Maximum Students: 4

Duration: 2 hrs

Prerequisites: Learn to Solder recommended but not required. Beginners are welcome to attend.

Build your first synthesizer and learn some audio electronics while you're at it! Each student will solder together an Atari Punk Console. It is not a keyboard, but a classic lo-fi synth circuit where you can shape the sound with a couple of knobs that control frequency and pulse width, making gritty square-wave tones, drones, and glitchy stepped sounds. It's a hands-on noisemaker that can become music when you sample it into a Digital Audio Workstation or use it live as a texture or lead. No experience needed!

The console kit and battery are provided. We will have an amp and a sequencer on hand so you can test your build and hear what it does before you head out. If you want to keep playing it at home, you'll just need your own speaker or amp. You will leave with a working synth you built and a foundation for adding sound to your next project.

There is a $30 fee for the class, payable upon enrollment. The $30 cost covers the Atari Punk Console kit, which the Makerspace will supply. If you need to cancel your registration after paying, please contact education@rocmakers.org to arrange a refund. We cannot provide refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of class.

You must be a member of Rochester Makerspace to attend.

Have a question about membership or signing up for this class? Please check our FAQ.

Intro to Audio Electronics: Build a LoFi Synthesizer