DivKid Lays Down the Eurorack Groove with Shakmat

Welcome to the Machina Bristronica where DivKid sets up his stage with Francois from Shakmat, diving into the heart of modular block parties. You can feel the vibe right from the start as Francois, representing the spirit of Shakmat, greets everyone, ready to indulge in the nitty-gritty of Eurorack designs. It’s like a DJ drop at the perfect moment. Francois, with his musician’s mindset, and the team at Shakmat design their modules with a keen ear for music, getting at the essence of what it means to groove in modular heaven.

DivKid knows how to get down to brass tacks, and here it’s all about seeing where Francois is coming from both creatively and musically. They aren’t just here to talk specs like we’re in a science lab, but rather to speak the language of raw beats and live performances. The early interactions reveal that Shakmat is about answering musical needs with their gear. If anything, it’s like an indie mixtape full of unexpected jams, pushing the boundaries with every module.

Francois’ journey into modular is a harmonious blend of technology and artistry. As an electrical engineer, he found a sweet connection between the two, landing in the world of modular synths. The technical dance of patching and performing became a canvas for his creativity, pushing him to create modules that facilitate live shows. It’s all about feeding the beast within—keeping that sonic energy flowing like cheap beer at a dive bar, bringing the party alive.

In the next act, they delve into the diverse world of Shakmat’s modules. It’s like opening up a treasure chest full of audio wonders. Francois describes their range like a proud parent, detailing the ‘families’ with function and flair. They have your standard performers – clock generators and trigger sequencers are the backbone, almost like the unsung heroes setting the stage for the spotlight-stealing acts.

This family, though, has its innovators – modules that let you play sequences as if you’re feeding new riffs into a trusty sampler. Francois talks about the Bishop Miscellany, a CVGate recorder that evolves live sequences. It’s like handing a brush to an artist right in the middle of a jam session, allowing them to paint with sounds in real time. Seriously, it’s the kind of thing that reminds us modular isn’t just tech; it’s unfiltered creativity waiting to erupt.

Then there are the digital dream-weavers like the Griffin’s Close, with its quad fader recorder system. It’s the wizardry behind controlling those intricate synth pads so you can focus on the groove. DivKid and Francois make it clear that these aren’t just widgets – they are the tools for crafting live, pulsing tracks that could go head-to-head with any club banger. They’re inventing the future, one module at a time, keeping it real and keeping it tight.

When you think DivKid, you think performance. With Francois on hand, it’s like stepping into a carousel of sounds spinning at full force. Francois lets the music do the talking, demonstrating how these modules aren’t just sitting pretty—they’re dynamos of auditory magic. You can almost feel the pulse of the beat, each note building on the last like a street carnival in full swing.

Here’s the thing: Shakmat isn’t about standard beats. Nah, it’s about reshaping how we experience rhythm. Francois speaks with an enthusiasm reserved for only the finest grooves. The alternative rhythms and patterns crafted by Shakmat give performers that feral, live edge—perfect for shaping a killer setlist and setting dance floors on fire. Like a pizza with every topping, it’s full of surprises, pleasure in every bite.

Witnessing these performances is like joining a jam where every beat, every sound is another layer of the story. It’s a playground for audiophiles and club junkies alike. Francois shows off their mastery of preset management, pushing the modules into new territory, spiraling into spontaneous creativity as the crowd nods in approval. Who’d have thought Eurorack could be so exhilarating? Well, Francois did—and we’re all thankful for it.

Down the rabbit hole of Shakmat’s innovation, Francois opens up about their design philosophy. It’s more rock ‘n’ roll than a rigid rulebook, and Francois nails it when describing how Shakmat’s drum voices come to life. With a mix of digital and analog, they hit the sweet spot that’s like jamming two mismatched vinyls into a new anthem.

Crafting a drum voice isn’t just about setting some parameters—it’s about capturing the right vibe. Francois and the Shakmat team infuse their modules with a rhythm that translates into energetic live performances. Modules like the Ballista Blast turn heads, designed not just for techno but for a broader club music palette. Think of it as street food: diverse, satisfying, and always bustling with energy.

The discussion flows as Francois outlines their roadmap for creating not just another module, but a system. Each piece of gear serves a purpose—be it syncing, modulating, or straight-up rocking the house. It’s clear they’re less about creating options and more about creating avenues for expression. With everything from drum modules to synced modulation sources, Shakmat is shaking up the game and challenging norms. DivKid lets Francois’s insights marinate, the kind that makes you want to run off and create something epic with just a handful of cables and an uninterrupted afternoon.