Curious about modular synthesis but not sure where to start? In this hands-on workshop, modular synthesist and Ambient Night MIA founder Dania Sixto will guide participants through the fundamentals of patching, signal flow, and sound design using VCV Rack 2, a free virtual modular environment. Learn how to create evolving textures, rhythmic sequences, and sculpt sound from the ground up—all without needing expensive hardware. Dania will also offer practical insights into building a physical modular system, demystifying the process of selecting and combining modules to fit your creative vision. Whether you’re drawn to ambient drones, pulsating melodies, or experimental noise, this workshop will give you the tools to start exploring modular synthesis with confidence. Bring a laptop with VCV Rack 2 installed and headphones to follow along.

Linger til late for a performance by Stranger Cat, the ethereal electronic project of Cat Martino, blending looped vocals, modular synths, and hypnotic beats into a mesmerizing live set.

Refreshments provided. Free and open to the public. Presented as part of the Knight Digital Innovation Lab at Locust Projects. 

About the Artists

Dania Sixto is a Miami-based modular synthesist whose work explores the intersection of analog synthesis and immersive sound design. Sculpting brooding textures and kaleidoscopic melodies alike, her sonic explorations range from hypnotic drones to intricate rhythmic structures. She is the founder and curator of Ambient Night (MIA), a monthly showcase highlighting ambient and experimental music from local and touring artists. Her cassette release, Temporal Lapses, was featured in The Wire and is available on the independent label Noir Age. Through her performances and workshops, Dania is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of modular synthesis, making the art of sound sculpting more accessible to new and experienced artists alike.

Stranger Cat is the ethereal electronic project of Cat Martino, a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer known for her lush, loop-based compositions and hauntingly soulful voice. Weaving together synths, hypnotic rhythms, and layered vocals, her music balances raw intimacy with expansive sonic landscapes. A former collaborator with artists like Sufjan Stevens, Sharon Van Etten, and The Shins, Stranger Cat channels a spirit of experimentation, blending electronic textures with organic emotion.