Taiga Redux: Award-winning Synthesis Evolves and Expands
In 2023, 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.
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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.
Pittsburgh Modular Taiga Keyboard Semi-modular Analog Synthesizer Features:
- Redux of the paraphonic, analog Taiga module, expanded with full-sized keys, aftertouch, pitch and mod wheels, and a 37-key keybed for roaring sonic expression
- Modular Expansion Bay is fully powered to support 24HP of your favorite Eurorack modules for robust sound-design opportunities
- Fully patchable 64-point bay provides unfettered control via CV for internal or external modulation and audio processing
- TRS MIDI input includes MIDI-to-CV conversion, allowing for complex MIDI control of Taiga and anything connected via CV outputs
- 3 oscillators are 100% analog, producing rich tones across sine, triangle, saw, and intergrading waveforms
- 6-stage wavefolder/waveshaper circuit bends waves in on themselves for enhanced harmonic growth
- Per-oscillator frequency modulation (FM) provides even more harmonic opportunity
- Noise generator is between pink and pure white, great for percussive snaps or melodic edge
- Multimode “No Dead Spots” filter enables individual or combined uses of lowpass, bandpass, and highpass modes
- Dynamics section delivers previously-unavailable control over the vactrol-less LPG circuit by attenuating release times
- Dual-range LFOs feature square and triangle wave options for complex patch construction
- 2 ADSR/envelope generators allow for greater sonic shaping and patch-integrated control
- Onboard preamp utilizes a soft-clipping overdrive limiter circuit to attenuate external audio or distort internal audio for greater textural design
- Echos spatializes your output with a 100% analog bucket brigade delay
