New West Pest Synthesizer from Cre8audio in Partnership with Pittsburgh Modular

The Dimension of the West Pest - Cre8audio West Pest Film video upload by Cre8audio

On the heels of the East Beast based on East Coast Moog style synthesis, Cre8audio and Pittsburgh Modular introduce the West Pest based on West Coast Buchla style synthesis.

cre8audio West Pest Sound Demo (no talking)

video upload by Bonedo Synthesizers

Cre8audio West Pest synthesizer review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Cre8audio's second little synth is the West Pest. Inspired by West coast synths it has a big fat wavefolder and a fabulous Dynamics Controller that gives it a very different feel to the East Beast."

Index - 0:00
Intro - 1:17
Overview - 6:22
Wavefolding - 9:21
Oscillator waveforms - 15:26
Dynamics Controller - 17:54
LFO - 25:20
Multi-wave noodle with delay and reverb - 29:25
Sequencer and Arpeggiator - 31:23
Multi Engine - 34:50
Couple more sound demos - 39:37
Conclusions - 42:01
Dueling synths - 47:36

"Designed and developed in partnership with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers, West Pest is a powerful monophonic full voice, integrating imaginative sound-shaping tools with traditionally “west coast” concepts.
Test the pest!

West Pest’s unique sound has been influenced by Pittsburgh’s acclaimed Voltage Research Lab synthesizer.

The Pittsburgh-designed core oscillator technology has matured through the development of their SV-1 and later with Voltage Research Laboratory. This iteration’s waveforms have been optimized to be run through West Pest’s wavefolder.

Wave folding/shaping is integral to West Pest’s foundation. Wavefolding amplifies incoming waveforms. Rather than clipping or distorting, the wavefolder circuit folds the waveforms back onto themselves, creating upwards of six folds to add vast harmonic complexity and depth.

West Pest’s snappy, responsive articulation is accomplished by the “Dynamics Controller,” Pittsburgh Modular’s original invention. This unique concept is designed to behave like a traditional filter, a VCA, and an envelope generator, all at once. Upon note trigger, the filter opens fully and rapidly, producing a sharp, percussive attack. At release, the Dynamics Controller adds a ringing, resonant decay, resulting in a rounder, more musical sound. The Dynamics Controller is the product of years of research by Pittsburgh’s founder Richard Nicol, and Chief of R&D Michael Johnsen. Inspired by the developments of West Coast synthesis pioneer Don Buchla, Pittsburgh Modular has modernized and evolved these concepts, taking them into new realms, adding wider range, consistency, stability, and resonance control, as well as an infinitely variable, ringing decay.

Going beyond these analog sound-sculpting tools, West Pest also includes a deep new digital multi-mod /multi-function tool concept to add more flavor to the Pest’s production. The multi-mod lets users select between additional clock synced LFO, decay envelope, MIDI-controlled modulation, and random voltage generator modes.

West Pest’s compositional and performance capabilities are as robust as its ferocious sonic engine. West Pest can be controlled via MIDI, control voltage (CV/Gate), and its function keys, which double as a keyboard controller. Also included is an integrated sequencer & arpeggiator that can also be controlled via MIDI and is externally clockable.

A semi-modular synthesizer, West Pest has basically 8 different patchable modules (Oscillator, wave contour, dynamics controller, LFO, multi-mod tool, MIDI to CV converter, step sequencer, and button keyboard) with a whopping 18 Eurorack compatible patch points to plug into itself and your other gear. As a starting point, West Pest comes intuitively patched internally to create a bold and flexible full synth voice. Using the patch points enables users to reroute internal signal flow, as well as use with external eurorack format modules and synthesizers. To promote experimentation, Cre8audio has included a set of premium Nazca Noodles patch cables.

West Pest key features and other info:

West coast style additive monophonic synthesizer

Controllable via MIDI, CV, and integrated button keyboard

Fully patchable - use West Pest’s components as separate modules with external devices or reroute its internal patching. It’s like having 8 individual modules (Oscillator, wave contour, dynamics controller, LFO, multi-mod tool, MIDI to CV converter, sequencer, and button keyboard).

32 step sequencer with up to 13 presets

Generative sequencing mode

Clock-synced arpeggiator

Step sequencer can be manipulated & transposed via MIDI and the integrated button keyboard

Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer developed 100% analog oscillator

Oscillator waveforms - sine, triangle, and saw - Waveforms can be combined

Oscillator includes frequency modulation (FM)

Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer famous wave folder/shaper circuit - folds inputted waves back onto themselves to yield rich harmonic texture

Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller - 100% modern circuitry designed to behave like a traditional filter, VCA, and envelope generator all at once.

Dual range analog LFO with square and triangle wave outputs

LFO Range - High: 2 Hz to 500 Hz Low: 41s to 5 Hz

Digital multi-mod tool - modulation control via CV, random generator, and extra LFO and envelope generator

Internal clock with tap tempo and can be clocked via an external source.

Built-in clock divider

Use standalone in its included case or removed to use as a eurorack format module

Specifications for when used as a eurorack module

Width when used as a module = 40hp

Depth when used as a module = 25mm

213mA power draw when running +12V rail

151mA power draw when running -12V

Input voltage range of oscillator = 0-10V

To learn more, please visit https://www.cre8audio.com/westpest"