Sometimes I come here because I need a thorough review from someone who really knows what it's about. Most the time, I just come here to watch Nick be enthusiastic about some box that makes a noise.
Just recently got an Arturia Minibrute and have heard the siren call of Modular Synths tempting me and thought this as a good starting option. Gotta admit one of the biggest selling points of setting up a Pitts modular rack is the amount of replies in the comment section from Pittsburgh themselves looking to help any customers with question/problems/praise. The fact that the company checks comment sections of a vid of their product not even made by them says ALOT! :) Choice is made.... now I just gotta get the money hahaha
been thinking of adding this to my 0-coast and Elektron setup and it would be way less cost and space needed compared to a full blown Eurorack setup. I know guys with 10-50k in Eurorack gear!
The SV-1 was definitely my gateway into eurorack/modular. I actually got it as part of the "301" system, with the KB-1 and the 2x104hp rack. Has been a great start, and the SV-1 and KB-1 are so packed with utility that I have a hard time imagining them not being a part of my system. Oh, and thanks for turning me on to the X-Air mixers. I think I'll need to have one :-).
Well actually I just got myself my first hardware synth a few weeks ago. It's a BS2 which I love. But somehow it got me interested in eurorack haha. Or actually I first got interested in it because I was looking for another way of getting analog drum sounds. But I sort of dropped that idea. But I still kept researching about eurorack and semi modular synths. Now I really want a SV-1. Somehow it gives me a similar feeling as the BS2 though they sound pretty different from eachother. After getting a SV-1 I'll definitely get myself at least a few extra modules or how many it'll be in the end haha.
When I saw the announcement for the Blackbox on Sonicstate's website in early August, I was like "Oh my god.... That's it! My first step into modulars! That's what I've been waiting for!!" lol Immediately put my Gaia and TB-3 on ebay and sold them. The Blackbox is soo much damn fun! Excellent review Nick! And to others out there that are interested.... find a longer power supply cord right away.
Just received one of these. This review and the sounds video made it impossible not to. Never used modular before but I've been using synths all my life so finding it easy to dial in what I want, including OSC sync from VCO2 into VCO1, using the square wave. Great sounding synth..... and I haven't even plugged MIDI into it yet. Stop it Nick, you are bankrupting me! :)
Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers - Count me in as someone else who's ordered an SV1 off the back of Nick's excellent reviews! and sound demos! Hopefully it'll be with me tomorrow, should have booked the day off work...
great video, very thorough and balanced. seems like an incredibly well-featured semi modular with very good sound and a few minor drawbacks. I have been playing my Moog Mother-32 for about 7 months now (obviously a close competitor). The sequencer / 1-8ve keyboard on the M32 seems like the killer feature I couldn't live without, but then I am a pianist / MIDI-programmer by nature, so it just depends. Either SV-1 or a Dreadbox would be my next semi-modular unit, I think. I'm trying to hold back the gear lust and go super-deep on my one synthesizer. Brian Eno mastered the DX7 synth and that was part of why his sound was so inimitable. Personally I'm thrilled I started with the Mother-32, it was perfect for me and has changed my life and music-making completely. But that's the great thing about analog sound and modular knobs and cables, no matter what it's gonna be awesome :)
Thanks for the vid, Nick ! I have to ask tho, there is a buzz in this demo that seems to be at oscillator frequency. Even with the filter all the way down. Is this some sort of bleed through?
Been thinking of making the SV-1 together with the Moog Mother 32 my entry into Eurorack. I have made a long list of other modules I want, but it feels like I could get a long way with these two units. What do you guys think? Is this a good combination? I've played around with the Mother in a store and I loved it, but the features of the SV-1 are really tempting (all of those voices, the dedicated sample and hold, that mixer etc). Do you think I should get the Eurorack version of the SV-1 and put it in a case together with the Moog Mother 32, or should I get the Blackbox version for now?
probably not that great a move i think, if you're really interested in going fully eurorack. Both modules you're naming have limitations which you will augment with other modules soon. Modules mean specification and choosing them will mean you get a very personal instrument. If you want eurorack, go for either one of those and then get other stuff. If you don't have other gear yet i would recommend the mother because of the sequencer it has. edit: i would definitely recommend getting more opinions than just mine! I should have added that i'm not a pro about this stuff! good luck on your journey! :)
You got a couple of good points there! While I do like the sequencer in the Mother, I want to send sequences to my setup from my computer, so I don't know how much I'll use the sequencer... Maybe a Mother and an extra oscillator... But the SV-1 has so many features... It seems like starting with a semi modular full-voice module would be a wise decision, because it's cheaper than if you get a bunch of modules. Which is why I was thinking of getting both the Mother and the Sv-1, because I can't decide between them. I'll do some more research.
