Patch points are labelled with outlines to indicate CV inputs and solid blocks for audio inputs.
Thankfully the Microvolt divides the 39 jacks into relevant organized sections to streamline navigation. With the Mother 32 because the patch bay is one solid section, I often found it easy to get lost in its grid of patch points. Pittsburgh opted to take the same approach as the Moog Mother 32 by separating the patch bay from the rest of the controls, thus keeping the layout much more clean. The reason for this is a reassuringly solid metal enclosure with a classy dark wood panel adorning the front. In fact after handing it to a few friends, without fail they all expressed surprise at how heavy it is. The Microvolt feels way more substantial in person than I expected based on my initial sightings from its NAMM unveiling. Since the Pittsburgh Modular guys are obviously space nerds, as evidenced by the inclusion of NASA trading cards and plastic spaceships with their products, my bet is on the last option. A quick Google search brings up Cisco routers, a Queensland electric train engine, the Lego part number for a minifig wand thing, but most significantly, a type of subatomic particle made of quarks that was thought to be the first experimentally observed tetraquark. I’m not sure where the 3900 number comes from. However, the Microvolt has plenty of features that separate it from the 0-Coast to make it either a worthwhile alternative or companion. Perhaps a closer comparison could be made to the Make Noise 0-Coast, as they are both tabletop semi modulars blending east coast and west coast synthesis approaches. Plus, they both feature low pass filters along with ADSR and AD envelope generators, but beyond that the commonalities dwindle. And yes, aesthetically the signal flow diagram and use of sliders over knobs is similar. My first impression was that this little guy was like a mini Arp Odyssey module. So let’s take a look at what the Microvolt brings to the tabletop arena.
I gradually learned that the Microvolt defies simple description and comparison by offering a clever combination of familiar and novel features.
In this case it’s none other than the Microvolt 3900, a semi modular, tabletop analog synthesizer from Pittsburgh Modular. This month I was spoiled with not just a module, but an entire synth to review. Scott Riesterer explored the Microvolt 3900. The latest release from specialist designers Pittsburgh Modular is an all-in-one tabletop semi modular synthesizer.
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