Electro-Harmonix has introduced the Oceans Abyss Advanced Reverb Laboratory, a new hardware effect designed for immersive reverb effects.
The pedal is centered around dual reverb engines that are independently programmable with full-stereo algorithms including Hall, Spring, Shimmer and more. You can put these reverbs in a customizable signal path with additional FX blocks like Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, or Bit Crusher.
The Oceans Abyss can be configured as individual reverb, modulation, EQ, delay, bit crusher, saturation or volume effects, or as countless combinations.
Deep parameter editing is accessible via the high-visibility OLED display with multiple graphical views and easy-to-read designs. Expression/CV control is available4 over nearly every parameter. Fully-stereo I/O, plus an FX Loop, allows for use with any instrument, recording set up, or live rig.
128 programmable presets via onboard footswitching or MIDI ensure perfect recall in all performance situations. MIDI IN/OUT ports with MIDI IN support of PC, CC, and Tempo Clock expand the already immense talents of the Oceans Abyss.
Features:
Two Stereo Reverbs available at once, each fully pannable in the stereo field
Additional FX blocks: Delay (Digital, Analog and Tape emulations), Tremolo, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Graphic EQ, Saturation, Bit Crusher, External FX Loop, Volume
Create custom signal path routing with up to 8 effects blocks. Two blocks may be reverb, the rest may be any of the additional FX blocks.
Infinite reverb sustain with the press of a footswitch
Stereo Audio I/O
Stereo FX Loop routing on TRS Jacks
Dual action footswitches allow for momentary or latching use
Easily enable or disable tails
128 fully customizable presets
All controls can be saved to presets
Dive deep into global and preset settings to set up Oceans Abyss for your specific needs
Illuminated slide pots and buttons
High-visibility OLED graphical display
Multiple graphical views: Signal Path, Performance, Settings, Physical, Explorer
Easy-to-navigate menu system
Ergonomic NavCoder knob allows rotary and directional navigation through menus
EXPRESSION / CV input to control nearly any parameter in any FX block
Footswitch input allows for adding up to three external footswitches, each assignable to a number of functions
MIDI In and Out. MIDI IN supports PC, CC (over nearly every available parameter), and Tempo Clock
USB-C port to connect to Windows or Mac and interface with EHXport™ app (coming soon)
Superbooth 2025: Analogue Solutions has introduced AS Vocoder, a fully-analog vocoder that they say “blends authentic vintage inspiration with modern reliability.”
What they have to say about it:
“This vocoder is not a digital emulation—it’s the real deal, offering 100% analogue audio paths and modulation circuits. While the AS Vocoder draws design inspiration from vintage classics of the 1970s, such as iconic vocoder units used in groundbreaking electronic music, all circuits within the AS Vocoder are original Analogue Solutions designs.
The AS Vocoder analyses the spectral content of speech or any audio signal and uses it to modulate internal oscillators or external sound sources. It provides musicians, producers, and sound designers with the legendary vocoder effect, capable of generating harmonically rich, robotic, or melodic vocal textures.
There are no gimmicks, just pure, unadulterated analogue vocoding crafted in a rugged enclosure designed for studio integration and live performance reliability. With a premium build quality that includes a solid metal case and precision-engineered components, the AS Vocoder ensures durability and consistency for years to come.”
The AS Vocoder is designed to be used as a standalone unit or to integrate directly into the Colossus console.
Pricing and Availability for the AS Vocoder are to be announced.
Ahead of Superbooth 2025, being held May 8-10 at the FEZ-Berlin, Polish electronic music gear maker Polyend has introduced MESS, a multi-effect step sequencer.
Polyend says that MESS is designed to change how you think about effects.
MESS is a “texture box”, with all effects stack-able, in any combination, giving you a deep set of sound design options, including overdrive, filters, big crushing, fuzz, pitch-shifting, reverbs, tape style effects, granular effects and more.
The built-in sequencer expands your options, letting you create rhythmic patterns that transform your sounds. Dynamic effects can evolve over time, to add more life and interest than is possible with static effects. With built-in chance and probability controls, MESS can generate randomized glitches, stutters, repeats and more.
Features:
With over 200 ready-to-play presets MESS provides instant creativity, and 1000 preset slots to store your own products.
An intuitive knob-per-function interface and clear visual feedback make creating custom effects chains easy. You can quickly build sequences on the 16 step-grid pad, focusing only on the most important parameters.
4 Effect Tracks – Combine four effects for every preset to create your own unique multi-effect. No limits are placed on what effect each track contains.
125 Stereo Effects – With over 120 effects to assign to the four tracks, MESS opens the door to the unexpected.
Effects Sequencing – Control per-track speed and length to create polyrhythmic or polymetric sequence. Use chance options to easily create complex generative effects that never sound the same twice. Reverbs bloom, delays evolve rhythmically, and modulations shift in sync with your tempo.
Extravagant or Traditional Effects – Polyend says that MESS excels at in-your-face weirdness, while still covering all your pedalboard basics. You can use it as an avant-garde idea generator or a straightforward pedalboard replacement. Tapping the play switch to kick the sequencer into motion transforms MESS from a traditional FX processor to powerful rhythmic effects system.
Reverbs & Delays – MESS features a extensive range of stereo reverb and delay modes. Explore lush ambient spaces, tight room simulations, and modulated plates with 7 core reverb types and dozens of sub-modes.
Granular & Glitch – 9 modes for Granular and Glitcher engines break apart, blur or fragment any signal.
Shapers, Drives & Filters – Shape your sound with effects from subtle saturation to natural overdrives to complete destruction, with bitcrushing and sample rate reduction.
Pitch Shift & Spectralize – Spectral engines can warp, pitch shift and transform a large spectrum of sound. You can also used dedicated pitch-shifters with monophonic pitch tracking to re-harmonize your sound or sequence complete musical compositions from a single note.
Slicers & Microloopers – A collection of repeater algorithms can be tightly sequenced for microlooping, repitching, arpeggiation, and tape-stop style effects. With per-step chance controls, MESS can also generate randomized loops, stutters.
An overview by David Hilowitz:
MESS is available to pre-order now for $599, with shipping planned to start at the end of June 2025.