Jet Lag Do you know the site reddit? they have a subforum called /r/synthesizers. You could go there to look through threads for advice or even start your own asking for advice.
Yeah, I know about reddit. Just never found a reason to make an account. I guess now's a good time to do that lol. I'll make an account and ask around for advice.
But can you play La serenissima on it ? ........................ Seriously though I`m looking to expand my non DAW Analog stuff. I have a Pulse 2 ( might sell it ) a Moog Minitaur and a Beatstep Pro but wanna get into some Desktop at least Semi Modular/normalized stuff that can complement or work with my Minitaur. I`m looking at the Moog Mother 32, Make Noise 0-COAST ( although as Parameters are non standard isn`t gonna help my get into learning patching I think ) and then this ? What do others with any Modular experience think ? ( note any Modular needs to be at least Normalised for me )
The "Blade Wave" modulation sounds great. I'm sick of the metallic harmonics that companies are putting on their oscillators to try to make them sound different, since they tend to just sound digital or noisy. This one sounds neat and kinda fresh.
I hate when you want to modulate a VCO and the pot is linear instead of logarithmic. I've been thinking of swapping out the pot in my microbrute just because of this. I rarely want to push it above 5%, and in a live environment where sometimes you have to work by memory because you can't clearly hear yourself (I play with a full band, so sometimes it just happens) it is really easy to overdo what is supposed to be a subtle detune.
Nick thanks for all the amazing videos.. I always come to sonicstate first when I'm looking at synths. I'm buying a synth soon, and wanted to get your advice. If you could only have one synth for around $500, which would it be? I've been looking at the System 1, Minilogue, Minibrute, MS20 Mini, Blofeld, Mother32, and a couple others. Would prefer polyphonic, but versatility and quality sound is more important. What do you think?
so... devo's early sound was a lot of ring modulation. when i think "sample & hold", i think of the "juice harp" solo from joe walsh's life's been good
Aside from the short cord, I am seeing this style (if it is the same) of power port on laptops and tablets. A pressure pin keeps a loose fitting plug in. This alleviates stress on the motherboard due to cord weight.. It would be a great idea on synths due to touring/moving around if it is in fact the case.. and not just ill fitting
Upon closer examination I want to correct and clarify a comment from earlier. Because the jack itself does a wiggle a bit more than my other gear. The power cord slides in easily and with a bit of pressure will pull out a bit from the box. After that, it feels like it would stay in fairly well. Did not want to give the impression it will just slide out. The jack is a bit strange on my end.
Yes! The SV-1 module in the Blackbox is identical to the SV-1 module sold stand-alone. Just take out the 4 panel screws, remove the module from the case, and take off the power board.
spec-wise, lifeforms seems richer than mother and 0-coast (2 vocs, subs, multimode filter....), but soundwise can it stand the moog sound and the makenoise peculiar sound ?
At 3.20 I heard some subtle pitch modulation even though could see that the pots were turned right down. Were they completely at 0% or is there some strange bleed through from the lfo occurring?
Way back seeing this review put this thing on my mind as my first modular. Luckily it came on sale near me so I now I have it and its lovely! I got the Lifeforms System 202 with the Pressure Sensitive Keyboard Controller. Versatile and open while being super noob friendly. Some units have had tracking/bleed problems so I suggest you try to test yours before buying. (Just let it warm up for a good while) Mine has a little bit of both (octaves are not exactly spot on...) could be resolved via the PCBs trimpots but I need to find someone with the skills to do it. For now it doesn´t really bother me. Also the way it does "hard sync" is a bit different so I´d look into that if its a must have feature. Apart from that its a dream come true! Syncs great with a Volca btw!
