Played with it a bit before the show started, and it REALLY is nice. Great sounding, and cool looking. According to the Polyend guys, they had contemplated some delay or reverb on the digital side, but basically ran out of DSP for any effects. Polyend did a great job of fusing their work flow ideas into the sequencer as well.
Hey ProckGnosis, does it really sound like Dreadbox? I mean that unique warm sound that stands out for their synths. I wouldn't say so according to this demo....
Hey MJ. I recorded some basic oscillator and filter sweeps of the Medusa and Erebus v3 at Superboth, and assuming the video came out ok, I'll post it when I get a chance. I'm on vacation in Greece so my time is a bit occupied.
I do but I play live and its easier to have an all in one solution with no need for chaining stuff. Medusa will probably end up as studio based sampler fodder for my MPC live.
I like the decision to put the pads on the left. It looks like they are nicely spaced away from the control section so you don’t risk bumping the filter while drumming on the pads. Knobs on the left are good for keyboard instruments, but I like using my left hand for expression. I’d like to see a shot of the connections on the back. Can you connect this to a keyboard controller? I’m interested to know how the 6 voices would interact with a keyboard if you played a 6 note chord. Very interesting design. Looking forward to seeing more demos :)
On the back panel you'll find: MIDI in/out/thru, separate audio outputs master/headphones, audio input, USB type B, power supply socket, and power switch.
Regarding the six-note chord - there are three play modes in Medusa. Monophonic, polyphonic x6 where each note would occupy each of Medusa's 6 voices (1a,2a,3a,1d,2d,3d in this particular order) and polyphonic x3 where three first notes from the six-note chord will use three couple of MEdusa's analog and digital voices (1a+1d, 2a+2d, 3a+3d).
Stop doing this to my wallet and split the pads for both hands 32 pads on left and 32 pads on the right....I guess you'd need more oscillators then...and thanks for this fine video:)👍👍👍👍
It is semi-modular. It doesn’t have a mod matrix but you can assign an LFO or Env to pretty much anything except Env times. You can’t send audio to control voltage or goofy stuff like that, but for modulation, it is semi-modular. Including the ability to modulate modulators.
question: are these all sounds that the user designed... or are these the dreadbox/polyend presets? whatever the case, it sounds fantastic!! but does anybody know the answer to that? -much appreciated
It's absolutely intentional to get that wobbly George-Romero-Soundtrack-Feeling ;). I guess it's because it has been a prototype. We've more videos featuring the Medusa and it sure does play nicely with other hardware. If you check the unit out in a store, make sure to hit "calibration" again. If you own a Medusa, I'd recommend to wait and 10 minutes after the unit has been switched on to hit calibrate again. After that second calibration routine the unit stays in tune.
Terror Mechanism Check out Boards of Canada - they pretty much made wrapped sounds a masterful high art form. Dawn Chorus is a great example: ua-cam.com/video/O63vBvgQfUU/v-deo.html
Considering most people are right-handed, it would make more sense to have the grid on the right-hand side to invite live tweaking of sound during performances. And no-fx.. really? Maybe adding analog ones would make it more expensive but the digital structure is already there I mean.. add some FX bro! Still want one though
Considering human nature there will always be people complaining about something, like in this case. Some people are happy with the Grid on the left side some would be happy with it on the right side, and opposite. You can't make everyone happy. Really, no FX! We do not like half-measures, hi-quality FX would raise the price, one can use the favorite dedicated effects.
Polyend Just want to add that my comment was made with constructive criticism in mind to maybe consider in next iterations of the product, not just vague complaining... I mean, you've made a product revolutionary enough to people care to the point of coming here to critisize, I for instance rarely do this! Also wanted to say that it's a great product, I really want one, and so everyone here that "complained". Be very happy about it. Cheers!
a right-handed one here, and one wanting to buy it just like you. the pad on the left won me over, definitely, as it's my right hand that can and does the tweak job with all knobs. considering how at the other end of my music table lies my Push anyway, i'm one of those who wouldn't have bought it if the pushbutton grid had been on the right, for instance.
