Knobcon
Tickets now available for Knobcon Number Twelve, September 6-8, 2024!
What is Knobcon?
Knobcon is a one-of-a-kind synthesizer convention now in its twelfth year. Complete with performances, workshops and vendors, Knobcon allows for a fully immersive experience. Attendees can get their hands on an incredible amount of equipment, learn from industry professionals and talk directly with designers of some of today's most innovative synthesizer products.
Held just outside Chicago, Ill., at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, the entire event takes place under one roof. Enthusiasts travel from all parts of the world to attend this yearly event. Direct access to all major forms of transportation make this an easy destination for those traveling.
Who should attend?
If you are interested in electronic-based or experimental music and the tools used to create it, this is the place for you. The diversity and passion of those at knobcon make it enjoyable for all experience levels.
2024 Vendors and Exhibitors
- 1010music
- 4ms Company
- AI Synthesis
- After Later Audio
- AmpersandAmpersand
- Ashton Research
- Bastl Instruments
- Boredbrain Music
- Bjooks
- Catalyst Audio
- Circuit Happy
- Conductive Labs
- Crey Emporium
- Deftaudio
- Delptronics
- Denki Oto
- Earth Modular Society
- Entropy & Sons
- Erogenous Tones
- Fairfield Circuitry
- Five12
- FoxingHour
- Future Retro
- Golden Shrimp Guild
- GS Music
- Hite Studios
- Hive Mind Synthesis
- Industrial Music Electronics
- Infinite Digits
- Infinite Machinery
- Infrasonic Audio
- Isla Instruments
- Karltron
- Kyaa Modular
- Landscape
- LoBlast
- Low-Gain Electronics
- Madisynths
- Metalphoto of Cincinnati
- Michigan Synth Works
- Midiverse Modular
- Modbap Modular
- Modular for the Masses
- Muse Electronic Instruments
- New Systems Instruments
- NIIO Analog
- Noise Engineering
- Novation
- Oddment Audio
- Rain City Modular
- Rides in the Storm
- Rogan Corporation
- SetonixSynth
- Signals Music Publishing
- Sleepy Circuits
- Soma Laboratory
- Swamp Flux
- SynthRISE
- this.is.NOISE
- Tidbit Audio
- VCV
- Vondle Synths
- Weston Precision Audio
- Wildwood Soundworks
- Zlob Modular
Interested in becoming a Knobcon exhibitor? Click Here
Builders Choice!
Hosted by Befaco
Saturday, Sept 9 @ 11am
Difficulty: Varies
In this guided workshop, build one from an array of choices with the help of the folks at Befaco!
TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WORKSHOP
Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your kit selection to reserve a space in the workshop. Payment for kits will be collected on-site.
Some kits may be available for purchase on-site, however, you can secure your place in the workshop by reserving your kit.
CHOOSE FROM THESE PROJECTS
Pony VCO - 4hp analog thru-zero wavefolding VCO/LFO with dedicated VCA.
Stereo Strip - 6hp channel strip with EQ, and cv panning and level control.
Inamp - 4hp dual preamp with 1/4" and 1/8" inputs.
Divkid Mutes - 4hp performance module for creative signal routing and click-free audio muting.
Lich - 12hp programmable multi-function module based on the Rebel Technology OWL platform.
Morphader - 12hp Performative tool designed to make multichannel CV/Audio crossfade easy and comfortable.
Percall - 12hp Percussive oriented module that will shape four different sound sources into percussive sounds.
Kickall - 6hp Synth voice with everything needed to make a big fat kick sound.
STMix - 6hp 4-channel stereo mixer with an auxiliary input for chaining.
Muxlicer - 16hp Sequential signal processor designed to add a huge range of functions in a minimal amount of space.
Mex - 4hp Expander module for Muxlicer which adds another line of gates to Muxlicer's sequence.
Hexmix - 28hp six channel performance mixer specially designed for Eurorack.
Hexpander - 28hp Adds 3 aux sends with stereo returns, individual outputs for each channel, complete PFL system and balanced output to the Hexmix.
Instrument Interface - 8hp Pre-amp and envelope follower with XLR/1/4" combo input and phantom power.
Crush Delay V3 - 11hp Clean or dirty sounding echo-delay unit based on the PT2399 IC.
BF-22 - 17hp Dual hi/low-pass filter inspired by the Sallen-Key filter from the early MS-20.
Rampage - 18 hp function generator based on the Serge/Buchla ramp generator.
Even VCO - 8hp VCO with stability over 10 octaves
Out V3 - 4hp output module with balanced outputs, dedicated headphone amp and an extra cue input to monitor any signal.
Hex VCA - 14hp compact six channel VCA with variable response curve. Also acts as a mixer
VCMC - Voltage controlled MIDI Controller with eight faders and buttons.
Excalibus - Skiff-friendly compact power supply and bus.
JumpSkiff - A lightweight and portable 98hp skiff with integrated bus board and power supply.
Build a Matrix Mixer!
Hosted by synthCube and Low-Gain Electronics
Satyrday, Sept 9 @ 2pm
Difficulty: Easy
Matrix Mixer Build
Build your own matrix mixer with guidance from the folks at Low-Gain Electronics and synthCube!
A matrix mixer is a great tool for effect routing, creating complex modulations and perfect for feed-back patching. The unit requires no power, and is held in its own enclosure, making it great for modular or table-top setups.
Your choice of banana jacks (grey inputs blue outputs) or 1/8"/3.5mm jacks!
TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WORKSHOP
You will need to purchase the Matrix Mixer Kit - Knobcon Edition from synthCube at THIS LINK.
Some kits may be available for purchase on-site, however, you can secure your place in the workshop by pre-ordering your kit.
Choose your format: banana or mini jacks
KNOBCON HIGHLIGHTS
Synthesizers, Workshops, Synthesizers, Performances and more Synthesizers!
Friday night is a party!
Hang out with other knobcon attendees, have a drink and catch gear-centric performances.
Gear, Gear, Gear!
Get your hands on amazing vintage pieces and the latest and greatest boxes. Monosynths, polysynths, modular and more will all be there.
Meet The Makers
Many boutique manufacturers will be on hand demonstrating and even selling the gear they produce.
Feedback from previous Knobcons
As expected, a spectacular event
Learned a lot, laughed a ton, listened to good music, met great people and bought too much new gear. I have no complaints at all!
The whole thing was extremely enjoyable
I made more friends last weekend than I have in years that are in to the same stuff as me. Cheers to everyone involved in planning it!
Had a great time!
Even though I did not know anyone there, I was made to feel welcome and part of the gang.
Thanks for the awesome time everyone!
I saw tons of amazing things for the first time and met tons of cool people, not a bad one in the bunch!
Had a great time!
Learned a lot about modular synths and other gear. Enjoyed the "low-key" relaxed environment and the Knobcon staffers were helpful and very professional. Hope to make it back next year.
Knobcon was amazing!
Loved getting to try out the new and old gear. Everyone there was super cool, and I will definitely be back next year.