Leak: Could a new Dreadbox Murmux polysynth be on the way?
The instrument could mark the return of the popular Murmux paraphonic bass synthesizer.
Image: Grawart, Facebook
A brand new Dreadbox synthesizer has been leaked via the Superbooth stand of Polish front panel and housing manufacturer Grawart. The panel looks to be for a new version of Dreadbox’s popular synth Murmux, only this instrument is clearly labelled as an eight-voice polyphonic synthesizer. Naturally, speculation has followed that Dreadbox is soon to reboot the Murmux in the wake of the success of the Nymphes.
Initially released in 2014, the Murmux is a paraphonic bass synth that has had multiple iterations and versions, including a limited edition black version of only 50 units made, a limited edition four-voice version and even a Moog Taurus-style pedal version. This would mark the first time it has been available as an eight-voice polysynth.
Synth enthusiasts have been keen to point out that the panel may just be a mock-up concept design, since the name Dreadbox doesn’t appear on the panel. It was also displayed alongside a plethora of other faceplate designs for companies including SoundForce, Doepfer, Buchla and IO Instruments, as well as faceplates for other Dreadbox designs including their line of Chromatic Eurorack modules.
Music technology blog Synth Anatomy spotted the design at Superbooth 22. See the image below.
Superbooth 22 LEAK: Dreadbox Murmux 8-voice polysynth is coming soon https://t.co/mtyXJ6LdcV#synthesizer #synth #leak #superbooth22 #dreadbox #synthanatomy pic.twitter.com/m9sBc2FVeF
— SYNTH ANATOMY (@synthanatomy) May 16, 2022
The synth panel denotes a fully functional polyphonic instrument, promising two wave-variable VCOs, a modulation matrix with a polyphonic LFO, lowpass filter section, noise, FM and an effects section featuring delay and a knob for a BBD resonator and ensemble. There is also a Spread parameter next to the master level, hinting at lush stereo possibilities.
The synth doesn’t appear to share the patch points of the semi-modular Murmux v2, nor its third oscillator, multimode filter or sample and hold circuit. This suggests this iteration of the Murmux may be geared toward performance and playability. Unlike the Murmux v2, it looks to host onboard memory and a display, with Load, Save and Back buttons likely for saving presets and menu navigation. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Dreadbox for further developments.
Stay updated via Dreadbox’s website.
