I started out fairly happy with the MESS; at first it was kind of strange to work with, it has a kind of a learning curve to master and some annoying quirks. But hey, just add them here on the wishlist for new features as i was kindly requested to do so. Great, feedback from the developer, love it.
I was kind of hoping for the unit to be a crossover between hologram microcosm and a great reverb and some great delays and all that sequenceable.
In the meantime I learned to get around these bugs, and now i find myself using it mostly as fx box though, since the handling is not as intuitive as i had hoped for (for example stop losing my sequence as i turn to different fx!) and missing some key options as randomization of parameters and such (i find the unit fairly labour intensive to set up just right, no lfo/random option to control parameters makes you need to adjust each step). Also be bold and brave, give us more fx as flangers, phaser, more depthcontrol on bitcrushers heavier distortions, compression and so on⌠it is kind of on the safe side..
I see the potential the unit has, still i decided to move forward and bought a microcosm as welll, although i still feel MESS could do the same and shine with more features as it it has (like the sequence stuff, great reverbs and so on).
I find myself in between being happy with the unit amd sometimes really annoyed with it.
Maybe its just not for me, but maybe, just maybe if the annoyences would be solved with a firmware update, things change.
I with you here. I started very happy and thrilled by the presets I auditioned but things got complicated when I wanted to create my own. As you mention it, the fact that we lose our sequence when changing effect is particularly frustrating, Iâm not familiar with Polyend machines, Iâm more of an Elektron user, but I doubt they would do that as well.
As I said in other posts the midi implementation is also wanting in terms of CC commands.
I also find the device sometimes a bit noisy, capricious with power sources and quite tricky to adjust in regards to input and mix level. I havenât been able to get any satisfying results from the Shaper block.
So yes, a firmware update would be gladly welcomed!
Iâm glad we agree, but also starting to think that the silence is kind of deafening thoughâŚ
A sign of life (in the form of âwe hear youâ would sure be niceâŚ)
I just got the Mess. I was about to return it bc it doesnât handle midi bypass/engsge. Decided to keep it. Enjoying it but so much potential
I have a Zoia and a Microcosm (bunch of Chase bliss too), canât wait for an update, this pedal can do so much more itâs gonna get even better
Desperately need more midi CCâs, how about bypass and engage CCs?
Agreed on need to fix: sequence going away from one effect to the other. And, not enough dirt effects, lesssafe effects.
Also need to be able to mute tracks when auditioning new tracks, and solo
And, how to delete a track eg. In case I just decide to use 2 or 3 tracks instead of 4.
Itâs funny you mention the Microcosm as well. For my part, I was about to sell mine when I got the Mess, because of overlapping. And finally, I find the Mess to be the right gear to make the Microcosm shine itâs own way.
Of course I used to set this one on tempo with midi, but the beautiful sounds I heard from it never were good outside the ambient realm. Even the delays, because I feel like they overwhelme the personality of my guitar tone. And it is here the Mess does a great job! Making my tone more peculiar and complex, it kind of tames just little the Microcosm. In result, I have a perfect combination using both at the same time.
Mess is a bad Microcosm.
Microcosm is a bad Mess.
But together, theâre complementary as hell!
That said: yeah, the update would be great. Even update news. For this price tag, the Mess must be almost perfect. This pedal has the potential to be a Zoia or Beebo killer, but it must build this reputation. We got a potential classic in our hands. Up to Polyend to make it reach the top.
Thanks for letting us know, much appreciated!
Now as long as âin the worksâ is means in â a forseeable futureâ I guess weâre talking weeks here?
MESS has option to randomize effect chains by pressing on that one knob, so lets use the same concept when weâre in any effect window to use the same press on knob function and it randomizes all the parameters in that effect each time you do it!
I have a friend iâve been talking to about the MESS. He would buy one, except that he feels the software seems undercooked, so he is waiting for a fully-MIDI-functional update. His comment on Endless was âwhy are they introducing a new platform when there are customers waiting for the MESS to be in a finished state?â
He uses MIDI extensively with his synth rig, so he pays attention to how pedals work or donât via MIDI. His impression is that currently MIDI implementation is too unstable to use live (he reads forums, thatâs his opinion, iâm just reporting what he said). Personally i donât use MIDI with pedals, but, i can see how people might be concerned about the state of MESSâs software development.
Mess 1.1 is in beta available on the forum now. 1.2 is coming soon too, but MIDI isnât the #1 priorty. It is fully functional if you want to change presets or clock it, etc. just doesnât have every MIDI command for every use case, but that doesnât make it unstable. Thanks for the feedback.
If we had saved sequence parameters while changing effects, the volume levels could be hazardously, so removing the sequence steps was a feature. Weâll explore possibilities!
Ok but I donât understand why though if STEPS can do this already?
Sure itâs not changing effects and maybe is a huge reason whyâŚ. but STEPS clearly keeps the sequencer active when changing songs, kits, beats etc.. and steps can be loaded up with any sorts of samples / sounds and It doesnât remove sequencer so it definitely should be doable on MESS to keep the sequencer active when changing effects and when randomizing.
Just a bit huge pain in the butt and frustrating (to the point where I donât wanna use it for that reason sometimes) to have a sequence you like with p-locks and everything and then change effects or use randomizer on purpose or even on accident, just to lose it especially since MESS is all about the sequencer, which is what makes it uniqueâŚâŚ..
Not trying to be a downer, I really do love MESS a lot.
