Medusa Synth Tutorial Videos

Published on Jul 23, 2019 Polyend

Playlist:

Polyend Medusa - Review & Audio Demo
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 1. Turning on/off LFO or Envelope
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 2. Per step parameter locks
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 3. TIE/Note length
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 4. Clearing parameter locks
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 5. Copying notes/steps
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 6. Randomizing synth voice
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 7. Randomizing sequence melody
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 8. Custom scales (incl. micro-scales)
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 9. Arpeggios / Sequence transposition
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 10. Drone mode
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 11. Applying live effects to the sequence
Medusa Synth Quick Start - 12. Medusa's Grid as a MIDI controller

Shakmat Mod Medusa Now Shipping

Announced at SUPERBOOTH21, Shakmat's Mod Medusa Euclidean LFO is now shipping to retailers. See the dealers on the right for availability.

Playlist:
Shakmat Mod Medusa — User Manual & Demos (Livestream at the time of this post)
Shakmat Mod Medusa glitching Make Noise Mimeophon
Shakmat Mod Medusa messing up with Plonk
Home made Kicks with Shakmat Mod Medusa controlling our Dual Dagger and Klavis Twin Waves
Wobbles with Shakmat Mod Medusa and Dual Dagger
Mod Medusa and Aeolus Seeds work together to simulate polyrhythmic action
Mod Medusa and Aeolus Seeds for heterogeneous complex hi-hats
Wobbles with Mod Medusa and Dual Dagger (as filter and as VCO)

Polyend Medusa v4.0 Update Adds 6-Voice 3-Operator Digital FM Synth Engine & More

"Polyend launches the official Medusa v4.0 firmware update. It brings some serious features like a gritty 6-voice 3-operator digital FM synth engine!"

Playlist:
Medusa v4.0 Firmare Teaser
Medusa v4.0 Firmware MIDI Program Change
Medusa Synth Digital FM Presets
Polyend Medusa Digital FM Synthesis Tutorial

Details via Polyend:

"Medusa Hybrid synthesizer v4.0 firmware update is now available.

Polyend is happy to announce a major Medusa v4.0 firmware update release which brings some serious feature updates among the general improvements:

– A new, fourth, play mode. A gritty 6-voice 3-operator digital FM synth engine with a 12-bit colored classic vibe. It supports five digital FM Algorithms and an extra analog voice. Comes with a new FM preset bank. Pairs incredibly well with Tracker!

– Improved Channel per Voice mode where each channel is now truly “per voice”, and not “per oscillator” as previously,

– Added MIDI Program Change for better control of the synth,

– Reworked pitch bend and glide for more musical output,

– Full LFO Synchronization with MIDI Clock with increased stability,

– Other fixes"

Medusa Synth Sequencer/GRID Tutorial

Published on Sep 12, 2018 ProckGnosis

"This is a Dreadbox-Polyend Medusa tutorial, looking only at the sequencer and GRID, and giving some step-by-step instructions how to use some of the sequencer/GRID functions.

The 5 Parts of the Tutorial:
1. Setting Up the Sequencer/GRID (02:44)
2. Adding Note Data (recording) (05:16)
3. Editing Note Data (06:26)
4. Working with Patch Modifying (PM) Data (07:52)
5. Misc. Examples and Screwing Around (15:02)

The GRID and the ability to create and save Patch Modifying Data in the GRID really gives the Medusa some interesting capabilities to shape the Medusa's sound. The more I played with it, the more I realized how creative you could get with this.

The reworked ProckGnosis theme is an expansion on the recording used for the Dreadbox Tour and Interview video, and contains only sounds from the Medusa.

This was filmed using a prototype Medusa as explained in the video, but everything I demo and convey in the video should work for ANY Medusa.

Cheers!"

Stranger Things (Eleven's theme & Main title) with Polyend Dreadbox Medusa synth

Published on Jul 24, 2019 Miltos Schimatariotis

"As a follow-up for my Medusa synth covers I decided to do something about the Stranger Things series. Here, instead of just recreating the 'Main title', I added as an intro one of my favorites in the soundtrack, 'Eleven's theme'. All sounds are made with the Medusa only, with the addition of effects and especially Byome which helps a lot in the background atmosphere.

