For $1500 You Can Build An Unreleased Moog Synth With Your Own Two Hands at Moogfest 2018

Moogfest 2017 Synth Building workshop

Moogfest 2018 returns to quaint Durham, NC, on May 17-20. The three-day event will once again offer music and technology fans an assortment of panels and music showcases organized by one of the mainstays in the world of synthesizers.

If you’ve ever dreamed about building their own Moog synth, well, you’re in luck. The brand is offering the rare opportunity to construct an unreleased at this year’s Moogfest.

Those who purchase the $1500 for the Engineer Festival pass will get the chance to build the Sub-Harmonicon, a brand-new, unreleased synth, alongside Moog engineers.

The synth is inspired by the Trautonium, the Rythmicon, and the Schillinger System and is described as “a semi-modular harmonic kaleidoscope that divides into itself until everything that is up becomes down.”

Related: We Took the Moog Factory Tour (and it Was Awesome)

The two-day workshop is open to all enthusiasts — a technical background in synth-building isn’t required, but space is limited. In addition to building your own synth and getting full access to panels and showcases, the passes gets you the following:

  • VIP Access to all events and exclusive areas.
  • Complimentary food and beverage in select areas.
  • Prioritized access to workshop registration.
  • Access to a dedicated Festival Concierge who organizes your Engineer class schedule and is available for any questions you have may have.
  • A custom embroidered patch representing the 2018 Engineer Workshop class.

More info about the Engineer Pass and other festival options can be found here. If you’re on the fence, keep in mind that payment plans are also available.

Moogfest 2016 Moves to Durham, NC

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First of all, let’s get the pronunciation straight. You should not sound like you’re imitating a cow when you say Moogfest. As Robert Moog himself no doubt spent much of his life reminding people, the surname he gave to his trailblazing line of analog synths rhymes with “rogue.” Hell he even named one of his instruments that just to spell it out for people. Anyhow, the annual celebration of Dr. Moog’s creations, which brings together some of the finest electronic musicians from around the world each year, has just announced its 2016 dates as well as a new location.

Moogfest, which has been running since 2004 in Asheville, NC, will happen in Durham, NC for the first time next year, from May 19-22. Judging by the participants in the previous events, there will be an awesome array of artists performing at Moogfest 2016. Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Massive Attack, M83, Grimes, Tangerine Dream, Moderat and Squarepusher are just a few who have graced the festival’s stage in the past. If you hop on it now, you can get an Early Bird ticket for $99.00.

Moog Music Unveils $90k Emerson Modular System at Moogfest

Moog New Emerson Modular System

Fifty years after introducing the Moog Modular, which was the world’s first voltage controlled synthesizer, Moog Music unveiled the new Emerson System at Moogfest, honoring Keith Emerson, of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame, and his seminal collaboration with Bob Moog. Development of the custom handcrafted unit took three years with designers using the original documentation as well as circuit board and art files for nearly every original Moog module. To celebrate the introduction of the new Emerson Moog Modular System, Moog Music featured Emerson as a headliner at Moogfest 2014. In the video below, Emerson explains how he came to know Bog Moog and the learning curve he faced when he bought his first Moog synth.

According to Gizmodo, the unit will sell for at least $90,000. Crazy? You decide.