Dreadbox Revisited

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

@8:43 Abyss V2!!!! Took a screenshot and it looks like it says "8 voice analog synthesizer" with a Typhon display sized cutout below that with "preset" written underneath.

[@ProckGnosis]

I was almost done editing the video when I FINALLY did a zoom in on that frame and, like you, I was pleasantly surprised by the labeling. At first I totally missed the "preset" part too. If it keeps enough of the vibe and sound of the original Abyss, it will be amazing, I think.

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

@@ProckGnosis Can't wait for these! Shame about the Nyx V2 and Erebus V3 being discontinued though. I have the Erebus V2 and V3, Nyx V1, and Typhon. I bought a Nyx V2 and had to return it after I had two Nyx V2s with the same bootloader issue that even DB's US service guys couldn't fix and update. Pretty much could not update to fix the midi issues/hang notes. Even Yiannis himself couldn't figure it out when I sent videos. I had to sadly return it. The whole pandemic was just starting, so they weren't even in their office cuz of it. So I never got the chance for a new Nyx V2 direct from them. Stores don't have it here anymore. The Erebus V3 is still around in a few stores. 😞

[@StatsGod]

Here's to hoping the display is at least a *bit* larger than the Typhon one. Though Dreadbox makes brilliant use of that small area. It's a fluid UI, and doesn't feel menu-dive-y.

[@JamesStiff]

Thank you for taking us on another intriguing tour. I'm sad to learn that Erebus v3 and Nyx v3 are being discontinued but really excited by the sneak peeks of forthcoming synths. They look rather special.

[@ProckGnosis]

Yo JS. How's the "won" Nyx still working out for you? (almost didn't recognize you with the new icon). Did you ever save up your lunch money and snag another Dreadbox? I had to actually watch a couple of my own videos when I got the Nyx out to play with a few weeks ago to remind myself how some of the routing options worked (it had sadly been packed up over most of the pandemic).

[@JamesStiff]

@@ProckGnosis Ha! Very well remembered! My Nyx has been safely packed away too but I'm tempted to get her out and refresh my memory with your excellent routing tips. I've been really enjoying the immediacy of Typhon lately. Such a great synth. Currently in the process of trying to prune an overgrown eurorack system but I suspect I won't be able to resist the temptation when Nymphe(?) is released. Sounds beautiful.

[@ProckGnosis]

@@JamesStiff AHHH...you went modular. Now THERE'S a slippery slope.

[@TooSlowTube]

@@ProckGnosis What was the reason for them being discontinued? I caught "Sorry, no more Nyxes", but I couldn't make out what he said before that.

[@ProckGnosis]

@@TooSlowTube I think the part that was hard to understand was "chip shortage". He mentions it again at 19:50.

[@robertsyrett1992]

Man, that iphone video is pretty darn good! Lovely to see this documentary series receive an update. It seems like they are going full steam and that is great news. Thanks for the inside look!

[@ProckGnosis]

Hey...good to hear from you Rob. Hope all is well in...uh...California, if I'm remembering correctly. Yeah, it's amazing how much things can change in just 3 years. I kind of miss the old work space Dreadbox had, but production capacity had to adjust to increased demand, which definitely ain't a bad thing for Dreadbox.

[@ScottofOakland]

I'm so excited for Nymphes to come out. I'm gonna save up and get one! I love Dreadbox. I really liked that last song at the end of the video!

[@ProckGnosis]

I'm helping beta test the Nymphes right now, and I have to say I love it. Would have preferred 2 oscillators per voice, but with the different unison modes, it still delivers. It inherited enough of what I love about the Abyss, but in a more simplified way, for about a third of the price...I think it's great. As for the outro tune, that was the alternate mix that I coin-flipped whether it would be used in the opening or not.

[@henrikemanuelsson7080]

Thanks for the tour! Interesting to see where the Synthesizers are built

[@ProckGnosis]

You're welcome. Yeah, cool to see how they put it all together. It has definitely expanded since we last visited in 2018.