Deep it is, agreed. But not as intuitive, as graphic. It makes you need a menu and, more importantly, it is not as connective to external gear. To me, there is a design problem with this box. Pads take too much space and, to have a matrix function, add a second (tiny) screen. So this thing has two small screens, each one placed on each side of the instrument splitting into two (awkward design). The Monostation, with a similar idea (synth plus grid) is much better designed because uses the pads themselves to give feedback instead of adding a small, hard to read screen, taking much less space. You can hear in the Sonic State video on the Medusa that the design process was adding, adding, and adding, and never editing and optimizing. I appreciate Dreadbox's risky move of adding digital oscillators. I can still hear their signature sound with wider synthesis possibilities, but I don't appreciate having a huge sequencer attached to the synth when I already have other boxes with sequencers, and controllerss I like. As I put in other comment, I wish for a streamlined, smaller DIY lil' Medusa.
The XYZ Sensitivity is pretty distinctive for a controller --and not possible with traditional keys. I'm not sure I'll like it, but I've got to commend them for taking a bold step to create a potentially unique and expressive instrument. Also, if you can overlay automation on some pads along with note seqs on others, that adds a unique dimension to the sequencer performance as well. I suspect the pad-haters aren't understanding what this thing is supposed to be...
Amongst all the boring clones, this is the machine that stands out in all the show coverage. A must buy for me.
I fuggin love this synth.
Played with it a bit before the show started, and it REALLY is nice. Great sounding, and cool looking. According to the Polyend guys, they had contemplated some delay or reverb on the digital side, but basically ran out of DSP for any effects. Polyend did a great job of fusing their work flow ideas into the sequencer as well.
Hey ProckGnosis, does it really sound like Dreadbox? I mean that unique warm sound that stands out for their synths. I wouldn't say so according to this demo....
Hey MJ. I recorded some basic oscillator and filter sweeps of the Medusa and Erebus v3 at Superboth, and assuming the video came out ok, I'll post it when I get a chance. I'm on vacation in Greece so my time is a bit occupied.
That's a real shame, I use reverb on basically EVERYTHING :P
So you probably have tons of your favorite reverbs that you can use on Medusa, right?
I do but I play live and its easier to have an all in one solution with no need for chaining stuff. Medusa will probably end up as studio based sampler fodder for my MPC live.
I might have to overcome my hatred of pads for this thing.
Thanks for sounds instead of talking! talking talking... The controls are interesting, I'm still deciding about the sound of it.
I like the decision to put the pads on the left. It looks like they are nicely spaced away from the control section so you don’t risk bumping the filter while drumming on the pads. Knobs on the left are good for keyboard instruments, but I like using my left hand for expression.
I’d like to see a shot of the connections on the back. Can you connect this to a keyboard controller? I’m interested to know how the 6 voices would interact with a keyboard if you played a 6 note chord.
Very interesting design. Looking forward to seeing more demos :)
On the back panel you'll find: MIDI in/out/thru, separate audio outputs master/headphones, audio input, USB type B, power supply socket, and power switch.
Regarding the six-note chord - there are three play modes in Medusa. Monophonic, polyphonic x6 where each note would occupy each of Medusa's 6 voices (1a,2a,3a,1d,2d,3d in this particular order) and polyphonic x3 where three first notes from the six-note chord will use three couple of MEdusa's analog and digital voices (1a+1d, 2a+2d, 3a+3d).
1:11 - 1:20 sounds like the Bastl Kastle
Intriguing device with a beautiful front panel.
Stop doing this to my wallet and split the pads for both hands 32 pads on left and 32 pads on the right....I guess you'd need more oscillators then...and thanks for this fine video:)👍👍👍👍
Nice! I've been waiting to hear this for a long time. No onboard dreadbox effects? I would have expected reverb and delay on something this size.
I guess the interface is the special component of this one!
Sounds like the prodigy at the beginning
If you push2 or some novation pads ....how these compare ? Thank you for this again
If it were semi-modular and had dreadbox reverb it would be Amazing. Still very cool.
Could you imagine omg
It is semi-modular. It doesn’t have a mod matrix but you can assign an LFO or Env to pretty much anything except Env times. You can’t send audio to control voltage or goofy stuff like that, but for modulation, it is semi-modular. Including the ability to modulate modulators.
question: are these all sounds that the user designed... or are these the dreadbox/polyend presets? whatever the case, it sounds fantastic!! but does anybody know the answer to that? -much appreciated
The Medusa does come with some presets, but I don't know if the guy in the video is using them.
fucking hell the preset that comes in at 1:58 looks like such a fun jam wow
Does every parameter has parameter locks availability or just some of them?
