Pittsburgh Voltage Lab 2

Modular Synthesizer for Limitless Possibilities!

The Voltage Lab 2 from Pittsburgh Modular is a cutting-edge synth lab offering sound explorers a new palette of analog textures and waveforms. Newly developed waveshaping features, combined with powerful synthesis tools and a deep, performance-oriented controller, create a complete sound design lab.

This instrument has a very physical sound. The tones generated by the synthesizer feel natural and lively, with traditional waveforms forming the basis for unique new shapes and sounds that shift between analog physical modeling and more unusual, abstract timbres.

Laboratory Oscillator 1

Voltage Lab 2 features two oscillators. Each has a unique set of reinvented waveshaping tools that expand the sonic potential of analog synthesis. Laboratory Oscillator 1 introduces Center Clipping to analog synthesis. Center Clipping allows independent control over the upper and lower parts of the waveform, enabling detailed manipulation of overtones and timbres without affecting pitch. This is done by editing waveforms from the center outward, unlike traditional methods that work from the peaks inward.

Laboratory Oscillator 2

Laboratory Oscillator 2 offers a variety of new sonic possibilities with two new waveshapers: Pulse Symmetry and Reflection. Pulse Symmetry creates a new type of pulse wave that adds a step between the upper and lower ends of the waveform. The resulting wave looks like a staircase, where both pulse width and the depth of the middle step can be adjusted. Wave Reflection reflects the lower half of the waveform onto the upper half. Each waveform reacts differently. For example, a sawtooth wave transforms into a triangle, while triangle and sine waves lose their fundamental harmonic and jump up an octave.

Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller

The new dynamics technology gives the Voltage Lab 2 a unique organic depth and presence. In low-pass gate mode, sounds lose overtones and get warmer as they get quieter. This mimics how sound waves react to their environment. Because of this connection, the Voltage Lab 2 sounds more natural or complex compared to other instruments.

Touch Controller 2

The Touch Controller 2 offers artists the chance to combine traditional pitching performances with the freedom to experiment, creating a flexible playground for music production. Two independent channels provide a mix of expressive real-time playing and deep sequencing. Assignable scales, step conditions, jumps, random effects, generative sequencing, and a variety of other tools let musicians create and interact with complex systems.

Perfect Balance Between Tradition and Experiment

The Voltage Lab 2 includes a range of analog time-based effects, Florist and Echos. Florist is a flanger/chorus hybrid focusing on brighter, short delays with highly controlled feedback, allowing maximum shimmer before self-oscillation. Echos is a more traditional, darker analog BBD delay that also uses highly controlled feedback to enable more repeats before self-oscillation. Both effects are perfect for traditional workflows and unconventional experiments.

Complete Set of Modular Tools

The Voltage Lab 2 includes a variety of fully modular, analog and digital synthesis tools that support and extend its core functions. Analog tools include flexible mixers, two complex function generators, noise, sample & hold, and an LFO. Digital tools include external MIDI, arpeggiator, and a robust random sequencer. The Voltage Lab 2 toolset is extensive enough for all kinds of sound experiments.

Two Oscillators - Infinite Sound Worlds!