[@Wagoo]

I'm guessing he means "the next semi-modular too", not "2" (15:05).. maybe something similar to Nyx and Erebus format, that they can actually source the parts to make? Thanks for the glimpse of the.. "Nymph".. I'm guessing a digital poly maybe with analogue FX or such.. I wonder if "something to be developed" on the Abyss panel means a V2 for that is on the way.. that'd be great.. I also hadn't noticed the Erebus in its Hypnosis style livery before.. might have to nab before they disappear for the foreseeable future.. Cheers for the fun tour! 🍻

[@ProckGnosis]

@Wagoo LMFAO...I started answering this before I got distracted by Ranz's live stream. I was curious who would first freeze and zoom in on the Nymph labeling, and you win! In fact it seems you scoured the whole video. Can honestly say I was sort of aware of the Nymph, but the Abyss enclosure was totally a surprise (I did a freeze and zoom-in while editing the video, as well) as was the Semi-Modular 2 (pretty sure he meant "2" and not "too", but only he could confirm or deny). Therefore I'm not sure if it's possibly another batch of Murmux v2s (only 50 were made in the first batch) or possibly a Murmux Semi-Modular v3...we'll find out, I guess.

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

Wagoo, I screenshotted that moment at 8:43, and it is most definitely an Abyss V2 with a different layout. It looks like it says 8 voice analog synthesizer as well as have a Typhon display sized cutout with "preset" written underneath it. 😉

[@apislapis]

Thanks ProckGnosis. You can't beat an impromptu behind the scenes workshop tour. Glad I bought Erebus v3 & Nyx v2 when I did. Can't wait to be a Nympomaniac.

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks for watching. Glad you were able to snag the Erebus and Nyx before they stopped production. There are a still some more floating out there it seems, but now that they can't make anymore those will likely disappear fairly quickly.

[@matthewtunnicliffe201]

Brilliant tour of the Dreadbox HQ, thanks.

[@ProckGnosis]

No prob...glad you enjoyed it.

[@Dea_Decay]

Thank you for another tour! I'm glad I have my Erebus v.3 before they discontinued! I can't wait to get that Abyss v.2! Also that looked like a Dreadbox Eurorack case? Was that their own case not just the chromatic modules they've made? Always love getting to see the actual people at work and putting faces to the synths I have

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks much! Glad you were able to get a v3. The eurorack case is an older product, from a few years ago. For some reason, the didn't stick with making cases for too long. By the time I started playing with modules, they had unfortunately stopped making them.

[@michaelkonomos]

This is really great. I love seeing the real human beings behind these great instruments. I did not understand him to mean that Erebus was discontinued as other commenters are saying, just that they cannot get the parts at this moment... what is your understanding? And that Abyss... if that ever sees the light of day I am going to lose my mind over it. It looks like it could almost be some kind of Nyx Typhon Erebus mother of all dreadbox synths or something... looks really intriguing.

[@michaelkonomos]

OH wait, i left this before seeing towards the end of the video. Heartbreak. I hope the Typhon is still going to be sold. I am trying to save up for one of those! and the erebus was really on my radar too. what the hell is up with this chip shortage?!

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks! Much appreciated. Though there might be occasional delays, the Typhon should still be in production for a while.

[@michaelkonomos]

@@ProckGnosis thanks. I wonder why. Doesn’t it have a chip as well? Why are some chips just completely out and others are fine? Makes me worry they will all run out.

[@ProckGnosis]

@@michaelkonomos Don't know for sure, but I expect it was a priority call with the limited chips they could get access to. Typhon is the newer and cheaper synth. If they had to choose between products in the current line to drop, I think they would want to keep the Typhon over the Erebus v3 or Nyx v2.

[@michaelkonomos]

@@ProckGnosis oh that’s a good point. So sad because they are all really great synths. This video has been so helpful. It really helps me to love Dreadbox even more. I love what they make and it’s nice to see this scrappy company growing.

[@rolfdegen1806]

Thanks for the insight into the production. It's very interesting. I look forward to your product :)

[@ProckGnosis]

Danke. Wir können ein paar gute synthesizer erwarten, denk ich.

[@anderscarlsson3387]

Bent kneeeeeeee. Great band!

[@ProckGnosis]

Aren't they? An they were madly energetic live too...just amazing.

