Analog Synthesizer / Moogfest 2014 Kit ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS & USER’S MANUAL
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NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 6 ANALOG SYNTHESIZER BASICS 7 ASSEMBLY Parts List 8 Instructions 9 WERKSTATT FEATURES AND CONTROLS Default Settings 12 Voltage Controlled Oscillator 13 Voltage Controlled Filter 14 Voltage Controlled Amplifier 14 Oscillator Modulation 15 Filter Modulation 16 Low Frequency Oscillator 17 Envelope Generator 18 Keyboard 19 Patchable Header 20 Rear Panel 21 ABOVE AND BEYOND Interfacing with Other Synthesizers and Effects 21 Hacking & Circuit Bending
WERKSTATT-Ø1 The Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 is a patchable, 100% analog synthesizer whose design is based on classic Moog circuits. Assembly is extremely simple: Any user can quickly build this analog synthesizer with minimal tools and expertise. Through assembly and inspired investigation, 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.
ANALOG SYNTHESIZER BASICS An analog synthesizer generates two types of signals: Audio Signals and Control Signals. Audio signals are the sounds you hear emanating from the sound creation circuits of an instrument. Control signals, on the other hand, are used to change and/or modify the settings of these circuits. Due to the analog nature of the instrument, these Control signals carry a continuously variable voltage level.
ASSEMBLY 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. And while assembly is not complicated, it is important to follow each step, in order. Be mindful that you are working with electronics, so a good measure of caution and care is always in order.
INSTRUCTIONS 1) ATTACHING THE FEET Attach the four rubber feet by pushing them into the holes of the Bottom Chassis and twisting. 2) TRIMMING THE NYLON WASHER The black nylon washer is used as a spacer between the audio jack and the inside of the Bottom Chassis. You will need to cut a 1/16” section from the washer.
3) INSTALLING THE ELECTRONICS A) Carefully remove the Printed Circuit Board from the protective sleeve. Take the washer you prepared in the previous step and slide it onto the audio output jack, lining up the missing section with the metal tab on the jack. B) Place the Printed Circuit Board into the Bottom Chassis. Slide the audio jack through the jack hole, and be sure the five mounting holes in the Printed Circuit Board line up with the standoffs on the Bottom Chassis.
4) POWER / LED TEST Using only the included power supply, connect the barrel end to the power supply input of your Werkstatt; connect the other end to an AC wall outlet (100-240 Volts AC / 50-60 Hz). At this point, the red LED on the front panel (LFO) should begin blinking. If it does, you’re ready to move on. NOTE: Unplug the power supply from the Werkstatt before proceeding. 5) ATTACHING KEYBOARD BUTTONS Place the 13 button caps on the keyboard buttons.
FEATURES AND CONTROLS The Werkstatt is a monophonic (one note a time) analog synthesizer, and as with many analog synthesizers, the Werkstatt is modular in nature. While there are many hard-wired connections that allow the Werkstatt to be used as-is, the addition of a Patchable Header allows the freedom to connect the modules in new and creative ways. DEFAULT SETTINGS Carefully set all of the controls to the default positions shown below.
VCO (VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR) The Oscillator is the primary sound generating component of an analog synthesizer. Based on the same circuitry as the Minimoog Voyager and Little Phatty, the Werkstatt oscillator produces a raw waveform that is rich in harmonics. While the keyboard determines the note being played, the frequency knob determines the pitch of that note. The keyboard determines the note played based on the setting of the Freq control - these two control inputs are summed together.
VCF (VOLTAGE CONTROLLED FILTER) The Werkstatt uses the classic 24dB per octave Moog Ladder filter. This low-pass Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) selectively shapes the timbre of the sound created by the oscillator, by attenuating and/or emphasizing certain harmonic elements. CUTOFF (CUTOFF FREQUENCY KNOB) The Cutoff knob specifies the frequency where the Filter is applied. Turning the knob to the right will open the filter, allowing more harmonic content to be heard, creating a brighter sound.
VCO MOD (MODULATION OF THE VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR) Modulation is a way of introducing subtle or drastic changes to a sound—or anything in between. In order to use modulation effectively, you will need to select a modulation source, choose a destination, and control the depth of the effect. SOURCE (SOURCE SWITCH) This switch allows you to choose which Modulation Source will be applied to the Oscillator. EG: EG is short for Envelope Generator.
VCF MOD (MODULATION OF THE VOLTAGE CONTROLLED FILTER) Filter Modulation changes the value of the Filter’s Cutoff Frequency. Either the EG or the LFO can be used as a Filter modulation source. When the EG is chosen as the modulation source, the polarity of the EG can be reversed for even greater sound creation options. SOURCE (SOURCE SWITCH) This switch allows you to choose which Modulation Source will be applied to the filter. EG: EG is short for Envelope Generator.
