Ask Me Anything | Exclusive Interview with Der Mann mit der Maschine aka Mathias Kettner

video upload by Der Mann mit der Maschine

"With the help of our community on our Discord server we gathered 22 questions for an 'Ask Me Anything' video.
This is the result. Exclusive insights into the world of DROID by the man behind the machine himself - Mathias Kettner.
Enjoy the show!

Join our Discord server: / discord

00:00 Intro
00:12 How did the DROID project come to life?
01:56 Will there be audio processing in the future?
02:56 Are there any plans to make the DROID firmware open source?
03:45 Will there be a Linux version of the Forge?
04:49 How often does Mathias play live?
05:59 Are there any new controllers in the pipeline?
06:34 Are you planning more “out of the box” sequencer circuits?
08:40 What about Cartesian or Stochastic sequencer circuits?
09:44 Will there be “grouping” circuits to make patching easier?
10:49 How to start more complex patches?
14:38 How is a new controller coming into existence?
18:43 What software development is needed for a new controller?
19:43 The future of circuits:Flexible building blocks or fully fledged?
21:12 How does Mathias himself use DROID?
28:28 The DROID unlocked my modular system.
30:38 How to start with DROID with a small budget?
31:55 How to start with DROID? And a bigger budget.
33:30 Use the FORGE!
35:15 DROID MASTER or MASTER18 for beginners?
38:12 How do you decide which features will be implemented?
39:51 How to connect two DROID MASTERS?
41:38 How to get to more CV outputs?
43:28 Thanks to the community for all the questions!"

Der Mann mit der Maschine Introduces DROID MASTER18 - Compact Universal CV Processor with MIDI/USB

"The MASTER18 is a very flexible generic CV processor.

You can think of the MASTER18 as a smaller and cheaper version of the DROID MASTER without CV inputs and LEDs, but with an integrated USB and MIDI, six additional gate jacks, two of which are inputs and four are outputs.

Details:

It has 8 CV output jacks with a voltage range from -10 V to +10 V, driven by highly accurate low jitter 16 bit DA converters,
2 gate inputs switching at 0.1 V
4 gate ouputs switching between 0 V and 5 V
2 MIDI interfaces via MIDI standard B (mini jack)
MicroSD card reader and a button for reloading the MicroSD card
USB C to access the SD card from your computer or to send/receive MIDI
MASTER18 comes with two interesting bonus features:

It can be connected to the Sinfonion as a follower of the Harmonic Sync.
It has an integrated tuning device for VCOs (can measure their frequency).
The MASTER18 is a good choice if you intend to just create CVs and don't need to process incoming CVs. It’s perfect for building sequencers and MIDI to CV converters.

MASTER18 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 can attach several different DROID controller modules, such as the E4, the P2B8, the P10, the B32, the P4B2 or the M4 in order to get direct hands on access to all parameters and values of these patches.

Easily create your desired DROID patch utilizing our simple and easy-to-use editor with built in tutorials - the DROID Forge. It is available for Windows and Mac (both Apple Silicon and Intel).
The file created with the DROID Forge is a simple text file named "droid.ini" and needs to be loaded on the micro SD card that goes into the MASTER18.

Hint: If you'd rather use a simple text editor to alter the "droid.ini" pick one you like and go for it.

The building blocks of a DROID patch are called circuits. Every type of circuit performs some basic task. Just like a Eurorack module each ciruit has inputs and outputs. You can wire these either directly to the eight inputs and/or outputs and even connect them internally. Every parameter can be CV controlled. You can attach up to 16 controllers to your DROID. Controllers have faders, buttons and potentiometers and allow you to map assign to any parameter or function you like. This gives you direct control over your DROID patch and allows you to create you own instrument.

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The last Eurorack sequencer you might ever buy: DROID Moto Kit Demo

video upload by mylarmelodies

"Imagine you could buy an uber-hands-on 4-track performance sequencer with haptic motorised faders, but you could modify or totally redesign how it works - as your interests change? The "DROID Moto Kit" (running the included Motor Fader Performer Sequencer patch) is that thing. It's 'done', and powerful...AND it can be changed. In this video I'll introduce the DROID system, explain basic track creation 5:41, and then jam from 14:57 onwards.

Thanks for Der Mann mit Der Maschine for hiring me to demo the Moto Kit. Given that this was designed by someone who actually plays live, you might expect that my next step is to try this as my live case sequencer."

00:00 What is Droid & The Moto Kit?!
03:12 Sequencer Intro/Overview
05:41 Let's Make a Track!
14:57 Jams: Meet the Quartet
18:27 Electro Aceed O'Clock
20:41 Electro Variation
23:26 Forlorn Acid
26:49 Stinson Acid
33:54 Endless Noodles
35:02 AFX Bass
36:17 Accumulator Jam
39:33 Arpeggiator Explained
43:06 Compose Mode Jam
45:30 Octave Shifting Melodies
49:04 Divided and Multiplied Melodies
51:33 Reprise Funk
53:36 Kosmiche Arpeggiator Jam

Update: press release and pics follow.

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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"

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