[@anderscarlsson3387]

@@ProckGnosis Wish they could do some Kate Bush covers!. With her fantastic voice they could nail it!.

[@ProckGnosis]

@@anderscarlsson3387 Though a fan for years, I've recently been rediscovering Kate Bush...she really was a unique talent. I think Bent Knee could do her justice AND respectfully kind of rock-up a few of her numbers as well

[@Eidraify]

i'll be there day one for the new dreadbox poly synth ! Abyss looked very fun

[@ProckGnosis]

Yeah, the Abyss is a really great synth, so I'm hoping the new polysynths continue that tradition.

[@Kkidzz]

Playing my Murmux V2 always reminds me what an amazing group of people are part of DB.

[@ProckGnosis]

So YOU are one of the lucky 50 who owns a Murmux v2? Quite the synth, eh?

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Awesome video! Good to see Dreadbox is doing well!

[@ProckGnosis]

Bedankt Marc...the Typhon is seriously cool, and if they can keep that momentum with the next couple projects, their polysynths might be even cooler!

[@ProckGnosis]

Hey...hope you made it through the recent flooding...couldn't believe it was so widespread up there.

[@laurenthilairet2004]

Yes ! I have seen an Abyss !!!

[@ProckGnosis]

Looks pretty nice, eh? Hoping the v2 has the same cool, retro vibe that the v1 had...

[@laurenthilairet2004]

@@ProckGnosis Hopping too !

[@valdir7426]

did it stared back at you?

[@laurenthilairet2004]

@@valdir7426 Sorry, I have a poor english understanding and I don't understand what you mean here !

[@Iggxzy]

Your first video made me get a Typhon.

[@ProckGnosis]

Hopefully you're still enjoying the Typhon. It is a great little synth.

[@breslin44]

Cool tour. Thanks

[@ProckGnosis]

Happy to do it. Dreadbox are cool people who make cool synths.

[@Soundwrecker]

How do I get one of those Typhon throw pillows? Love the synth, want the pillow!! (7:08)

[@ProckGnosis]

You'd have to ask Dreadbox. I think it was a one-off gift to them, not anything anybody is producing. But hey, with enough demand, I'm sure SOMEone would crank one out.

[@walrtbstudios5430]

I got an email from Yiannis today. Nice to put a face to the name… I think Rory the Border would play nicely with Curtis too!

[@ProckGnosis]

And now you even saw the desk where he typed the email from, eh? I see you're a double-Typhon customer...cool!

[@StatsGod]

So great to see the concrete activity of one's favorite synth company -- thank you. Serious question: where does one find those Typhon cushions??

[@ProckGnosis]

You're very welcome. It was great to catch up with them on video and off. If I'm remembering correctly, that little pillow was a custom made gift, so it's likely a one-off.

[@1TreukFlyyy]

Quick questions about the Abyss V1 : - How many were made ? - What is its price on the resell market ?

[@ProckGnosis]

Not sure, but they do seem to be hard to find used, and they're not so cheap.

[@1TreukFlyyy]

@@ProckGnosis I found one, it is selling for 1000€ / 1150$. It is around the original retail price.

[@New_Zealand_Music]

Awesome thank you very much. I just got the Typhon, my first Dreadbox. I wonder if they will develop more affordable synths like it🤔😀

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I think now that Dreadbox has started incorporating digital control and effects, you'll see some pretty creative and cost-effective options. Only issue might be the chip-shortage they mention in the video...that might cause a slight spike in production costs (paying more for chips) that means an increase in sales price.

[@valdir7426]

well will we ever see the "mystery" project shown at 8:43? or was it killed by the chip shortage? I guess these things takes time. or maybe it was scraped for the nymphes. still would be totally down for a sub 1000-ish Abyss 2

[@ProckGnosis]

Not sure of the reasoning, but yeah, that Abyss 2 idea was put on the back burner, at least for now, it seems. They have hinted at some other ideas in work, but I guess we'll have to see what comes out. The analog synth market is lagging a bit currently, so I expect they're being a little more critical on what they pursue.

[@valdir7426]

@@ProckGnosis ok; thanks for your insight

[@ScottofOakland]

Please reissue the Hades!! I had some money issues a few years back and had to sell mine. Now they are unobtanium!!

