Pittsburgh Modular structure 344 User manual

pittsburgh modular synthesizers structure 344 manual

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Thank you for purchasing the Structure 344. Your investment in our ideas help support innovative, boutique
eurorack design.
Michael Importico and I are very proud of this design and the work our woodshop has put into creating a beautiful
eurorack enclosure. The Structure 344 represents the best of everything we have learned in the past 8 years
designing and building eurorack cases.
I would like to thank Steve Rightnour of Monorocket for helping Pittsburgh Modular get started many years ago.
Steve’s kindness with his time, innovative ideas, and never ending quest for improvement influence our work to
this day.
The Structure 344 is meant to inspire. Please use this case to build a synthesizer pushes your music forward.
Enjoy,
Richard Nicol
Founder | Product Design
Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers
Thank You!

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Read Instructions: Please read the Structure 344 manual completely before use and retain for future reference.
• WARNING! ALWAYS TURN OFF AND UNPLUG THE CASE BEFORE ADDING OR REMOVING
MODULES. Incorrectly installed modules can cause damage to the case and other modules. Double check
the orientation of the power ribbon cable before plugging in and turning on the case.
• WARNING! ALWAYS FILL UNUSED PANEL SPACE WITH BLANK PANELS. Stray patch cables touching
the power headers can cause damage to the case and modules. Always cover empty rack spaces with
blank panels. Do not attempt to repair the Structure 344. Please contact Pittsburgh Modular regarding
malfunctions of any kind.
• Only use the IEC power adapter provided by Pittsburgh Modular with the Structure 344. Using an incorrect
power adapter can cause permanent damage to the Structure 344 and any attached modules.
• The Structure 344 is an electronic device. Exposure to water will cause the Structure 344 circuitry to short
circuit and may cause permanent damage to the Structure 344 and any attached modules.
• Do not attempt to modify the Structure 344. Tampering with the circuitry may cause permanent damage to
the Structure 344 and any attached modules.
• Pittsburgh Modular is not responsible for any damage or loss to the Structure 344 or any attached modules
caused by improper use of the Structure 344.
Important Information

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Table of Contents
1. Utility Bridge User Interface Map…………...................................Page 6
2. Utility Bridge Sections, Connections and Signals….…………………....8
3. Utility Bridge Interface Conventions………………………….…….…....10
4. Utility Bridge Internal Signal Routing……..…………………….…..…...12
5. Utility Bridge Internal Signal Routing Map……………………….……...14
6. Individual Utility Bridge Sections……………………………………..…..16
7. Utility Bridge Preamp………………………………………………...…....18
8. Utility Bridge Mix/Mult…………………………………………………......20
9. Utility Bridge Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus……………………………..22
10. Utility Bridge Bus Outputs……………………..…………………………26
11. Utility Bridge Signal Attenuators…………………………...……………28
12. Installing and Removing Eurorack Modules…..……………...………..30
13. Structure 344 Power Supply…………………………………....………..32
14. Service and Other Information ………………………………...………..34
15. Warranty……………………………………………………………..…….35

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Preamp
1. Preamp Gain Knob - Set the preamp drive gain.
2. Preamp Input Jack - Audio signal input jack.
3. Preamp Output Jack - Audio signal output jack.
Mix/Mult
4. Input Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
5. Input Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
6. Mix Output Jack - Audio or CV signal mix output.
7. Mix Output Jack - Audio or CV signal mix output.
8. Mix Output Jack - Audio or CV signal mix output.
9. Mix Output Jack - Audio or CV signal mix output.
Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus A
10. In 1 Level Attenuverter Knob - Signal input level normaled to +5v.
11. In 1 Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
12. Out 1 Jack - Audio or CV signal output.
13. In 2 Level Attenuverter Knob - Signal input level controller.
14. In 2 Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
15. Out 1 Jack - Audio or CV signal output.
16. CV | Output Level Attenuator Knob - Set Bus A output level.
17. In 3 Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
18. CV Jack - Bus A output level CV control input.
Bus Outputs
19. Bus Selector Button - Select Bus A (out) or B (in).
20. Bus Output Jack - Selected bus signal output.
21. Bus Selector Button - Select Bus A (out) or B (in).
22. Bus Output Jack - Selected bus signal output.
23. Bus Selector Button - Select Bus A (out) or B (in).
24. Bus Output Jack - Selected bus signal output.
Bus Mixer
25. Or Output Jack - Analog or mix of Bus A and Bus B.
26. And Output Jack - Mix of Bus A and Bus B.
27. Inverted Output Jack - Inverted mix of Bus A and Bus B.
Bus Outputs
28. Bus Selector Button - Select Bus A (out) or B (in).
29. Bus Output Jack - Selected bus signal output.
30. Bus Selector Button - Select Bus A (out) or B (in).
31. Bus Output Jack - Selected bus signal output.
32. Bus Selector Button - Select Bus A (out) or B (in).
33. Bus Output Jack - Selected bus signal output.
Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus B
34. In 1 Level Attenuverter Knob - Signal input level normaled to +5v.
35. In 1 Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
36. Out 1 Jack - Audio or CV signal output.
37. In 2 Level Attenuverter Knob - Signal input level controller.
38. In 2 Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
39. Out 1 Jack - Audio or CV signal output.
40. CV | Output Level Attenuator Knob - Set Bus B output level.
41. In 3 Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
42. CV Jack - Bus B output level CV control input.
Signal Attenuators
43. Channel 1 Level Attenuator - Adjust the output level of channel 1.
44. Channel 1 Input Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
45. Channel 1 Output Jack - Audio or CV signal output.
46. Channel 2 Level Attenuator - Adjust the output level of channel 2.
47. Channel 2 Input Jack - Audio or CV signal input.
48. Channel 2 Output Jack - Audio or CV signal output.
1. Structure 344 Utility Bridge User Interface Map

