The Oscillator Devices HYDRA is a MIDI loop switcher series (sometimes called MIDI looper switcher, or MIDI controlled loop switcher). With the end of 2024, the series got a complete makeover with discontinuing the old HYDRA4 and HYDRA2E and introducing the brand new HYDRA4X.
The HYDRA4X is a MIDI controlled matrix loop switcher with four reorderable loops in a pedalboard friendly package. It introduces flexible volume control to the MIDI loop switcher market and incorporates parallel loops and preserving delay and reverb trails when switching.
All these advanced functionalities are accessible with the buttons on top of the HYDRA4X. No need for complicated and unstable computer software and no danger of obsolescence.
Features:
- Four reorderable mono loops
- High quality, low noise buffers
- A volume control block with variable position
- A second volume control block at the very end of the signal path
- Running loops in parallel to each other or parallel to the clean signal
- Preserving trails of delay and reverb effects
- Small footprint (112mm x 62mm) and only 46mm in height
- Settings can easily be saved to one of 127 presets
- Compatible with all MIDI 1.0 compliant controllers
- High-quality Amphenol sockets
- Developed and built by Oscillator Devices in Germany
Matrix Loop Switcher
What does that even mean? The heart of the HYDRA4X is a switch matrix. That means that any input can be connected to any output. This is in contrast to conventional loop switchers, where the order is fixed and inputs can only be connected to the next output.
Another big advantage of a switch matrix is that they’re really fast and they can set all connections simultaneously at the exact same time. That means that there is no gap when switching whatsoever. The time between sending a MIDI command and the switch matrix fully set is only 15ms.
Volume Control
The HYDRA4X introduces volume control to MIDI loop switchers. There are two volume control blocks. One is fixed right before the output. The other one can either be placed at the very beginning, or can be tied to one of the loops, so it follows it around.
Both can be set to mute or anywhere from -24dB attenuation to +12dB boost. The attenuation goes in 3dB steps, the boost in 2dB steps.
Volume control might sound boring at first, but after a closer look, it opens up so many possibilities with your analog pedals. Placed before a drive pedal, a volume control works like a gain knob. Turn it down and you get less distortion/overdrive, turn it up you get more. With the range of -24dB to +12dB you can set your overdrive to be a tame kitty cat or a fire breathing beast. Place the volume control after a loop and you can use it as a solo boost. The volume control at the end can be used as a gain control for your amp.
Parallel Loops
Together with a mixer, a switch matrix can be used to build parallel signal paths. And well, that’s exactly what the HYDRA4X does. You can have any number of loops parallel to any other loops or to the clean signal. The only restriction is that parallel loops have to be consecutive.
So, sounds neat, but what can I do with that? It can turn your digital only effects into analog dry through. Bass players are able to have their overdrives or compressors blended with the clean signal, but hitting their modulation with the full signal. And if you have never ran two drives in parallel, you missed out on something.
Trails/Carry Over
Another useful application for a mixer and a switch matrix is trails, or carry over. That means that reverb or delay trails persist, when the effect is switched off. This is realized by only disconnecting the input of the effects and mixing the output with the signal path.
For example, take this signal path. Loops Green and Red have Trails activated.
Now, if Loop Green and Red are deactivated, the signal path changes to this:
Presets
Saving all that functions to a preset is as easy as it can get. Set up everything using the buttons on top. Press and hold the white button, send a PC message, done! The settings are saved to that PC message.
I heard you. The previous Hydras were only be able to save a handful of presets, but a lot of folks are using their presets as song libraries. So the new Hydras are able to save 128 presets, PC0…PC127.
Made for Pedalboards
The HYDRA4X is made for pedalboards where room is key. On most pedalboards, utility devices like power supplies and loop switchers are mounted under the board to leave the precious space on the top for the real stars: The Pedals.
For that reason, the height of the HYDRA4X is reduced to what is physically possible with stacked jacks. Also, the buttons on top can be locked, so no unwanted changes can happen, when mounted under the board.
MIDI Connection
The MIDI connections are assigned according to the official MIDI specification of MIDI TRS using MIDI TRS Type A, like pedals from Boss or Wampler. A 1/8″ (3.5 mm) stereo jack plug is used.
