Superbooth 2019 - Polyend Medusa 2.0 Update

Published on May 12, 2019 sonicstate

"Polyend update the Medusa to version 2.0 which adds a lot of new features and enhancements."

Sonic LAB: Polyend Medusa Hybrid Synth Review

Published on Oct 5, 2018 sonicstate

"Take two independent manufacturers at the top of their game 0 Dreadbox and Polyend, mash them together and out comes Medusa!
A 6 oscillator hybrid synthesizer with 3 analog, 3 digital oscillators and sequencer with 64 note grid."

Polyend Medusa in Polymode / Paraphonic

Published on Jun 23, 2019 Noizefield

"This is Medusa by Dreadbox and Polyend. The new Firmware allows to play 6 independent paraphonic voices on separate midi channels.
This opens a new world to create complex sounds."

Medusa Synth MIDI channel per voice & live recording modes

Published on Oct 10, 2018 Polyend

"The Medusa Synth v1.1 firmware update is almost ready. It brings the full bilateral MIDI implementation, but also the MPE functionality and other improvements like the MIDI channel per voice mode shown on the video below. Now you can sequence all the six voices separately using your external sequencers."

Medusa synth live recording mode

Published on Oct 10, 2018 Polyend

"The Medusa Synth v1.1 firmware update is almost ready. It brings the full bilateral MIDI implementation, but also the MPE functionality and other improvements like the live recording mode shown."

Medusa Hybrid Synth + Mutable Instruments Plaits Choir

Published on Oct 10, 2019 Polyend

"Another example of use with Polyend Poly 2 MIDI to CV converter coupled with the Medusa Hybrid Synth Grid sequencer talking with 3x Mutable instruments Plaits modules, and some slew modulations from the Polyend Preset module.

Recorded 03.10.2019 in Polyend HQ"

Further Explorations // NDLR + Medusa + Magneto + Clouds

Published on Dec 7, 2018 Genshi Media Group

"::| TO HEAR THE FULL RANGE OF FREQUENCIES, A GOOD PAIR OF HEADPHONES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED |::

This didn't turn out quite how I had hoped, and I almost didn't upload it, but then I thought "why not" as I want to be able to show all of my little noodlings, bad or good. This is further ambient explorations with the Polyend/Dreadbox Medusa Hybrid synth as sequenced by the Conductive Labs NDLR (which is sequencing each Oscillator of the Medusa on their own MIDI Channels.) The Medusa is then going into the Strymon Magneto 4-Head dTape Echo and the Mutable Instruments Clouds Eurorack modules. The Retro Mechanical Labs Guitar Pedal Interface module is handling the Eurorack to Instrument Level audio coming out."

Luca Longobardi - Polyend Medusa DFM, ModelSample & Nightsky

video by Polyend

"Made by Luca Longobardi - Gritty!"

Dreadbox & Polyend Medusa - Played by GATTOBUS

Published on Oct 16, 2019 gattobus

"This is my first composition on this unconventional and unique synthesizer. I still haven't got the hang of it but I love it!!!
This silver version (with coloured knobs) is just too beautiful 😍
Thank you Polyend!!!"

Medusa Hybrid Synthesizer - The Grid modulators

Published on Jul 12, 2018 Polyend

"Medusa's Grid is a powerful tool. In this example of use, we've recorded a nice chord progression in the middle row of the Grid. The pads on the bottom row don't hold any notes only parameter modulations (each can hold up to 118 parameter flags). The six-voice chord are modulated while they're being played, both released by hand and sequenced on the top row of the Grid. You can even use the Grid as a source of modulation when you're playing the Medusa with an attached external MIDI keyboard. Hope you'll enjoy this short video. Best regards to our friends from Dreadbox!"

Medusa Hybrid Synthesizer

Sound Design with Polyend Dreadbox Medusa (Ep.4) - Lush Pads

Published on May 18, 2020 Miltos Schimatariotis

"In this episode, we see an example of how we can create a rich-sounding pad sound with the Medusa and the things we can do to make it as lush and wide as possible. At the music demo section, I also demonstrate how I use two Medusas to play in realtime this pad sound in stereo.
Let me know if you found this video useful or if you have any questions.
Stay tuned for the next videos where we will take advantage of the FM feature of the Medusa to create drones and other interesting sounds.
Thanks for watching, and take care!

Find me also on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/miltos_schima/

0:00 Intro
0:29 Pad sound design
5:40 A trick with the chord voicings
7:03 Music demo"

Miltos Schimatariotis Dreadbox Medusa posts

Modal Electronics | Polyend Medusa & Seq

VCO USA

"Longer video coming soon... Some nice sounds on the modalelectronics #Argon8 , #polyend #dreadbox"

Intermezzo

video upload by Luca Longobardi

"An ambient meditation for Polyend SEQ, Polyend Medusa, Sunbox and Strymon Nightsky."