A few words about the process I followed for creating this video:

At first, I decided what parts of the soundtrack I was going to cover and roughly planned the arrangement. Then I started designing the sounds on the Medusa. That was probably the most entertaining part but also the most challenging because for the creation of the original tracks the composers had a lot more gear in their disposal. But since I have decided to restrict myself to only one synth, the Medusa, I ended up just creating sounds that sounded good to me without necessarily replicating the originals. So I would say that this is a free cover and not a replication. (especially Eleven's theme is way different from the original). The other restriction I wanted to add in the process is that I wanted to have as few sounds as possible in order to not over-complicate things and to be able to visualize almost everything in the video.
So, after making a rough version I started the final recordings. I was recording the audio part and the video part simultaneously, the audio in Cubase and the video in my Pocophone F1 smartphone with Filmic Pro app. The difficult part here was that I had to name the takes every time for the video file and the audio clips in order to not lose track of what I was going to use in the final product (I used DaVinci Resolve). So the clips you see in the video are corresponding to the same audio recordings you hear. The only exception is the pad at the intro which was double tracked and panned left right, so there I used only one video clip.
I have mixed/mastered the track in Cubase and I had in mind to not over-process the sounds of Medusa, so I have mostly the necessary EQing and compression. The effects (reverbs-delays) are all routed in parallel. The main effect processor I used was Unfiltered Audio Byome and some patches make use of the beautiful Carmen collection from patchpool/Simon Stockhausen."

Sound Design with Polyend Dreadbox Medusa (Ep.6) - Making Drums (+ MIDI Sync with Polyend Tracker)

Miltos Schimatariotis

"This episode is my take on making Drum sounds with the Medusa. I am demonstrating a workflow that may help you build a basic kit quite fast and I also describe how to use the sequencer with them. Since the Medusa is not a dedicated drum synth the sounds that we can achieve aren't like the usual 808, 909, etc sounds but I think we are able to have some drums and percussion with their own personality. As you will see in the sound design process something that will help us a lot to achieve some punch for the sounds is the FM feature of the synth. Furthermore, as an outro of the video, I have a demonstration of MIDI syncing the Medusa with the Tracker. It is a small song with the Medusa playing the drums and the Tracker adds some music around the rhythm.
I hope you 'll find this video helpful, feel free to leave your comments and thanks for watching!

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

0:00 Intro
0:27 Kick / Bass drum
3:46 Snare drum
5:47 Hi-Hats
7:18 Toms
8:34 Programming the Sequencer
10:13 Demo song with Tracker"

Shakmat Mod Medusa, Aeolus Seeds & Harlequin's Context Demos

video uploads by Shakmat

"Shakmat is a Brussels based eurorack manufacturer active since 2015. Shakmat modules, which emphasize on playability, contain intuitive rhythmic sequencers, audio signal processors, and unusual modulation sources."

Playlist:
Mod Medusa and Aeolus Seeds work together to simulate polyrhythmic action
Harlequin's Context complex envelope generator and Dual Dagger in feedback mode as VCO
Aeolus Seeds as vector synth
Mod Medusa and Aeolus Seeds for heterogeneous complex hi-hats
Wobbles with Mod Medusa and Dual Dagger (as filter and as VCO)

See the Shakmat label below for more.

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."

Polyend & Dreadbox Medusa Synth + Symphonic String Orchestra + Acces Virus Ti snow

video upload by the machine in the botanical garden

"Composition for Polyend/Dreadbox Medusa synthesizer, acces virus Ti snow and string orchestra. Short review of the Medusa machine + description of the composition
The score is written with the Staffpad score editor and player. The library used for the string sounds is Berlin Strings from Orchestral tools (Staffpad version)

The work, titled 'Medusa', belongs to my Sketchbook album that is available on all major digital platforms. Here is the link to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2RBnJV..."

Medusa Hybrid Synthesizer Drones

Published on Dec 5, 2018 Polyend

"The works on new Dreadbox & Polyend Medusa synth firmware are going on full time.
One of the new functions is the option to sustain the notes which turn the Medusa into a great drone generator. Our local music producer Alna took the newest beta firmware for a spin. Please, enjoy this moment of musical meditation.

Music by Alna. Recorded 03.12.2018.
There's a Strymon Big Sky on the Medusa's output."

