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Shakmat Modular, based in Brussels, creates innovative music instruments, with their latest releases, the Centaur's Gate and the Archer's Rig, set to debut in mid-July. Despite industry challenges like the 2020 chip shortage, they thrive through the creativity and dedication of their musician-employees, focusing on musicality and user-friendly design.
Let’s dive straight into this interview with Shakmat!
What brought you to Eurorack modular synthesizers?
The format (small, more transportable as a music instrument on stage) and the creativity of the different manufacturers.
How did Eurorack wreck you as a manufacturer?
Back 10 years ago, I needed some modules for my own music, and those prototypes became the first Shakmat modules.
How did you survive the wreck and thrive?
Thanks to our customers and the music they make: nothing is more joyful for a music instrument maker to hear good music involving the instrument they create.
What is your company's mission?
Making Eurorack modules with a musical approach, focused on musical needs.
What's so fresh about your modules?
At Shakmat, almost every employee is a musician (touring and/or having musical production) using modular synths and electronic music instruments.
For whom do you create modules?
Some modules are focused on some peculiar needs (live improvisation, quadraphonic systems, sound design, etc...) but overall almost anyone could be interested in a certain module from our modules line.
What is your best module of your business and why?
Very, very hard to answer. I love them all, but let's say the Mod Medusa as it is a very unique approach on clocked modulation sources.
Which of your company’s module is most successful and why?
The Dual Dagger I think, because it sounds good, and it has a radical UI; small and still very playable.
Do you create other products?
For now, we only focus on modular synth.
How do you design the modules from features to interface?
All our modules provides an intuitive approach regarding their main use; this is the main rule for our design. But we know there are as many workflow as there are Eurorack users, so we also try to deliver modules which are deep enough to cover as many musical applications as possible. This is the reason why, under a simple and intuitive approach, we usually provide a layer of features allowing the user to configure the module the way he wants.
What tools and frameworks do you use to build your modules?
For manufacturing we work with factories, which use the usual tools that can be found in the electronic industry. For module development, we use different programmation or PCB design softwares. We also like to develop generic development board for digital and analog research.
What are the biggest challenges when manufacturing modules?
Being relevant in this industry, which now involves many more companies than when we started 10 years ago.
How did you overcome these challenges?
By playing music and still being curious with the modules other companies are releasing.
How has the global situation affected your business since 2020 and how is your business doing today?
As you may know, since 2020, we suffered from the chip shortage, manufacturing costs increase and inflation. Overall, we found solutions for all those problems, thanks to our very creative and flexible team.
What is your number one influence when it comes to your profession?
Mutable Instruments.
Do you have time to make music?
Yes, still releasing records and touring.
How can people find you and your products
Perfect Circuit, Detroit Modular, Moog Audio and Nightlife Electronics for North America. In Europe, there are many including Schneidersladen and Thomann.
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