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Moog Werkstatt-Ø1
The Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 is a patchable and compact, one oscillator analog synthesizer. What's really amazing about this kit is that there is no soldering required. That's right, the Werkstatt-Ø1 is pretty much ready to go straight out of the box. All you need to do is construct the enclosure around the synthesizer PCB (or don't), plug in a 1/4" audio plug and 12V power and you are good to go!
Each Werkstatt-Ø1 has a variety of interface sections you can use to control the synthesizer, such as:
- VCO: A single Voltage Controlled Oscillator with two selectable waveforms is Werkstatt’s primary source of sound.
- VCO MOD: Oscillator Modulation is a way of creating everything from subtle pitch vibrato, and chorus-like sounds to metallic and harsh effects.
- LFO: The Low Frequency Oscillator creates a cyclical modulation source that can be used to add a repeating change to any modulation destination.
- VCF: The Voltage Controlled Filter is a classic 24dB per octave Moog Ladder filter, which shapes sound by attenuating and/or emphasizing certain harmonic elements.
- VCF MOD: Filter Modulation changes the value of the Filter’s Cutoff Frequency.
- VCA: The Voltage Controlled Amplifier determines the output level of the Werkstatt. Its source is determined by the Mode switch.
- Envelope: Each time a key is pressed, the Envelope Generator produces control voltages that allow you to change the value of certain parameters over time
- KBD: The keyboard features one-octave of round buttons as opposed to traditional keys, but the layout is the same.
- Glide: Determines the time it takes to make a smooth pitch transition from one note to another note
- Patchable Header: This allows control signals generated by the Werkstatt to be easily routed to the control inputs of the VCO, VCF, VCA, and LFO.
Putting together your Werkstatt is easy. No soldering is required, and all of the electronic components have been pre-assembled. The only tools you will need are a #1 Phillips screwdriver, and a good pair of scissors. The Werkstatt-Ø1 is an excellent platform for exploring the world of analog synthesizer circuits. A lifetime of experimentation, knob twisting, and sound design awaits.
In the Documents section below you will find many projects from Moog to use in conjunction with your Werkstatt-Ø1. These projects include adding a photocell, volume knob, and pressure sensitive resistor or incorporating pitchblend, dual oscillator, and LFO Rate Quantizer interfaces. There are many more projects to experiment with, check them all out!
- Operating Voltage/Ampage: 12VDC @ 1.2A
- No Soldering Required
- Single VCO w/ frequency control (8Hz to 16KHz)
- 4-Pole Moog Ladder Filter w/ Resonance control (20Hz-20KHz)
- Selectable Square or Triangle waveshape w/ rate control (2Hz-600Hz)
- One octave low-note priority legato keyboard w/ glide control
Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 Product Help and Resources
Core Skill: DIY
Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.
Skill Level: Noob - Basic assembly is required. You may need to provide your own basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer or scissors. Power tools or custom parts are not required. Instructions will be included and easy to follow. Sewing may be required, but only with included patterns.
See all skill levels
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels
Comments
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Customer Reviews
5 out of 5
Based on 2 ratings:
Fun, relatively cheap Moog
Super easy to build, good sound, very hackable.
Hack on some sound!
Ever wanted to hack on sound, to annoy the neighbors, or contact an alien lifeform at Devil's Tower? Get your chance with the Werkstatt!
Looks like "ground" is not broken out. Wouldn't any real hacking (like adding a filter or such) require ground? I know I can add a cable, but if I want to keep it in the enclosure a broken out ground pin would have been really useful...
There are a couple of ground pads available, though I agree they could be more visible & obvious, perhaps even adjacent to the little perf-board area.
Look on the very left edge of the PCB, about 1.5" down from the top corner. There are testpoints TP11 and TP13, tied to ground. You can also tie to ground at any of the mounting screws, or the sleeve of the output jack.
"Ampage"?
It's for audiophiles who think sound made from purely analog circuits & JFETs with pilot lights is better than sound made from a DAC. Maybe Sparkfun is going to start selling JFETs with pilot lights.
Wow! That is just prodigiously expensive. I'm struggling to understand where the value is in this.
Check the price for an analog synthesizer with the distinctive sound which comes from their patented "ladder filter circuit". If you don't want that, fine but if you do this is an epic bargain. The same capability in the "mini-moog" was about 1500.00 back in the 1970's. If you just want to play with generic analog synth, fine. there are cheaper ones, but not much cheaper if you total up all the features here. I can tell you, having worked in this industry, circuits that are stable in different conditions that performers work in are not easy. Even a shift of a hertz or two will irritate a professional musician.
The next cheapest Moog is the Minitaur, at $600, so in that sense, you might think of it as a plausible value. On the other hand, it apparently doesn't have the classic Moog sound that make those synths so expensive and desirable, so I'm not sure that it's that great a deal.
Honestly, if you want a synth you can experiment with, opening up a Monotron or a Monotribe might be a better choice, and both are considerably cheaper. The modular patching is really the only thing that gives this an advantage over those, but if you're on SparkFun, there's a pretty good chance you're not afraid of soldering.
Agreed, on both points, even knowing the prestige of the brand.
Take off the leading 3 and we'll talk.
I understand your point. If I had to make a guess, it may, in part, be due to the brand name : "Moog" A very well known / prestigious name in the music world.
So, there's no enclosure around the PCB, right? I guess that makes the product photo a bit misleading...
No, what you see is what you get.
The heavy, silkscreened steel enclosure is part of the package.
Ah, ok. Why then "All you need to do is construct the enclosure around the synthesizer PCB (or don’t)" ??
Its a few pieces (I think the top piece is separate) so you have to construct the enclosure, just not from scratch.
...and the "or don't" is there because it's much easier to poke and prod at the PCB if you leave the top cover off.
The first page of the quickstart guide has a pretty clear synopsis of the parts on the kit, and how they fit together.
Schematic and manual are 404.
Fixed, thanks