SEQ VCO1 VCO CTRL VCO2 MIX1 MOD VC EG1 VC EG2 LPG1 LPG2 BBD MIX2 MIX3

TUNE EXP FM TUNE LVL1 RATE ATTACK ATTACK OFFSET OFFSET TIME LVL1 MASTER OUT

PWM LIN FM SHAPE LVL2 CLK IN DECAY DECAY RESO RESO FBK LVL2 LVL1
+1OCT +1OCT LOOP LOOP VCA VCA

-1OCT VCA OFFS -1OCT LVL3 SINE FREE FREE VCF VCF DRY/WET LVL3 LVL2

1V/OCT EXP FM 1V/OCT IN1 ATTACK CV ATTACK CV CV1 CV1 IN1 IN1

User
PULSE

2 4
PWM CV VCA CV SHAPE CV IN2 RND PULSE DECAY CV DECAY CV CV2 CV2 TIME CV IN2 IN2 manual
&
CLK IN PULSE IN/LIN FM SHAPE IN3 S&H TRIGG TRIGG IN IN IN IN3 OUT
patch
CV OUT TRI VCA OUT TRI OUT NOISE OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT SUM OUT
book
ERICA PICO SYSTEM III
Erica Synths Pico System III is affordable, compact, yet powerful sounding, Voicecards with preset patches set it apart from other eurorack systems –
full analogue modular system. It comes in two formats – eurorack and they allow user to change patches instantly and radically, which makes the
desktop. system well suited for experimental live performances. The system comes
with 5 great sounding “factory preset” voicecards, and 5 DIY voicecards that
Pico System III brings modular synthesis back to the basics – the system has are empty and user can develop his/her own patches. More voicecards are
multi functional (instead of single-function, like Pico Drums or Pico Trigger in the available from Erica Synths shop.
Pico System II) analogue modules and is intended to encourage creativity in
modular patching. The system has 31 inputs and 20 outputs (master output is Pico System III features a set of modules for advanced sound design, exper-
dublicated) + 7 switches; if you have enough patch cables at your disposal, you can iments in modular patching and educational purposes. The system includes:
patch the system in 121000931215044250740178662400 or 1.21x1029 variations (we 2-3-4 step sequencer, 2xVCOs, VCO controller/VCA module, several mixers
ignored possibility to adjust potentiometers here). Even though only 0,0001% of all that work both with CV and audio signals, Modulator (syncable LFO, random
patches will sound more-less enjoyable, you and all your future generations can CV and noise source), 2X voltage controlled ASR envelope generators, 2x
spend a lifetime only patching the Pico System III. lowpass gate and BBD delay.
 mixer or amplifier

3,5mm mono cable

QUICK START – DESKTOP VERSION
The Pico System III is plug and play! Connect the power connector cable,
connect the MASTER OUT to mixing console or amplifier using 3,5mm
stereo cable (if you use top output connector. The system does not
output actual stereo signal – the mono signal from the output is split to
both left and right channels) or 3,5mm mono cable (if you use the
connector on the back of the system), flip the power switch and start
patching! You can also connect headphones to the MASTER OUT.

QUICK START – EURORACK VERSION

3,5mmstereo cable
Just install the system in your eurorack case and start patching!

mixer, amplifier
or headphones
Pico System III eurorack version includes:

Main specifications
Audio signal levels 10Vptp
CV signal levels (full span) -5V - +5V
Erica Pico System III eurorack 5 voicecards with factory preset 5 DIY voicecards Sequencer CV output range 0 - +5V
module patches VCO tune range C0 - E7
LFO rate 0.21Hz – 20Hz
VC EG attack time 0...3"
VC EG release time 0...4,2"
Max BBD delay time 400ms
Panel width 42HP
Power consumption 175mA@+12V, 112mA@-12V
1 stackable Hosa patchcable Wrench key User manual which contains pages
for your patch notes Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for
improvement.
 Pico System III desktop version includes:

Main specifications
Audio signal levels 10Vptp
CV signal levels (full span) -5V - +5V
Sequencer CV output range 0 - +5V Erica Pico System III in desktop 5 voicecards with factory preset 5 DIY voicecards
VCO tune range C0 - E7 enclosure patches
LFO rate 0.21Hz – 20Hz
VC EG attack time 0...3"
VC EG release time 0...4,2"
Max BBD delay time 400ms
Power supply universal 110-240VAC - 12VDC
adapter
Power consumption 400mA 20 patch cables of different length 1 stackable Hosa patchcable One external 12VDC wallwart
Dimensions (W × D × H) 240 × 140 × 80 mm PSU unit
Mass 0,95 kg (excluding PSU), 1,5 kg
full packaging

Specifications and appearance are subject to change

without notice for improvement.

