Pittsburgh Modular Patch Box User manual

MANUAL AND PATCH GUIDE
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Important Instructions – PLEASE READ
Read Instructions:
Please read the Patch Box Modular Effects Enclosure manual completely before use and retain for future reference.
IMPORTANT Ribbon Cable Power Information:
The Patch Box combines a set of individual modules to create a complete system. The individual modules can be rearranged,
removed, and replaced with any compatible eurorack modules from Pittsburgh Modular and other manufacturers.
The Patch Box uses a standard 16 pin eurorack power ribbon cable to connect the modules to the internal bipolar +12v / -12v /
+5v 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. Failure to match up the pins correctly can
result in damage to one or all the modules in the Patch Box. On the power rail, the -12v pins are clearly labeled. On the individual modules, the positive and
negative sides of the pin connectors are labeled next to the power header on either the top or bottom of the PCB.
Do NOT remove individual modules from the Patch Box while synthesizer is plugged in.
Do NOT unplug ribbon cables from the Patch Box or individual modules while the Patch Box is plugged in.
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Table of Contents
Important Instructions ………………….…… 2
Table of Contents …….…….…………….…… 3
Case and Power Specifications ………….… 4
Patch Box Package Contents ..…….….…… 4
Front Panel Controls ..……………….….…… 5
Rear Panel Controls ..………………..….…… 6
An Introduction to Modular Patching .…… 7
Installing Modules. ………..…………….…… 8
Working inside the Patch Box ….……..…... 9
Patch Guides …………………….….…… 10-18
1 Year Limited Warranty ..…………….…… 19
Service and Other Information ….….….… 20!
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Case and Power Specifications
Patch Box Package Contents
1x Patch Box Modular Effects Enclosure
1x External DC Power Adapter
Patch Box Case and Power Supply Info
External Dimensions: 9.5” w x 9” d x 2.25” h
42 hp Space Available for Modules
9 Sliding Square Nuts Per Rail
42mm Depth Available for Modules
+12v / -12v / +5v Power Included
External Power Adapter:
Connection: 2.1mm Barrel Type
Output: 15V DC / Rated 2.6A to 5A!
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Front Panel Controls
SWITCH 1 - Patchable footswitch can be used as on/off or A/B switch.
SWITCH 2 - Patchable footswitch can be used as on/off or A/B switch.
BYPASS - True bypass circuit enables or disables the entire Patch Box.
GAIN Knob - Controls the gain of the 1/4” input jack. Signal begins to overdrive after 12 o’clock.
OUTPUT Knob - Controls the output level of the Patch Box.
INPUTS Jacks - Dual buffered jacks carry the preamp output signal. Patch into the signal input of
installed modules or the OUT jack.
EXP 1 Jack- Output of Expression pedal 1. Outputs a voltage between 0-5v used to control one or
more voltage controllable parameters of the installed modules.
EXP 2 Jack- Output of Expression pedal 2. Outputs a voltage between 0-5v used to control one or
more voltage controllable parameters of the installed modules.
MULTIPLE Jacks- Used to split an audio or control signal. Patch a signal in and use the remaining
two jacks as copies of the input signal.
SWITCH 1 Jacks- Used to patch through SWITCH 1. The center jack is always active so pressing
footswitch 1 switches between activating the left and center jacks (LED off) or the right and
center jacks (LED on).
SWITCH 2 Jacks- Used to patch through SWITCH 2. The center jack is always active so pressing
footswitch 2 switches between activating the left and center jacks (LED off) or the right and
center jacks (LED on).
OUT Jack- Passed audio from modules through the Output level control to the rear mounted 1/4”
output jack.!
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Rear Panel Controls
INPUT Jack - 1/4” unbalanced instrument input.
OUTPUT Jack - 1/4” unbalanced guitar or line level output.
15V DC Power Jack - 2.1mm barrel connector for external 15v DC
2.6 to 5A adapter.
EXP 1 Jack - Balanced 1/4” input for universal expression pedal
such as the Moog EP-3 or M-Audio EX-P expression pedals. When
using the Moog EP-3, place the switch on the bottom of the
expression pedal to the “normal” position.
EXP 2 Jack - Balanced 1/4” input for universal expression pedal
such as the Moog EP-3 or M-Audio EX-P expression pedals. When
using the Moog EP-3, place the switch on the bottom of the
expression pedal to the “normal” position.
