Menura Audio Launches MDFX Series Bringing Tempo-Synced Delay and Reverb to Professional DJ and Studio Rigs
Berlin-based hardware manufacturer Menura Audio has officially entered the digital effects market with the launch of its MDFX series on Kickstarter, a move that signals a significant expansion for the boutique company known for its modular approach to music hardware. The new series, comprising the MDFX Delay and the MDFX Reverb, was introduced on July 1, 2026, aiming to provide DJs, electronic music producers, and live performers with high-fidelity, tempo-synced effects that bridge the gap between traditional analog workflows and modern digital precision. This launch follows the company’s previous success with the MDMX modular DJ mixer and its earlier line of analog effects, positioning Menura Audio as a rising force in the high-end outboard gear sector.
The MDFX series represents a strategic pivot toward digital signal processing (DSP) while maintaining the tactile, rugged build quality that has become a hallmark of Berlin’s hardware scene. Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing setups rather than necessitating a complete overhaul of a performer’s rig, the units are built with versatility in mind. They are capable of functioning as master inserts or via auxiliary send-and-return loops, offering true stereo operation through balanced 6.35 mm jacks. This technical flexibility ensures that the devices can be utilized in high-pressure club environments, professional recording studios, and mobile live performance setups alike.
The MDFX Delay: Precision Timing and Sonic Character
The MDFX Delay is a BPM-synchronised stereo delay unit that emphasizes both rhythmic accuracy and creative sound design. Menura Audio has engineered the device to offer a wide range of time divisions, spanning from subtle eighth notes to expansive four-bar loops. This range allows performers to transition between tight, slap-back echoes and long, evolving ambient textures. One of the standout features of the MDFX Delay is its "TAPE" parameter, a dedicated control that allows users to alter the character of the repeats. At lower settings, the unit delivers the clean, transparent repeats associated with high-end digital delays. As the TAPE parameter is increased, the signal introduces characteristics of vintage tape machines, including subtle pitch instability and harmonic saturation, providing a warmer, more "organic" feel to the audio.
Further expanding its creative potential, the MDFX Delay includes a reverse delay mode, stable self-oscillation for experimental soundscapes, and built-in filtering options. The inclusion of a "ducking" feature is particularly relevant for DJs; this allows the delayed signal to decrease in volume when the dry signal is present, ensuring that the mix remains clear and punchy even when heavy effects are applied. Additionally, the stereo spread control allows for wide, immersive imaging, making it a powerful tool for producers looking to add depth to their studio tracks.
The MDFX Reverb: Plate Algorithms and Hands-On Performance
Complementing the delay unit is the MDFX Reverb, which is built around a high-quality plate reverb algorithm. While many digital reverbs can feel static, Menura Audio has designed the MDFX Reverb specifically for hands-on, live manipulation. The interface features a prominent "Freeze" button, allowing performers to hold a reverb tail indefinitely, creating a drone or a wash of sound that can be played over—a technique frequently used in techno and ambient live sets to build tension or manage transitions between tracks.
The MDFX Reverb is not limited to simple space emulation; it incorporates several secondary effects to enhance its sonic palette. These include a BPM-synced tremolo for rhythmic pulsing, a shimmer mode for ethereal, octave-shifted textures, and a lo-fi mode for grittier, more industrial sounds. Like its delay counterpart, the reverb unit includes high-pass filtering and ducking. The integration of damping controls allows users to shape the decay of the reverb, ensuring that the low-end frequencies do not clutter the mix, which is a common challenge when using reverb in a club setting with high-powered subwoofers.
Advanced Synchronization and Vinyl Integration
A critical challenge for hardware effects in a DJ booth is maintaining perfect synchronization with the music, especially when dealing with non-digital sources. Menura Audio addresses this through three distinct synchronization methods: manual tap tempo, MIDI clock input, and an advanced automatic BPM detection system. The company has highlighted that the automatic detection is specifically designed to work with vinyl records as well as digital inputs. This is a significant development for "all-vinyl" DJs who wish to use tempo-synced effects without the aid of a laptop or digital DJ software.
The MIDI integration extends beyond simple clock syncing. All parameters on both the MDFX Delay and Reverb can be controlled via USB MIDI, allowing for automation within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or control via external hardware sequencers. Furthermore, the units support program change messages, enabling users to recall presets instantly during a performance. This level of control makes the MDFX series equally at home in a complex studio environment as it is in a DJ booth.