User manual which contains pages

for your patch notes
 SEQ VCO1
MODULES IN THE PICO SYSTEM III

The SEQUENCER VCO1

TUNE

is straight-forward, full analogue 2-3-4 step is powerful, full analogue VCO with great
sequencer/waveshaper with adjustable sequence tracking over 8 octaves with simultaneous
length. Particularly interesting use of the SEQ2 triangle and pulsewave outputs, pulse width PWM
is waveshaping – just apply any audio source to modulation and exponential frequency modulation. +1OCT
the CLK IN, tweak the knobs and be amazed! It sounds like real analogue beast!

-1OCT
Use these knobs to set the voltages per step. LEDs will Adjust the tune of the VCO manually! 1V/oct CV
give visual feedback on the currently active step. If you is added to the setting of this knob
apply the audio signal to the input, the sequencer will act
as a waveshaper, where the signal is converted into (up to)
4 step “staircase” with adjustable step height. This way you Adjust Pulse Width manually! PWM CV is added 1V/OCT
can create a suboscillaors and plenty of other distinct to the setting of this knob
sounds that are in tune with your audio source.

2 4 Three position switch allow you to transpose

Select a number of steps (2-3-4) in the sequence! the pitch of the VCO one octave up or down PWM CV

Patch the sequencer or any FM source here

Patch the clock or audio signal here. Due to limited panel
space and functionality, Pico SEQ2 does not have a Gate
CLK IN output. We recommend you to use stackable patchcables This is PWM CV input. Experiment with different
PULSE
to copy clock signal to envelope generators OR get gates modulation sources to get drones, rhythmic
from Pico Trigger or Logic modules patterns and fat analogue sound
This is Pulse wave output
This is the CV output
CV OUT This is gentle sounding Triangle wave output TRI
 VCO2 VCO CTRL
MODULES IN THE PICO SYSTEM III

VCO2 VCO CONTROLER/VCA

TUNE EXP FM

is full analogue VCO with built in waveshaper is intended to control FM levels of the VCOs.
of unique functionality – it continuously It also features VCA that can be used for
SHAPE morphs triangle wave into pulsewave with manual and CV controlled Linear FM depth LIN FM
+1OCT adjustable pulse width thus adding harmonics control, but it also can be used as regular DC
to the signal on the output. The waveshape is coupled VCA for other applications.
manually and CV controlled. VCO2 has manually
-1OCT and CV controlled linear FM for experiments in VCA OFFS

FM synthesis. This is exponential FM attenuator for VCO1

This is linear FM attenuator for VCO2
1V/OCT Adjust the tune of the VCO manually! 1V/oct CV is added to This is VCA offset knob for manual VCA EXP FM
the setting of this knob control. At 12:00 it closes the VCA
completely, and you can use an envelope
Adjust waveshape available on the SHAPE output manually! generator to open it. If you wish to achieve
SHAPE CV is added to the setting of this knob nice tremolo effects with bipolar CV from
SHAPE CV the LFO, set the offset knob to 15:00 VCA CV
Three position switch allows you to transpose the pitch of
the VCO one octave up or down This is the exponential FM input for VCO1
Patch the sequencer or any FM source here This is VCA CV input
IN/LIN FM
SHAPE This is Waveshaper CV input. Experiment with different This is VCA audio input. If you wish to apply
modulation sources to get drones, rhythmic patterns and linear FM to the VCO2, patch the FM source
fat analogue sound here, and use VCA Offset knob or VCA CV to
control FM depth
This is Waveshaper wave output
TRI This is VCA output. By default it’s connected VCA OUT
This is gentle sounding Triangle wave output to the linear FM input of the VCO2
 MOD VC EG2
MODULES IN THE PICO SYSTEM III

MODULATOR VC EG
RATE ATTACK

is combined clock/LFO/random voltage is versatile looping AD/ASR envelope generator

