Shakmat — Time Wizard

Manual PDF

Creating Hyper-Complex Rhythmic Percussion with the Shakmat Time Wizard

As a Eurorack modular musician, the Shakmat Time Wizard is a powerful ally for generating intricate percussive patterns, polyrhythms, and evolving clock sequences. Here’s how you can harness its magical features to create densely rhythmic, hyper-complex percussion setups:

1. Polyrhythms and Complex Clock Division

Six Independent Dividers: Patch your master clock (e.g., from a sequencer or clock source) into the Time Wizard's Clock Input. Each divider (A1–A3, B4–B6) can be independently set to different division factors.
- Set A1 and B4 to uneven numbers (e.g., 5 and 7). Now A1 and B4 outputs pulse at 1/5 and 1/7 the input clock rate—creating classic polyrhythms.
- Use even more divisors on the other outs (e.g., 3, 4, 8, 11, 13...) to taste.

2. Complex Time Signatures

Clock B Switch: Use the Clock B switch to break away from simple divisions. In the lower position, use the Reset/Clock B input as a completely independent clock for the B column (B4/5/6). Polyrhythm possibilities multiply when A and B columns run on different clocks!
Unusual Bars: Set the switch to the middle to clock B5/B6 from B4, enabling nested time signatures (e.g., 7/8 over 5/4).

3. Multiplication & Triplets

Multiply A Switch: Flip to the ×3 or ×4 position to multiply the A column’s clock input frequency—ideal for triplets, dotted notes, or off-grid time slicing. Great for getting that broken, highly syncopated, or ‘rushed’ feel for your percussion voices.

4. Logic Functions: Evolving, Layered Patterns

Logic A2 Switch: This switch is the rhythmic brain:
"A2 & B5" halves the period at which A2 fires in relation to B5—great for staggered hi-hats or fills.
"A2 or A3" generates more unexpected, offbeat clock events, great for triggering percussive accents or glitch hits.

5. Reset B6 for Global Structural Changes

Use B6’s output to periodically reset the A (or both A+B) columns. This creates bars, cycles, or measure resets, joining disparate rhythms together — very useful for long-form patterns that resolve after many bars.

6. Punchy Percussion via Half Period Gates

Triggers vs. Gates: On the module’s rear jumper, set outputs 5 & 6 to ‘half period gates’ instead of triggers—some drum modules respond dramatically to gate length, yielding new tonal or shape possibilities per hit.
Short Triggers for Snappiness: For sharp, crisp percussive sounds, use the default short trigger setting on most outputs.

7. General Patch Ideas

Triggering Drum Voices: Route all six outputs to different drum modules (kick, snare, rim, hat, etc) for wild polyrhythmic patterns.
Accent and Flam Effects: Use logic outputs or multiplied/divided outputs to accent specific percussion hits, drive VCAs for velocity/strength, or layer sounds.
Modulating Effects: Patch outputs to clock a synced delay, stutter, or retrigger in a granular processor for percussive chaos.
Probability/Groove: Use logic combinations (A2 or A3) to add ‘occasionally firing’ triggers—great for fills, funk, and surprise elements.

8. Next-Level Techniques

Stack/Chain Time Wizards: Combine multiple Time Wizards for truly astronomical complexity.
Interact with Resets: Use the Reset B6 function to periodically shift everything—think complex shifting patterns for IDM, glitch, or experimental techno.

Creative Tip

Use the Time Wizard as a live performance tool: with the switches and pots at your fingertips, you can morph rhythms on the fly, instantly transforming the mood and energy of your track.

Manual Reference:
Shakmat Time Wizard Manual (PDF)

Generated With Eurorack Processor:
https://github.com/nstarke/eurorack-processor