Legendary synthesizer + legendary sequencer = Medusa
In a cryptic Instagram post, Dreadbox revealed a potentially awesome new collaboration between themselves and Polyend, known for their sequencers, the result being Medusa!
Greek synthesizer company Dreadbox has a long history creating weird and wonderful analog synths, both all-in-one and modular systems. They are arguably one of the first to start this new trend of small-format, semi-modular synthesizers.
Polyend, who are known for their collaborations with prolific artists such as Daedelus and Aphex Twin, created the Seq – a MASSIVE 32 x 8 step sequencer.
The Seq is incredibly intuitive, offering most of the MIDI and sequencing features you would need from a DAW. Alongside a synthesizer or two, the Polyend Seq negates the need for a computer – making it the perfect live performance companion.
The two companies have not revealed much about the functionality of their new product, Medusa, leaving much to the imagination – but judging by each of their histories it’s safe to say we are probably looking at a semi-modular synth with super intuitive step-sequencing capabilities.
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”
Both companies are known for bringing worlds together, Polyend introduced the “Poly” which offered a host of new ways to connect to modular synthesizers, while Dreadbox have always maintained a cross-platform approach to their designs.
It looks like the Medusa takes a page out of that book, the raw sonic power of analog alongside the intuitive control of digital.
So far this is what we do know about the Medusa – it’s based around three oscillators, one of which with “advanced” waveforms. We know it will feature a 64 x 7 step sequencer, allowing for modulation and velocity changes, and even an arpeggiator!
For those that know Polyend products, elegance is an understatement, while Dreadbox synths tend to have a sort-of “chaotic” aesthetic, so it’s interesting to see the two visually opposed companies work so well together. From the pictures which were posted, I think it’s safe to say Polyend did most of the design work here.
Medusa is set to drop in May 2018.
Until then check out Dreadbox’s Instagram here.
And visit the Dreadbox and Polyend websites for more details.