Universal Exports & Medusa Hybrid Synthesizer

Published on Feb 8, 2019 Polyend

"Hello. We are Universal Exports. Welcome to our Atelier in Wroclaw, Poland where we create our sounds, meet other musicians and having fun. We are a live electronic duo with a philosophy to play only improvised sets without the pressure of time and space. All we do is streamed online in realtime a few times a month. We love to meet new people as much as playing new devices. This time we decided to build the whole set around the rough sound of Medusa. Each instrument we use runs its own sequencer. We believe that sequencer is the strongest point of Medusa. Each step can store not only notes but also automation of all parameters you’ll need to perform. From nice gentle modulations to highly experimental settings. We adore Medusa for hard bass and FM knob which sounds freaky! A highly recommended piece of gear … especially for experimental oriented musicians or those who need the surprising huge hybrid sound of this black monster"

New Superbooth Berlin 2021 Presentation Videos

You can use the controls on the bottom left or upper right of the player to skip around.

Playlist:
1. Joranalogue - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

The Belgium Eurorack synth maker Joranalogue presented not one, but three new modules at SUPERBOOTH21: Orbit 3, Enhance 2 and Step 8.

During their Gesprächskonzert at Fuchsbau they not only talked about these new modules, but Alter Fritz also performed a live session with a Joranalogue based Eurorack system.

Driven by an unrelenting passion for analogue circuits, Joranalogue Audio Design offers an expanding series of high-quality Eurorack music synthesizer modules. They're continually introducing new approaches and techniques to the Eurorack platform, making waves in the waters of analogue synthesis. All products are designed and made in Belgium, guided by experiences in both modern hardware engineering and vintage synthesizer servicing.

This year, the Joranalogue crew finally returns to Berlin to present its latest developments. Join designer Joran van Gremberghe and artist Frits Jacobs (Alter Fritz) for a whirlwind ride through the exciting world of these black and silver modules!

2. u-he Wiretap - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert) @SUPERBOOTH21

For this Gesprächskonzert Urs Heckmann, founder of Berlin based company u-he, teamed up with Sebastian Hübert for their performance and presentation at Fuchsbau during SUPERBOOTH21. The former one-man show u-he is now a tightly knit team of employees, active associates and 3rd-party contractors – with ambitious plans.

Famous for very accurate and widely appreciated software synthesizers and effects, u-he showed their first eurorack module at a previous edition of Superbooth – the CVilisation. At SUPERBOOTH21 it was time for another announcement. They took the chance to present their latest development with a Gesprächskonzert, of which you can find the video documentation below.
The module is named Wiretap and it played a major role in creating rhythm during their performance.

Wiretap is a double gate extractor for v/oct signals. It will generate a gate when the voltage goes high, when it goes low, when it's steady, when it moves, when it's higher than the other one and when it's lower. And you can set the gate length and get additional envelope outputs.

3. Bitwig - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

Berlin based DAW-makers Bitwig played a Gesprächskonzert on Thursday of SUPERBOOTH21. With the idea of - Less is More - Dave Linnebank showcased Bitwig and its possibilities, concentrating on simple ideas and how to creatively make them more complex. In other words: In this performance Dave starts with some short phrases, and then uses Bitwig Studio to extend them into musical passages. These will then become performance-ready clips by adding Bitwig's Operators for some fuzzy logic, getting the computer to make compositional choices while Dave is busy playing new lines on top.

Dave Linnenbank is a musician, technologist, and teacher. Over the past 20 years, he has crafted musical tools for pop and jazz artists, Broadway musicals, and desktop electronic musicians everywhere. Dave is part of Team Bitwig in Berlin, regularly making YouTube tutorials and more.

4. Verbos Electronics Complete Systems – SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

During his Gesprächskonzert at SUPERBOOTH21 Mark Verbos is introducing the audience to the newly designed Verbos Electronics System Configurations: Designer Configuration, Performer Configuration, Producer Configuration.

Mark Verbos explains the intended use of each configuration as well as the philosophy behind not only the module selection but also module arrangement. He also plays some examples with all three system to give a musical reference to the explanation of the ideas behind each system. This Gesprächskonzert is a great opportunity to watch and hear all three configurations right next to each other – where else would that be possible? Enjoy the video!

5. Modor DR-2 - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

Modor introduced its powerful DR-2 drum machine at SUPERBOOTH21 with a short explanation by Marcel from Modor Music about its most deviant possibilities. This six-channel drum machine is completely digital – a discipline that Modor shines in. The DR- drum synthesizer features a sequencer with 128 steps and a very tidy user interface.