source module. It generates sine and pulse with voltage control over attack and decay times. It has
CLK IN LFO waves, white noise, S&H CV and random automatic Trigger/Gate detection, as well as“drone mode” – DECAY
triggers; basically, everything, you need, to at full CW setting of the Decay knob, the envelope is full LOOP
bring some uncertainty in your modular setup. open. In the LOOP mode you can retrigger envelopes for
even more interesting modulations.
SINE FREE
This knob sets LFO and S&H clock frequency.
This knob sets Attack time. The incoming
Patch external clock signal here to sync CV is added to the knob setting.
LFO and S&H frequency to the external
clock. When external clock is applied, the This knob sets Decay time. The incoming CV
PULSE Rate knob becomes clock divider (CCW is added to the knob setting. ATTACK CV
from 12:00) or multiplier (CW from 12:00)
Select between looping mode and triggered mode! In
This is sine LFO output. LED1 indicates LFO looping mode, when CV is applied to attack and/or decay
(sine and pulse) and S&H clock frequency. controls, the module can work as a drone generator
RND PULSE DECAY CV
This is the pulse wave LFO output, use it also This is the manual trigger button
for clocking the sequencer. LED2 indicates
random pulse output This is the Attack CV input
This is the Random Trigger output. The This is the Decay CV input TRIGG
S&H frequency of the random triggers is set
by the RATE knob This is the Trigger/Gate input. If gate is applied,
the module advances to the ASR mode automatically
This is the S&H CV output
This is the output of the module. The LED gives visual
NOISE This is the noise output feedback on the output voltage OUT
LPG1 BBD
MODULES IN THE PICO SYSTEM III

LOWPASS GATE BBD

OFFSET TIME

is our take on classical Don Buchla LPG designs. is full analogue 4092 stage bucket brigade delay
We use vactrols in the circuit for that signature module. Besides nice and clean flanger and delay
RESO
sound, and we added resonance control of the effects, at full CV settings of TIME and feedback FBK
VCA LPG circuit. When resonance is full CW, the module knobs it can produce extreme sonic artefacts.
goes into self-oscillation and can be used as a Tweak knobs and enjoy!
sound source.
VCF DRY/WET
Use this knob to adjust VCF cutoff and VCA bias
manually. Incoming CV is added to the knob Adjust the Delay time from very short, flanger-like effects
setting CCW to nice analogue delay effects and extreme sonic
artefacts CW. The Time CV is added to the knob setting
CV1 Adjust the resonance of the LPG circuit. Far CW Adjust feedback level! In full CW setting the module will go
settings put the LPG in self-resonance, and it to self oscillation
can be used as a sound source
NB! it can get very loud! This is the Dry/Wet crossfade control
CV2 These are the VCF cutoff/VCA bias CV inputs, This is feedback filtering switch. At right most position you TIME CV
only CV2 is routed to the voicecard will get authentic, unfiltered, bit noisy BBD sound, other
settings filter off noise, and the signal in feedback is
cleaner, but misses higher harmonics
Select between VCF and VCA modes! By default
IN the VCF has some preset resonance. This is time CV input IN

Patch the audio signal here

Patch an audio signal here
This is the output of the module
This is the LPG output
OUT OUT
 MIX2 MIX3
MODULES IN THE PICO SYSTEM III

MIXERS
LVL1 MASTER OUT
section is straight-forward –
it features two independent DC coupled
mixers for mixing audio and CV signals LVL2 LVL1
with individual outputs and shared output,
where signals from both mixers are
mixed together.
LVL3 LVL2

This is the master output of the module –

it essentially duplicates the SUM OUT, but it
IN1 IN1
features stereo jack socket that splits mono
These are the signal level signal to left and right stereo channels.
attenuators for the first mixer NB! Use ONLY a stereo cable here! A mono
cable will shorten audio to the ground and
These are audio or CV inputs there will be no sound on the output!
of the first mixer
IN2 IN2 These are the signal level attenuators
This is the output of the first mixer. for the second mixer
If something is patched here, it’s automati-
cally disconnected from the SUM OUT These are audio or CV inputs of
the second mixer
This is the master output of the mixer – IN3 OUT
it sums both MIX2 and MIX3 This is the output of the second mixer.
If something is patched here, it’s automatically
disconnected from the SUM OUT

OUT SUM OUT

 SEQ VCO1 VCO CTRL VCO2 MIX1 MOD VC EG1 VC EG2 LPG1 LPG2 BBD MIX2 MIX3
VOICECARDS
TUNE EXP FM TUNE LVL1 RATE ATTACK ATTACK OFFSET OFFSET TIME LVL1 MASTER OUT
Erica Synths Pico System III features
voicecards for “saving and recalling” complex
patches. Most of the inputs and outputs of the
PWM LIN FM SHAPE LVL2 CLK IN DECAY DECAY RESO RESO FBK LVL2 LVL1 system (noted with blue dots) are normalled
+1OCT +1OCT LOOP LOOP VCA VCA to the voicecard, and, instead of making a
patch with the patchcables, a user can insert
-1OCT VCA OFFS -1OCT LVL3 SINE FREE FREE VCF VCF DRY/WET LVL3 LVL2 a voicecard that replicates patching. If a
patchcable is used together with the
voicecard, patchcable has a priority and it
1V/OCT EXP FM 1V/OCT IN1 PULSE ATTACK CV ATTACK CV CV1 CV1 IN1 IN1 overrides the voicecard connection. Some
voicecards require extra patchcables in order
to complete the patch – those are indicated
2 4
PWM CV VCA CV SHAPE CV IN2 DECAY CV DECAY CV CV2 CV2 TIME CV IN2 IN2 on the voicecard.
RND PULSE

