About DMF

Dutch Modular Fest (DMF) is an annual festival focusing on modular synthesizers organised by -and for modular synth enthusiasts!

Where did it all start?

DMF started out in 2017 as Ginkofest, organized by Jan Willem Hagenbeek from Ginkosynthese at the location of his atelier, The Besturing. He is the godfather of the festival and was the bright mind that started it all. When the first festival was a success, he had a plan to organise a Dutch version, organised by all the - then - modular event organizers in the Netherlands. Ginkosynthese from The Hague joined forces with Modulation (Utrecht), Noodlebar (Rotterdam), ModuLab (Eindhoven), and Voltage Control Amsterdam (Amsterdam).

2018 Saw the light of the first DMF, located at the Besturing in The Hague. Three days of modular music performances, a market with module makers and people from the DIY community, art, and workshops. In the run-up to the festival, Menno Zijlstra was added to the organisation, specialised in audio technique.

2019 was a very successful festival, where the Sunday was canceled in favour of a modular club night at Pip Club. A bigger crowd and more exhibitors on the market. DMF grew bigger and the organisation became more complex. Because of this, Jan Willem decided to leave the organisation because he felt, the festival wasn't his little child anymore, and he wanted to focus more on his brainchild Ginkosynthese. With the Leave of Jan Willem, DMF wasn't able to use the location of the previous instalments of the festival for the upcoming iterations.

For DMF 2020 we found a new home and a new city. From 2020 on, DMF found a home at TAC in Eindhoven. A city in the south of the Netherlands with a big electronic legacy. It's used to be the home of electronics giant Philips and features an important role in the history of Dutch experimental electronic music. Dick Raaijmaker (aka kid Baltan) worked at Philips in the electro acoustics department and used the (famous) NatLab for his first sonic endeavours.

For DMF 2022 & 2023 we have found a home at the headquarters of Uncloud in Utrecht. In the former psychological and criminal observation clinic Pieter Baan Centrum. This is a fantastic venue and we are very happy we are able to use this space. Dutch Modular Fest continues to grow over the years, and with the growth of the festival there is also a growth in the modular community. Every year we try to bring new makers and artist to the table, showcasing what this amazing scene has to offer.

From 2023 the organisation of Dutch Modular Fest is patched by;


Allert Aalders - Modulation. - Sonartraffic - Utrecht
Jurgen Winkel - ModuLab - Eindhoven
Menno Zijlstra - Menno Sound Studio - Utrecht
Dennis Verschoor - Noodlebar - Rotterdam
Veerle Pennock - Acid Solder Club - Utrecht
Pjotr Lasschuit - DoDo Modular Jams (at Birdcage Radio)
Bart Wolff - Voltage Control Amsterdam - Amsterdam

See you at DMF 2023!