Pittsburgh Modular founder Richard Nicol let us know that their Structure 344 Eurorack Studio Command Center, a four-row Eurorack studio enclosure, is now available to pre-0rder.
The 4 row, 344 hp desktop Eurorack case features a custom Utility Bridge to handle a wide assortment of functions. It incorporates a preamp, mixer/splitter, dual voltage controlled signal buses, buffered, cascading attenuators, and more.
Here’s a video demonstrating how the 344 is built :
Structure 344 Enclosure:
- Four 86hp Rows
- 344hp Total Space Available
- Multi-Functional Integrated Audio and CV Utility Hub
- Edge to Edge, Through Wall Mounted Rails Reduce Gaps Between Modules and the Side of the Case
- Full Row Nut Strips
- Includes 160 Black (Size M3 6mm) Module Mounting Screws
- Beautifully Hand-Stained Hardwood
Structure 344 Utility Bridge:
- Soft Clipping Overdriveable Pre-Amp
- Fully Buffered 2 In – 4 Out Unity Gain Mixer/Splitter
- Dual Voltage Controlled Bus System with Each Bus Incorporating a 3 Channel Mixer with Offset, Inversion, Breakout Channels and More.
- 6 Assignable Bus Outputs.
- Bus Mixers Featuring And (mix) Output, Analog Or Output, And Inverted Mix Output
- Dual Fully Buffered Cascading Attenuators
Price and Availability
The Structure 344 is available to pre-order now for US $1,299. Shipping begins Oct 26, 2018. See the PM site for details.
Gorgeous looking rig!
I wonder what the value of a full case like that would be….
Not a fan of that strip of utility module stuff in the middle, don’t know why people want to take the concept of standard/interchangeable modular and start messing with it by adding their own non-standard stuff. Also, why is this not 4×140 = 560. I mean this is smaller than the 3×140 = 420 case?
Why use a polarizing color like gray stain on plywood? Only a small fraction of people would like that. As far as the utility stuff, we have Eurorack standard, let’s use it. All the way. Everything.
1U strips are more cost, power and size effective for many of us. Haters.
Looks like a beautiful case. Seems that finding something to complain about is a sign of our times – the color? the number of HP? the custom modules in the middle? If you don’t like it move on – why gripe about someone’s product simply because it doesn’t suit your needs/aesthetic/philosophy?
If this was $799 – $949 it would be a lot more attractive as I do like the physical dimensions of it. Considering that the two doepfer cases that best approximate the form and space of this unit come in right at $1,300 combined I’d have a hard time choosing this over those even though I’d be losing 8hp and a predefined row of 1U modules. For almost $100 less you could buy the 9U doepfer monster case which is 504hp and comes with a lid for portability. You lose out on a row of 1U utility modules you didn’t choose but you do get 160hp more space for less money and in a package that can be moved around much easier. With that said, it’s a nice looking case.
Eurorack cases are almost always more expensive than a lot of us would prefer – to the point that the case/power supply/utility necessities for building a useable modular instrument constitute a real barrier to entry for a lot of people who would otherwise be happy to work with modular. It seems module vendors view power and especially cases sideline projects outside their real expertise and interest, so they do not put a lot of thought into meeting different user needs at optimal price levels in this area of modular infrastructure. There are exceptions, beginning with Doepfer and, for example, Intellijel with aluminum cases and 1U utilities and various others.
Options exist, but at the beginning level people face either going in deep with $700-1400 boxes that do not make a sound but that look goodish and at least offer expansion space without buying or building another box or they get something impossibly small or flimsy or unpowered or minimal but complete that edges close to the pricier things. Or you find something sort of acceptable that is not (ever?) in stock. Or you get a mostly good Arturia and wonder at needing to waste rack space on the power thing and to use more space spending money on utilities or master modules/boxed synths to make the thing work well – before sound modules enter the rack.
For a lot of potential modular users, justifying the initial outlay plus desired module cost when considering modular against ITB and integrated and semimodular instruments turns out to be hard to do.
So Pittsburgh getting into 1U utilities is welcome. Another piece of luxury plywood furniture in their lineup is less than enticing. There remains so much unexploited opportunity in this field.