The Kvant 1 is an Atari Punk Console named after the Russian Mir Space Station’s science module Kvant-1. I built the Kvant 1 in 2008, when I was totally fascinated with the DIY circuit-bending community. The Atari Punk Console was a relatively simple way to learn a lot about electronics, as it can be built with a single 556 IC.

I really liked the look and feel of modular synthesizers, and wanted to build a small “module” myself. The control panel of this synthesizer reflects this aesthetic. The knobs control Pitch, Modulation, and Volume. The LED is hardwired to the power switch for ON/OFF indication.

The case is built from a 3.5″ floppy drive. The top of the drive is used for the front panel, and the body of the drive serves as a base. A meter from a guitar tuner was wired directly to the circuit, and behaves erratically when the modulation is turned down.

Amplification is provided from a small 9V amplifier that was removed from a set of computer speakers. The amp has a blue LED built into it, so it glows when turned on. The Volume has been set to maximum on the on-board amplifier, the volume knob on the front panel attenuates the output signal to the speaker.

The Atari Punk Console can be made with either a 556 timer IC, or a pair of 555 ICs. I chose to make this Atari Punk Console with the 556 IC, using a schematic like the one below.

Schematic from: Beavis Audio Research