Polyend Play+ and Trade-In Upgrades
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- Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2023
- I spent some serious time with this thing: • 21 Days With One Piece...
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someone's got to give synthstrom a shout-out here, for setting a precedent.
early adopters of the deluge were madly enthusiastic about the machine, but almost all of us wished that the screen used grown-up writing instead of a toddler's red crayon. they listened, they made it so, with an affordable & simple hardware retrofit. then they made the firmware open-source.
I dunno, lads. I have a tracker & a play here, & while I like the tracker's sequencing paradigm, the hardware capabilities mean you need very careful planning & a bunch of other boxes. the play has barely been out of its box. I like it- it's a lot of fun, & that is after all why any of us is in this game, right?
but the deluge *easily* manages all of that functionality & more, except perhaps some of the "let's just push this button & see what the machine comes up with" stuff, & to be honest, in the context of working to a brief, or with other people in the band, some of these aspects become less important than (say) having a lot of capability in a small footprint & retaining firm control over it all.
again, I loved the tracker for shifting me out of the existing hw sequencer paradigm, & the play has some excellent tricks. but these days, my deluge is the daily driver.
Plus one on love for the Deluge retrofit. I tried and failed at it with a numeric LED unit years ago, but when the OLED screen came out in conjunction with open-sourcing I jumped at picking up a used one and getting the retrofit done. The stated philosophy of wanting every Deluge ever made to be out here making music *forever* is so refreshing and groundbreaking for electronic music equipment. Replaceable battery, a software development community, upgradeable components. It's what we should be getting out of a lot more of our gear manufacturers. Well done Polyend, S/O to Synthstrom, who's next?
💯
eh I actually am a bit worried about the precedent this sets. The play came out like a year ago. This feels more like an apple style yearly rollout than a community demanded retrofit. The deluge had years of very strong updates adding new features before they came out with the OLED thing and it was comparatively cheaper to retrofit. This is a $400 CPU swap. I get that that is a bit of an over-simplification but idk. feels weird.
Deluge screen upgrade a lot cheeper....
This.
Synthstrom set the bar with the Deluge, probably to the chagrin of many larger companies. $150 for a major hardware upgrade and in my case only a 1 week turnover time. The Deluge was already doing more than anything in its class, but the hardware and firmware upgrades Synthstrom has done over the years really set my expectations for all other companies. Good to see Polyend following suit. Hopefully other companies will take note as well.
Synth companies should take a page out of Fender's book and focus more on creating a long lasting, modular design that stands the test of time.
This. I was blown away by Synthstrom's decision to make it possible for us to retrofit the Deluge's screen. I will forever be interested in their upcoming stuff, just because they are so god damn awesome with their customers. I also uses the Deluge as my daily driver (hobby only), and can't even imagine leaving without it tbh.
I agree. This could come slowly into the mind of the big vendors. I saw on the Korg UK site a "Nautilus AT" upgrade option (but not available now) that seems to target users that are unhappy with their flagship synth not having aftertouch. Ok, we'll see if that comes to life. Korg seems recently be a bit insane with their price policy, and if AT retrofit for a Nautilus 88 costs 600 Pounds plus 2x 50 postage or so, it's a bit much...the AT version itself costs now 530 Pounds more than the Nautilus w/o AT, and it's not for the 73 keys version and it's not Poly AT.
Regarding the Deluge, I think this machine is now very interesting for users like me, as I really wanted to have it but not without a proper display. Sadly, the instrument is not available in normal shops, which has its own charm, but needs the buyer to pay import taxes and manage paperwork (maybe that is now done by the shipping company).
And if you have it, and if you are unhappy with it, I don't now, send it back to NZ...instead to Thomann...or sell it on ebay...that's a bit adventurous.
I have owned both- Synthstrom took my money for the last hardware upgrade, and never delivered... 9 months later, they did send a refund, but I had to ask for it.
@@Bigfamilyhomestead That is sad to hear... I know most people had a fast and positive experience with the upgrade, but when Dom Hawken passed away Synthstrom was set back quite a bit. There were only a few people in each region who were allowed/capable of doing the mod.
Anomalies aside, companies doing hardware upgrades instead of just a MKII is a good thing. Hopefully the practice catches on.
I love trade in programs I wish more companies would do that.
A trade in for 400 dollars lmfao 😂😂😂😂 How delusional are you man?
I was on the fence when the Play came out but this video has inspired me to give the Play+ a look. Thanks for making a video that showcases the updated device very well.