Engineering and Build Quality: Hand-Built in Berlin
Menura Audio has maintained a commitment to premium construction, utilizing CNC-milled aluminium enclosures for both devices. The use of metal knobs and high-quality internal components reflects a "built-to-last" philosophy. Each unit is hand-assembled and tested in Berlin, tapping into the city’s rich heritage of electronic music engineering.
The physical design of the MDFX series also introduces an innovative magnetic mounting system. This allows the units to be attached securely to the side of a mixer or other hardware in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. This modular approach to ergonomics is particularly beneficial for performers working in cramped booths where desk space is at a premium. Power is supplied via a modern USB-C connection, and the units are capable of running off standard power banks, facilitating portable use for outdoor events or mobile recording sessions.
Bridging Software and Hardware: The WebAssembly Demo
In an unusual move for a hardware launch, Menura Audio has provided a way for potential backers to "test drive" the effects before making a purchase. The company developed an online demo system that uses the actual DSP source code from the hardware firmware. By compiling this code to WebAssembly, Menura allows users to process audio through the MDFX algorithms directly within a web browser.
While the browser-based versions run at 48 kHz to ensure compatibility with standard web audio drivers, the physical hardware units operate at a much higher resolution of 96 kHz with 32-bit float processing. This ensures that the hardware provides superior headroom and audio fidelity compared to the online preview. The demo serves as a "proof of concept," demonstrating the sonic quality of the algorithms while reserving hardware-specific features—such as MIDI control, automatic BPM detection, and the built-in recording interface—for the physical devices.
Integrated Audio Interface and Recording Capabilities
Beyond their primary function as effects processors, each MDFX unit acts as a class-compliant USB audio interface. This allows users to record their performances directly into a computer or mobile device without the need for an external sound card. The interface can be configured to record the signal either before or after the effect (pre- or post-FX), providing flexibility for those who want to capture a "dry" set for later mixing or a "wet" set that includes their live effect manipulations.
The class-compliant nature of the interface means it is plug-and-play across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Linux. This functionality is a major selling point for the modern "hybrid" performer who may want to stream their sets or quickly capture ideas into a smartphone or tablet.
Chronology, Pricing, and Market Availability
The development of the MDFX series follows a logical progression for Menura Audio. After establishing a reputation with the MDMX modular mixer, the company spent the last year refining the DSP algorithms and hardware design for the MDFX series. The Kickstarter campaign, which began on July 1, 2026, reached its initial funding goals rapidly, reflecting strong demand for high-quality, standalone DJ effects.
Pricing for the units has been structured to reward early supporters. Early-bird backers could secure a single unit for €340, while the standard campaign price is set at €380. Once the units hit general retail, the expected price will be €429 per unit. For those looking to acquire the full suite, a Delay and Reverb pair is available during the campaign starting from €680. According to the company’s production timeline, backer units are expected to begin shipping in the early part of the fourth quarter of 2026.
Fact-Based Analysis: The Resurgence of Outboard Gear
The launch of the MDFX series occurs during a broader trend in the electronic music industry: the "DAW-less" movement and a return to tactile hardware. While many DJs have spent the last decade relying on built-in software effects within platforms like Traktor or Serato, there is a growing contingent of performers seeking the unique sonic characteristics and immediate physical feedback of outboard gear.
Menura Audio’s decision to include balanced I/O and high-resolution processing puts the MDFX series in competition with established brands like Boss, Strymon, and Eventide, yet their specific focus on DJ-centric features—such as magnetic mounting and vinyl-compatible BPM detection—gives them a distinct niche. By offering a product that is not tied to a specific mixer brand or software ecosystem, Menura is appealing to the professional DJ who values modularity and sonic independence.
As the industry moves toward 2027, the success of the MDFX series may encourage other boutique manufacturers to explore the intersection of high-end DSP and traditional DJ workflows. For now, Menura Audio’s latest offering stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of specialized, hand-built hardware in an increasingly digital world. The combination of Berlin engineering, innovative software parity, and a deep understanding of performance ergonomics suggests that the MDFX series will become a staple in professional booths and studios worldwide.
