The Sweet Spot: Voltage Lab 2 Semi-Modular Synthesizer

As anyone who has ever tried to assemble a modular synthesizer, it is not easy to create a cohesive instrument, especially if you try to narrow it down to a portable case. In comes The Voltage Lab 2 that Pittsburgh Modular send me to play with (thanks for that!) - it is a semi-modular self contained synthesizer, and to me it hits the sweet spot between functionality and musicality.
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[@Hainbach]

Soundpack & Music: patreon.com/hainbach - Don't miss out on my Patreon shop deals right now - all the samples from past videos (2018-22) now sale, no need to subscribe. Buy the Voltage Lab 2 with these affiliate links and support the channel: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/591951?offid=1&affid=889 US: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-262661-9759?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Fpittsburgh-voltage-lab-2.html

[@awpMusic1]

Voltage Lab 2 is all over KZbin already but nobody is making such beautiful music with it as you are here! Great video.

[@Hainbach]

Thank you! It really spoke to me, especially because of the almost orchestral tones of the oscillators.

[@awpMusic1]

@@Hainbach I had the Taiga desktop - now have the Taiga Keyboard - but this is a new level. You made it sound great.

[@loopinnerthe]

If I was the guy, or even the team, that has spent hundreds hours coding and designing this instrument I would be relieved and delighted to see that it had kept Hainbach amused and occupied. I think the oscillators were blushing....

[@thedukeofbreakfast]

Immediately clear that this is a really beautiful machine. Thank you for the video write-up, as always! 🙏

[@matsfrommusic]

Best looking synth I've ever seen and it sounds glorious.

[@sibeex]

Sounds great and the functionality appears to be very intuitive and well thought out, thanks!

[@thegreaterconundrum]

Love that you always showcase the more subtle sounds

[@IndieAuthorX]

You are exactly the artist on youtube who would know how to use this instrument. Saving up for one myself.

[@bricelory9534]

What a lovely instrument! I could really see being tempted to getting a full environment like this. The textures and the distortion/feedback is really beautiful on it! I appreciate all the tracks you patched for this as well - a huge variety of very interesting tracks!

[@Hainbach]

Thank you! It was a joy to play this

[@Winterdagen]

You made some absolutely gorgeous sounds with this one Hainbach!

[@Hainbach]

Thank you! It is a rewarding instrument.

[@nachocordobadelgado1846]

The oscillator-type shifting function is amazing! And the jam at the end is chef's kiss :)

[@Brumata]

Oh wow! What a V2! Really cool instrument.

[@Somnambule]

Thanx for sharing your experience with the new amazing voltage lab 2…sounds great what your created ….have the first edition from the VRL with the nice little case but the new lab is a fantastic monster. Greetings 🖖👽

[@enricopallazzoofficial]

Great job as usual Hainbach.

[@scottasin]

Watching this video gave me some patch ideas for my Deepmind 12, thats a well designed instrument there if it can inspire ideas without even having one.

[@kaitlyn__L]

I love how you got such atmospheric patches out of this! Other demos I’ve seen so far went really heavy, with the wavefolder harmonics etc.

[@Hainbach]

it’s easy to go hard with it. I just like the flutes, oboes and violas I hear from the oscillations more.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@Hainbach I totally agree, these oscillators do a really good job at sounding like brass and wind!

[@supercompooper]

He doesn't use reverb. He uses Zverb and maybe Omegaverb. By the way, don't listen to me, I'm silly.

[@techlab7]

Wow, this is great!

[@gregvittore5004]

Impressive! Great demo sir!❤

[@kineticstringwell844]

wow this is what ive been looking for for studio desktop workhorse

[@shpongled587]

Pittsburgh Modular never disappoints!

[@jasonmoyer]

The first one is amazing, this appears to improve on it in every single way.

[@spazimdam]

I knew Hainbach would have much more interesting sequences and sounds with Voltage Lab 2 than all these other reviewers. So useful, this tells me that indeed Voltage Lab 2 could be cool to experiment with. All the other reviews I've seen on it made me feel like it wouldn't be very satisfying. Very cool.

[@timdanyo898]

Yes. This is a complete and unique instrument. PM knows.

[@polymodular]

the wavefolder is something else. sweet harmonics

[@valdir7426]

very nice musical showcase; would definitely listen to an album made with this

[@SynthoidSounds]

Nicely done, very convincing demo to consider this as my next modular synth hardware gadget to add to my ever evolving synth lab mamagerie . . . my synth hardware addiction really is getting out of hand!

[@mylarmelodies]

This sounds immense, nice work on both sides!!

[@Hainbach]

Thanks bud! See you at SB?