Brilliant review Ben. Personally, I'm a big fan of Polyend. It's such a shame they stopped doing modular gear. They were ahead of their time and now with this Polyend+ again they're nailing it. I love the brand for the kindness, innovation and even though they're not the cheapest, they're also not the most expensive and I feel it's worth it. Even if not everything they make is for everyone.
Thanks for all the amazing gear videos Ben! Your refreshingly thoughtful takes on beautiful instruments have always resonated with me and will be missed.
want them to do this with the OG tracker...that would be so sick
I am too waiting for that. I killed my tracker with soldering in a potentiometer for the jogwheel. would be happy to trade it in for a fair priced update machine.
Yeaa that would be dope!
@@toslinked oh, they will
@@ascendwithgorb will they…? Thing has been out for a while and they made mini version before and updated OG version T_T would kill for an update that was worth a crap, not interested and another other Polyend product, I just want a legit update to hardware and firmware for OG tracker, that last update had improvements but it’s bugged even after 7.1 firmware ughhhh
Ive never used one of these before but you have me excited about this concept. Also Roland could learn from this. 'This is how to make a screen/interface"
This *was* normal for the super expensive Synclaviers and Fairlights which is why they tend to seem to be one of a kind depending on how much servicing they got despite them being as digital as an instrument can be
Yes! Stereo is a huge upgrade and the reason I bought a cheaper simpler stereo groovebox last year instead of spunking a bit more on the Play. The Play+ is now the piece of gear I will aim for once I can afford to buy stuff like that instead of house upgrades.
Ben you are awesome if it hurts them to see you enjoying yourself that speaks more about them than you life is too hard to give up so don't. Please don't give up reviews these rock.
Metric halo! -- They have offered upgrade parts for all of the new versions of their audio interfaces. They are amazing!
I wanted to switch from circuit tracks to polyend play for a while. The only downside would be to lose two synth engines.
Now that's not an issue anymore. Thanks for the update!
I like it, would love to try it, What a marvellous sequencer! And intuitive design
I only just bought a play (with benns code lmao) and man I am so happy about this. I don't think I'll upgrade for a while, but I'm excited that I can down the line
Try emailing them apparently they offer the upgrade for free to very recent buyers
Thats sucks big time,
Love you benn you’re the best.
From another Ben, love you Benn! ❤
I made the Lone Birds patch from Lone "Birds Don't Fly This High" and I was thrilled when you said you liked it.
the play lives up to its name, super fun piece of kit
damn, polyend play looked sweet but it was missing that special something. this has me sold on the plus
how do you manage to have no audible sound crackling when touching or turning a knob? I own two Polyend Plays and I always hear near-full-volume crackling when I turn any knob while playing. It happens using a batterybank as well as using a normal power outlet :/
You legit had me laughing, trying to hold in my coffee, with your "WTF happened to your eybrow" line. Caught me right off guard.
Side note, I use an Audient Evo 16 and have previously used a Expert Sleepers ES-8 directly with my MPC without issues, now i connect the latter to the former via adat
In response to audio class compliance, I have had my Keith McMillan K-Mix work across the board…my MPC Live, 2021 iPad Air, and 3 different MacBooks across different OSs. Maybe I’ve gotten lucky with a great product!
Yeah, I didn't get this part of the video. I've been rocking a handful of different interfaces with my MPC, iPad and macOS for years now. Not sure if he's trying to connect a Firewire interface to his set up or what...but USB works just fine...
Benn, I'll always be a fan. You do a great job. I'd like to share my perspective being a new owner of the Play..my unit is 5 months old and I now learn it has depreciated almost 400 bucks and it has issues that Polyend has yet to respond regarding them. Files corrupting, project missing or swapping files. Crazy stuff! Anyhow, now I learn my 5 month old device is a Legacy device and if I want I can pay 400 more to upgrade. So the unit I have lost 400 in value and to regain its value and added functionality pay out another 400.. I feel insulted and truly disappointed that the company you gave great endorsements, has failed me. You bear no responsibility regarding this! I trust you completely. But Polyend did not think the upgrade or how its recent customers would feel!
If my unit was 4 years old or 2 years old, OK, I understand the program and the costs. But They are not responding to email, or support tickets I sent. That is a huge NO NO in my book. I mean at least acknowledge you got my support requests. The Back stage forum is not a place for answers, IMHO. I'm so frustrated to have my play looking at me in my studio, it can't hold samples properly or corrupts them and now it is a door stopper? Keep doing your thing, Benn, as you truly are great at it! I wish Polyend had the same approach and desire. And, BTW, this is my second Play purchase, despite returning the first defective unit. I feel like a fool!
