Pittsburgh Modular Taiga Keyboard

Pittsburgh Modular kicked off the year by introducing the Taiga semi-modular synth, rapidly earning critical acclaim and the creative dedication of synthesists around the world. Over the following year, the minds at Pittsburgh Modular revisited the Taiga synth module to expand its scope of synthesis possibilities to the summit, resulting in the Taiga Keyboard Semi-modular Analog Synthesizer. Like its predecessor, the Taiga Keyboard is brimming with sonic character, armed with a triad of multi-waveform oscillators, the company’s signature Pittsburgh “No Dead Spots” Filter, a voltaic Dynamics Controller, three wavefolders, FM capabilities, and more for unmatched sonic sculpting. Accompanying the return of the module’s formidable tool kit are two augmentations that Sweetwater’s synthesists agree are a welcome, powerful extension of the Taiga’s roaring capabilities: a 37-key keybed and a Modular Expansion Bay. The latter allows you to expand the aural prowess of this formidable paraphonic synthesizer with a powered, 24HP space to outfit with your favorite Eurorack modules. Meanwhile, the former includes aftertouch and full-sized keys alongside pitch and modulation wheels with a bevy of flexible assignment options. Finally, Pittsburgh Modular brings back the comprehensive array of patch points, extended to address the slew of additional features, totaling 64 points of patchable controls for both internal signal flow and external modulation.

Extend your sonic horizons

While each of the Taiga Keyboard’s three oscillators includes the classic sine, triangle, and saw waveforms, they can be combined to produce new, intergrading shapes. These shapes can be further sculpted by the 6-stage wavefolder circuit, generating rich harmonics without causing the waves to collapse into themselves. If that weren’t enough, each oscillator features its own FM controls, further supplementing your sound with distinction. Plus, an onboard noise generator delivers something pitched between white and pink noises, easily used for percussive, rhythmic sounds or supplying an edge to your patch.

Sculpt aural landscapes and harmonic vistas

One of Pittsburgh Modular’s most notable innovations is their “No Dead Spots” variable-state, multimode filter. This filter is capable of individual or simultaneous lowpass, bandpass, and highpass configurations, maintaining rich sonics throughout the spectrum. Never content to settle, the company invented the Pittsburgh Dynamics Section, a dynamic controller that adds a release time to their vactrol-less lowpass gate circuit, functioning like an alternative to both an envelope generator and a VCA. Of course, you still get two all-analog ADSR and envelope generators, as well as a pair of dual-range analog LFOs, which host both square and triangle waveforms.

Complete control on your terms

Virtually every parameter in this versatile synth can be controlled via CV, with a top-mounted 64-point patchbay designed to accommodate countless arrangements for both external management and the use of Taiga to control plenty of other compatible devices, in addition to modulating or being modulated by Eurorack instruments loaded into the Modular Expansion Bay. This Taiga Keyboard can also be controlled via MIDI, which includes a MIDI-to-CV converter, drastically expanding control potential to make Taiga the central nervous system of the most ambitious arrangements. Case in point, the digital multi-mod tool allows for deep modulation control alongside a random generator, as well as an additional LFO and envelope generator.

Unmatched audio processing

In addition to its clock-syncable arpeggiator, the Taiga Keyboard includes a built-in clock divider and a sample & hold circuit, allowing for complex, rhythmically derived sequences. You’ll notice this synth includes a 4-channel mixer, which also has the ability to be broken out into two 2-channel mixers, and is capable of managing audio or CV signals. There’s also the highly flexible built-in preamp, comprised of a high-gain, soft-clipping overdrive limiter. Use it to clearly attenuate external audio or take it into overdrive for internal signals, which produces a rich, fattening tone. If this weren’t enough, the Taiga Keyboard features a 100% analog bucket brigade delay managed by the Echos area to texturize your tones with dimensional flavor.

Tech Specs

• Type:Semi-modular Synthesizer Keyboard
• Sound Engine:3 x Taiga Keybaord Oscillators
• Analog/Digital:Analog
• Number of Keys:37
• Type of Keys:Full Size
• Aftertouch:Yes
• Velocity Sensitive:Yes
• Other Controllers:Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
• Polyphony:Paraphonic
• Oscillators:3 x VCO (sine, triangle, saw, pulse)
• Waveforms:Sine, Warped Sine, Triangle, Warped Triangle, Saw, Warped Saw, Pulse, Sine/Pulse, Random
• Effects Types:Echo Decay
• Arpeggiator:Yes
• Sampling:Yes
• Audio Outputs:2 x 1/4" TS (left, right), 2 x 1/8" TS (left, right)
• Headphones:1 x 1/8" TRS
• USB:1 x Type B (firmware updates only)
• MIDI I/O:In/Out
• Other I/O:60-point Patch Bay
• Expansion:24HP Eurorack Space Avalible, 1.57" (40mm) Depth
• Power Source:15V DC Power Supply
• Manufacturer Part Number:Taiga Keys