Workshop System (DIY Kit)

Music Thing Modular Workshop System

NOTE: This is a DIY project and will require assembly. Please see The Workshop System Build Guide for assembly guidance.

Due to the nature of DIY projects, no returns allowed on kits that have been attempted to be assembled or with missing components.

Construct a patchable platform for music creation with this Workshop System DIY Kit from Music Thing Modular. A compact and self-contained modular system around the size of a hardback book, the Workshop System offers vast creative potential in an approachable form factor. With two oscillators and two filters, the Workshop provides the basic building blocks for creating a one or two voice system, along with a number of modulation options, a reprogrammable computer module, and plenty of ways to connect other gear you may already have. From MIDI-playable synth melodies to experimental chaos, the Workshop System is a fantastic way to get started in modular synthesis with a strong foundation for many musical modalities. This DIY Kit version is also a great introduction to building your own electronic gizmos, with technical support provided by the wonderfully helpful folks at Thonk.

Across its jampacked panel, the Workshop System offers fourteen modules for manipulating sound. Two SineSquare Oscillators provide vintage-flavored sound sources, which can be sculpted by the similarly-vintage pair of Humpback Filters. Two attack / decay envelope generators, called Slopes, offer both envelope and LFO functionality, as well as helping create sliding portamento for pitch control. A rich Ring Mod effect is normalled to both sine waves, creating expanded timbres while also providing a simple VCA for your patches. 4 Voltages is a tiny source for stored voltages, with four buttons and a single knob coalescing into a "minimum viable keyboard". Connect external gear with the Stereo In module, and integrate effect pedals with the Stompbox module. The Amplifier module contains a piezo pickup and a transistor-based input amplifier. Finally, the Mix module combines two stereo channels with two mono channels, providing a headphone amplifier and line output for getting sound out of the system. All of this is powered by a PSU which can be run on USB-C PD power or a dedicated power brick, enabling portable, battery powered performance.

At the left of the System, the Computer module offers a RP2040-powered processor which can be reprogrammed using swappable cards. This multifunctional powerhouse ships with cards for USB MIDI control, a Turing Machine random sequencer, and a Reverb effect card. Whether you're coding your own utilities or leaning into the community of programmers already working to create more cards, this flexible tool is sure to grow alongside your system, offering new ways to intervene on audio and CV signals. Should the patching sweep you away into a world of modular desire, the System can be readily mounted in a Eurorack case, but is just as happy to remain within its included foam-lined carrying case.

While the DIY kit will only take a few hours to assemble, with the fiddly surface mount components pre-soldered for a beginner-friendly build, the Workshop System from Music Thing Modular is sure to offer endless creative enjoyment once it's up and running.

Workshop System Features

• Complete DIY kit for building a compact modular synthesizer system
• Pre-soldered surface mount components for an easier, beginner-friendly build
• 2x SineSquare analog oscillators
• 2x multimode Humpback Filters
• 2x Slopes modules provide attack / decay envelopes, LFOs, and portamento generators
• Computer module: RP2040-based multifunction module reprogrammable with swappable cards
• Included cards for Computer module provide USB-MIDI interface, Turing Machine sequencer, and Reverb effect
• More functionality is possible with custom coded cards
• Stereo in module for incorporating external signals
• Ring Mod effect normalled to sine wave outputs for expanded timbres
• Stompbox guitar pedal interface with blend and feedback controls
• Amplifier module features piezo pickup and transistor-based input amplifier
• 4 Voltages mini keyboard with four buttons and one knob
• Output Mixer with two pannable inputs and two mono inputs
• Headphone and line level outputs
• Includes protective case with foam lining
• Can be mounted in a Eurorack case
• Powers via USB-C power delivery or dedicated 15-25V barrel connectors (USB-C cable and PSU not included)
• DIY kit includes:
  • All hardware required to build the system itself
  • Hard case
  • 2x audio adapter cables for incorporating pedals with the Stompbox module
  • 20cm DC barrel cable for powering pedals from the 9V center negative DC output
  • Keyring with 4x program cards, including MIDI-CV interface, Turing Machine, Reverb, and a blank 2mb card
• Assembly tools and patch cables not included
• Technical support provided by Thonk