Knobcon
Tickets now available for Knobcon Number Eleven, September 8-10, 2023!
What is Knobcon?
Knobcon is a one-of-a-kind synthesizer convention now in its eleventh 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.
| Friday, September 8 | ||
| 4p-7p | Exhibitor Setup (Exhibitors only in halls) | Mahogany, Sage |
| 7p-11p | Welcome Reception | Sapphire Pavilion |
| Saturday, September 9 | ||
| 10a-6p | Exhibit Halls Open | Mahogany, Sage |
| Lectures/Paid Programming | Copper/Maize | |
| DIY Build Workshop | Sienna I/II | |
| JAMMSPACE | Sienna III/IV | |
| 2p-6p | Afternoon Abstract (Live Music) | Slate |
| 6:30p | Golden Knob Banquet | Sapphire Pavilion |
| 8:30p-12a | Big Room (Live Music) | Sienna III/IV |
| Chill-Out Room (Live Music) | Slate | |
| Player's Club (Live Music) | Sapphire Pavilion | |
| Sunday, September 10 | ||
| 10a-4p | Exhibit Halls Open | Mahogany, Sage |
| Lectures/Paid Programming | Copper/Maize | |
| DIY Build Workshop | Sienna I/II | |
| 4p-7p | Exhbitor Tear-Down | Mahogany |
2023 Vendors and Exhibitors
- 4ms company
- 1010 Music
- After Later Audio
- AI Synthesis
- Analogue Solutions
- Ashton Instruments
- Bastl Instruments
- Befaco
- Bjooks
- Black Corporation
- Boredbrain Music
- bubblesound
- Buchla USA
- Catalyst Audio
- Circuit Happy
- Conductive Labs
- CuteLab
- Dreadbox
- EarthQuaker Devices
- Electronic Hardware Corp.
- Entropy & Sons
- Erogenous Tones
- Five12
- Foxing Hour
- Future Retro
- Golden Shrimp Guild
- Hammond
- Hive Mind Synthesis
- Infinite Machinery
- Industrial Music Electronics
- Infrasonic Audio
- JoMoX
- Karltron
- Kilpatrick Audio
- KVGear
- Landscape
- LoBlast
- Low-Gain Electronics
- LZX Industries
- Madisynths
- Melbourne Instruments
- Metalphoto of Cincinnati
- MFOS
- Midiverse Modular
- Modbap Modular
- Muse Electronic Instruments
- Mordax Systems
- Modular for the Masses
- MuSonics
- Mysitc Circuits
- New Systems Instruments
- Niio Analog
- Noise Engineering
- Novation
- omiindustriies
- Pet Rock
- Physical Synthesis
- Pluton Modular
- Point and Click Systems
- Polyend
- PWM
- Rides in the Storm
- Rogan Corporation
- Sequential | Oberheim
- Schlappi Engineering
- SetonixSynth
- Sleepy Circuits
- Small Bear Electronics
- Sonocurrent
- Steady State Fate
- Studio Electronics
- SynthCube
- Synth City
- Tangible Waves
- Therevox
- this.is.NOISE inc.
- Tidbit Audio
- Tone Charm Audio
- VCV
- Vondle Synths
- Wildwood Soundworks
- Weston Precision Audio
- WMD/AMMT
- 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.
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.
Join us for Great Build Workshops
Learn the basics of soldering, or take your hobby to the next level!
2023 GOLD SPONSORS
2023 SILVER SPONSORS
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.