Neuzeit Instruments Drop Snapshot-based MIDI Controller
We’ve all been there on stage — the crowd’s on edge, you’re stacking filters and FX, the tension’s through the roof, hands in the air, the drop is seconds away… and then chaos. You’ve twisted your setup into a corner and can't escape. You're sweating, your gear’s glitching, and everything’s going off the rails.
Drop is here to stop that from happening.
With Drop, you can map your MIDI gear across multiple devices and save snapshots of controller positions. Then, during your set, jump to those snapshots instantly with JUMP mode, complete with quantization and variable fade times — perfect for dramatic buildups or subtle transitions with synchronized multi-controller moves.
Need to fire a snapshot right at the end of an 8-bar loop? Drop has you covered with DROP mode, powered by a built-in master clock that cycles between 1 and 32 bars. Cue a snapshot to hit precisely at the cycle’s end while you focus on building energy — Drop will take care of resetting the chaos with surgical timing.
You can save, trigger, and recall snapshots effortlessly — even mid-performance — and the LED buttons keep you informed with clear visual feedback. For more structured shows, CHAIN mode lets you pre-arrange sequences of snapshots per song and trigger them automatically. You can store multiple banks and chains for a fully organized live set.
Just like our Warp Synthesizer, Drop offers two main modes:
-
PLAY mode keeps it live and immediate — with bar countdowns, beat jumps, and on-the-fly quantization changes.
-
MENU mode lets you set everything up for the studio — from cycle length to controller mapping.
Mapping happens right on the device. No extra software, no OS dependency. Just plug in, use MIDI Learn or direct parameter entry, and configure curves, macros, and destinations. A built-in MIDI monitor helps you troubleshoot. Drop supports full MIDI: CC, 14-bit NRPN, Program Change, Aftertouch, Pitchbend, Notes — the works.
Macro mapping lets one knob send up to 8 MIDI messages simultaneously, each with its own curve. Perfect for expressive, layered control of multiple devices with a single touch. You can even assign MIDI messages to specific snapshots, letting Drop change device programs or banks on the fly.
On the back:
-
4 MIDI I/O ports (TRS A + B),
-
2 USB-C ports (host + device),
-
Dual CV outs for modular sync or 0–5V control.
Each MIDI port runs at full speed with independent clocks and adjustable sync offsets. And if anything drifts out of sync? One tap on the resync button brings everything back together on the next downbeat. You can also nudge the clock manually (DJ-style), or slave Drop to incoming MIDI or analog clock signals.
Routing is robust. Drop can merge incoming MIDI, filter by channel, distribute to multiple outputs, and layer your own control messages on top. Bring in a sequencer and a keyboard? No problem. Drop becomes the brain of your setup — no laptop needed.
Ableton user? Load the companion script and use Drop’s 4x4 matrix to launch clips with RGB feedback, trigger scenes, stop/play tracks — all in sync with your snapshots.
Standalone? That same matrix becomes a compact, expressive keyboard. Set your scale, transpose on the fly, and jam without extra gear.
Drop runs on USB-C power or the included adapter (EU/UK/US/AU plugs included), designed to eliminate ground loops in complex rigs. Also included: USB-C cable, USB-A adapter, and TRS MIDI cables.
Built in a metal housing with high-quality encoders, faders, and soft-touch buttons, Drop is ready for serious live use — on stage, in the studio, or on tour.