It positively surprised many people when it was introduced, because it is unusual and brings something new to the table. Luckily the DR-2 is not a copy of a classic, but uses modern digital synthesis to create drum sounds. A drum model can be assigned to each of the six channels. You can also assign the same model to several or all channels. The models include: Three bass drum models, three snare models, three cymbal models, claps, two tom models and miscellaneous, the latter divided into three subcategories: rimshot, rattle and cowbell.

This Gesprächskonzert was a very welcome opportunity to hear this rare drum machine in action. Enjoy the video!

6. Polyend Tracker - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

Sobutane presents his upcoming album Future Cake using two Trackers and one Medusa durng this Gesprächskonzert at SUPERBOOTH21.

After working with the Yamaha RM1x sequencer for 13 years Sobutane discovered the Tracker by Polyend. Originally bought just for drum parts, it revealed itself to be a great live-oriented tool, making him compose music outside his trusty RM1x for the first time in his life. Although the idea of a tracker is not particularly new, the Tracker still feels fresh and inspirational to many musicians. The Tracker brought Sobutane ideas and a new approach to composing his music, so he bought a second one and a Medusa, also made by Polyend. That was the starting point for the creation of the music you hear in his Gesprächskonzert for Polyend. Enjoy!

7. Ploytec Boom Kick - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

This Gesprächskonzert was unusually opened with a steel-guitar performance by DobBroMan, showing the Ploytec Boom Kick (Guitar Pedal).

Ploytec always valued the opportunity of Gesprächskonzerte at Superbooth and so they took the chance to do another one in 2021 this time for a rather unusual product – a guitar pedal that generates a kick drum in sync with the tapped in tempo. Additionally it sends a MIDI clock to other gear. This is useful for simple backing of what the guitarist is playing. The addition of a bass drum completes the otherwise solo guitar and with the MIDI tempo output, other instruments can play in sync – whether these are additional drum machines or synthesizers or whatever.

And there is one special thing to note about the bass drum sound – there are no samples saved to this machine. The drum sound is generated through synthesis and it has a huge range of possible sounds, suitable for pretty much all music genres.

And if you haven’t heard the Superbooth blues yet, watch until the end!

8. LPZW & Tubbutec - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

Kai and Tobi (aka LPZW & Tubbutec) probably could have sold every second SUPERBOOTH21 guest a 6mod6, that's how well their first joint product was received. At Fuchsbau the Berlin based manufacturers presented the result of their collaboration: a highly modified homage to the 606.

They were accompanied by an opening performance from Cem Oral a.k.a. Jammin’ Unit in which he used the new module intensively, giving a good idea about what the module sounds like in a musical context.

After the performance Kai and Tobi walked the audience through every sound engine of the module and showed their modifications of the original 606 circuits. Not only with the Gesprächskonzert, they convinced a lot of people that they created a great sounding and very versatile 606 inspired drum module.

Now the wait begins, the first batch of the 6mod6 still has to be built. Let's hope that the chip shortage does not delay the production too much.

9. Erica Synths PĒRKONS - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

Erica Synths team of engineers and musicians have been working hard to bring surprise us all with a new instrument that no one expected and everyone wanted. Erica Synths had their booth completely dedicated to their latest product the PĒRKONS HD-01 drum machine.

PĒRKONS features four sonically versatile hybrid voices (digital sound engine + analogue multimode filter with overdrive) and a sequencer with simultaneous control over all four percussion tracks, an internal analogue BBD FX send, parameter automation and much more. This is a modern drum machine with a serious vintage look.

For their Gesprächskonzert they brought not one, but two of these machines and finally explained it and showed what it is capable of. For everyone’s surprise, the demo started with a drone set – yes, it can also do drones. And for the final concert part of this presentation, no other than Kodek entered the stage. Sounds fun? Enjoy the video!

10. Nonlinear Labs C15 – SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

Stephan Schmitt, the founder of Nonlinear Labs, plays some improvisations on the C15 and shows the enormous tonal possibilities of this instrument and its ability to be played very expressively – with up to four expression pedals and the two large ribbon controllers. The C15 is a puristic and distinct digital synthesizer. Its sounds are generated by elementary algorithms and feedback structures. This opens up new fields for sound design and gives musicians an expressively playable and dynamical behavior, similar to acoustic instruments. The C15 is an instrument that has to be played by hand to unfold its full potential. After the performance Stephan explains what features are new and which special features of the C15 he used.

