industrial-music-electronics/piston-honda-mk3

Piston Honda Mk3

Industrial Music Electronics

Capabilities 5

External Audio Input (Waveshaping)external-audio-input
Each oscillator can independently switch to external audio input mode for nonlinear dynamic waveshaping through the selected wavetable. FM jack is the audio input source.675
Preset Managerpreset-manager
8 presets stored in EEPROM. Supports Waves Only or All Params scope. Supports morph mode for smooth CV-controlled interpolation between presets. Trigger-based preset advance and randomize modes also available.675
Thru-Zero FMthru-zero-fm
Each oscillator has an FM input normalled to the other oscillator's output, enabling self-patched thru-zero FM without additional cables.675
User Wavetable Loadinguser-wavetable-loading
675
Wavetable Oscillatorwavetable-oscillator
675

Jacks 10

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (10)
OSC A 1V/Octcv675
OSC A CVcv-10V to 10VBipolar CV input for frequency modulation (e.g. vibrato LFO), attenuated by nearby attenuverter knob. In External Input mode, controls gain.675
OSC A FMaudioAudio-rate thru-zero FM input. Normalled to the output of Oscillator B. In External Input mode, provides the signal to be dynamically waveshaped through the selected wavetable.675
OSC B 1V/Octcv675
OSC B CVcv-10V to 10VBipolar CV input for frequency modulation (e.g. vibrato LFO), attenuated by nearby attenuverter knob. In External Input mode, controls gain.675
OSC B FMaudioAudio-rate thru-zero FM input. Normalled to the output of Oscillator A. In External Input mode, provides the signal to be dynamically waveshaped through the selected wavetable.675
Preset CVcvCV input for preset selection or morphing. Behavior (CV+Offset, CV+Atten, Trig+Offset, Trig Random) is configured in GLOBAL OPTIONS.675
X CVcv-10V to 10V675
Y CVcv-10V to 10V675
Z CVcv-10V to 10V675

Parameters 28

NameTypeRangeBehavior
CTLmenu_settingDefines behavior of the Preset CV input and attenuverter. Options: CV+Offset (direct scan), CV+Atten (attenuated CV), Trig+Offset (trigger advances preset, knob offsets), Trig Random (trigger randomizes all params in scope).675
EncoderknobRotary encoder for navigating and editing the menu system, changing preset, and adjusting oscillator octave/unison via shortcuts. Press to confirm selection. Hold and press other buttons to access respective menus.675
Freq Knob Modemenu_settingSwaps the roles of the large and small tune knobs. Normal: large=Coarse, small=Fine. Reverse: large=Fine, small=Coarse.675
OCTAVE SHIFTmenu_settingShifts the oscillator pitch by octave increments. Accessible via menu or shortcut (hold SELECT + turn encoder).675
OSC A Coarse TuneknobSets coarse tuning frequency of oscillator A. When coarse tune is at minimum and fine tune is at center, generates 16.35 Hz (C0) with no external voltage. In External Input mode, functions as manual GAIN control.675
OSC A CV AttenuverterknobAttenuverter for the OSC A CV input. Uses a nonlinear curve to allow subtle modulation of a small range or full-swing travel without external amplification.675
OSC A Fine TuneknobSets fine tuning frequency of oscillator A. When set to middle position with coarse at minimum, generates 16.35 Hz (C0). In link mode, Oscillator B copies Osc A frequency plus B's fine tune influence.675
OSC A MODEbuttonToggles OSC A between internal oscillator mode and External Input mode. In External Input mode, EXT is shown on display and the FM input receives the signal to be waveshaped. Also accesses OSC A options menu when held with encoder.675
OSC A SELECTbuttonSelects oscillator A as the target for waveform slider and attenuverter controls. When illuminated, OSC A receives waveform control motion. Hold and turn encoder to change OCTAVE setting. Hold encoder and press to increment UNISON parameter.675
OSC B Coarse TuneknobSets coarse tuning frequency of oscillator B. Disabled when Oscillator Link is active (B follows A's frequency). In External Input mode, functions as manual GAIN control.675
OSC B CV AttenuverterknobAttenuverter for the OSC B CV input. Uses a nonlinear curve to allow subtle modulation of a small range or full-swing travel without external amplification.675
OSC B Fine Tuneknob675
OSC B LinkbuttonLinks Oscillator B's frequency to follow Oscillator A. Disables OSC B coarse tune; B copies A's frequency plus B's Fine Tune and CV. Also accesses Main Global Options menu when held with encoder.675
OSC B MODEbuttonToggles OSC B between internal oscillator mode and External Input mode. In External Input mode, EXT is shown on display and the FM input receives the signal to be waveshaped. Also accesses OSC B options menu when held with encoder.675
OSC B SELECTbuttonSelects oscillator B as the target for waveform slider and attenuverter controls. When illuminated, OSC B receives waveform control motion. Hold and turn encoder to change OCTAVE setting. Hold encoder and press to increment UNISON parameter.675
PRESET ButtonbuttonEnables Preset Manager (lights red). Press again to enter MORPH mode. Controls are locked to preset values; encoder changes the active preset. Factory reset triggered by holding this button at power-on.675
Preset CV AttenuverterknobControls preset selection offset or attenuation of the preset CV input, depending on the CTL setting in GLOBAL OPTIONS menu. In Trig+Offset mode, manually scans through presets.675
Preset Scopemenu_settingWaves Only: manages waveform sliders, XYZ attenuverters, unison/octave. All Params: additionally manages coarse and fine tune so oscillator pitch is preset-controlled.675
STARTUPmenu_settingSets the power-on state of the preset manager. Options: PRESET OFF, PRESET ON, or MORPH ON. Useful in live performance setups with multiple Mk3 modules.675
TONEmenu_settingApplies subtle distortion flavors including quantization noise. Orthodox setting presents full 16-bit resolution with no distortion. Other settings emulate previous Piston Honda generations. Most audible on sinusoidal or additive waveforms at low frequencies.675
UNISONmenu_settingAdds a second detuned voice alongside the main oscillator. Number indicates frequency deviation; +OCT/-OCT adds a voice one octave up/down. Shortcut: hold encoder and press OSC MODE button to increment.675
Waveform CVmenu_settingEnables or disables the X, Y, Z waveform CV inputs for a specific oscillator. Setting to Off causes that oscillator to ignore incoming waveform CV, useful when running both oscillators independently.675
X AttenuverterknobAttenuverter for the X axis CV input. Shared between oscillators with locking behavior; must be moved to unlock after SELECT press or preset load.675
X SliderfaderSelects position along the X axis of the wavetable cube for the currently selected oscillator(s). Exhibits locking behavior — must be moved from its current position to unlock after preset load or SELECT button press.675
Y AttenuverterknobAttenuverter for the Y axis CV input. Shared between oscillators with locking behavior; must be moved to unlock after SELECT press or preset load.675
Y SliderfaderSelects position along the Y axis of the wavetable cube for the currently selected oscillator(s). Exhibits locking behavior — must be moved from its current position to unlock after preset load or SELECT button press.675
Z AttenuverterknobAttenuverter for the Z axis CV input. Shared between oscillators with locking behavior; must be moved to unlock after SELECT press or preset load.675
Z SliderfaderSelects position along the Z axis of the wavetable cube (selects among the 8 waveform files) for the currently selected oscillator(s). Exhibits locking behavior.675

Firmware history 1 version

VersionReleasedNotes
1.1675

References 2

  1. [675]
    Piston Honda Mk3 Manual (firmware v1.1)manual
    verified 2026-05-21
  2. [676]
    IME Piston Honda Mk3 product pageproduct_page
    verified 2026-05-21