LFO MOD (LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR) The Low Frequency Oscillator creates a consistent modulation source that can be used to add a repeating, cyclical change to any of the modulation sources. It can be used to modulate the Filter Cutoff Frequency, the Pitch of the Oscillator, or the Width of a Pulse wave. Using the Patchable Header, you can also use the LFO to modulate other parameters, such as the VCA output level. The Werkstatt LFO has an upper frequency of around 600 Hz—well within the audio range.
ENVELOPE (ENVELOPE GENERATOR) Each time a key is pressed or a trigger received, the Envelope Generator can produce a series of control voltages that allow you to change the value of certain parameters over time. The Attack, Sustain, and Decay parameters combine to create an Envelope shape that can be chosen as a modulation source.
KBD (KEYBOARD) The Werkstatt is equipped with a one-octave, C to C keyboard. The keyboard features round buttons as opposed to traditional keys, but the layout is the same. The keyboard operates with a low note priority; if more than one note is played at the same time, the lowest note will sound. D C# E D# G F# A G# B A# This diagram shows how the “button” keyboard of the Werkstatt (above) relates to a standard piano keyboard.
PATCH (PATCHABLE HEADER) Unlike fully modular analog synthesizers that have patch points on every module, the Werkstatt has gathered these inputs and outputs into a single compact Patchable Header. The physical format is different, but the function is the same. The Patchable Header allows control signals generated by the Werkstatt to be easily routed to the control inputs of the VCO, VCF, VCA, and LFO, vastly expanding the sound creation possibilities of the synthesizer.
REAR PANEL The Werkstatt’s rear panel features two connection points; one audio output, and one power jack. AUDIO OUTPUT The Werkstatt’s single audio output features a 1/4” unbalanced (TS) jack. POWER INPUT Use only the DC power supply that was provided to power your Werkstatt. Plug the connector end into the Werkstatt, and plug the other end into a compatible wall outlet. ABOVE AND BEYOND For some, the Werkstatt is simply a starting point for exploring new sonic possibilities.
To calibrate, play the lowest note on the keyboard, and set the VCO FREQ knob to the center position. Send a 0V signal to the VCO EXP IN patch point and measure the frequency of the VCO. You can use an instrument tuner for this function. Next, send a +3V signal to the VCO EXP IN patch point. Adjust VR5 to eight times the first frequency measurement (this equals 3 Octaves). Repeat this process to verify calibration accuracy.
STUDYING THE WERKSTATT’S ANALOG CIRCUITS The Werkstatt circuitry was designed to invite exploration and study of its analog circuits. The complete schematic for the Werkstatt Printed Circuit Board can be downloaded from the Moog Music Website: www.moogmusic.com/werkstatt. Test Points, Jumpers, and a mini 16 x 6 Experimenter’s pad are provided on the Werkstatt Printed Circuit Board.
SCHEMATIC DOWNLOAD AGREEMENT BY DOWNLOADING THE WERKSTATT SCHEMATIC, YOU ARE AGREEING TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS: 1. All copyrights to the circuit diagrams for the Werkstatt are the property of MOOG MUSIC INC. Copying this content in part or in whole without the permission of the copyright owner is forbidden by copyright law. How ever, you are permitted to make a single copy for personal non-commer- cial purposes. 2.
SPECIFICATIONS All Specifications subject to change without notice.
MODULATION SOURCES: LFO - LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR Range: + 2.5 Volt Controllers: RATE knob: WAVE switch: Modulation Frequency (.
Audio Inputs: VCF AUD IN: Filter Audio Input (Un-buffered/Un-mixed AC coupled) Control Voltage Outputs: KB CV OUT (x2): Nominal 0.3V/semitone from 1 octave key board (Note: Attenuate for 1 V/Octave) TRIG OUT (x2): 5 msec, 0 to +5 Volt pulse from keyboard GATE OUT (x2): 0V (off) to +5 Volt (on) gate signal from keyboard EG Output (x2): ASD / AD type Envelope Generator, 0 to +5V signal LFO Output (x2): -2.5 to +2.
WARRANTY AND SERVICE INFO LIMITED WARRANTY Moog Music warrants that its products will be free from defects in materials and workmanship, and shall conform to specifications current at the time of shipment, for a period of one year from date of purchase. During the oneyear period, any defective products will be repaired or replaced, at Moog Music’s option, on a return-to-factory basis. This Warranty covers defects that Moog Music determines are no fault of the user.
Note: Specifications subject to change without notice. Moog®, and Werkstatt-Ø1® are registered trademarks of Moog Music Inc. ©2014 Moog Music Inc MOOG MUSIC INC. 160 Broadway St. Asheville, NC 28801 P: (828) 251-0090 E: info@moogmusic.com W: www.moogmusic.
