One of the more intriguing happenings at this year’s Moogfest in Asheville, NC featured a workshop where all the attendees got to build their own Moog analog synthesizer. Nary two months later, and Moog has released the Werkstatt-01 synth kit — used in the workshop — to the public. Anyone interested in building their own analog synth need to check out the Werkstatt, which is available in extremely limited numbers from a selection of Moog’s normal vendor community.
But I still wait for my pre-ordered Sub 37 to ship. It was recently delayed to the end of the summer for its original May ship date. Ultimately, who cares about my whining!
Moog Werkstatt — No Soldering Gun Needed!
The Werkstatt-01 kit, in a similar manner as the Korg MS-20 kit, doesn’t require the use of a soldering iron, so it should be relatively easy for the electronically challenged to construct. The Werkstatt is a basic analog synth, with one VCO capable of square and sawtooth waveforms with PWM possible using the square wave. The classic 4-pole Moog filter is in there as well, along with an EG and LFO to provide modulation, if desired.
A mini patch bay adds to the functionality of the unit. The CV input means the Werkstatt can find a home as part of a modular synth setup — there is no MIDI functionality. A mini push-button keyboard provides a means to play the thing beyond using some form of a CV input, although an “always-on” drone setting is possible on the VCA.
If you are interested in picking up a Werkstatt at its retail price of $329, strike quickly, as numbers are extremely limited, as mentioned earlier. Considering the popularity of Korg’s MS-20 kit, the littleBits Synth Kit, as well as the robust “maker” community, maybe these kinds of synthesizer construction kits will become commonplace? If so, how about MF-101 and MF-104 kits, Moog? Please!
