Brussels School Diaries, Day 3: "Medusa Merger" | original electronic music jam

video upload by No Lake

"Do what you love to play, what you love to listen to. As for me, I love intoxicating, hypnotic, and long captivating tracks. That's what I love to listen to, that's what I love to play.

Headphones 🎧 recommended

Additional visuals by Colin Jones from ‪@ccjmusic‬

My Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MAeb... My Bandcamp : https://nolake.bandcamp.com/ My Soundcloud : / frederic-kuyl"

Polyend Dreadbox Medusa Hybrid Synthesizer

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via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"Medusa hybrid synthesizer is a fruit of the collaboration between Dreadbox and Polyend companies. It has emerged from both teams unusual approach to integrating analog and digital domains into a totally new quality. This unit is in very good condition with some minor wear, includes power supply."

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Serge Medusa vs. TKB

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

"Another Medusa for eurorack exploration by Teo - this time using the TKB as programmer and glide source. #sergemodular"

SERGE Eurorack layered - featuring Medusa

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

"Layering 2 patches / takes (using a slightly modified setup) for more complexity. Both patches and setup by patchboi Teo."

Serge Modular - Here's where you find it

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

"Another eurorack patch by Teo starring MEDUSA ... #sergemodular"

Fala Versio | Versio Platform | Episode 13

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Noise Engineering has just released three new firmwares for the Versio, Legio and Alia platforms. As always, they're amazing and they're free downloads for any of those platforms. Fala Versio is a formant filter that's super easy to use. It will add a lot of vocal expression to your patch. On mild settings you can create choir-like sounds, on more extreme settings it will talk. In short, it's just amazing.

This is a simple video, which was a warm bath after my last Leibniz video. I'll be using MakeNoise Strega, Bruxa, Serge Medusa and the Broken Loquelic as my sound sources which create an excellent mood for the time between XMAS and the happy new year. I did not make any 'best wishes' or 'best of 2024' video this year because I couldn't finish it in time. I also realized that my 'best of 2024' are never going to be my all time favorites (except the new Serge Medusa and Instruo Dail).

Obviously I wish you all the best and I am hoping you'll have a great time patching the modular during the holiday season - and beyond. I'll probably post something before the end of the year.

Serge has been a personal discovery in 2024, so instead of getting the latest modules, I went back to 70's tech and it's a dream come true. I also love Bruxa a lot. Objectively the Joranalogue x Hainbach Collide 4 is a major achievement in eurorack, and it's impossible to ignore DivKid's colllab-contributions to the eurorack landscape, including the Droid patch.

I still need to figure out my DivSkip. XAOC Berlin is a must-have in the Leibniz niche, but on it's own it's just a very basic VCO. Another favorite is Oneiroi and it's cool to see that Black Maths is on the bestseller list, proving the old stuff doesn't get old. The new Buchla/TTA modules are also dreams that came true and it's great to finally have an orginal 259 . I didn't have time to dive into the new Qu-Bit StarDust looper, but I bet it will be worth checking out if you want to escape monophony."

Medusa in Space - Serge eurorack

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

"Self-playing patch by Teo centered around Medusa (eurorack) ..."

Serge Medusa for Eurorack - Dub

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

"Another Medusa for eurorack exploration by Teo. Medusa as the main sound source (apart from the drums which come straight out of logic) plus quite a bit of filtering and modulation."

Serge Modular Synthesizer - MEDUSA in a small setup

video upload by fonitronik

"Today I played around with the MEDUSA [announdement post here] and a small system with SEQQ/GTS and VCFQ/SM."

SERGE Medusa Comes to Eurorack

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

"Teo takes the Medusa for Eurorack for a (long) spin, here's the full recording used for the IG teaser ... #sergemodular"

Press release follows:

Introducing the Serge MEDUSA Subharmonic Oscillator for Eurorack: Unleashing New Depths in Modular Synthesis

Frankfurt, 1 November 2024 — Serge Modular proudly announces the launch of the Serge Medusa Subharmonic Oscillator for the Eurorack modular synthesizer format. This groundbreaking module designed by Serge Tcherepnin brings orchestral clusters, coveted undertones and rich harmonic complexity to the Eurorack format.

