Lifeforms KB-1 User manual

pittsburgh
modular
synthesizers
lifeforms
kb-1
user
manual
v.1
pressure sensitive keyboard controller
The Lifeforms KB-1 provides a multi-function, expressive, capacitive touch keyboard designed for
performance. The KB-1 contains a powerful one octave adjustable, pressure sensitive keyboard complete with
arpeggiator, step sequencer, four voltage memory pads and two trigger pads. Eleven outputs and a deep
feature set enable you to explore new sonic territory with an unprecedented level of control.

table of contents
1 important information - page 3!
2 user interface - page 4!
3 pressure sensitive keyboard - page 5
3.1 keyboard overview - page 5
3.2 select keyboard mode - page 5
3.3 keyboard controller calibration - page 5
3.4 monophonic keyboard mode - page 6
3.5 duophonic keyboard mode - page 8
3.6 arpeggiator keyboard mode - page 10
3.7 sequencer keyboard mode - page 12
2
table of contents
4 clock source - page 15
5 global burst settings - page 16!
6 gate triggers - page 17
7 preset voltage memory sequencer - page 18
8 troubleshooting - page 20
9 eurorack specs - page 21
10 warranty - page 22
11 service and other information - page 23!

1.1 important power information
Read Instructions:!
Please read the Lifeforms KB-1 manual completely before use and retain for
future reference.!
IMPORTANT Ribbon Cable Power Information:!
The Lifeforms KB-1 is a eurorack format synthesizer module. The module can be
installed, rearranged, removed, and replaced in any compatible eurorack
enclosure from Pittsburgh Modular or other manufacturers.!
The Lifeforms KB-1 uses a standard 10 to 16 pin eurorack ribbon cable to
connect the module to a bipolar +/-12v power supply. Please pay very close
attention to the orientation of the ribbon cable when adding and removing
modules. The stripe on the ribbon cable marks -12v. This stripe needs to line up
with the -12v pins on the power rail and the -12v pins on the module. The
Lifeforms KB-1 includes reverse polarity protection so it will not be damaged
when plugged in incorrectly; however, as a general rule, failure to match up the
pins correctly can result in damage to one or all the modules in a case. On a
Pittsburgh Modular enclosure power rail, the -12v pins are clearly labeled. On
the Lifeforms KB-1 module, the positive side of the pin connector is on top, and
the negative sides of the pin connector is on the bottom so the red stripe should
be toward the bottom of the module. !
Do NOT remove the Lifeforms KB-1 module from any case while it is plugged in.!
Do NOT unplug ribbon cables from the Lifeforms KB-1 or case while the case is
plugged in.
1. important information
3

1. setup button - modify global parameters. !
2. channel 1 gate led - indicates the status of the channel 1 gate output jack.!
3. channel 1 gate jack - channel 1 output jack.!
4. channel 1 volt per octave jack - channel 1 calibrated cv output jack.!
5. pressure 1 jack - channel 1 pressure cv output jack.!
6. trigger 1 gate jack - trigger 1 gate output jack.!
7. clock in jack - external clock input jack.!
8. preset cv jack - preset voltage memory cv output jack.!
9. channel 2 gate led - indicates the status of the channel 2 gate output jack.!
10. channel 2 gate jack - channel 2 gate output jack.!
11. channel 2 volt per octave jack - channel 2 calibrated cv output jack.!
12. pressure 2 jack - channel 2 pressure cv output jack.!
13. trigger 2 gate jack - trigger 2 gate output jack.!
14. clock out jack - clock signal output jack.!
15. preset gate jack - preset voltage memory gate output jack.!
16. trigger 1 led - indicates the status of the trigger 1 gate output jack.!
17. trigger 2 led - indicates the status of the trigger 2 gate output jack.
18. trigger 1 pad - pressure sensitive controller pad. !
19. trigger 2 pad - pressure sensitive controller pad.!
20. key transpose led - indicates the status of the key transpose button.!
21. oct - led - indicates the selected octave used by the keyboard controller. !
22. oct + led - indicates the selected octave used by the keyboard controller.!
23. monophonic led - indicates monophonic mode selected.!
24. duophonic led - indicates duophonic mode selected.!
25. arpeggiator led - indicates arpeggiator mode selected.!
26. sequencer led - indicates sequencer mode selected.!
27. hold led - indicates hold mode status.!
28. clock led - indicates the status of the internal or external clock signal.!
29. preset led - indicates the status of the preset gate output jack.!
30. key transpose button - enable/disable key transpose mode.!
31. oct - button - modify the selected octave used by the keyboard controller.!
32. oct + button - modify the selected octave used by the keyboard controller.!
33. mode button - cycle between mono, duo, arp, and seq modes.!
34. edit button - modify selected mode parameters.!
35. record button - enable/disable sequencer record mode.!
36. run button - start/stop arpeggiator or sequencer .!
37. hold button - enable/disable hold mode.!
38. clock button - tap tempo clock button.!
39. preset button - modify preset voltage parameters.!
40. preset 1 voltage knob - select preset 1 voltage.!
41. preset 2 voltage knob - select preset 2 voltage.!
42. preset 3 voltage knob - select preset 3 voltage.!
43. preset 4 voltage knob - select preset 4 voltage.!
44. preset 1 selection led - indicates preset 1 selected.!
45. preset 2 selection led - indicates preset 2 selected.!
46. preset 3 selection led - indicates preset 3 selected.!
47. preset 4 selection led - indicates preset 4 selected.!
48. preset 1 pad - controller selector pad.!
49. preset 2 pad - controller selector pad.!
50. preset 3 pad - controller selector pad.!
51. preset 4 pad - controller selector pad.!
52. keyboard controller pad - pressure sensitive controller pad.
4
2. user interface