Vangelis - Rachel's song (cover) with Polyend Dreadbox Medusa synth

Published on Jun 23, 2019 Miltos Schimatariotis

"While exploring the warmer/sweeter side of the Polyend Medusa and the play-ability of the grid, I ended up making this small cover of one of my favorite tracks by Vangelis from the Bladerunner soundtrack. Some more details:

The Grid for the lead sound is setup so that the X-Axis goes one semitone up so on the X-Target I have the value of 10. With this setup it may be quite difficult to play always on tune so if you look at the video I always tend to touch the pads from the left side. This way doing the slides is also easier. I treat them somewhat like guitar frets. For the Y target I just have some filter cutoff. And for z-target a tiny bit of FM.
The pad and the drone are double tracked and panned left-right.
For the bass in order to fatten it up a little I have used the filter resonance.
The bell sound is just self resonating filter. The tuning here was a bit tricky, so I ended up doing some extra tuning later.
Generally the sounds are left without any significant post editing except of course the addition of effects and some basic mixing/mastering at the end. I have used Softube Tsar mainly on the lead sound to make it sound "bigger" as this reverb blends nicely with the sources, and for the long reverbs I have used NI/Softube RC 24. For the "shimmer" effect that is audible mostly at the outro I have added the Pitch shifter from NI Replika XT before the RC 24. There is also a little bit of Clouds at the pluck sound from VCV rack.

For the cover itself, I was partly influenced by the version of this song from Vasilis Saleas, a famous clarinet player in Greece. His version of the song is included in his album called "Orama".

Update:

Sound Design with Polyend Dreadbox Medusa (Ep. 1) - A warm brassy lead (Vangelis style)

Published on Apr 5, 2020 Miltos Schimatariotis

"This is my first attempt for a tutorial / walk-through of creating a patch for the Medusa synth. In this video I explain how I made the lead sound of my 'Vangelis - Rachel's Song' cover. It's a relatively simple patch but if there is an interest in this type of videos I could make this a series where more sounds will be covered. Thanks for watching, and take care!"

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

Shakmat Mod Medusa controlling Make Noise Mimeophon for complex delays on melodic line

video upload by Shakmat

"@MAKEN0ISEMUSIC Mimeophon working hand in hand with Shakmat Mod Medusa"

Shakmat Mod Medusa making a complex rhythmic bassline with Mutable Instruments Elements


"Physical Model eurorack module Elements controlled via our Euclidean LFO Mod Medusa"

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

Ambient with Medusa-Polyend /sequencer Random mode in chromatic scale

Published on Nov 6, 2019 Dziam Bass

"Hello guys.

Today I have my first movie with the synthesizer Medusa from Polyend.

Now Medusa is at a discounted price, so is also a great opportunity to get yours.!!!

It's a Hybrid Synthesizer with 3 analog oscillators, 3 digital oscillators, 5 loopable envelope and 5 assignable LFOs plus of course a great multi mode filter.

the advantage of course is grid as a sequencer and its touch control, under the pressure of X, Y, Z you can assign modhell or pitch ,lfo's and many other functions.

Here I showed the sound itself in quite ambient music, I set the sequencer to random which it scales on a chromatic scale.

Add effects Reverb from Black Hole DSP from Erica Synths and Euro DDL Delay from Eventide .

more info about medusa here :http://polyend.com
but now I invite you to check this movie.
have a nice day!

#polyend #medusasynthesizer #polyendmedusa #hybridsynthesizer #dreadboxpolyend"

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"

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."

Shakmat announces new VCO and LFO at SUPBERBOOTH21

"Belgian manufacturer Shakmat presents two new modules at Superbooth 21 - their first VCO, the Banshee Set, and a quite peculiar modulation source called the Mod Medusa !

Banshee Set

The Banshee Set is a powerful 8hp analog VCO with varishape and thru zero FM/PM capabilities. The varishape output provides a continuously variable waveform morphing into a sine, a triangle, a saw and a square wave which are crossfaded with a sub octave generator. The triangle core of the VCO is normalized to the shape CV input which yields very peculiar waveforms. The Banshee proves to be a great companion for your FM duties as a carrier or as a modulator thanks to its thru zero FM / PM input and soft sync capabili- ties. The Banshee also serves as a flexible modula- tion source as it can go into LFO range !

Mod Medusa

In a simplistic way, The Mod Medusa could be described as an Euclidean LFO : it is an “algo-rhythmic” modulation source which produces variable period LFO signals synced to rhythmic patterns. Those patterns are generated by algorithms such as the euclidean one (famous for trigger sequences generation) and as other algorithms coming from the White and Knight's Gallop. Mod Medusa has 4 outputs generating 4 correlated LFOs, which give different “polyrhythms” feeling according to the chosen mode. Generated waveforms can be easily twisted thanks to the symmetry and waveform parameters which continuously morph the signal into different waveshapes. A very unique approach which leads to instantaneous and original results!

If you are making it to Superbooth, don't hesitate to come and say hello to our team at booth W380!"

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"

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."