Introducing the Polyend MESS - Multi-Effect Step Sequencer
We are proud to introduce you to MESS. This one is almost hard to explain as it is so massive yet fun and straightforward to use, but I’ll give it a shot. MESS is a multi-effect step sequencer that has over 120 unique effects that can be placed on four independent tracks.
Who is MESS for?
Anyone who uses effects, seriously, everyone. I love it equally as an ambient guitar pedalboard replacement and as a glitch machine destroying a sequence from a drum machine.
Your first question is probably, “Do I need to sequence effects?” The answer is yes, you do. Here are just a few examples of why:
Microlooping - quickly controlling exactly when a microloop starts and stops, as well as varying the speed and pitch of a microloop, is extremely useful.
Grainular engines - Having tight control over things like when grains are repitched, how dense the granular playback is, how long the playback is, or the spread of the grains is…transformative.
Panning - way more fun to sequence than I expected. Slowly widening the stereo field over time or creating crazy panning variations is great, especially with other effects.
Reverb and Delay - Admittedly not the first things I would think of when sequencing effects, but having a reverb decay increase over time is pretty fun, and since you can slow the sequence down to 1/16th the tap tempo, you can get some slowly evolving ambient stuff.
Sample rate and bitcrushing - instant video game sequences, or changing textures. But you don’t have to sequence effects; without the sequencer running, it works as a regular multi-effect or sequence one effect and place another on the whole grid, which won’t be sequenced.
The UI is straightforward, like a mix between Play and Step. The mix of each effect can be controlled individually as well as a dedicated global mix knob. Come check it out at Superbooth if you are there! We are at booth W320 in the gym.
We’ve been talking about making a smaller idea for this pedal for years—like a “granular sequencer.” But this is so much bigger and better than a simple “granular sequencing.” I’m really happy that we went much bigger than that initial idea and made this pedal the way it is now. We can’t wait for people to get their hands on it.
Preorder the limited first run now. Shipping starts in late June, with pedals shipping in the order they were placed (First orders ship first!). Feel free to ask any questions below.