A Revolution in Sound Design

The Subharmonic Oscillator is one of Serge’s latest inventions and one of his most extraordinary designs. 7 accurate analog VCOs tied at the waist—in unison, yet their frequencies can open like a fan, creating complex clusters. Each voice generates a pulse wave. It is temperature compensated and follows exceptional 1V/Octave tracking. 
In addition, each voice provides (voltage controlled) pulse width modulation or subharmonic division as well as an individual output. By producing mathematically related lower frequencies, it enables the creation of complex and evolving soundscapes that were previously difficult to achieve within the Eurorack environment.
The precision of these voices in combination with a global Spread control and various FM inputs opens an enormous sonic range from massive unisono sounds to dissonant, orchestra-style textures. The ODD and EVEN outputs enable the use as a stereo oscillator.

Key Features:

• Original Serge 2023 design
• 100% analog
• Seven simultaneous subharmonic VCOs with individual Outputs, PWM and variable divisions
• Wide Range Frequency Control: Precisely dial in frequencies from deep bass to soaring highs, all synchronized to the master oscillator.
• Voltage-Controlled Parameters: Extensive CV inputs allow for modulation of pulse width and frequency divisions, enabling expressive performance potential.
• Odd and Even outputs for independent processing / Stereo use.
• Global Spread Control (manual and VC)
• Linear and Exponential FM
• Eurorack format (3U), 42 hp
• Power consumption: 220mA @ +12V, 200mA @ -12V
• Skiff-friendly: depth less than 25mm (1")

“This is my version of a cluster generator. Clusters are part of the contemporary music arsenal of effects. The Subharmonic Oscillator has a total, tracking, V/octave range that is the same as all our VCOs, however, it outputs only pulse waves. Pulse-width operates from instantaneous -> square wave > 1st sub-harmonic > 2nd sub-harmonic ...> Nth sub-harmonic. You guessed it, this is one VCO that sounds like a symphony orchestra playing Atmosphères by György Ligeti.”
Serge Tcherepnin, 18 October 2023

Unmatched Versatility

Designed for both traditional musicians and experimental artists, the Serge Subharmonic Oscillator excels in a variety of applications:

• Bass Enhancement: Generate powerful sub-bass frequencies to add weight to your mixes.
• Polyphonic Textures: Create rich, chord-like structures from a single note input.
• Rhythmic Modulation: Utilize subharmonics to produce complex rhythmic patterns and sequences.
• Sound Exploration: Dive into uncharted sonic territories with modulations and cross-patching.

Availability

The Serge Subharmonic Oscillator will be available starting November 1st, 2024 through Serge Modular / Random*Source and authorized dealers worldwide.

The Story behind Medusa

“I was sitting on a bench recovering from a bike ride at the edge of Fontainebleau forest, when a swarm of crows - some 30-40 of them, suddenly erupted in the sky above the large forest trees facing me.  They swirled in a large arc, emitting a few caws-caws, disappearing and reappearing wildly in the sky in front of me.  
And here is what this made me realize about my electronics: Drones have been part of my musical consciousness from the very beginning, thanks to LaMonte Young and the many examples of drones in Indian classical music.  One of my first electronic circuits was a 3 oscillator 9V operated shruti box. Maryanne Amacher, Eliane Radigue, Charlemagne Palestine, are drone masters I helped and fostered.  Charlemagne still uses the console of ultra stable drone oscillators that I designed for him more than 50 years ago.   
Drones and clusters, in fact.  Clusters, thanks to the marvelous composer Henry Cowell who coined the word for music. The fruit of all this, was me deciding on designing electronics for the creation of drones and clusters.   MEDUSA is the result of this project.

But what do a swarm of crows swirling in the sky above a forest have to do with drones and clusters??

EVERYTHING

MEDUSA is the perfect module for letting fly a swarm of semi independent musical notes, swirling in and out of unison, clusters, or chords, capable to scaling the entire range of frequencies, from sub-sonic to inaudible. MEDUSA gives wings to drones :)”

About Serge Modular
Serge Tcherepnin is an American composer, musician and electronic mastermind of Russian and Chinese descent who grew up in France and in Chicago. In 1970 he joined the music faculty at Cal-Arts where he developed the idea and design of the first “Serge” modules. He founded his company, Serge Modular Music Systems, in Hollywood, in 1975.
Random*Source was founded by Ralf Hoffmann in 2015 with a mission to carry on and extend the work of synth pioneers Serge Tcherepnin and Jürgen Haible. Since the beginning Random*Source has been working in close cooperation with Serge on a new generation of the Serge system. In 2018 Serge became Chief Innovation Officer and is leading the development under the Serge Modular brand.

