Pittsburgh Modular Taiga Keyboard Semi-Modular Analogue Synth

Manufacturer's description

Taiga Keyboard is an evolution of the award-winning Taiga synthesizer. Taiga gave users a boundary-smashing suite of unique modern Pittsburgh Modular analog synthesizer innovations. Now in Taiga Keyboard, that same powerful suite of tools acts as a foundation in this expressive keyboard instrument. 

Exploring the larger keyboard format, spreading controls out, and adding larger knobs makes sound sculpting while performing easier than ever. We’ve also added additional modulation sources, additional controls, a full-size 37 key premium aftertouch-enabled keybed, and a first-of-its-kind, modular expansion bay.

Taiga Keyboard oscillators

Waveforms generated by the three Taiga Keyboard oscillators stretch beyond the basic geometric shapes and sounds associated with analog synthesis. Taiga Keyboard waveforms pass through up to three proprietary, cascading waveshapers designed to precisely manipulate their symmetry and harmonic content. In addition, each oscillator includes a robust six-stage wave folder to add even more complexity and depth to the diverse sonic palate of Taiga Keyboard. Dedicated coarse and fine controls deliver maximum flexibility & control over the full range of each oscillator.

The “Pittsburgh Filter”

The Pittsburgh filter has defined the sound of Pittsburgh Modular from the moment it was introduced. A signature gummy and relaxed sound with no dead spots that has been tweaked to perfection. It offers a warm, smooth sweep through the full frequency range and a sweet resonance that does not roll off the low end. This generation of the Pittsburgh filter is specifically designed to ensure a remarkable interplay with Taiga Keyboard’s oscillators.

Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller

Pittsburgh's new Dynamics technology imparts Taiga Keyboard with a uniquely organic depth and presence. By simultaneously managing both amplitude and harmonic content, the Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller expands beyond the one-dimensional VCA found in other synthesizers. It does this by utilizing new advancements from traditional low pass gates to add additional definition and dimension to the voice of Taiga Keyboard. 

When used in low pass gate mode, sounds shed harmonic content and become warmer as they decrease in volume. This mimics how sound waves react to their environment. Because of this connection, the Taiga Keyboard sounds more natural or complex compared to other instruments.

Analog Echoes

Echos is a beautifully dark analog delay tuned to enhance the source material by repeating it over and over. Echos utilizes a pair of bucket brigade delay chips to produce a classic voltage-controllable analog delay effect that helps to place the sounds of Taiga Keyboard in a simulated environment.

Open Architecture

Taiga Keyboard has an internally defined signal path. Patch cables are not necessary to begin exploring. Plug the output into a speaker or DAW and Taiga Keyboard is ready to go with a robust but familiar workflow. When your ideas grow beyond the pre-defined signal path, a 64 point patch bay opens up a fully modular instrument with access to an even deeper set of features and tools.

Modular Expansion Bay

Staying true to our modular roots, we've added a 24hp powered eurorack Modular Expansion Bay that lets you personalize your Taiga Keyboard to your sound and performance needs. Simply remove the metal plate that covers the bay and add eurorack compatible modules. The modular bay helps you make Taiga Keyboard’s sound completely your own.

Complete Set of Modular Tools

Taiga Keyboard includes a host of fully modular, analog, and digital synthesis tools to support and enhance its core functionality. Analog tools include a flexible dual mixer, a pair of plucky four-stage envelope generators, noise, and sample and hold. Digital tools cover external MIDI, arpeggiator, clock sync’d modulation tools, and a robust collection of random generators. The Taiga Keyboard toolset is deep enough for any type of sonic exploration.

Keybed and additional MIDI control

Taiga Keyboard as its name would suggest, has an integrated 37 key keyboard with aftertouch, as well as pitch bend and modwheel. The keyboard can be used as a separate USB / Din MIDI controller using the Local On/Off modes.

Taiga Keyboard’s key range can be easily changed using the dedicated octave up and down buttons that are located adjacent to the pitch bend and modwheel.

Taiga Keyboard features and other info:

• Paraphonic synthesizer with unique additive elements
• 37 note aftertouch equipped keybed with full-sized keys
• Fully patchable - use Taiga Keyboard’s components as separate modules with external devices or reroute its internal patching. 
• 24hp powered Eurorack Modular Expansion Bay 
• 64 point patch bay for rerouting internal signal flow and integrating external sound and modulation sources 
• Controllable via MIDI, CV, and integrated pseudo random sequencing mode
• Clock-synced arpeggiator
• 3x Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer developed 100% analog oscillators, each with dedicated coarse and fine controls
• Oscillator waveforms - sine, triangle, and saw - Waveforms can be combined
• 3x Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer 6 stage wave folder/shaper circuit - folds inputted waves back onto themselves to increase harmonic content
• Oscillators include frequency modulation (FM)
• Noise generator - pitched somewhere between pure white and pink noise. Perfect for percussion or adding a bit of edge to a sound. 
• Variable state, multi-mode “Pittsburgh No-Dead-Spots” filter (lowpass, bandpass, highpass, modes can be combined)
• Sample & Hold circuit
• 2x Analog ADSR / envelope generators
• Pittsburgh dynamics section - an alternative to an envelope generator and a VCA, the dynamics controller is a Pittsburgh Modular invention that adds a dimension of control over a vactrol-less lowpass gate circuit, adding release time. (read more on this in the user guide)
• 2x Dual range analog LFOs with square and triangle wave outputs. 
• LFO Range High: 2 Hz to 500 Hz Low: 41 seconds to 5 Hz 
• Dual Channel Mixer - 2 2-channel mixer and a 3-channel mixer joined together, capable of mixing both audio or control voltages.
• Preamp that uses a high gain, soft clipping overdrive limiter circuit to increase the level of audio signals. The preamp can be used to cleanly increase the level of external audio to internal signal levels, or it can be used as an overdrive / limiter for internal signals.
• Digital multi-mod tool - modulation control via CV, random generator, and extra LFO and envelope generator
• Internal clock with tap tempo and can be clocked via an external source.
• Built-in clock divider 
• Echos - 100% analog bucket brigade delay 
• Size: Approx 63x38x12cm
• Included in the box - 1x Taiga Keyboard, 1x Taiga Keyboard wall-wart power supply, 10x Amazing Nazca Noodles Patch Cables