Dreadbox Hades and Erebus Synths - Quite the Team

Published on Jan 15, 2016 ProckGnosis

"A demo showing the Dreadbox Hades Bass Synth married up to and running through the Dreadbox Erebus Synth and filter. For me, the two work quite well together, with the Hades nicely complementing the Erebus, giving you the extra benefits of:
1. A third oscillator to do paraphonic 3-note chords
2. A third Oscillator to fatten up your mono leads and basses
3. A variable PW waveform (for folks who own the Erebus first edition, which has no PW capability)
4. Two sub oscillators

All of that combined makes for one aggressive, mix-cutting analog synth that is a definite pleasure to play. Cheers!"

Dreadbox Hades Synth Sounds

Published on Jan 2, 2016 ProckGnosis

"No talk, just real-time changing of parameters on the Hades over a sequence. Recorded straight (no effects) into Props Reason, and no effects added in Reason. Kick Drum added from Reason Kong on the last bit.

- Saw Wave at 00:32
- Square wave at 01:51
- Pulse-width wave at 03:11
- All 3 waves multi-tracked at 04:30 (with kick drum and sounding a bit Giorgio Moroder-ish)
- Bonus bit : Hades' Taurus Pedal imitation at 05:55"

Dreadbox Hades Bass Synth Review

Published on Dec 29, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Review of the Dreadbox Hades Bass Synthesizer, broken down into 4 parts:
Part 1. Oscillators (02:29)
Part 2. The Filter (04:29)
Part 3. The Drive Knob (08:06)
Part 4. The Rest (09:46)

Included in Part 4 is some screwing around with some bass sounds that starts at 11:04.

I mention it a couple times in the video, but this synth is in no way limited to just bass synth duties, though it does fill that niche quite well. And unlike the Moog Minotaur (which is strangely limited from playing in higher ranges), you CAN play higher octaves with the Hades.

Great construction quality, great sound, and great price (around $300 or 300 euros), and (not shown in the video) it excellently complements my Dreadbox Erebus, even connecting as a third paraphonic voice."

Sequential Prophet 6 - Step Sequencer Overview

Published on Dec 27, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Basic overview of the step sequencer from the Prophet 6 module, which, I'm happy to report, is AMAZINGLY simple to use, and it's fairly similar to the Moog 37 for easy programming. And according to Dave Smith, the module offers the EXACT same capabilities as the keyboard, minus the keys and bit of the price.

Not addressed at ALL in the video, is how AWESOME sounding this synth is! If I had one dream synth as a young'un it was a Prophet 5. For a VERY thorough review of the Prophet 6, check out a series of vids from Marc Doty at AutomaticGainsay. [you can find them here.]

I actually got the Sequential Prophet 6 a few weeks ago (an early Christmas present), but I couldn't leave it under the tree, and I've been playing with it instead (new Dreadbox Hades synth DID arrive to go under the tree and opened on Christmas morn!! Review of that is in the works).

Cheers!"

Moog Sub 37 Step Sequencer Overview

Published on Oct 4, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Just a introduction to the Moog Sub 37 step sequencer running under OS 1.1, looking at the following things:
- Inputting note values for each step
- Inputting rests and ties
- Editing the sequence afterwards

Great little feature on the Sub 37 and fairly easy to use. A couple things I don't look at are how to change note values after the sequence is loaded and how to skip steps in the sequence on the fly.

Probably very similar to quite a few older style step sequencers, but as I say in the video, I've done VERY little step sequencing with synths. That being said, it sort of reminded me of the Casio XW-P1's sequencer/drum programmer and a couple of the sequencers in Propellerhead Reason.

Cheers!

My only minor complaint is it would be nice if the LCD displayed more information about the step (like relative note value)"

Moog Little Phatty Song

Published on Jul 26, 2015 ProckGnosis

Music starts at 1:15.

"When I learned the Moog Little Phatties (is that even the proper plural form??) were being discontinued, I ran out and bought a limited edition white Moog Little Phatty. Then not long after, the Sub 37 hit the market, and I realized that was REALLY what I wanted (I wasn't so much interested in the Sub-Phatty because of the 2 octave keyboard). As I wanted to do SOMEthing with the Little Phatty before I sold it, I recorded this song in Propellerhead Reason. All synth sounds and one synth kick drum are from the Little Phatty. All the other percussion is from assorted Propellerhead Reason drums synths.