[@mylarmelodies]

@@Hainbach Yes! See you soon 🍻

[@HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

absolutely at 16:04 was giving me serious why we bleep vibes. So much this setup can do. One to pack on that trip to the log cabin. Plug in and let the mind roam for days. Great work!

[@kinnectar820]

Holy moley, what an amazing wave of new synths, between this and the Polybrute 12, and the Moog Spectravox there is seriously something analog for everyone.

[@Hainbach]

Agreed, it’s good times

[@lavoltabbona]

*Polybrute 12

[@adeptusmechanicus7572]

This is perfect for creating Berlin-School music.

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

Or Berlin-Bierhallen

[@dejangaletic7884]

Hainbach is so good, he has his own T-shirts for sale

[@JureJerebic]

That's a good sounding synth

[@DasDoktorchen]

A whole modular synthesizer ready to use and in small size... 🤔 Looking forward to trying myself.👍

[@bontempo1271]

Some synths feel more alive and make sound that enters the 'electrosphere', this realm where electronically derived sound stirs the human emotion, and for some reason it always sounds epic, something larger than life. Yes this synth is one of them Edit : oh wow, i love that sound coming from your piano !

[@Hainbach]

Thank you! I am using Valhalla UberMod to blur the piano

[@bontempo1271]

@@Hainbach Uber indeed ! ty :)

[@dodgedforgottenn]

As always, great video! Schöne Grüße nach Berlin!

[@temporoboto]

well done!

[@neuzethmusic131]

Hi, this is Sarah Belle Hainbach and it's good to have you back! 😂 Love the Voltage Lab 2, but fortunately I love my Eurorack and 2600 even more.

[@dejangaletic7884]

Yeah, all of the modular specialists in one place 😂

[@jaysgood10]

Hi, this is Jose Quervo and I drank too much.

[@GRIFFARTCENTER]

soulful synth

[@Hainbach]

Yeah agree.

[@akuro2685]

HOLY MOLY

[@biggrime]

Can't wait to pair this with Taiga and spectravox

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

😮 B R A V O Pittsburg Modular ! 😘👌

[@rainerd9890]

Thanks for the demo. I was hoping to get a Buchla Easel but the price is exhorbitant. This Synth comes in at $1300 cdn less with much more functionality and the Buchla spirit of innovation in the present day context.

[@DanielDay-dv8uw]

Syntesizer Oh! I remember Aalto loved tinkering with that back when it came out. I wish you could bring your style of playing to the Buchla 100 series I feel theres so much missing about what it can do on yt.

[@ytJnC]

I would be curious to get your reaction (ideally a review someday too) on the Elta Music Solar 42. I’m thinking the production version *should* be at Superbooth if they are attending this year.

[@SOOCMAG]

hello Hainbach, looking for my first modular synthesizer or better sound and melody synthesizer. I already own the Pulsar23 and am looking for another sound color. I wanted to buy the Cascadia from Intellijel first. Now the Voltage lab came out and because it's not heavy enough I discovered the Orcale system from Clank Modular today. I also use the Gauss Fieldlooper and an electric guitar. The aim is to gradually replace the electric guitar or supplement it with the synth. I study my pieces for a long time in order to record them and show them on stage. I know that I have to try things out. Then I see or rather hear whether it fits in. I would like to find out how the learning curve for a modular instrument works. With the Pulsar, for example, I now produce soundscapes quite quickly - even beyond drums. We live in a great time with all the possibilities. However, I am also slightly overwhelmed. I don't expect a solution to my problems, just a few thoughts. No matter from whom :) thank you

[@isaacc7]

Can’t help but notice your Serge system has grown:) Would love to see some videos on that. I’m also in love with the case you have it in! What is it?

[@Hainbach]

That is a Ross Lamond he made for Patch Point. Really really nice. I got Sigfried now, that could be a fun vid

[@sslaytor]

Is this the Taiga 2.0? Looks very similar - may just be the big bright knobs! The seem to call out "Twist me!"

[@Jeff_____]

If you have to patch it to make a sound doesn't that make it fully modular or are there some hardwired connections once you connect a cable?

[@Hainbach]

Interesting thought! I would call it semi modular since it is not designed to take other modules

[@Jeff_____]

@@Hainbach yeah that makes sense too. Great video you have fueled my G.A.S.

[@pluckingthespectrum]

Hello there 😀 thanks for this great introduction. Does this instrument remember its settings when it’s switched off? It’s the only annoying thing with version 1

[@Hainbach]

It does as far as I tried- could get right back to the patch I had done the day before

[@pluckingthespectrum]

ah thanks, that will make a big difference - all the buttons on V1 revert each time

[@HugoPlaVentas-iy2jv]

Great video! Is this available to buy?

