DavidHilowitzMusic Tests the Polyend MESS – Unleashing Sonic Mayhem

Unboxing the Sonic Chaos

David Hilowitz jumps straight into the action introducing us to the Polyend MESS—a brand new multi-effects pedal that’s here to jazz up your sound with a twist. His excitement revolves around the pedal’s ability to sequence effects, something he’s long awaited. Imagine having the power to manipulate the sonic landscape over time, and you’ve got yourself a neat little playground for musicians. David’s approach is refreshingly direct—no beating around the bush, as he’s ready to let this pedal do the talking. A quick look at the setup reveals a straightforward yet overwhelming array of effects ready to be tweaked, and boy, does it seem fun! With four effects ready to be stacked and sequenced, David’s already grooving with anticipation.

"You see, The Mess' big claim to fame is that it allows you to program sequences that change the way the effects work over time."

© Screenshot/Quote: Davidhilowitzmusic (YouTube)

Dancing with the Sequencer

David shows off the sequencer—the heart of the MESS. This ain’t your average multi-effects pedal; it’s a step beyond. With each step, David demonstrates how the effects only play when lit up squares are activated, transforming this box into a dynamic rhythm machine. Each channel can carry a different sequence length, offering endless possibilities in structuring your soundscape. David’s eyes light up as he explores the pitch shifter, tweaking octaves to transform melodies into something out of this world. It’s like watching a mixtape come to life, each knob twist reminiscent of piecing together an epic beat. His enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s crystal clear that this pedal is more than just knobs and switches—it’s a creative powerhouse that pushes you to experiment until your brain hurts. With a laugh, he admits to feeling like he’s barely touched the surface, despite the hours spent diving into this pedal’s vast ocean of possibilities.

Guitar Meets The MESS

It’s not all about synths—we get a taste of the MESS with a guitar setup. David decides to show us how this pedal doesn’t discriminate; whether it’s plugged into a guitar or synthesizer, it delivers the goods. The guitar resonates through presets, each strum flipping the script on traditional sounds, and before long, David is in his element, ready to switch gears from one instrument to the next. With effects like granular burst and the particle sampler, he demonstrates how you can chop audio into tiny grains, making it shimmer or glitch out in a flicker. It’s pure ear candy for those who love to tinker with textures and transform the mundane into something fantastic. This is where the pedal truly shines – it doesn’t matter what instrument you’re using, it’s all about the sound adventure you’re embarking on.

Exploring Uncharted Soundscapes

"I feel like this pedal has singlehandedly revived my love of the Emu Proteus."

© Screenshot/Quote: Davidhilowitzmusic (YouTube)

In the final exploration phase, David toys around with equipment straight from the nostalgia vault – an old Casio keyboard and an Emu Proteus synth. It’s like a history lesson in synthesis, with each sound drenched in the uniquely altered character the MESS imparts. One minute, he’s strumming a janky ukulele; the next, he’s letting vintage synth tones rich in pedigree pour out. There’s a sense of journeying through different eras of music tech as David pushes through presets called “Troubled Harbor” and beyond, while layering samples over funky beats. He emphasizes how some effects, like the micro looper, can be stacked to create shimmering or glitch-filled soundscapes. Watching him, you get that this pedal is a catalyst for sound designers, urging them to cross boundaries without a roadmap. With a casual nod to his past work, David draws parallels with his previous VST projects, indicating how deeply entrenched his love for experimentation is. This pedal doesn’t just sound good—it’s a whole sonic playground.