3.1 overview
The Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms KB-1 utilizes a multi-function, pressure
sensitive keyboard to control an array of functions and outputs. The keyboard
controller pad can be used in one of four main modes: monophonic, duophonic,
arpeggiator, and sequencer. Each of the four main modes has a wide variety of
additional features to expand and fine tune the keyboard functionality.
5
3. pressure sensitive keyboard
3.3 keyboard controller pad calibration
Capacitive touch circuitry is sensitive to many outside variables. Different power
sources can create a different capacitive touch sensitivity response. The
variation can be caused by both the +12v power supplied by the eurorack case
and the power mains the case is plugged into. Also, because capacitive touch
measures the capacitance of the human body and the performer becomes part
of the circuit, response can very from person to person.!
The pressure response of the keyboard controller pad can be easily modified by
selecting one of 8 available pressure levels. To choose a pressure, press and
hold the setup button. Next, touch one of the whole note keys on the keyboard
controller pad. C0 is the most sensitive and C1 is the least sensitive.
3.2 select keyboard mode
To cycle through the four available keyboard modes: monophonic, duophonic,
arpeggiator, and sequencer, press the mode button. The led representing the
active mode will illuminate.

6
3.4 monophonic keyboard mode
Monophonic keyboard response allows for full control over a monophonic
synthesizer voice. The keyboard controller creates a single set of pitch, gate,
and pressure voltages to play one note at a time. The individual keys of the
keyboard controller pad modify the ch 1 v/o and ch 2 v/o output at a scale of 1
volt per octave. This is the standard for pitch control for the eurorack modular
format.!
3.4.1 basic monophonic patch example
Ch 1 v/o can be patched into the volt per octave or pitch cv input of an oscillator
to control the frequency of the synthesizer voice. Ch 1 gate can be patched into
an envelope or ADSR then into VCA CV input to shape the note on and note off
gate signals generated by the keyboard controller. The pressure 1 output can be
patched into the cutofffrequency cv input of a filter. This patch will allow the
monophonic response to control the note on/offstate and pitch of a synthesizer
voice as well as using pressure to control the filter cutoff.
3.4.2 monophonic response modes
There are 6 unique monophonic keyboard responses available. To select a
monophonic keyboard response, press and hold the edit button and then press
one of the keys listed below.!
Note priority refers to the note that is used if multiple keys are pressed at once.
Retrigger means there is a unique gate signal for each note regardless of the
number of active notes.!
C key - Last note priority with retrigger (default)!
D key - Last note priority without retrigger!
E key - Low note priority with retrigger!
F key - Low note priority without retrigger!
G key - High note priority with retrigger!
A key - High note priority without retrigger

3.4 monophonic keyboard mode (cont.)
3.4.3 monophonic controls
Ch 1 gate and ch 2 gate output responses are identical. Press a keyboard
controller note to generate a 5v gate signal. Depress the key to return to 0v.!
Ch 1 v/o and ch 2 v/o output responses are identical. Press a keyboard
controller note to generate a scaled 1 volt per octave signal. Output remains the
same until a new key is pressed.!
Pressure 1 and pressure 2 output responses are identical. Pressure can vary
from 0 to 6v.!
Key edit button - Pressing the key edit button enables a pressure based stutter
keyboard response. The more pressure applied to the key creates an
increasingly dense burst of gates. Stuttered gate density is always a multiple of
the active clock source. The density pressure levels available are x0, x2, x4.!
Octave buttons - Pressing the octave down button shifts the keyboard one
octave lower and pressing the octave up button shifts the keyboard one octave
higher. A range of 7 octaves is available.!
Hold button - Pressing the hold button latches the ch 1 gate and ch 2 gate
outputs high when a key is pressed. Pressing the hold button a second time
disables this feature. !
Record button does nothing in monophonic mode.!
Run button does nothing in monophonic mode.
7