MEDUSA Manœuvres in the Dark - Serge Modular Synthesizer

video upload by fonitronik

"A sort clip with one of Serge Tcherepnin's new modules that he designed recently! Yes, he is creating new and amazing stuff.
The MEDUSA is his version of a swarm module, providing 7 VCOs with PWM and subharmonics, 1V/Oct, temp compensation and offering 2 new VCFs on top."

Serge Medusa / Subharmonic Oscillator Impressions

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

"Medusa combines two of Serge's latest inventions - the Subharmonic Oscillator and the new VCFX filter - both designed by Serge in 2023 - to carry you to unchartered sonic territories. The Subharmonic Oscillator comprises 7 voices (pulse waves), each voice providing pulse width modulation or subharmonic division as well as 1V/Octave inputs and an individual output. The precision of these voices (with excellent 1V/Oct tracking and temperature stability) in combination with a global Spread control and various FM inputs opens up an enormous sonic range from massive unisono sounds to dissonant, orchestra-style textures. Here a couple of patches using Medusa as sound source with Edelweiss III and sometimes a MicroFreak as keyboard and/or an SEQ8 sequencer.

Patches:

00:00 Intro / Heart of Darkness
03:30 Time to Move
05:06 Let's Go Up
05:36 String Me Up
07:59 Black Hawk
08:32 World War Z
14:31 Illusory Lightness
15:53 Tsahal and Farther South
19:32 Approaching Panama
20:13 Reliving the Future
21:25 End of Days"

Additional Serge Medusa posts.

Polyend Medusa Paraphonic Hybrid Synthesizer

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via this listing

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Serge Modular synthesizer: Playing the MEDUSA with the TKB programmer

video upload by fonitronik

"Just a simple test of the MEDUSA, manually played by the TKB programmer."

Medusa House | @Polyend @Dreadbox-synths @NovationTV #polyend #dreadbox #medusa #novation

video upload by Your City Sleeps

SERGE Medusa

video upload by Serge Modular | Random*Source

Coming soon ...

Lament - Melodic Dark Ambient Psychedelic Doom - Elektron Analog Four MKII & Polyend Medusa live jam

video upload by Abre Ojos

"73bpm Melodic Dark Ambient Psychedelic Doom

Live hardware jam with Elektron Analog Four & Polyend/Dreadbox Medusa.

Medusa is in FM mode with loads of modulation and audio into Analog Four as well as being MIDI master sending clock and transport to the A4.

A4 mkII - track 1 is synth kick, track 2, 3 & 4 are using Medusa input as Osc 1 input plus being fed direct into the ext in. Chorus, delay & reverb all A4.

Video processed live through Resolume

Shot with GH5 MKII

Dark ambient audiovisual stuff: https://abreojos.net
Noisy layered drone techno: https://dronskot.net"

Polyend Medusa with Decksaver Lid

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via CONTROL Reverb

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Crazy Vincent SELLS 100 synths & keeps 26! EP1 = intro, synth list, and new studio space.

video upload by Vincent Presley

"After 2 years of crazy synth buying, Vincent has the new Secret Records studio down to a mere 26 synthesizers that he claims are better than the rest.....
Before you watch, maybe you can make your own list of what you would have kept or make some guesses about what Crazy Vincent kept. Remember..... he's not like other people.

Support the label, the studio, and us at secretrecords.bandcamp.com

Chapters:
00:00 Opening Music
00:14 Introduction
01:32 Overview
03:04 Stack One
04:49 Stack Two
05:48 Stack Three
07:23 Stack Four
08:43 Stack Five
09:23 Stack Six
09:55 Stack Seven
11:12 Stack Eight
13:19 Outro
14:50 Some Music

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A Conversation with Lisa Bella Donna and d'ARP Watchparty!

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Join us for a YouTube watch party to celebrate the new release Systers of Synth / Medusa from Lisa Bella Donna with Dina Pearlman-Ifil. Recorded in the summer of 2022, in Lisa's remote Appalichian studio, this full-length album showcases Lisa's talents using multiple ARP synthesizers and featuring d'ARP on two pieces.

This interview discusses all aspects of synthesis, pairing ARPs with Moogs, the influence of these instruments on modern music, celebrates the process and joy of collaboration, influences of our elders and how these instruments are as vital today as the day they were first made!

For those attending the watch party on Tuesday, if you make a donation during the Pemiere, your name will be put into a drawing. Two prizes will be given, a CD download and a poster, printed on fine art paper using the Giclee method.

Stick around after the show for a chance to ask Lisa and Dina questions.

DONATE: bit.ly/arp-foundation-donation
Purchase CD on BandCamp: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.bandc..."