This isn’t the first Gesprächskonzert by Nonlinear Labs, so be sure to check out the previous editions for more information about this unique instrument.

11. Haken Audio & La Voix du Luthier – SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

Haken Audio and La Voix du Luthier have been presenting together at Superbooth for several years now, showing how well these two companies and their products fit together. This Gesprächskonzert features a Haken Continuum, the all-new Continuum Eurorack Module and the large Pyramid Resonator.
Watch Edmund Eagan passionately talk about his products and enjoy the demonstration and performance of the Continuum Fingerboard by Rob Schwimmer.

The almighty synthesis engine behind all these sounds is the Eagan Matrix, that now is also featured in the Eurorack module. This is a huge opportunity for sound designers and artists to expand their sound palette with very expressive and unique sounds.

12. UDO Audio Super 6 Desktop - SUPERBOOTH21 Gesprächskonzert (lecture concert)

UDO Audio brought the world one of the most interesting poly-synths of the recent years. Very rarely a company achieves such a success with their first ever product – but the Super 6 made it. Now UDO Audio showed the desktop version of this incredible synth. Great looks, ergonomics and the sound of the original Super 6 make this machine a very interesting option for many musicians and studios on the hunt for a capable poly-synth.

In this video George gives a little insight into the development of the company in general and his view on the past two years, since he presented the Super 6 to the world at SUPERBOOTH19.

Medusa -Polyend with Stereo delay from Pico DSP-Erica Synths

Published on Feb 17, 2020 Dziam Bass

"Hi Guys.
Today another portion of fun with Medusa from Polyend.
in this Patch is 32 steps 3 analog oscillators, later added wavetable 1 oscillator with the addition of delay from Pico DSP Erica Synths effect.
Fun in the EG setting to filter modulation , slightly sustain and a bit of Attack as U see .
Medusa is a Hybrid Synthesizer based on a total of 6 oscillators 3x Analog , 3x Wavetable 5 LFO's EG with Loop and many more ,and sounds really amazing so it is best to see it if you are interested."

Toraiz Squid and Polyend Medusa Dreadbox

Published on May 18, 2019 Sounds From The Shed

"I've had the Medusa for a couple of weeks but this was the first time using it. I ran a sequence through the Squid, used the arp, trig conditions, direction changes etc and then just tweaked the sounds.
Bit of practice just so it's a long one! :)"

Medusa Synth, Polyend Seq & Poly, Eurorack dreams

Published on Jan 31, 2019 Polyend

"Alna is back with some moody mellow vibes. Medusa Hybrid synth, Polyend Seq & Poly commanding the Eurorack modular system are reflecting the last cold night sensitivity."

A Random Ambient Soundscape // Polyend-Dreadbox Medusa + Ventris Dual Reverb

Published on Nov 30, 2018 Genshi Media Group

"::| WARNING! HIGH FREQUENCIES AHEAD. CAUTION ADVISED |::

Again, just exploring the Polyend/Dreadbox Medusa with this random ambient sci-fi soundscape. Using all 6 Oscillators (with Wavetables on the Digital Oscillators) there is a ton of subtle modulation going on at almost every step of the sequence. The Medusa is paired up here with the Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo and the Source Audio Ventris Dual Reverb."

Modular-Studiosession with Medusa - Spektralradius (Riamiwo StudioVlog 103)

Published on Oct 12, 2018 riamiwovideos

"Today my track Spektralradius is released on the Compilation OBENDEEPTECH Vol.2 on Obenmusik. Here's a little modular (and friends :) ) session in the Studio...
Get your copy on beatport: https://www.beatport.com/track/spektr...

Follow me:
http://instagram.com/riamiwo
http://soundcloud.com/riamiwo

Gear in this jamsession:
Dreadbox/Polyend Medusa
Dreadbox NYX
Dreadbox lil Erebus
Dreadbox Drips and Drips V2
Behringer Model D
Arturia MiniBrute2
EricaSynths Pico Drums
Eurorack Eowave-Case

Filmed with:
Sony a6300
Sony Nex 5t
Sony Nex 3
Panasonic 757"

Polyend/Dreadbox Medusa + Moog Grandmother

Published on Dec 1, 2018 Genshi Media Group

"::| TO HEAR THE FULL RANGE OF FREQUENCIES, A GOOD PAIR OF HEADPHONES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED |::

A short and simple tune inspired by a preset on the Polyend/Dreadbox Medusa, with a lead line coming from the Moog Grandmother. For effects, the Source Audio Ventris Dual Reverb on the Medusa, and the Strymon El Capistan on the Grandmother. This was also the first time editing a video using the LumaFusion app on an iPad Pro (I normally use Final Cut Pro X on my iMac.)"