Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900, Manual

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19. Microvolt Patch Example 3
Dynamic VCA Input Balance (Additive vs Subtractive)
This simple patch example showcases the unique sounds available when additive and subtractive synthesis
methods are used together. The important user interface controls are highlighted in blue but all of the controls of
the Microvolt 3900 can impact the sound and functionality of the patch. Once the initial patch is set up,
experiment with one setting at a time to understand its effect on the signal path.
The output of the saw wave passes through the filter to create the subtractive signal path and is modified using
the filter frequency slider (15) and resonance slider (16). The additive signal path is created by manually patching
the output of the fold wave (117) into the input of the dynamic VCA (124) bypassing the filter and allowing the fold
timbre slider (3) full control over the harmonic content of the fold wave. The input balance trimmer knob (23)
controls the mix between the saw (full left) and the fold wave (full right). To maximize the organic richness of the
sound, the dynamic VCA is set to LPG mode (19) with pluck enabled (22).
Modulation of this patch is handled with 3 sources. The modulation sources section is set to modulate the timbre
wave (6) using the triangle wave of the LFO. This creates some movement in the additive synthesis signal path.
The function generator controls the modulation of the filter frequency (17) and is triggered when a midi note is
received. The dynamic VCA envelope generator triggers the dynamic VCA pluck. The attack of the envelope
generator needs to be set with a short attack otherwise the slope of the attack will not trigger the pluck circuit.