Dive into the rhythmic chaos of the Polyend Mess with RedMeansRecording, where sequenceable effects meet creative musical transformation. This video takes you through granular loops, stepped distortions, and more, proving that complexity can be fun and accessible. Strap in for an exploration that showcases why the Polyend Mess is more than just an effects pedal—it’s a playground for musical innovation.

Introducing the Polyend Mess
The video kicks off with Jeremy from RedMeansRecording, giving us a warm intro and acknowledging his fresh haircut, which, let’s be honest, is not really why we’re here. The real star is the Polyend Mess, a 4-slot multi-effects pedal. Jeremy is clearly excited about diving into its unique potential for creating sequenceable effects. With straight-shooting enthusiasm, he sets up the day’s mission: explore the presets and make some patches to showcase just what this pedal can do.

"I'm a huge fan of the Zoya from Empress, and I'm a huge fan of sequinsable effects."
Exploring Effects and Presets

"You can actually create polymetric and maybe even polyrhythmic effect sequences."
Now, this is where the magic starts. Jeremy brings in a loop and plays it dry, and then he hits us with the wet version using the Polyend Mess. Immediately we hear those glitchy, left-right movements that remind you why you fell in love with modular synths in the first place. Each of the four effect slots in the pedal features its own dedicated sequencer, allowing for polymetric and polyrhythmic wonders. You get micro loopers, reverbs, ping pong delays—it’s like a buffet of sonic spices. Jeremy praises the Mess for adding texture and interest to any performance, indicating that the sheer versatility and customization options are what set it apart. And for good measure, he mentions how these effects can evolve, interacting with one another to keep your audience guessing.
Diving Deeper into Sound Design
Jeremy now cranks things up by showcasing the pedal’s effect on drums. The introduction of stepped distortions turns simple loops into speaker-rattling wonders. We get a closer look at how he utilizes multiple shaper effects to create stepped distortion effects, eventually leading to a riot of sound. Demonstrating a keen understanding of how the pedal can transform even the driest of drum loops, Jeremy provides sound insight on its power to add life and interest to monotonous beats. The video explores how these effects can be stacked, layered, and sequenced—adding a ton of motion and texture to previously lifeless grooves.

"The shaper effects are distortion and redux and bit crushing."
Experimenting with Micro Loopers

"It's not as organic and wild as my favorite microcosm patches are, but I can make it do exactly what I want."
It’s time to talk micro loopers, and Jeremy does not hold back. These little sonic warriors bring a robust feel to any audio landscape they’re thrown into. Showcasing presets inspired by artists like Dintel, Jeremy dives into creating lush, glitchy, and rhythmically complex soundscapes using micro loopers. He mentions his love for pitch-shifting loopers and gleefully explains how each looper step can have individualized settings, resulting in intricate and evolving aural architectures. Jeremy brilliantly emphasizes how the Mess is perfect for live performances, where evolving soundscapes can evolve and interact in engaging ways. A kind of organized chaos that’s just as thrilling for the creator as it is for the audience.
Building a Patch from Scratch
For those of us who love to tinker, this part is a treat. Jeremy constructs a patch from scratch, allowing us a peek at the creative process. He explores different effect slots, dabbles with sequence lengths, and messes with some filters, distorting and reshaping the audio world beneath his fingertips. With layers of overlaying effects—all sequenced to his liking—he shows the immense potential for creating complex soundscapes. He candidly discusses the pedal’s absence of LFOs for smoother transitions, yet the myriad of available effects compensates for this slight oversight.
Final Thoughts and Musical Bliss
Winding down, Jeremy shares his final thoughts in classic, candid style, reiterating his affinity for the Polyend Mess, but not without mention of his loyalty to the Zoya. The wrap-up solidifies that this pedal thrives in live settings, where dynamic sequences leave audiences intrigued and captivated. It’s a unique gem that stands out for its versatility and the multitude of ways it can transform sound.
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