[@Hainbach]

Yeah should be in shops now

[@micheleisoni]

Not VL2 related...what is the sequencer running arp2600? Thanks in advance

[@Hainbach]

That is a clone of the 1601 ARP sequencer. Patch Point assembled the whole rig for me

[@richtigpopichtig4563]

Ist das schöne Serge Rack auch von Patch Point?

[@Hainbach]

Yes! Gerade ist Siegfried dazu gekommen

[@therezinUK]

"As anyone who has tried to assemble a modular synthesizer with their wallet and a screwdriver knows..." made me laugh out loud. Yep, those are the two essential tools for modular!

[@fagear]

Sound of this synth reminded me OST for Portal 2.

[@Hainbach]

I seeee youuu

[@AnnesYarak]

How do the touchpads react compared to the Serge pads?

[@Hainbach]

These are pressure sensitive so you don’t float like you can on the TKB as you have to push more, but you have better pressure control .

[@AnnesYarak]

@@Hainbach thx. So hey react more like the 0-Crtl with a delay when you touch them?

[@Hainbach]

No its different technology - force sensing resistors

[@father_jordan]

I've never been more tempted to get into modular.

[@Hainbach]

You won’t need much more than this luckily. So much in there

[@mikevanderheiden]

Limited production yes?

[@Hainbach]

I have no idea - they are selling to shops so probably not that limited

[@markusangell]

Is the synth processed with the tape machine?

[@Hainbach]

If you see the Nagra, it is recorded there.

[@brekkestefan]

Is the stereo processing internal??

[@geerhoar]

Each module has individual outputs, including the VCOs, Function generators (for harmonics), LPGs, and effects. One could get stereo by taking those outputs into separate external channels, instead of the using the main or headphones output, which appear to be monophonic.

[@plasmaforce11]

1:17 💙

[@zmyrus]

It's cool and all that. But I have vague doubts that I've seen all this about another piece of gear five years ago on Hainbach channel. 🤔 Anyway, I'm here for Stefan's talent and creativity. Not for choosing what to buy in a music store.

[@Hainbach]

So nice of you to say that!

[@curtishoffmann6956]

More cowbell!

[@andywatts8654]

What’s the damage?!

[@Hainbach]

2000$ MSRP

[@hasko_not_the_pirate]

Seems you can make any instrument sing. But then I guess you’re drawn to the quirky ones that yearn to sing. So are you doing an upbeat, fast paced album next? (Also, is it very bad that I keep hearing “Volta Schlepp”?)

[@Hainbach]

I have a bunch of upbeat records ready that I just can’t fit into my live sets or releases 😞

[@hasko_not_the_pirate]

Just do a random vinyl release under a pseudonym? I’ll buy it.

[@RoryRonde]

"poor" man's Buchla ;)

[@supercompooper]

If only it had a D-Wave 😊

[@tbsq1114]

Hi! I sent you a message a few weeks ago. I wanted to know how do you search for gear. Is it possible to have a conversation?

[@Hainbach]

This has been answered in the Patron Q+As a bunch of times, check those out in the Q+A playlist

[@tbsq1114]

@@Hainbach Ok thanks

[@illustriouschin]

Seems like another one of those Emperor's New Clothes scenarios but the price per feature is pretty good.

[@GeorgeLocke]

It's rare that an instrument inspires you the way the VL2 does? Dude, i thought your whole practice was getting inspired by your tools???

[@Hainbach]

some new instruments are good for one or two pieces, then I only reach for them in cases I need them. Others, like this and Soma Terra I make ten tracks easily and am sad when I can’t invest more time into them.

[@solonganyway]

5:50 the saddest clarinet

[@reggiep75]

Now this is nice sized instrument that won't pull at your soul to buy more modules. Not a fan of the keyboard tho.

[@klstay]

The good thing about kit like this is you get a nice range of capabilities for a fair bit less than it would cost to do yourself IF using higher end brands. (Joranalogue, Instruo, etc. which Pittsburgh Modular is NOT really in that category component and build quality wise) The bad thing for some/many is they go from never had a toe in the water to the fairly deep end of the pool all at once. They will randomly get some cool noises out, but strictly by chance. Basically this is NOT at all a good starter/introduction to modular and those who do begin with a good starter rig can augment it far beyond this for less than $2k more after learning the fundamentals first.

[@VenuaBes]

Portal 2 be like:

[@SLIPKoRn2]

Great Job Hainbach but 2k$.No way!

[@benbowland]

It’s competitively priced for a monosynth except it’s got a million more possibilities

[@PsychologyAcademia]

How very very unoriginal. The sounds we heard 50 years ago.

[@krazywabbit]

This comment is very unoriginal. See this 50 times a day.

[@PsychologyAcademia]

@@krazywabbit You obviously spend way too much time on the internet then

[@humanprogram]

This guy labs!🥼 Lovely review!

[@Hainbach]

Oh I absolutely lab :-)