The Atari Punk Console is an easy to build synthesizer that uses two 555 chips to generate sound. The circuit is a simple DIY noisemaker circuit that is relatively inexpensive and easy to build. It is often suggested as a good circuit to build for beginners. It was named “Atari Punk Console” (APC) because its “low-fi” sounds resemble classic Atari console games from the 1980s, with a square wave output similar to the Atari 2600. More formally it is also called a Stepped Tone Generator. Technically speaking we have here an astable multivibrator circuit triggering a monostable multivibrator circuit.

The set was assembled by Musikarbeiter, a synth builder from Rotterdam. A clear and simple manual is enclosed. All you need is a suitable soldering iron and 2 AA batteries.