Thumbs up for speaking your mind. Upgrades happen with all tech gear but the silence from support is inexcusable. Seems to be the norm these days.
I feel you. This is not a perspective Benn shares I think, which is fine. I lurked in the forums that same day and what he said (on that frustrating day I'm sure) with respect to people complaining about this sudden depreciation was pretty much "Who the f* hedges their gear anyway?". People do, it's not stupid to consider the value of your purchases if you can only make so many...
He may lack some perspective if much of what he gets is heavily discounted or free. But I still like to make sound purchases and feel good about owning it..I feel terrible regarding the recent events and now owning an insult that sits staring at me. Benn serves a community of peeps who respect his opinions and I'll continue to do so. Those that gutted him are simply wrong or misplaced their anger. And I still have not heard from Polyend. @@sebastienbarre
Wow! Finally, internal synths!
Next they should go OpenSource to compete Deluge.
Everything I've plugged into my iPad pro 3rd gen has worked. Digitakt, Focusrite 18i20, Caldigit. All show up, with all the channels, though not at the same time, because why would you? Even a mio10, which can be a bit picky at times. Maybe it's a USB C thing?
I always enjoy Watching your videos,
Thanks for being so informative.
Please don't stop making gear videos
You drive that thing like a Formula 1 car. Fascinating to watch. Great demo, Benn.
Ahhhh this is what I was hoping for the original Play, and I sold my tracker and 1010music fireball to help pay for the Push 3 which is now my go to travel music making setup - I think if this had come out before that I would have definitely got it instead as I’ve heard and seen how great the Play is 😅
The randomized song that the Play spit out at 12:49 sounds exactly like the beginning of the "Port Town" level on the original F-Zero soundtrack for SNES
This entire “situation” has me very hyped for a Tracker Mini. Maybe I’ll see some used ones pop up after all this settles 😂
One Love!
Always forward, never ever backward!!
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💚💛❤
🙏🏿🙏🙏🏼
The upgradable hardware business model is such a better move than the TE's field's marketing blunder/embarrassment. Good job polyend!
It's like how E-Mu and other similar companies used to operate
what do you even mean by that? what kinda fucking shill are you?
Almost nobody seems to agree with that on Polyend's own video though. It's 400 + shipping to "upgrade". And the first unit was only a year old. What sort of idiotic vision is this company pushing?
seeing the OP-1 Field come out mere months after I got the original, I really wished there was something like this.
When Benn says "As many stereo samples as you can fit into the onboard memory", does that mean into the working memory (meaning we still have to preload a limited selection of samples per project) or does it now stream everything off of the internal storage?
EDIT: nvm, got to the demo part
Thanks for making this review. I dig your review style. It helps me learn about interesting electronic gear from a grounded and information based level without the gross performative and capitalist jargon that crowds a lot of other reviewers videos. I’m here for all your content including reviews.
Would you say Polyend play is a great start up device to combine with other devices to setup some kind of live station?
Hey, Benn. Great informative post. I have tracker and love it. Might be a while before I can justify getting a play+ as well, but who knows. No idea why some people think this review is controversial. Weird. Anyway... Keep it up. You're doing great!
I got my Play yesterday, an OG unit that I wont upgrade, only wanted it for the sequencer, and for all the sequencers I've been through, this is fart the most powerful, cheapest and easiest to use when it comes to my MIDI requirements.
Not interested in synth engine or samples, for people who want a robust MIDI sequencer, it's actually really nice and if you can get it cheap and want a robust MIDI tool, go for it.
Fart?
I just got a Novation Circuit but might consider getting a newer Groovebox or Drum Computer in the future. Would the Polyend Play (or Plus) be a better upgrade than just getting a Circuit Tracks, MPC studio, etc?
Love your channel, content and thorough analysis from anything from reviews, reflections on music tech and industry. I love Polyend, but there’s so little known about the company it’s ethos or stuff like the history of their development of products. Would be cool if you did a video about their company and perhaps interviewing them as well. Great work as always! 🎉
FWIW Presonus Series 3 rack mixers work with MPCs when set to 44.1KHz and compatibility mode, giving me 24 inputs and 12 aux outputs in the case of my 24R.
Speak Low! Really cool to hear one of my favorite Jazz standarts in the background.
19:10 oh man I love the Bulbpusher
The "later" at the end felt like being interrupted mid-sneeze. Thank you for saying "bye".
I’m blown away by that trade-in for existing customers and kudos to you for pointing out.
