Pittsburgh Modular MIDI 3 – “This Module Is Deep”

pittsburgh-modular-midi-to-cv-module-eurorackPittsburgh Modular has introduced MIDI 3 – an ‘extremely full featured’ MIDI to CV converter for Eurorack modular synthesizers.

The Midi 3 is PM’s third-generation Midi to CV converter. It includes a complete set of mono and duophonic MIDI response modes, assignable CC and dedicated velocity outputs, a clock source with tap tempo, MIDI and external gate clock dividers, and multiple arpeggiator responses.

As PM says, “This module is deep.”

MIDI 3 MIDI to CV Converter

A MIDI to cv module converts standard MIDI note messages into the analog control voltages used by modular and other analog synthesizers. This allows the synthesizer to be controlled by a midi keyboard, sequencer, or DAW.

The two CV outputs on the Midi 3 can be used to control the pitch of an oscillator, cutoff frequency of a filter, or any other function that requires a control voltage signal. The set of Gate outputs on the Midi 3 can be used to trigger envelope generators or other modules expecting a gate or clock source.

The Midi 3 Module has 3 Distinct Performance Modes:

  • Monophonic – Monophonic mode works great when using a modular as a single voice synthesizer patch. Channel 2 Gate and CV outputs mirror the outputs of Channel 1. Monophonic mode has several keyboard responses to choose from. Last note priority, low note priority, and high note priority. Each response is available with and without gate retriggering.
  • Duophonic – The Midi 3 module uses the two sets of Gate and CV outputs to allow two notes to be played simultaneously. The first midi note is sent to Channel 1 Gate and CV outputs and the second is sent to Channel 2 Gate and CV outputs. Duophonic mode has three keyboard response modes to choose from. Unused channel and new note priority, unused channel and low note priority, and split keyboard priority. Duophonic mode is perfect when working with a two voice modular synthesizer patch.
  • Arpeggiator – The Midi 3 module includes a robust arpeggiator mode with multiple mono and duophonic responses to choose from. Available responses are monophonic response as played, double triggered monophonic response as played, random monophonic response, random monophonic with a random Channel 2 gate, and random duophonic response with dual random gates. The arpeggiator can be clocked using tap tempo, midi clock, or external gate.

The Midi 3 Module has 3 Clock Modes:

  • Internal Clock – The internal Midi 3 clock utilizes the tap tempo button to modify the rate of the internal clock. The internal clock is used to clock the arpeggiator and is also output to the CLOCK jack.
  • External Midi Clock – The external midi clock responds to midi start/stop messages and midi tempo from an external midi clock source. The external midi clock is used to clock the arpeggiator and is also output to the CLOCK jack. In external midi clock mode, the tap tempo button cycles through five available clock divisions.
  • External Gate Clock – The external gate clock responds to gate signals patched into the CLOCK jack. The external gate clock is used to clock the arpeggiator. In external gate clock mode, the tap tempo button cycles through six available clock divisions.

Additional Features of the Midi 3:

  • Assignable Midi Channel – The Midi 3 can be assigned to respond to all channels or any individual midi channel.
  • Assignable Pitch Bend Range – The range of pitch bend can be set to +/- 2 notes, +/- 5th, +/- 1 octave, +/- 2 octaves.
  • Control Change Output – CC response of 0-5v.
  • Assignable Control Change Channel Assign – Assign the midi CC channel the Midi 3 responds to.
  • Velocity Output – Velocity response of 0-5v based on active note.

The Pittsburgh Modular MIDI 3 MIDI to CV Converter is priced at US $229. See the PM site for details.

6 thoughts on “Pittsburgh Modular MIDI 3 – “This Module Is Deep”

  1. I recently got this module and i could say its pretty easy to use and it has some nice features, including the integrated arpeggiator wich is actually really useful and i actually use also combined with a sequencer. There is a hold option so you can freely modify your parameters on your other modules or sequencer while the notes or the arpeggiator are hold down.

    Also the posibility to make different note preferences in monophonic and duophonic and split keyboard its pretty interesting. Off course there are more complex modules out there but the price increase and it depends of what at are your needs.

    It would be nice that this module included a little led screen or something to take notice of the midi channel, the modes and the change of parameters because being waiting and watching that lights its not so useful specialy if you will be using it live.

    I use this module with my midi controller and ableton and there is no delay in the signal, also its nice to have different clock modes so you can sync without needing a clock divider.

    Anyways i guess its a nice choice if you want to have a midi interface to integrate with your controller or DAW

    1. I’d like to play two separate tracks from ableton – each on different MIDI chanell, send MIDI notes to this modul and play two voices on two separate oscilaotors – one for bass sound and second for lead sound. Is it possible with this modul ?

  2. I’d like to play two separate tracks from ableton – each on different MIDI chanell, send MIDI notes to this modul and play two voices on two separate oscilaotors – one for bass sound and second for lead sound. Is it possible with this modul ?

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