MIDI was only used for the drums parts...all the synth clips were played in real time (no timing correction) and arranged in Reason."

Murmux Semi-Modular - Tidbits and Tips for Creating a Good Synched Oscillator Patch

Published on Jun 20, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Another Tidbits and Tips video, this time covering how to create a good patch for synchronizing oscillators, using the Murmux to help explain and give examples.

I LOVE the sound of some good old synched oscillators!"

Dreadbox Erebus - Tidbits and Tips for Patching the Erebus Synth

Published on Apr 5, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Just four basic patching examples on the Dreadbox Erebus Synth Module. As mentioned in the video, though having some experience programming synths, I'm fairly new to working with physical patch cables.

For me, there is a nice immediacy felt with working with patch cables versus a digital modulation matrix with menus you have to dig through just to decide what source is modulating what destination. With real patch cables and a semi-modular synth, adventurous exploring is much more promptly rewarded, though the problem can be trying to go BACK to some really cool sound you did an hour earlier, but can't remember how.

Cheers!"

Dreadbox Erebus on eBay

Casio CZ-1 Running through the Dreadbox Erebus Filter

Published on Feb 16, 2015 ProckGnosis

"I was curious how my Casio CZ-1 (a very 80's digital synth!) would sound running through my fully analog Dreadbox Erebus Analog Synth filter.

It met and surpassed my expectations!

Unfortunately I didn't really maximize the test options in this video. I didn't do a full-resonance filter sweep test with the CZ oscillators, so sonically I didn't really "push the envelope" so to say.

Regardless, it sounds great, and it has inspired me to put a piece/song together with heavy contributions from this Phase Distortion antique! I say it again...not the most programmable synth on the planet, but very capable of producing some unique and cool sounds, especially running through a quality analog filter...

Cheers!"

Dreadbox on eBay

Dreadbox Erebus Synth Module Intruduction (a semi review)

Published on Dec 21, 2014 ProckGnosis

"Fairly in-depth introduction to the Dreadbox Erebus synth module, shy of being a full review. Includes:
- Quick test of the waveforms
- Quick test sweep of the filter (with zero and full resonance)
- Average European pricing
- Discussion of some of the features in comparison to the Murmux Semi-Modular (also from Dreadbox)

Incredibly favorable cost-to-capability ratio with this synth. Not many competitors in this price range with this extensive of a list of features.

And one last point I didn't mention in the video, it comes with 4 patch cables, so you can start getting creative (in a patchable way) immediately.

Cheers!"

Murmux Semi-Modular Synthesizer Review

Published on Oct 12, 2014 ProckGnosis

2nd video below.

"Review of the Murmux Semi-Modular Synthesizer manufactured in Greece by Dreadbox Pedals and Synths (http://www.dreadbox-fx.com/)

I try to cover the basics of the synth, including the different sections and features, giving some sound examples as I tweak and explain the different controls and parameters. What I don't cover is patching with the different CV/Gates inputs and outputs at the top of synth's panel (what makes it semi-modular).

Check out Henrik Lendal's video at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTnBS... for good look at getting creative with the semi-modular with some patch cables.

Positives?
- The synth sounds great and is a blast to mess around with
- Looks as great as it sounds
- Great sounding filter
- A slightly different approach on some features (the 4-stage mod for example)
- Sturdy construction with solid knobs!

Negatives (and only very slight ones)
- Playing legato with a MIDI controller does not retrigger the filter envelope, but playing with a CV/gate input DOES retrigger the filter envelope playing legato or staccato
- Filter has a slight spike on the key-up with certain settings

All in all, I LOVE it...addictive as hell to play around with and in some ways cooler than my Moog Voyager...

Cheers!"

The Murmux Semi-Modular Song

Published on Jun 22, 2014

"Song recorded in Propellerhead Reason, using only the Murmux Semi-Modular analog synth for all the melodic sounds. Drums and effects all came from assorted Reason modules."