![\"Polyend](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/delaydude.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Polyend-Tracker.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1\"){kind=tracking}
The Polyend Tracker is fully dedicated to the original Tracker workflow. 8 tracks, which can each play a different tone, a different instrument and two effects per step, are more extensive than you might initially think.<\/p>\nThe Polyend Tracker is fully dedicated to the original Tracker workflow. 8 tracks, which can each play a different tone, a different instrument and two effects per step, are more extensive than you might initially think.<\/p>\n
In the most recent version, the Polyend Tracker is housed in an enclosure made of a brushed metal top and a plastic bottom. The most important part is the large display, which provides a good overview of what is happening.<\/p>\n
![\"Polyend](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/delaydude.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Polyend-Tracker-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1\"){kind=tracking}
\nBelow there are 8 black buttons, whose editing function is described in the display. The 48 white, illuminated buttons below are used to easily enter note values or quickly select instruments and effects. The controls are located to the right. There is also a gridded endless encoder on the top for setting the values and above it there are play, record and direction buttons to navigate as well as the copy and paste buttons.<\/p>\n
In the upper area there are buttons for menu navigation and for selecting the element to be edited in the form of a colored note, instrument, FX1 and FX2 buttons. All buttons are made of plastic and produce a slight clicking sound.<\/p>\n
The connections are located on the front and are installed as 3.5mm TRS jacks. There is also a stereo output, a stereo input for sampling and two TRS-MIDI jacks. Next to it we find an SD card slot and, on the outside, a USB-C port for the power supply as well as an on\/off switch.<\/p>\n
The Tracker is very handy and since it can be operated via USB power, it is very suitable for being used on the go or on the sofa on your lap powered via a power bank. After switching on, fill the song’s sound bank with the desired samples. Due to the internal memory, only a limited number of samples can be loaded. This is where the creative process begins, because a short sample played as a loop can already be a perfect instrument. A large selection of good samples is already included. The 16 GB SD card definitely offers enough space. The Tracker is sample-based, but synthesizer sounds can also be created by using the wavetable or granular function.<\/p>\n
But even with a simple, sampled waveform, a synth sound can be easily created. Sampling via audio input or the integrated FM radio is child’s play. The sound can be designed very well for each instrument with filters, delay and reverb effects, distortion and envelopes or LFOs. The only drawback or limitation may be that it takes a while to load other songs. A seamless crossfade between two songs is therefore not possible in the live set. You would need two Trackers for this.<\/p>\n
The song parts can either be recorded live or programmed precisely per step. And this is where the absolute strength of the Tracker lies. The drums can be viewed and programmed with absolute precision. This takes you far away from the boring \u201c4 on the floor\u201d. Various parameters can be influenced with the two effect slots. If you want to further edit the sound per step, you can simply copy the instrument and make the desired changes. This makes the tracker very flexible.<\/p>\n
![\"Polyend](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/delaydude.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Polyend-Tracker-Modes.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1\"){kind=tracking}
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If you play synthesizer sounds live, the monophonic tones are distributed over several tracks that were previously activated for this purpose. You can also bounce these sounds back into a single sound. The process is very easy and really makes a lot of fun.<\/p>\n
Different pattern can be arranged in the song mode and in the perform mode it is possible to edit the sound live in DJ style. The master section adds width and compression to the whole sound and the song is created really fast.<\/p>\n
The sound of the Polyend Tracker is very good and the editing options are really versatile. You don’t even notice how time flew by when you’re making music and depending on your taste, you can immerse yourself more or less deeply into the individual steps.<\/p>\n
![\"Polyend](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/delaydude.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Polyend-Tracker-encoder-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1\"){kind=tracking}
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Anyone who thinks that 8 tracks and mono tracks would limit the sound is also underestimating the possibilities of the Tracker. You quickly automatically start arranging the parts systematically and, if necessary, mixing them together. If a wider soundscape is desired, this can be achieved with a little reverb, delay or panning. There are even Tracker arrangements that have been arranged so cleverly that they only require one track.<\/p>\n
The Polyend Tracker changes the way you look at your own arrangement. Details become visible as if through a magnifying glass and creative sampling, editing and merging result in a completely new workflow which simply makes fun. Of course there are groove boxes that allow you to achieve results more quickly.But with a little practice and the necessary passion you can compose really great parts and songs with the Polyend Tracker. After a short time, the workflow become intuitive and you are fascinated by the possibilities that can sometimes arise from limitations.<\/p>\n
I will post a few sample sounds and videos here.<\/p>\n