[@ProckGnosis]

Yeah, don't think they made enough that they're so easy to find.

[@Psychlist1972]

An 8 voice Abyss? Yes please :)

[@ProckGnosis]

Pete...haven't seen you post in a while, but then I'm not actively scouring synth-related videos as much as I used to. Hopefully all is well on the east coast there. Yeah, as I said in another post, if this thing can maintain that magical, almost unstable vibe that gave the first Abyss such character, this will be a big hit!

[@Psychlist1972]

@@ProckGnosis I haven't made any videos for a while, and not commenting as much. Both super busy and, honestly, uninspired. I'll get back into it, though. Thanks for doing this video. :)

[@ProckGnosis]

@@Psychlist1972 Thanks for touching base. I've always appreciated your level-headed commentary regarding things synthy and otherwise, so commentary is appreciated. And oh yeah...totally get the "uninspired" feeling. These are weird fucking times...

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Looking forward to new Dreadbox releases. I only have 2 Dreadbox Abyss, with both used as 4 VCO monos, but I love the tone and analog instability. Between Dreadbox and Vermona I really enjoy mixing the two brands together. I best save up my Canadian Dollars for the later releases!

[@ProckGnosis]

Ah yeah Mark...I forgot you were the guy who snagged TWO Abysses (or Abyssi in Latin, lol). By the time I considered doing that (buying a 2nd), they were already out-of-production. Think I mentioned it before, but years ago when Yiannis first talked about wanting to do a polysynth, the Perfourmer was a synth he referenced when he was considering how he wanted it to work. And you have BOTH!

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@@ProckGnosis The Abyss, as a 4 VCO mono synth is as thick as Canadian Maple Syrup and spreads all over the back bacon of musical expression. Although it can be used as a 4 voice poly, I prefer the mono mode. I wonder if the new Dreadbox Polys will allow you a Unison mode to stack and detune the VCOs for syrupy thick sound sculpting. For one of my composite mono synths, I use the Vermona '14 as the controller (2 VCO mono panned center) controlling an Abyss (4 VCO mono, panned right) and the perFOURmer (4 VCO mono, panned left). Another composite mono synth is made with an MS-20Kit (2 VCO, panned center) controlling the other Abyss (4 VCO mono panned center). Via the USB I go to a Kenton USB2MIDI). Most of the time the MS-20Kit is muted, as IMO the Abyss sounds better! The Abyss sound takes me back to the VCO daze of Gary in the late 70s! 2 thumbs up for the Dreadbox Abyss! Also a big prog rock fan here, I was too young to have been a musician back in the heydey being born in 1963, but I remember all the songs on the radio back in the day which influence me still!

[@ProckGnosis]

@@SouthShoreSonics I was thinking you had a Perfourmer...or was it just the Vermona '14? Shame that the '14 took so long to come to market. I played with it at the Frankfurt Musikmesse...definitely had appeal!

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@@ProckGnosis Yes, I have the perFOURmer and '14. The '14 is the Midi controller for one of the Abyss and the perFOURmer. This gives me a 10 VCO monosynth.

[@NickHchaos]

@@SouthShoreSonics vermona makes great stuff, my fav is the DSR. Also check out the Motas-6, the best sounding and most flexible mono/parasynth out there.

[@RabRabNZ]

this company needs more of an identity like makenoise, its so close!

[@ProckGnosis]

Both companies make some cool stuff, no doubt...

[@arturslacinjans7185]

Like for the doggy

[@ProckGnosis]

I'll let Curtis know. He is fairly likeable.

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Cool update tour, it's good to see the company flourishing and expanding their operation. Sad to see everyone wearing masks; all that CO2 isn't good for the brain. Still, it's exciting to see new instruments on the horizon. I hope Dreadbox continues to make innovative hardware for many decades.

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks. It was great to see the changes, catch up with Yiannis and Dimitra, and hear about products on the way. Yeah, masks suck, but spiking numbers of corona suck more and aren't good for one's health either, which is what's happening with the influx of tourists down there. Athens was pretty disciplined at wearing masks, surprisingly more so than here in Germany.