Shakmat Archer's Rig: Demo

video upload by Shakmat

"The Archer's Rig boasts a quiver full of digital noise generation algorithms, offering sharp and cutting sound sources for hi-hat and high-pitched percussion synthesis. As our archer has more than one string to its bow, he processes its source material through a versatile analog chain featuring filters, distortion, and a VCA. Randomizer, a memory of 96 presets, and compatibility with select bus protocol round out the Archer's capabilities, making it a powerful tool for creating a vast and personalized sonic palette.

CHAPTERS
---------------------------------------------------
0:00 Intro
1:05 Sonic Insights
2:42 Architecture
3:46 Noise Source
7:26 Effects
11:02 VCA & Envelopes
13:56 Filter Type & Range
17:18 Gain & Amplitude
18:37 Velocity
19:59 Randomize
22:00 Memory
24:45 Select Bus
26:18 Options Menu
27:59 Factory Reset"

Addtional posts featuring Archer's Rig

SUPERBOOTH 2024: Shakmat - Bishop's Miscellany - Griffin's Claws

video upload by sonicstate

"At Superbooth 2024, Francois from Skakmat showcased three new modules for Eurorack. Bishop's Miscellany MK2*, an upgraded version of their first module, offers a step CV gate recorder with added features like slide, gate length, ratchet, and vibrato. *Griffin's Claws is a quad attenuator fader recorder, allowing users to record fader movements synced to external clocks. Lastly, the Ballista Blast is a hybrid analog-digital synth voice with multiple engines and filters for creative sound design. Franois also hinted at upcoming releases like the Archer's Rig , with price ranges around $250 to $350.

Available: 2025
Ballista Blast Price: 350 Euros
Bishop's Miscellany MK2 Price: 350 Euros
Griffin's Claws Price: 250 Euros"

Superbooth 2023: Shakmat Modular - 4 New Modules

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Francois from Shakmat Modular at Superbooth 2023, who introduced us to their four new modules. First up is the Clock O' Pawn MK2, a new version of a previous clock generation model. They also showcased the Centaur's Gates, which is a dual multi-type gate that allows for different kinds of VCF, LPG, or VCA. The Battering Ram and Arches Rig are two new modules in their German model line. The Battering Ram is a collaboration with Mark Nostrom, an instrument and plug-in designer, and is a synthesis-based kick drum that has controls for pitch, decay, drive, and click. It has a gate or trigger mode and also features a volt-active input. The module also comes with a store and recall function that allows you to make a snapshot of all the controls.

Next up, Shakmat Modular introduced the Archer's Rig, a high hat generator that bridges the gap between analog and digital synthesis. The module features digital sensors processed by analog VCA, VCF, and distortion. There are various algorithms based on different square waves, such as 808 squares, and noise. The Archer's Rig has 10 different algorithms and eight different effects that allow for a lot of sonic possibilities. The module also allows for 96 presets and has a random generator for each parameter.

All modules Available Autumn 2023.

Battering Ram Price: 270 Euros.

Clock O'Pawn Price 180 Euros

Centaur's Gates Price: 330 Euros"

The New Shakmat Eurorack Modules Coming to SUPERBOOTH

The Archer’s Rig is a percussion sound generator focused on hi-hat and high-pitched percussion synthesis. The module’s design is based on a mixed architecture composed of a flexible digital core, providing a versatile audio source, and a snappy envelope, both feeding an analog process chain consisting of a VCF, a VCA and distortions. The digital source generates different types of noises such as detuned pulses, filtered white noise or cross modulated VCOs, and is followed by an effect section spicing up the noise material with different algorithms like ring modulation, phasing, glitching and digital lo-fi processes Moreover, The Archer’s Rig provides a direct access to the analog process chain, bypassing the digital sound generation, in order to feed it with any external textures. As the module offers a huge number of combinations of the different blocks, it is possible to save and load 96 presets which can be recalled by CV or select-bus.