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An Introduction to Modular Patching
The Pittsburgh Modular Patch Box Modular Effects Enclosure offers unique access to a wide variety of analog and digital modular effects. Total control of not
only the audio path but also a layer of voltages used to control the parameters of the installed effects modules.
Once the effects modules are added, plugging in a few patch cables opens the Pittsburgh Modular Patch Box to complex experimentation by offering unlimited
control over both the control and audio signal paths. Assigning controls to one of the external expression pedal inputs, or rerouting audio or control signals
using the patchable footswitches opens up a new world of hands free, sonic manipulation.
The Patch Box signal path is divided into two types of signals: audio signals and control voltages. The audio signal is the sound that is produced. The audio
signal path starts at a sound source. This can be the 1/4’ audio input jack, LFO running at audio rate, or the resonance of a self oscillating filter. The audio
signal is then patched through other modules used to shape the sound such a filter, delay, crusher, reverb, phase shifter, or other effects module.
Control voltages (CV) manipulate the audio signal in several different ways. Gates are represented by a high (on) or low (off) control voltage. A gate can be
generated using a pulse or square wave from an LFO (low frequency oscillator), or by using the gate output of an envelope follower module. A gate signal can
be sent to the CV input of any module. Modulation sources can be static DC voltages from an expression pedal or variable AC voltages such as an LFO or
audio signal. As an example, a control voltage from the output of an expression pedal can be patched into the frequency cutoff CV input of a Filter module to
create a traditional wah-wah effect. Modulation can also come from a low frequency oscillator (LFO) module or the output of an envelope follower. Using an
envelope follower such as the Pittsburgh Modular Detect module, creates a modulation source based on the amplitude of the incoming audio signal. This
allows the performer to control any voltage controllable parameter with the variable loudness of a performance.
Audio signals also make a great control voltage source for more extreme modulation. As always, experimentation is essential to getting the most out of the
Patch Box and installed modules.!
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Installing Modules
Adding new modules to the Patch Box is a simple process. Please follow the instructions below
to ensure that new modules are installed safely and correctly.
Experiment with system layout by resting a few modules in the case before installation.
1. Unplug the power adapter from the back of the case.
2. Flip over the case and carefully remove the bottom of the Patch Box by first unscrewing the
4 feet and 2 additional screws on the bottom of the Patch Box.
3. Insert the necessary power ribbon cables into the power headers.
4. Carefully reattach the bottom of the Patch Box. Make sure the internal ribbon cable and
black ground wire are safely inside the case before screwing the 4 feet and additional 2
screws into the bottom panel.
5. Flip the case back to right side up.
6. Install modules one at a time. First plug the module into a power ribbon cable. The red
stripe on the ribbon cable marks -12v. This stripe needs to line up with the -12v pins on the
module. Failure to match up the pins correctly can result in damage to one or all the
modules connected to the power supply.
7. Use a small tool to line up the needed sliding square nuts close to where the module will be
mounted.
8. Attach the module to the sliding nuts using the included panel screws. If installing more
than 1 module, do not tighten down the panel screws until all the modules are installed.
This will allow some room to shift the modules as needed.
9. Once all the new modules are installed, plug in the power adapter and switch on the case.
Carefully test each module to ensure it is working as expected.!
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Working Inside the Patch Box
The following pages contain many examples of how to patch the the Patch Box. These examples showcase the flexibility of the Patch Box system and focus on
the features included with the Patch Box enclosure. The modules within your system may be different then the modules used in the examples but the
principals discussed will easily translate to any set of modules installed in your Patch Box.
Use the patches provided as a teaching tool. Once you have set up a patch, adjust knobs and remove cables from the Patch Box while referencing the module
description pages within the manual. This will help you develop an understanding of what function each part of the patch is performing. The red patch cables
are used in the examples to represent CV signals and green patch cables are used to represent audio signals. The blue dots represent the relevant control
settings. These dots are meant to represent a starting point and are not definitive settings. Experimentation is essential.
The patch guide provides at least one "Test Patch” for each feature of the Patch Bo. These patches showcase the core functionality as well as additional uses
for the highlighted feature. In general, the test patches will provide a way to focus attention on the capabilities of a single feature of the Patch Box enclosure
and may not provide results that would be considered musical.