8
3.5 duophonic keyboard mode
Duophonic keyboard response allows for full control over two synthesizer
voices. The keyboard controller creates two sets of pitch, gate, and pressure
voltages to play two notes at a time. The individual keys of the keyboard
controller pad modify the ch 1 v/o and ch 2 v/o output at a scale of 1 volt per
octave. This is the standard for pitch control for the eurorack modular format.!
3.5.1 basic duophonic patch example
This patch will allow the duophonic response to control the note on/offstate and
pitch of two synthesizer voices as well as using two channel independent
pressure to control the filter cutoffs of each oscillator voice. Enough modules to
create two unique voices are necessary to patch up this duophonic patch.!
Ch 1 v/o can be patched into the volt per octave or pitch cv input of oscillator 1
to control the frequency of the synthesizer voice. Ch 1 gate can be patched into
envelope or ADSR 1 then into VCA 1 CV input to shape the note on and note off
gate signals generated by the keyboard controller. The pressure 1 output can be
patched into the cutofffrequency cv input of filter 1.!
Ch 2 v/o can be patched into the volt per octave or pitch cv input of oscillator 2
to control the frequency of the synthesizer voice. Ch 2 gate can be patched into
envelope or ADSR 2 then into VCA 2 CV input to shape the note on and note off
gate signals generated by the keyboard controller. The pressure 2 output can be
patched into the cutofffrequency cv input of filter 2.
3.5.2 duophonic response modes
There are 2 unique duophonic keyboard responses available. To select a
duophonic keyboard response, press and hold the edit button and then press
one of the keys listed below.!
Note priority refers to the note that is used if multiple keys are pressed at once.
Retrigger mans there is a unique gate signal for each note regardless of the
number of active notes.!
C key - Last note priority with retrigger!
D key - Low note priority with retrigger (default)

9
3.5 duophonic keyboard mode (cont.)
3.5.3 monophonic controls
Ch 1 gate and ch 2 gate output responses are unique. Press a keyboard
controller note to generate a 5v gate signal. Depress the key to return to 0v.!
Ch 1 v/o and ch 2 v/o output responses are unique. Press a keyboard controller
note to generate a scaled 1 volt per octave signal. Output remains the same
until a new key is pressed.!
Pressure 1 and pressure 2 output responses are unique. Pressure can vary from
0 to 6v.!
Key edit button - Pressing the key edit button enables a pressure based stutter
keyboard response. The more pressure applied to the key creates an
increasingly dense burst of gates. Stuttered gate density is always a multiple of
the active clock source. The density pressure levels available are x0, x2, x4.!
Octave buttons - Pressing the octave down button shifts the keyboard one
octave lower and pressing the octave up button shifts the keyboard one octave
higher. A range of 7 octaves is available.!
Hold button - Pressing the hold button latches the ch 1 gate and ch 2 gate
outputs high when a key is pressed. Pressing the hold button a second time
disables this feature. !
Record button does nothing in duophonic mode.!
Run button does nothing in duophonic mode.

10
3.6 arpeggiator keyboard mode
Arpeggiator keyboard mode repeats a monophonic pattern of notes in sync with
the active clock source. Notes pressed on the keyboard controller create a
sequence of pitch, gate, and pressure voltages that are played in a loop. The
arpeggiator pattern can be up to 10 notes in length (one for each finger). The
pattern is cleared and a new pattern is created when 1 or more fingers are
removed from the keyboard followed by a key press. The arpeggiation is played
back in the order the keys are pressed on the keyboard. !
3.6.1 basic arpeggiator patch example
Ch 1 v/o can be patched into the volt per octave or pitch cv input of an oscillator
to control the frequency of the synthesizer voice. Ch 1 gate can be patched into
an envelope or ADSR then into VCA CV input to shape the note on and note off
gate signals generated by the keyboard controller. The pressure 1 output can be
patched into the cutofffrequency cv input of a filter. This patch will allow the
monophonic response to control the note on/offstate and pitch of a synthesizer
voice as well as using pressure to control the filter cutoff. Pressing and holding a
few notes on the keyboard will create an arpeggiation. The hold button can be
enabled to allow the arpeggiation to continue after the notes are depressed.
3.6.2 arpeggiator response modes
There are 4 sets of responses available to control note order, probability gate
bursts, arpeggiator range, and channel 2 output octave. To select a arpeggiator
response, press and hold the edit button and then press one of the keys listed
below.!
C key - Single trigger. Each note triggers once in the order it was played.!
D key - Double trigger. Each note triggers twice in the order it was played.!
E key - Notes trigger randomly with a random gate 2 output response.!
F key - Notes trigger randomly with random gate 1 and gate 2 output response.!
G key - Active note and gate outputs flip between channel 1 and channel 2. !
C# key - Disables probability based gate bursts.!
D# key - Enables probability based gate bursts.!
F# key - Single octave arpeggiator range.!
G# key - Two octave arpeggiator range.!
A# key - Three octave arpeggiator range.!
A key - Channel 2 CV output matches channel 1 output.!
B key - Channel 2 CV output is one octave above the channel 1 CV output.!
C2 key - Channel 2 CV output is two octaves above the channel 1 CV output.