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The Structure 344 Utility Bridge is meant to integrate with attached eurorack format modules to create a
patchable, analog synthesizer. The Utility Bridge combines the functionality of 6 individual synthesizer sections.
1. Preamp
2. Mix/Mult
3. Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus A
4. Bus Outputs
5. Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus B
6. Signal Attenuators
The sections were selected to enhance the functionality of attached eurorack modules by including a deep set of
tools that will be useful in every patch. Each section will be covered in detail to fully unlock the available signal
routing potential.
All Utility Bridge sections can be used to process both audio signals and control voltages.
2. Structure 344 Utility Bridge Sections, Connections and Signals

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The Structure 344 Utility Bridge uses several simple labeling conventions to make the user interface and signal
flow easy to understand. The labeling is meant as a starting point and not a definitive rule. Experimentation is
key.
Large white outlines are used to separate individual function sections such as the Mix/Mult and the Voltage
Controlled Mixer Bus A.
Internal signal paths are shown using an arrow pointing in the direction of the signal followed by a line leading to
the signal destination. Internal signal paths can be rerouted using the jacks.
There are two types of CV trimmers. An attenuator knob starts at zero signal when turned full left and at full right
it is outputting the full signal level. The zero point for an attenuverter knob is at 12 o’clock. Turning an
attenuverter full left outputs an inverted version of the full signal level and turning an attenuverter full right outputs
a non-inverted version of the full signal level.
CV input jacks are labeled using text surrounded by a outline.
Signal input jacks are labeled using text surrounded by a solid background.
Output jacks are simply labeled using text.
Any output can be patched into any input. Some patching may not result in musical or interesting results but
experimentation with the patch points is always encouraged.
3. Structure 344 Utility Bridge Interface Conventions

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4. Structure 344 Utility Bridge Internal Signal Routing
The Structure 344 Utility Bus utilizes flexible internal connections to simplify patching and extend the functionality
of the Utility Bus. To modify the internal routing or to create something completely new, all of the internal routing
can be bypassed using the jacks. This allows total patching freedom without the constraints of a fixed signal flow.
Most internal connections are made using switched jacks. A switched jack allows the internal signal path to be
cut when a patch cable is inserted. A simple example would be Input 1 of Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus A.
Internally, the output of Input 1 is sent to the Voltage Controlled Mixer where it is mixed with Input 2 and Input 3
and output via the Bus outputs. When a patch cable is plugged into the Input 1 output, that patch cable breaks
the connection to the mixer thus removing it from the Bus A outputs and creating a single channel attenuverter.
The internal signal routing of the Utility Bus is clearly marked on the panel using arrows and lines pointing toward
the signal destination. Plugging a patch cable into an internally patched input jack will override any
internal patching allowing for full patching flexibility.

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5. Structure 344 Utility Bridge Internal Signal Routing Map
a. Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus A Input 1 Output
Input 1 signal (11) sent from the Input 1 output (12) to the Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus A outputs.
b. Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus A Input 2 Output
Input 2 signal (14) sent from the Input 1 output (15) to the Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus A outputs.
c. Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus B Input 1 Output
Input 1 signal (35) sent from the Input 1 output (36) to the Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus B outputs.
d. Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus B Input 2 Output
Input 2 signal (38) sent from the Input 1 output (39) to the Voltage Controlled Mixer Bus B outputs.
E. Signal Attenuators Input 1 Output
Input 1 signal (44) sent from the Input 1 output (45) to the Input 2 input (47).

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6. Individual Utility Bridge Sections
The Utility Bridge is comprised of 6 individual function sections. The following pages will explain the features of
these sections.

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7. Utility Bridge Preamp
The Gain Knob (1) controls the preamp for processing external or internal signals. The Gain Knob (1) offers up to
30x gain with integrated soft clipping overdrive. Perfect for processing external signals or overdriving internal
waveforms.
Preamp Patching Notes
• The preamp can be used to raise the signal level of line level audio from external synths, guitars, or other
audio sources.
• Pass eurorack level signals through the preamp to overdrive the signal.

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8. Utility Bridge Mix/Mult
The Mix/Mult is an active audio and CV interchange simultaneously splitting and mixing the incoming signals.
This section can be used as a two channel mixer, buffered signal splitter, or both. The Inputs (4,5) create a two
channel unity gain mixer. The Outputs (6,7,8,9) are four identical, individually buffered copies of the incoming
audio or CV signal(s). The Mix/Mult is perfect for pitch sensitive CV signals.
Mix Mult Patching Notes
• The Mix/Mult works great for both audio and CV signals.
• Patch both Inputs (4,5) to use the Mix/Mult as a two channel unity gain mixer.
• Patch one Input (4 or 5) and multiple Outputs (6,7,8,9) to use the Mix/Mult as a buffered signal splitter.
• Patch both Inputs (4,5) and multiple Outputs (6,7,8,9) to use the Mix/Mult as both a unity gain mixer and
buffered signal splitter.