Songs From The Periodic Table

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"If each element in the periodic table has a spectrum that can be used to idenfity it, each color in the spectrum can be converted to a frequency. So each element has a distinct sound signature, a scale. It's not easy to make them audible, but with a stack of tone generators you should be able to set it up. You can approach this with additive synthesis - creating sinewave partials for each frequency band, but approaching it as scales is much more intriguing. Each element has its own 'microtonal scale' and some of them are quite beautiful when you compose in the key of Mother Nature.

This experiment feels like actual sonic Alchemy where you can turn the sound of Lead into the sound of Gold, the sound of water - or even 'listen' to the five elements of our DNA. Also, these frequencies have nothing to do with the actual vibration frequency of a atom. Oxygen, for instance, vibrates at 60 GHz and there's no way you can hear it.

I used Droid Master with an array of LFO's running at audio rates to recreate a spectrum's frequency bands (with two digit decimal precision). I found the conversion tables on https://musicoftheperiodictable.com."

A lot of control in a small package - The E4 endless encoder controller for DROID

video upload by Monotrail Tech Talk

"The people over at DROID have been busy and present a new controller for the DROID eco system. Today we have a quick look at the features, and some examples I have been testing out. I think the module is a great option when you are interested in starting with DROID with a compact setup. But it will add a whole lot of control to deep setups as well."

"Der Mann mit der Maschine | E4

The E4 is a controller with four rotary encoders.

The encoders look like normal potentiometers, but you can turn them endlessly in either direction. (Don't be fooled by the knobs, which do have a pointer).
This allows for a wide range of applications and great flexibility.

Each encoder is surrounded by a square of 32 multicolor LEDs. This LED ring is used to indicate the current value of the encoder. And it looks really great! The LEDs help you to give you an orientation by displaying the current value.

Each encoder contains a push button, which can be used just like those on the P2B8 or on the B32.

The E4 is perfect for mapping many different functions or presets to one encoder and then switch with the buttons of a P2B8 or B32 to some other context. Because of the LED rings you instantly see the current value after switching. And other than with pots, no "picking up" of the value is needed.
Furthermore, the nature of the encoders allows for some useful features, for example:

Create a "multi turn" pot, that needs to be turned several rounds for going through the total range (which allows for a finer selection).
Enable a mode where a slow movement of the encoder changes the value even slower, so it allows for instant fine tuning.
Use an encoder as a switch with a fixed number of positions (the LEDs visualise that)
Select a bipolar value with proper visualisation by the LEDs.
Use an encoder for "strumming", where you get triggers when it is turned.
As a bonus, there is a circuit called encoquencer, that allows you to build a melody sequencer based on the encoders and LEDs of the E4. It has the same features as the sequencer that is based on the motor faders of the M4 (motoquencer).
Power consumption:

+12V: 220 mA when all LEDs are white, 53 mA during normal use case
-12V: 0 mA
5V: 0 mA

Hint: The LEDs only shine fully white when you set them up to do so in your DROID patch. As long as you use the encoders in a normal way, the LEDs display colored light which is not as bright, so the power consumption is much less under normal circumstances."

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TRS Split - CV/Audio signal distributor

video upload by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"TRS Split is a multipurpose CV and audio signal distribution module. It has three 3.5 mm TRS (tip/ring/sleeve - stereo) jacks and six ordinary 3.5 mm mono jacks.

It contains 3 identical sections set up as following:

Upper jack carries the tip signal
Middle jack carries the stereo/dual signal
Lower jack carries the ring signal

Each section can either split a stereo signal into two mono signals or join two mono signals into one stereo signal. The module does not have any active components and does not need a power supply.

Use cases:

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TRS Tool - Stereo/Dual CV/Audio/MIDI signal multipurpose module

video upload by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"TRS Tool is a multipurpose CV and audio signal distribution module for working with 3.5 mm stereo jacks (tip/ring/sleeve). These jacks are common for stereo audio but also for MIDI.

The TRS TOOL has no active components and does not need a power supply. It contains 3 different sections set up as following from top to bottom:

TRS Split

The upper jack carries the tip signal
The middle jack carries the stereo/dual signal
The Lower jack carries the ring signal

Use cases:

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Droid Forge - Labelling things

video upload by @DerMannmitderMaschine

"Here I show you how you can add comments and labels to the elements of your Droid patch so that you better keep track of how its build and also know how to play it."

Droid Forge - Connecting Circuits

video upload by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"I show you how you can efficiently connect circuits with internal patch cables."

You can find additional overview videos in previous posts here.

Droid Forge - Efficient Navigation

video upload by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"I show you how to efficiently navigate through complex patches in the Forge. There are some not so obvious hidden features, that are really powerful!"

Droid Forge - Status dumps

video upload by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"Status dumps allow you to get an insight into what your Droid patch is doing. You can see the exact value for every input, output, pot and internal cable. Starting from version 1.1 the Forge can easily import these dumps from the SD card."

Getting Started Droid Forge Configuration Software

video upload by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"In this video I give you an introduction into the 'Droid Forge'. This is the free graphical configuration tool for the Droid. It's available for Mac and Windows and makes creating Droid patches very easy.