CLK IN PULSE IN/LIN FM SHAPE IN3 S&H TRIGG TRIGG IN IN IN IN3 OUT

CV OUT TRI VCA OUT TRI OUT NOISE OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT SUM OUT
VOICECARDS DIY VOICECARD
The Pico System III comes with 5 “factory preset” The DIY voicecard allows user to build a custom
voicecards: patch by soldering small wires on the voicecard.
1) LPG Techno The voicecard replicates the layout of the system,
2) Synthesizer, Synthesizer so, building a patch on the voicecard is similar to
3) Space Computer patching the system. You will need a soldering iron
4) Drone Master and small wires to build a patch on the voicecard (if
5) Droid Breakdance you do not have soldering tools, ask a friend!). You
“Factory preset” voicecard internal connections and can mimic a stackable patchcables by routing same
relevant positions of the potentiometers and output to several inputs on the voicecard. And don’t
switches are shown in the patch examples below. forget to name the voicecard – invent a name of the
patch and use a permanent marker to write the
name on the white area of the voicecard!
 SYNTHESIZER
SYNTHESISER
CLK IN
Both VCOs sequenced with the
SEQ creates a classic synth line
which is then processed with the
SINE BBD module.

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 DROID
BREAKDANCE
CLK IN
More LPG drums! This time with
a bit of randomness added. Play
around with the VC EG1 & VC EG2
SINE switches and VCO2 SHAPE knob
and also the RATE knob on the
MOD as that is the main clock
source for this patch.
PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 DRONE
MASTER
CLK IN
This card turns the Pico System
into a drone machine. Play
around with the tuning of both
SINE VCOs and LPG offsets! Also
everything is sent through the
BBD unit.
PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 SPACE
COMPUTER
CLK IN
Sample and hold everything! Use
this card to connect to outer
space and use the system as 70s
SINE Sci-Fii super computer.
Play around with the RATE on the
MOD and also explore the space
with the BBD unit.
PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 LPG TECHNO
PATCH
CLK IN
In this patch one of the LPG
modules is used to create
bassdrum and second LPG is
SINE used to emulate open hihat and
SEQ with both VCOs and BBD to
create simple lead sound. MOD is
the master clock and trigger
PULSE
source for the LPGs and
Sequencer.

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
 PATCH NOTES

CLK IN

SINE

PULSE

RND PULSE

S&H

NOISE
THE ERICA
SYNTHS
PICO SYSTEM II
is the world’s smallest modular
synthesizer of its functionality. It
contains wisely selected modules
so that beginners are introduced
with basics of modular synthesizers
and advanced users can play
hours long live gigs.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS room temperature for an hour before plugging it in.
DISPOSAL
Please follow the instructions for use of the Erica Synths Pico System below, Transport the instrument carefully, never let it drop or fall over. Warranty This device complies to the EU guidelines and is
‘cause only this will guarantee proper operation of the module and ensure does not apply to modules with visual damages. manufactured RoHS conforming without use of led,
warranty from Erica Synths. mercury, cadmium and chrome. Nevertheless, this
The system has to be shipped in the original packaging only. Any system device is special waste and disposal in household waste
Use Erica Pico System exclusively with the power supply unit (PSU) supplied shipped to us for return, exchange and/or warranty repair has to be in its is not recommended.
with the system. Powering it with other PSU units may cause permanent original packaging. All other deliveries will be rejected and returned to you.
damage of the device. Make sure you keep the original packaging and technical documentation. User manual by Girts Ozolins@Erica Synths.
Design by Ineta Briede@Black8.
Water is lethal for most of the electric devices, unless they are made You will find Erica Synths terms of warranty at www.ericasynths.lv.
waterproof. Erica Pico System is NOT intended for use in a humid or wet Items for return, exchange and/or warranty repair have to be sent to: Copying, distribution or any commercial use in any way
environment. No liquids or other conducting substances must get into the is prohibited and needs the written permission by Erica
module. Should this happen, the module should be disconnected from mains Synths.
power immediately, dried, examined and cleaned by a qualified technician. Erica Synths
Andrejostas Str. 43
Riga Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Do not expose the module to temperatures above +50° C or below -20° C. If Latvia In case of any questions, feel free to contact us through
you have transported the system in extreme low temperatures, leave it in LV-1045
www.ericasynths.lv or via e-mail info@ericasynths.lv.