Working with individual features can be fun but the true power of any modular instrument comes when different modules start to interact. Patching the output
of one module to the input of another is a fundamental part of modular synthesis. Even though the Patch Box is designed to be a tabletop modular effects
system, the patches can become complex quickly. Any output can be patched to any input. Understanding the capabilities and functionality of the enclosure
and each installed module will allow even the most complex patches to be understood easily.
If you come up with a good patch, we want to try it! Send all your interesting patches to [e-mail].!
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Default Patch (Preamp Overdrive)
The default Patch Box patch does not require any modules. Plug a guitar or other
instrument into the 1/4” input on the rear of the Patch Box enclosure. This will turn on
the unit. Next, plug the output of the Patch Box into an amplifier, mixer, or audio interface.
With the Patch bypass foot switch LED off, the Patch Box circuitry is bypassed. Press the
[BYPASS] button to turn on the red bypass LED and engage the Patch Box circuitry. Use
an 1/8” patch cable to patch between one of the [INPUTS] and output [OUT] jacks.
The [GAIN] knob offers a clean boost until the knob reaches around 12 o’clock. After 12
o’clock, the preamp begins to add a smooth overdrive. Once the [GAIN] is set, adjust the
[OUTPUT] knob to match levels with the bypassed signal by switching between the active
and bypassed sounds using the [BYPASS] button.
This patch does not utilize the expression pedal inputs or footswitches.
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Patching a Module
Patching a module between the preamp and the output is the basis of the Patch Box
functionality and the simplest patch that includes installed modules. Use a patch cable to
patch between one of the INPUTS and the input jack of an effects module. In the example
we have patched the INPUTS into the input jack of a Filter module. The output of the
Filter module is then patched into the OUT jack of the Patch Box. The signal then passes
through the OUTPUT level knob into the 1/4” output on the rear of the enclosure.
This patch does not utilize the expression pedal inputs or footswitches.
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Utilizing an Expression Pedal
The expression inputs on the rear of the Patch Box are used for controlling the parameters
of installed modules during a performance. The Expression inputs create a 0-5v signal
that can be patched into a CV input of any installed module.
The expression patch example uses the basic “Patching a Module” patch but adds a patch
cable connecting EXP 1 to the Frequency CV input of the Filter module. For this to work an
expression pedal such as the Moog EP-3 needs to be plugged into the EXP1 input on the
rear of the Patch Box. The Frequency CV input attenuverter knob of the Filter module is
used to set the range and polarity of the expression signal.
FYI…. An attenuverter is a knob that zeros out at 12 o’clock. Turn the knob to the right of
12 o’clock to add signal and turn the knob left of 12 o’clock to add inverted signal.
This patch does not utilize the footswitches.!
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Adding a Modulation Module
This patch adds some modulation to the Filter module with an envelope follower. A simpler
version of this patch would use an LFO (low frequency oscillator) patched in the Frequency
CV input instead of the envelope follower.
An envelope follower, we are using the Pittsburgh Modular Detect module in this example,
outputs a control voltage that is based on the signal level of the incoming audio signal.
This creates an auto-wah type effect in our example patch.
This patch uses the basic “Patching a Module” patch but adds a patch cable connecting
the output of the envelope follower to the Frequency CV input of the Filter module. The
Frequency CV input attenuverter knob of the Filter module is used to set the range and
polarity of the expression signal.
This patch does not utilize the expression pedal inputs or footswitches.!
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Expression Through a Multiple
This patch adds a second effects module and a split expression pedal control signal to the
basic “Patching a Module” patch. The multiple section of the Patch Box patch panel is
used to split a signal in two. This patch uses the multiple to allow an expression pedal to
control two parameters at the same time.
A second effects module is patched between the output of the Filter and the OUT jack of
the Patch Box. We have used a Pittsburgh Modular Crush, an analog downsampling, signal
crushing module. The EXP1 output is patched into the Multiple. A second patch cable is
patched from the Multiple into the Frequency CV input of the Filter. The third output of the
Multiple is patched into the Sample Rate CV input of the Crush module.
This patch does not utilize the footswitches.
