The Moon Modular synth designs of the late Gert Jalass will live on, with reissues by fellow MU module maker Synth-Werk.

Since Gert Jalass died unexpectedly in 2024, fans of the 5U/MU format have wondered about the future of his fantastic module designs – which offer modern sequencing and sound design capabilities with the traditional Moog modular large-format interface.

Now Synth-Werk’s Gerhard Mayrhofer has announced the first Moon Modular reissue, the SW MOON 505 Multimode Filter.

The SW MOON 505 Multimode filter features low pass, high pass, band pass (12 dB/oct each) and notch mode (6 dB/oct), which are available simultaneously as well as combined at the mixed output, where the filter mode is voltage controlled.

Cutoff frequency and resonance are voltage controllable too.

This is the first product in Synth-Werk’s Moon Modular filter series, with more modules planned.

Synth-Werk & Moon Modular

The pairing of the lines of Synth-Werk & Moon Modular is very complementary:

• Synth-Werk has had its main focus on offering accurate, full-size clones of the original Moog modular line. The line is essentially designed to be a third-party reissue of the original modules, using original components and through-hole construction, but updated so that modules are compatible with modern ‘dotcom’ style power systems.
• Moon Modular had its main focus on offering a modern take on the large-format modular system, with modern construction and capabilities, in the traditional Moog form-factor.

At trade events, like Superbooth, Synth-Werk & Moon typically displayed next to each other, because their lines were similar in some ways, but also very different.

We asked Synth-Werk’s Gerhard Mayrhofer about the state of Moon Modular, and his plans for the future of this line.

Synthtopia: Is Synth-Werk now the owner of the Moon brand?

Gerhard Mayrhofer: Yes. We took over Moon completely, which was a long-lasting task, because Gert had no relatives and we had to deal with an attorney from the government.

Synthtopia: Is Synth-Werk now manufacturing the Moon modules?

Mayrhofer: Yes. We are manufacturing the Moon Modules in our production facility.

Synthtopia: Are the Moon modules going to be sold by ‘Moon’ or by Synth-Werk?

Mayrhofer: The Moon modules will be sold by SYNTH-WERK, and our distribution partners like Noisebug in the US.

Synthtopia: What is the availability of the other Moon modules?

Mayrhofer: We are working on the Moon filter modules currently. The first one available is the M 505 Multimode Filter, the Polyvox Filter will follow.

Together with SYNTH-WERK filters I think we will have an impressive range of filters.

Synthtopia: So, it sounds like this the first module reissue of several that you are planning to make.

Can you share anything about your plans? Are you hoping to eventually reissue Gert’s entire line?

Mayrhofer: Our plan is to work on the filters, then effects, oscillators and various.

It is actually a bit of a challenge, because it was not a well-prepared take over of a company, it was continuing where Gert has stopped his work and reconstructing the things he had in his mind and on all kind of different media.

But we are proud to continue his work and try to make everything available in the near and not so near future.

As you can imagine, we are still the same team taking care of SYNTH-WERK which includes our R.A. pure Moog modules, MOON modular and the BODE sound company. Also, the BODE SOUND company will keep us busy with new never seen instruments from Harald Bode.

Synth-Werk has updated the Moon site, and included a couple of lovely memorials to Jalass. These include a downloadable book on The History of Moon Modular, and an retrospective book, LUNAR MAGIC | Gert Jalass’ Work of Life.

Mayrhofer and the Synth-Werk team also share this statement, introducing MOON MODULAR by SYNTH-WERK:

“MOON MODULAR and SYNTH-WERK are connected by a long-standing collaboration and an intensive exchange about our shared love for the 5U modular format.

Gert Jalass was both our friend and mentor. I would even go so far as to say that without Gert, SYNTH-WERK probably wouldn’t have been possible.

Gert always motivated me, Gerhard, to build MOOG Modular clones because he believed I had the technical skills and knew enough about it. Gert was always sparing with praise, but also very helpful when it came to achieving common goals.

We were soon working together on large systems and also gained many mutual customers. MOON and SYNTH-WERK were a good fit from the very beginning.

We consider it both our duty and an honor to continue the life’s work of our friend Gert …

The SYNTH-WERK/MOON Team

– Gerhard Mayrhofer

– Albin Meskes

– Marcus Maisberger

– Markus Gabriel

– Thomas Bichlmaier

– In heaven… Bob, Gert and more”

You can find out more about the SW MOON 505 Multimode Filter at the Moon Modular by Synth-Werk site.

Image of Gert Jalass & Gerhard Mayrhofer: Synth-Werk