Superbooth 24: Dreadbox has announced the Murmux Adept, a limited edition 8-voice 2-oscillator polyphonic analog Synthesizer.
Good news: my first look on the Dreadbox Murmux Adept analog polyphonic Synthesizer is out now. I also have sad news. The batch of 300 Murmux Adept units is already sold out.
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Article From May 10, 2024
Synthesizer leaks usually happen shortly before releases or before a trade show. In 2022, it was different. There was a leak on an almost-finished Superbooth. It’s a kind of flip in the release matrix. At that time, I found a front panel of an unreleased polyphonic Dreadbox Synthesizer at Grawart’s booth.
The press assumed a release on the next edition, so Superbooth 23. Nothing on SB 23, but this year! Dreadbox today announced the Murmux Adept for Superbooth 24.
Dreadbox Murmux Adept
Murmux Adept is a new 8-voice polyphonic analog Synthesizer. Don’t be fooled by the name; it’s not a remake of the original Murmux. It’s a newly developed synth. Dreadbox says: “The Murmux Adept edition represents the peak of years of research, development, and passion for analog synthesis.”
Each voice of the 8-voice analog engine features two oscillators with continuous wave shaping, including sawtooth, sine, pulse, and more. This ensures rich and dynamic soundscapes. Each oscillator offers a dedicated pitch knob for precise tuning. Oscillator sync, FM, and PWM are also possible.
The routing knob of the oscillators offers a bit of modularity. Here, you can select the mixing configuration of the oscillators. It’s a little like in the Hades. You can take a single oscillator (1 or 2), two oscillators, two OSCs with noise, or just the noise generator.
From here, it goes into an analog filter section, consisting of a simple 24dB/oct lowpass filter and a 6HP/oct highpass filter. Additionally, you get a 6dB/oct low-frequency booster designed to enhance the bottom end of your mix with additional juice.
The envelope and LFO allow movement to the filters. The section offers dedicated modulation attenuators for both. Filter tracking is also onboard.
Modulation + Hybrid Effects
Modulation in the Dreadbox Murmux Adept is also very classic and solid: two ADSR envelope generators with sliders, a polyphonic (1 per voice), and a global multi-wave LFO. The latter have little goodies built-in that make them more versatile.
The polyphonic LFO offers a handy fade-in/out functionality, while the global LFO can modulate every knob with a press of a button. Plus, it can have positive and negative amounts. It looks like the Murmux Adept doesn’t have a modulation matrix. Instead, there are knobs in the respective sections with which you can adjust the modulation amount.
For example, the global LFO and envelope can modulate the oscillators or filter, not the effects. Yes, Dreadbox has backed effects into Murmux Adept. An analog stereo BBD with morphing that gives you chorus, flanger, and comb filtering effects.
Next to this sits a vintage-inspired hybrid stereo delay with up to 1 second of delay time. Dreadbox promises it creates immersive soundscapes with lush, organic delay effects. Plus, a stereo-spread function expands the stereo field and adds spatial depth to your sounds.
Dreadbox has opted for a one-knob-per-function operation concept, which stands out here as a very analog way to program the instrument. There is no menu diving; everything is at your fingertips.
Up to 249 presets can be saved into Murmux Adept’s memory, which also holds 150 factory sounds right out of the box.
Connectivity
On the backside, it offers a power supply input with an on/off switch, a USB port, 5-pin MIDI in/out, a headphone socket, and a stereo output.
The electronics are embedded in a handmade wooden enclosure, giving the synth the dimensions (46×27.5×15.5) and a weight of 5.26kg. It has the same very lovely vintage look as the the original Murmux.
First Impression
The Murmux Adept is a stunning beauty. I love its look and its one-knob-per-function layout. I haven’t heard the instrument yet, so I can’t say anything about the sound. In terms of features, the instrument is very classic and vintage-like. There are no surprises in the features.
However, it’s essential to add that the synth will be limited to 300 units, resulting in a significantly higher price than the previous Dreadbox synths. I hope that we will get a standard Dreadbox Murmux Adept in the future for a lower price.
Dreadbox Murmux Adept will be available soon for 2699€ in a limited edition. According to Dreadbox, they will produce 300 units.
More information here: Dreadbox
Available at my partner (Thomann)
Ah – so THIS is the Abyss 2 then.
It will be amazing. And one day I may buy one!!
I’m surprised that hasn’t sold out yet
Just listened to the Andertons video, sounds really good! Overall, the voice is simple but the crossfade options, interesting LFOs, and nice FX are a win.
Happy to see this released finally. Knew Dreadbox was considering a bigger polysynth, but wasn’t sure in what form. Having a Murmux v1 and v2, this closes the circle for me. Also happy to see this has a bit of DNA from several other Dreadbox synths, not just the Murmux. Sounds great!
The “VCO USA” is a great demo
Sold out on the dreadbox site only.
Some retailers still have some available to order.
(which i wont do btw.)