Seeing Benn's comments about the Polyend stuff, and reading some of these comments about the capability of both Synthstrom and Polyend sequencer products was getting me very excited. Then i saw the info about lacking sysex capability and i got skeptical. Then seeing no NRPN either sealed the deal. I can almost understand the lack of sysex support, (although i think it's ridiculous), but not having NRPN support is beyond ludicrous.
Is it too much to ask for to have a decent sequencer that can manage NRPNs and/or some basic Sysex support?
what planet do you live on where sysex matter?
This actually just makes me more interested in the original Play at the new reduced price. I've got plenty of hardware synths to pair with its MIDI sequencer so I don't care about the synth tracks in the Play +. The audio out over USB is a good feature though.
"saving this part for the next time you have insomnia" jokes on you, its 4:46 in the morning, and I indeed have insomnia
Ben. Where did you get your PhD in music?
Seriously though, thank you for the information. I just pre-ordered the Plus. I've had my eye on the Play since it came out. Between this upgrade and black Friday discounts, now was finally the time!
My guy just uploaded a video halfway through I was done watching this brand new video. Lol nice. I appreciate it.
Damn, just watched the other video. Honestly I wasn't expecting that but I definitely understand why you're leaving and respect that. I didn't realize that your comment sections were getting so toxic. And I definitely didn't realize how toxic the synth and gear community is. Hope you know though that you are perhaps the most entertaining and interesting channel for producers IMO.
Not gonna lie, I don't even buy hardware really. I just enjoy this channel because you're an interesting dude, and some of the content you make is just downright thought provoking. Seeing some of the stuff that excites you, some of the ways you approach production, alongside some of the more science based or adventurous videos, it's just way better than a lot of the other content for producers. You definitely are way more than a synth-tuber in my eyes, and it's a shame that a few people can only see you as a product reviewer they disagree with. If you ever continue to make other kind of content on other channels, I'd definitely keep my ear to the ground for it. In any case, I hope you go on to do more interesting things, hopefully things that fulfill you more. Thanks for all the videos.
This comment aged poorly over those 11 or so minutes... sorry about that lol. I'll leave it up for my other comment. Thanks again for all the videos
I really appreciate your insight here Ben. I feel like the pandemic made a lot of stuff in the music tech space weird and significantly messed with timelines (resulting in the year and a half turn around we see here).
It looks like a fun upgrade! I don’t know if it’s quite for me given the embarrassing number of options I have that accomplish the same (with a different workflow, but still). I appreciate PolyEnd having an upgrade path - as a software engineer, I know that a significant upgrade like this costs.
For those complaining about upgrades, a year after I bought my $12k ExMachina Quasars, there was a MK2 and the upgrade costs $1600 with self-install. Chips and DSP stuff are much more expensive than you realize or remember, particularly for manufacturers that can’t get batch discounts at the level of someone like AMD or Intel. If the upgrade path isn’t for you, that’s fine! Don’t take it out on Ben or others just genuinely sharing their joy.
That jam around 16:00 sounds straight out of Cobalt Core's soundtrack! Which is a compliment of course. I recommend giving the game and the soundtrack a look/listen.
The Play as a midi controller for synths paired with sample packs is the real appeal for the Play. If you don’t have synths to pair with, the Play+ is a good buy, but definitely not worth the upgrade for gen 1 users who like their own synths better than internal synth engines.
I think it's great that they're avoiding unnecessary waste. To the extent that the upgrade work can be done with a minimum of shipping all the better, since the environmental cost of said shipping is not negligible.
Can you please make a tutorial video for the tracker mini? I am totally lost with the thing. I was able to pick up the play without ever looking at the manual and thought i would be able to learn polyends other product quickly. Now i am putting myself to sleep with its manual.
In principle, this an excellent move by Polyend. It is a more sustainable approach than that of many landfilling vendors. It reminds me of the OLED screen upgrade approach from Synthstrom audible for their Deluge. The Polyend upgrade pricing is perhaps a bit steep, but I suppose time will tell.
Talking Deluge, because I have one, I haven’t (yet?) cracked for a Polyend Play but the addition of the synths and the USB audio are tempting me…
Damn it… yeah I want one. Honestly I can’t be too pissed about it cause I have t used mine enough cause I’m so busy. I just wonder if they ever got around to adding midi efx. If they did, I’m keeping the old one. If they have not, I’m now left wondering why and thinking- no wonder people are pissed.