The Archer’s Rig incorporates a “randomization” function for each parameter, giving a humanized feeling at low amounts. However, pushing the randomization towards abusively high settings leads to instant IDMish results. Thanks to its extensive list of features and its compact size (8hp), the Archer’s Rig is a versatile hi-hat synthesis instrument and fits both studio setups and live racks.

CLICK FOR MORE »

RIP Stanley Lunetta

Stanley Lunetta passed away on March 3 this year.  The first I heard of it was via Chuck Stephens in the comments on Ray Wilson passing away, posted yesterday. Lunetta was known for his Lunetta CMOS synth used in a number of synth DIY projects. You can find a collection of his work featured here on MATRIXSYNTH.

On his passing via The Sacramento Bee:

"Percussionist, composer, sculptor and much-loved icon of the local music community Stanley Lunetta relentlessly explored avant garde music while maintaining a legendary career. He died March 3 from brain cancer in Sacramento.

Lunetta played drums for Music Circus, missing only two weeks of performances until his retirement in 2008 after 54 years. He also served as the music contractor who assembled orchestras for Music Circus from 1973 until his retirement. He also was the principal timpanist for the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, Sacramento Opera and Sacramento Choral Society and was an instructor of timpani and percussion at UC Davis and Chico State."

On Lunettas via MsModular:

"The Lunetta is an electronic instrument that uses primarily CMOS chips for gates, Boolean logic, and mathematical functions for sequenced sounds. A Lunetta is basically a simple rhythmic modular musical computer that makes abstract sounds in sometimes unpredictable ways. It is a beautiful experimental synthesizer.

Lunettas are most typically DIY instruments, although there are a few small boutique manufacturers that sell them. ElectroLobotomy for example sells a few simple Lunetta synthesizers on Etsy.

The most beautiful part of a Lunetta is that one can make one for themselves and experiment with its functionality and layout. The guide for making a Lunetta can be found here: Intro to Lunetta CMOS Synths. The introduction goes into Stanley Lunetta’s concept, and provides an introductory guide for making them. Every Lunetta though is made a bit differently, as they often reflect the makers preferences."

The image above is via electro-music.com. Stanley Lunetta's work was frequently discussed on the electro-music.com forums. I highly recommend doing a search on Lunetta there.

Updates via Chuck Stephens in the comments:

"Thanks for posting this. Stanley and Ray were huge! Their work showed me the direction to take when I started learning to build circuits. My lunetta synth has influences from both men, as well as Eric Archer, Forrest Mimms, Reed Ghazala, etc.- we stand on the shoulders of giants!

BTW- My lunetta cost less than $100 and has 36 modules (so far!). It's built into an old rifle case I found in a dumpster and the panels are cut from 4" square PVC fence posts from Home Depot. Steel nuts and bolts and alligator clip test leads handle patching duties. Save more- work less!"

Here's a noise piece from my lunetta synth:


Buster-Jangle by nepchune from chuck stephens on Vimeo.

"This is my Lunetta noise synth run through a Ross Time Machine digital delay. I love the sounds this thing makes. The video features Honey Boy the Cat doing what he does."

And here's a song from the same rig:


Confidence is High by nepchune from chuck stephens on Vimeo.

"This is 90-95% Lunetta with a tiny dab of Kaossilator and Korg R3 (the explosion sounds and the 'pip' on the fast part) and an Arduino based 'auduino' granular synth for the lead (say what you want about Arduino- this little granular synth sounds great and provides a nice 'live' element). The Lunetta part forms the basis of the song and it is completely unedited- this is how it came out of my machine. I used two of Eric Archer's Mini Space Rockers for the percussion sounds and they are completely Lunetta controlled. The drum sounds are routed through a Ross Time Machine digital delay and the spacey bass sound is created by routing my lunetta-integrated Atari Punk Console through a Korg Pandora guitar processor. The other 7 Lunetta voices are unprocessed. This track is the closest I've come to integrating my interest in generative music and my skills for arrangement and song writing. I set out to create a traditional song structure and sound and I'm really pleased with it. It shoes that a Lunetta isn't just a noise machine- although I love noise, too. I love what my Lunetta makes possible. Lightning in a bottle!"