We now have hardware upgrades available for the SV-1 to address tuning and sync behavior. To arrange service, simply contact info@pittsburghmodular.com. Glad to hear you're enjoying the System 201!
It’s like nowadays synth manufacturers decide to include PWM because they know otherwise it won’t pass the soniclab’s review with Nick’s recommandation :)
Hi Nick, If you take the FM signal from the mod LFO and use the CV knob to vary it, does it still use Osc 2 normalised signal or leave it free to use as a second Osc? Thanks.
Newbie to analog stuff. Wondering can you patch a sound from another modular synth through this so you can use say the filter. Or run the osc laters from the sv-1 with another synths input as well?
In the patch you made at 13:15 I dont understand how/why as you say the lof goes to the bottom mixer "running the sample and hold wave." I dont see this patched, what am I missing? sorry, new to modular. thanks!
Great review as always, Nick. Wow, that is a interesting module...big range OSC's and good sounding waves, looks almost to clean on the oscilloscope... i wonder how many stable octaves it can do. Hope Its not like the minibrute (top octaves go way out of tune). I was pleasantly surprised about the filter...sounds great. Would rather have a clock reset out (or in if running as a slave) to sync other future eurocrack stuff than a split LFO out. it seemed like there was little bleed there on the pulsewidth mod. .and that VCO sync was strange?!?! This must be one of the top machines right now to use as a base for a modular...its a gateway to the Eurorack system!!! but also to your wallet. :)
So if the voltage control input on, say the FM for example, is controlling the frequency from another source, what is the knob next to it doing? Is it changing the amount that the outside source effects it? I'm kind of new to this and I'm looking into building my own oscillator module
Nick, any issues with the tuning on these guys? I keep reading mixed reviews about it. Are people just being impatient and not letting them warm up ? Cheers
Hello Nick, could you or someone else with the SV-1 tell me if it's normal for the oscillators to generate a tone even without any pitch/midi information being sent to the synth? OSC 2 seem to be manageable, but OSC 1 puts out quite a noticeable tone consistently as soon as the synth is powered on
How do you think the Beatstep would sound any differently than other sequencers/controllers? Would the Beatstep sound any heavier or more solid u think? Sorry, I'm a bit tipsy atm
A lot of the 'acid' sound of the 303 comes from the per note slide on the sequencer. As for the filter of a 303 - it's a diode ladder, so will be a bit different to this. The best approach is just to listen and see whether you like the sound or not.
You can sequence the SV1 via midi from a computer (Ableton, Logic etc. using a midi interface) or a hardware sequencer (Korg SQ1, Beatstep Pro, MPC etc.). What's great about the SV1's midi input is not only can you send note data but it'll sync the digital LFO to midi clock for rhythmic effects - tempo synced sample and hold filter 'sweeps' always sound good!
Anyone else who wants this hooked up with a DFAM? I wonder if it would be possible to sync Ableton with Lifeform via MIDI, then sync the DFAM with CV from the Lifeform..
Nick, you need to make a commitment. Which would you spend your dosh on: Dreadbox, Pittsburgh, O-Coast, Mother 32? Reviews are fantastic but I need higher wisdom to ease the pain of choice.
hah, well thats a matter of personal preference, depends on how you connect with them, I'm in the lucky position to be able to try them, but you have to make your own mind up. I'm a big fan of the Dreadbox. its probably the synth I would take to a session over the others for melodic stuff. Hope that helps
What the hell did they do with that sync? That's just wrong.......and weird scaling on that FM knob of osc 1, I really liked the idea of this but stuff like that makes it hard to follow through on.
It is sync but not as we know it. Basically it resets the waveform to the bottom of the wave rather than at the zero-crossing. I have been on to pittsburgh about it and it is meant to be like that. What I haven't been able to work out is what possible use it has.
Karl Nilsson ok Thanks, I could be mad but I think blofeld has this option, it's like a soft sync but maybe I'm imagining it. I'm going to try to replicate this function in an oscillator in reaktor with a scope attached to try and understand wtf is happening