Knd Rgrds :)
Have to double check that. I guess so. More Medusa videos are in the making btw
HOHM You can basically have a completely different patch per note on a modulation pad so Yes is the answer!
Sounds like a total must have for experimental music. What built in FX does it have if any?
That's a shame, if the digital side had basic reverb and delay this could be my go to live performance machine.
much of it sounds out of tune. is this intentional? if so, how will this play nicely with any other hardware?
It's absolutely intentional to get that wobbly George-Romero-Soundtrack-Feeling ;). I guess it's because it has been a prototype. We've more videos featuring the Medusa and it sure does play nicely with other hardware.
If you check the unit out in a store, make sure to hit "calibration" again. If you own a Medusa, I'd recommend to wait and 10 minutes after the unit has been switched on to hit calibrate again. After that second calibration routine the unit stays in tune.
Terror Mechanism Check out Boards of Canada - they pretty much made wrapped sounds a masterful high art form. Dawn Chorus is a great example: ua-cam.com/video/O63vBvgQfUU/v-deo.html
@@Bonedo-Synthesizers Wait. Do you have to do that every time you switch it on or only once??
Considering most people are right-handed, it would make more sense to have the grid on the right-hand side to invite live tweaking of sound during performances. And no-fx.. really? Maybe adding analog ones would make it more expensive but the digital structure is already there I mean.. add some FX bro! Still want one though
Considering human nature there will always be people complaining about something, like in this case. Some people are happy with the Grid on the left side some would be happy with it on the right side, and opposite. You can't make everyone happy. Really, no FX! We do not like half-measures, hi-quality FX would raise the price, one can use the favorite dedicated effects.
Polyend Just want to add that my comment was made with constructive criticism in mind to maybe consider in next iterations of the product, not just vague complaining... I mean, you've made a product revolutionary enough to people care to the point of coming here to critisize, I for instance rarely do this! Also wanted to say that it's a great product, I really want one, and so everyone here that "complained". Be very happy about it. Cheers!
great! im left-handed and i bought at day one. great jobs guys! ahahahah love the grid on the left! finally!!! ;-)
a right-handed one here, and one wanting to buy it just like you.
the pad on the left won me over, definitely, as it's my right hand that can and does the tweak job with all knobs.
considering how at the other end of my music table lies my Push anyway, i'm one of those who wouldn't have bought it if the pushbutton grid had been on the right, for instance.
how many tracks im hoping 6 but i suspect only 1
Thanks for the Demo. Love the sound, hate the grid. Didn’t Elektron teach us we can have step locks with only sixteen mini pads?
(WxkR) But the mod matrix is easily as deep as a modular without the mess of patch cables. The pads are ideal.
Deep it is, agreed. But not as intuitive, as graphic. It makes you need a menu and, more importantly, it is not as connective to external gear. To me, there is a design problem with this box. Pads take too much space and, to have a matrix function, add a second (tiny) screen. So this thing has two small screens, each one placed on each side of the instrument splitting into two (awkward design). The Monostation, with a similar idea (synth plus grid) is much better designed because uses the pads themselves to give feedback instead of adding a small, hard to read screen, taking much less space. You can hear in the Sonic State video on the Medusa that the design process was adding, adding, and adding, and never editing and optimizing. I appreciate Dreadbox's risky move of adding digital oscillators. I can still hear their signature sound with wider synthesis possibilities, but I don't appreciate having a huge sequencer attached to the synth when I already have other boxes with sequencers, and controllerss I like. As I put in other comment, I wish for a streamlined, smaller DIY lil' Medusa.
The XYZ Sensitivity is pretty distinctive for a controller --and not possible with traditional keys.
I'm not sure I'll like it, but I've got to commend them for taking a bold step to create a potentially unique and expressive instrument.
Also, if you can overlay automation on some pads along with note seqs on others, that adds a unique dimension to the sequencer performance as well.
I suspect the pad-haters aren't understanding what this thing is supposed to be...
This thing was all hype! Love dreadbox but they dropped the ball on this one. Dud!
out of tune!