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Modulation Through a Multiple
This patch adds a second effects module and a split LFO (low frequency oscillator) signal
to the basic “Patching a Module” patch. This patch uses the multiple to allow an LFO to
modulate two parameters at the same time.
Just like the previous example, second effects module is patched between the output of
the Filter and the OUT jack of the Patch Box. An LFO triangle waveform output is patched
into the Multiple. A second patch cable is patched from the Multiple into the Frequency CV
input of the Filter. The third output of the Multiple is patched into the Sample Rate CV
input of the Crush module.
This patch does not utilize the expression pedal inputs or footswitches.!
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Footswitch as On/Off Switch
Starting again with the basic “Patching a Module” patch we are going to add a footswitch
controlled modulation source. The footswitch will be used to turn the modulation on and
off.
Both switches are patched in exactly the same way. The jacks are arranged in a simple
double pole layout. The center jack is the wiper and the connection flips between the left
and right jacks. That means when the LED is off, the center jack is connected to the left
jack and when the LED is on, the center jack is connected to the right jack.
This patch connects the triangle wave output of an LFO to the right jack of Switch 1. The
center jack is patched to the Frequency CV input of the Filter module. That means that
when the footswitch LED is lit, the LFO will modulate the Filter and when the footswitch
LED is off, the modulation will also be off.
This patch does not utilize the expression pedal inputs.
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Footswitch as A/B Switch
Starting with a simple patch that uses the Crush down-sampler module, we are going to
add a footswitch to flip between two different modulation sources.
The footswitches can be used to switch between two audio or control voltage sources by
patching the audio or control voltage sources into the left and right jacks. The center jack
becomes the output.
The footswitches can also be used to route a signal between to destinations. To do this,
the input audio or control voltage signal is patched into the center jack and the left and
right jacks are used as output jacks.
This patch connects the triangle wave output of LFO 1 to the left jack of Switch 1 and the
triangle wave output of LFO 2 to the right jack of switch 1. The center jack is patched to
the Mix CV input of the Crush module. That means that when the footswitch LED is lit, the
Crush mix will modulate at the speed of LFO 2 and when the the footswitch LED is off, the
Crush mix will modulate at the speed of LFO 1.
This patch does not utilize the expression pedal inputs.
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Switchable Effects Chaining
This is a big patch with an important feature set. It utilizes both footswitches and the
multiple to allow for individual bypass control of two different effects modules. The patch
assigns one module to footswitch 1 and a second module to footswitch 2. This is a
complex patch but shows the power of a modular effects unit.
The logic of this patch is that the input signal is sent through one of four paths
determined by the two footswitches. Both effects modules bypassed. Effect module 1
active and effect module 2 bypassed. Effect module 1 bypassed and effect module 2
active. Both effects modules active.
The preamp input is sent to effect 1 (Filter) and the output of the filter is sent to the on
position (right jack) of Switch 1. The off position (left jack) of Switch 1 is patched to the
Patch Box input. The output of Switch 1 (center jack) is sent to a multiple so the signal can
be split and patched into both the Filter input and the Switch 2 off position (left jack). The
output of the Filter is patched to the on position (right jack) of Switch 2. The output of
Switch 2 is then patched to the Patch Box output jack.
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Warranty
1 Year Limited Warranty:
For a period of one year after the date of original purchase, the instrument and all factory installed parts manufactured by Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers
LLC, are warranted to function properly and be free of defects in materials and workmanship. Should the Patch Box enclosure fail during the warranty period,
contact Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers LLC. We will repair it (or at our option, replace it) at no charge, and pay the cost of shipping it back to you.
The case and all case related hardware are warranted to function properly and be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year.
This warranty is void if in our opinion the instrument has been damaged by accident, mishandled, altered, improperly serviced, or repaired by the customer
where such treatment has affected its performance or reliability. This includes but is not limited to damage related to incorrectly attaching power ribbon
cables. In the event of such misuse/abuse by the customer, costs for repairs plus two-way shipping costs will be borne by the customer. Instruments found
defective should be returned to the factory carefully packed, as the customer will be responsible for freight damage.
Incidental or consequential damages or costs incurred as a result of product malfunction are not the responsibility of Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers LLC.
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Service and Contact Information
Please contact us for service or other information.
[e-mail]
www.pittsburghmodular.com/contact
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