In the latest Sonic State Sonic Lab video, host Nick Batt offers his take on the new Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms SV-2 Semi-Modular Analog Subtractive Synthesizer.

Batt describes the SV-2 as ‘a really nice synth that works to Pittsburgh’s strengths’, and says it offers a ‘huge variety of flavors’.

Video Summary:

“We take a look at the @pittsburghmodular Lifeforms SV-2, a 37-key semi-modular analogue synthesizer with an East Coast subtractive focus.

It shares the format of the Taiga Keyboard with two main oscillators, two analogue LFOs that can also be oscillators , dual multimode filters, 2ADSR envelopes, 2 VCAs, spring reverb, arpeggiator and extensive patching.

The oscillators include multiple waveforms, Blade shaping and sub outputs on osc 1, while the LFOs can act as extra pitch-tracking oscillators for richer mono or two-note paraphonic patches.

The filters offer several modes and respond strongly to gain, drive and character settings, giving clean tones or more saturated results with a large amount of gain points both in the filters and in the mixer.

Additional function and velocity outputs with various modes add extra useful modulation.”

Topics Covered:

00:00:00 Introduction to the Lifeforms SV-2
00:01:08 Keyboard, panel layout and 24HP Eurorack bay
00:03:21 Oscillator waveforms and Blade shape
00:06:16 Using the LFOs as oscillators
00:09:56 Dual multimode filters and gain structure
00:13:25 Driven subtractive sound example
00:14:52 Two-note paraphonic patch
00:16:05 Velocity, envelopes and random functions
00:19:42 Arpeggiator modes and legato transpose
00:21:39 Price, availability and closing thoughts”

What do you think of the new Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms SV-2? Check out the video, and share your thoughts in the comments!