based effects, especially plucks and drones. --- # Patch recipes ## Recipe 1: Organic plucked bass - Sequencer pitch -> **1V/O IN** - Sequencer gate -> **ENV IN** - Oscillator **MIX OUT** internal to LPG/VCA - LPG mode = **LPG** - Mod/Ping = **MOD** - Envelope internal to LPG/VCA - slow random -> **MOD CV IN** - sub oscillator on Add: - mild saturation after **VCA OUT** Result: woody, rubbery, animated bass. --- ## Recipe 2: Metallic dual-FM lead - External sine oscillator -> **FM CV IN** - Set FM switch to **linear** - envelope or LFO -> **MOD CV IN** - use **S/B OUT** into LPG - reverb/delay after VCA Result: bright, singing, metallic lead tones. --- ## Recipe 3: LPG drum lab - noise source -> **LPG IN** - trigger sequencer -> **LPG CV IN** - LPG set to **PING** - LPG mode = **LPG** - **LPG OUT** -> VCA IN - external envelope -> **VCA CV IN** Result: shaped percussion with more control over tail length. --- ## Recipe 4: Split oscillator stereo - **TRI OUT** -> wavefolder -> left channel - **S/B OUT** -> filter -> right channel - same pitch sequence to Synth Box - independent modulation for each chain Result: wide stereo voice with shared tuning but different spectral motion. --- ## Recipe 5: Self-playing ambient machine - Random quantizer -> **1V/O IN** - sparse gates -> **ENV IN** - slow LFO -> **FM CV IN** - random slew -> **MOD CV IN** - another slow CV -> **LPG CV IN** - VCA OUT -> delay -> reverb Result: generative ambient lines with constantly shifting timbre. --- # Things to watch out for - The module gets much better with **attenuation**. A lot of the most musical patches will depend on reducing modulation depth. - The **LPG ping** can be especially sensitive to trigger level and shape; try different trigger/gate sources. - The **wide-range LFO** may enter audio-rate territory, which is great, but can quickly become intense in FM patches. - Since several routings are internally normalled, if something behaves differently after patching, check whether you’ve overridden an internal source. --- # Overall creative verdict The Synthesizer Box is strongest when treated not just as a “small synth voice,” but as a **patch-programmable analog ecosystem**. Its best tricks come from: - separating the normalled sections, - using external modulation to replace the built-in routings, - exploiting the **blade waveform** and **LPG pinging**, - layering the multiple oscillator outputs in parallel, - and adding utilities like **VCAs, attenuverters, mixers, and random sources**. If you want, I can also provide: 1. **10 genre-specific patches** for the Synthesizer Box, 2. a **small-system pairing guide** (e.g. best 3 modules to add), or 3. a **signal-flow diagram** of its internal routings and how to override them. [Generated With Eurorack Processor](https://github.com/nstarke/eurorack-processor)