Previously Droid patches needed to be created with a text editor. While this is still possible, most people now use the Forge.

Download the Forge here: https://shop.dermannmitdermaschine.de...
Our Discord server: https://discord.gg/9TUcRmH"

Best Gear of the Year : 2022 Artists Picks Part 4

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"It's nearing the end of another great year in synthesizers and pro-audio, and we look back with our friends on some of our favorite pieces of kit we tried out in 2022!
Read more on our Blog : https://bit.ly/3EGmiA3"

DROID - Universal CV Processor

video uploads by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"This video introduces my new Eurorack synthesizer module "DROID". The DROID is a universal CV processor, that can do anything in your modular synth... except audio! The DROID has 8 CV inputs and 8 CV outputs and you can use them to implement lots of different utility functions, even at the same time. You can implement sequencers, quantizers, clock dividers and multipliers, trigger delays, precision adders, ADSR like envelope generators, random generators, turing machines, slew limiters, CV mixers, CV matrix mixers and many many more things."

The eurorack module that can do everything with CV – Introduction to Droid

video upload by Monotrail Tech Talk

"Droid – the Universal CV Processor – can basically do everything when it comes to control voltages. It can create modulation signals like complex LFOs and envelopes. Perform creative utilitarian functions like mixing, logic, quantizing, and so on. And it can do complex pattern and melodic sequencing. This gives you the power to create your own complex modules, or even entire custom control surfaces for performances.

I have been using it for a couple of months now, and in this video I explain how it works, and how it can be used. At least, I made a start, because the possibilities are basically endless!"

Timetable:
00:00 – Intro & sounds
00:54 – Introducing Droid
05:48 – Creative modules
07:25 – – Octa LFO
11:43 – – Multi envelope
14:37 – – Quad trigger
18:21 – Custom control surfaces
19:08 – – Techno
23:58 – – Melodic
30:13 – Droid Forge

SUPERBOOTH 2021 - Der Mann mit Der Maschine - Motorised Faders for Eurorack

video upload by sonicstate

The DROID: The CV module replacing all other CV modules (ADSRs, Turing Machines, Quantizers, LFOs..)

video by Bertolt Meyer

Review of the DROID multipurpose CV processing module for the Eurorack format by Der Mann mit der Maschine, including an explanation of its internal patching language and its concept of "circuits".

Chapters:

00:00​ Intro: One CV module to replace them all
00:53​ DROID Module and P2B8 Expander overview
02:52​ Example 1: 3 Envelopes with one pot-controlled parameter each
05:23​ Example 2: Quantized turing machine
07:39​ Example 3: LFO
08:00​ Changing the DROID's settings
08:53​ Final thoughts, price considerations, and recommendation
09:43​ Acknowledging the manufacturer
10:24​ How to pronounce 'Der Mann mit der Maschine' correctly
10:50​ The gates expander
11:15​ How to write a Patch for the DROID: Coding example

via Der Mann Mit Der Maschine

The DROID is a very flexible generic CV processor for modular synthesizers in the Eurorack (Doepfer) format. It has 8 CV inputs and 8 CV outputs, all ranging from -10V to +10V. The DROID can do almost any CV task you can imagine, such as sequencing, melody generation, slew limiting, quantizing, switching, mixing, working on clocks and triggers, creating envelopes and LFO or other fancy voltages, or any combination of these at the same time. While doing this, is very precise both in voltage and in timing.

You tell your DROID what to do by means of a simple text file called “DROID patch”, while is located on a micro SD card. No special software is required for creating that file. A simple text editor running on Windows, Linux, Mac or any other device is all you need.

Controllers and expanders

By attaching up to 16 P2B8 controllers, each having two potentiometers and 8 push buttons, you can control any parameter you like while playing your music.

The G8 expander gives you 8 more jacks, which can be used for gate or trigger inputs and outputs.

The Circuits

The building blocks of a DROID patch are called circuits. Every type of circuit performs some specific task. A circuit is very much like a Eurorack module itself. Some of these do basic things like slew limiting, sample & hold or switching. Others are much more comlex, such as an advanced trigger sequencer with algorithmic extensions. Just like a Eurorack module, each ciruit has inputs and outputs. You can wire these either directly to one of the 16 jacks, or even connect them internally. Every parameter can be CV controlled.

Here are a few examples of what your DROID can be for you. As long as you do not run out of inputs and outputs you can implement as many of these functions at the same time in one DROID. You also can connect them together internally.

LFO
Envelope generator
Melody and trigger sequencer
Random generator, bernoulli gate
Sample and hold
Precision adder
Slew limiter
Clock tool with divider, multiplier and delay
Logical and mathematical functions
CV looper
Euclidean rhythms generator
Versatile musical quantizer, octave switch
Addressable and clockable CV switch
CV mixing and routing matrix
VCO precision calibrator
... and many many more...
You can use these circuits either directly - just like normal Eurorack modules - or combine them internally in order to implement more complex functions. Then you can assign pots and buttons of your "P2B8"-controllers for switching, tuning and live performing with these. Basically you can transform your Eurorack modular system into your own custom instrument. Or you simply use the DROID as a replacement for several utility modules, because it is very space efficient.