6:44 Yep, I power my original Play on the go with the iPhone 15 Pro :)
That is very nice. Doesn't work with my 14. How much power does it draw from your iPhone? A few hours and it's done? Thanks
I love your videos, Benn. And I hate to see you, or anyone for that matter, getting unjustifiably negative comments or accusations like has happened here. Some people just jump on the negativity train because it looks like everybody else is boarding and they don't want to be left out. Don't let those people get to you, they don't appreciate or even recognise the amount of time and passion you devote to videos like this. Unlike many other content creators in the music hardware space, you actually get to know the products you test\use really thoroughly and that's something you should be incredibly proud of. Please keep being your wonderful, talented, authentic self. And keep making great videos like this one!
❤
Magnificent synths and the upgrade option is pure customer focus. Kudos. I was waiting to have in this version a real improvement on the sample editing. Someting like on the tracker and minintracker. You know how to do it and the screen support that. There are smaller screens doing it like sampltrk or even op1 and field. Why not including this in the plus version even on the classic?
you were certainly able to create a lot of cool sounding music with a minimal amount of effort. that was very impressive to me, though I was completely lost during most of the process. that’s on me, not you, I could see that once you learned the ins and outs of the device, you could probably create music quite effortlessly with it
I ended up getting the tracker awhile ago. I really like it, but my brain still has to work harder than I would like to get in the groove of the workflow.... It seems like this might have been a better fit for me. Do you (or anyone else) think that this is more "powerful" as a tool... Or just have any pro/con comparisons of the two? I primarily use it to make some drum tracks to add some electronic flavor to some of my music... not electronic music so to speak, typically metal/mathy rock type music.
A few years ago I bought a Novation Launchpad Pro Mk2. Then the Mk3 came out within a few months and had a bit more capability. I considered buying a Mk3 but held out long enough until some smart dude developed a custom firmware that basically turns my Mk2 into a Mk3... for free. That said, I would have liked an upgrade option to go from Mk2 to Mk3 instead of having to buy a whole new piece of hardware when I already have one that looks basically the same and does 80% of the same stuff.
Could you go into a bit more detail about the section at the end with what looks like a guitar looper (I know a lot of pedals but this one doesn't look like anything im familiar with).
Im a guitar player interested in the creativity that the play+ offers and am trying to figure out the best way to use both to compose.
I suspect you're syncing the two with midi and have a mixer to blend the audio sources?
You make great content. Don't pay attention to people that don't matter. ;)
The beat you started at 18:16 is sick bruv. Please finish this one and release it - one pre-order waiting right here...
I work for a company that makes large electronic mechanical widgets, and the semiconductor shortage and subsequent years of supply chain bullshittery was brutal for us. And we own fabrication plants. Didn't Teenage Engineering decide to make their next product based on what they could buy now in bulk?
I noticed “the analog thing” analog computer on the back. I have always been curious about the possibilities for pairing with modular, is it good? BTW I would love to see a video on this computer with modular 😉
Wow this upgrade makes look like it could be a very well rounded groove box. It might have to be the next item on my list now. Your review was great too and am sorry after watching today's video you will stop making more.
You are really talented. My only complaint about the video is if I bought one I would never be able to get it to sound like that in a bazillion years.
The upgrading of existing hardware (especially if the motherboard has to be changed) is a really cool idea. I feel like 499$ for the upgrade is still _a lot_, but the concept itself is good. Especially from an e-waste perspective
But the circuit board is the most expensive part of the product so understandable!
it's 399 for the upgrade
Can anyone identify the gear he was using to work guitar looping into his Play+ workflow? I am very interested in doing this with mine
Boss RC-505
If you watch this at double speed, the 707 sounds like when i would make thrash demo songs on my four track back in the 80s
kinda late to the party but w/e
imo trade in is a very cool thing for them to do (although something that should be regarded as a standard procedure in such cases), however I am kinda iffy about the fact that they knew they were shipping a product that is not a fully realised version of what they want to release yet still asked a full price for it (I say full cause they charge 799 for the plus aka intended version). Saying as a someone who really like the idea (and now also the realization) behind this device and maybe will purchase it at some point.
This video completely changed my perspective on the situation. Everything that you capture here is completely lacking in Polyend’s own communication about this new product.
Bought my OG Play 4 months ago. At least $500 (In Europe and shipping) for the upgrade. Just ship us upgrade kits for those that want it Polyend.
Do you have what is needed to desolder SMD components? What if you fail with the upgrade? Are you willing to take the loss?
@@fulhjort I'd give it a go
@@diereken At the expense of possibly completely bricking the device and not being able to get a replacement under warranty?
@@fulhjortyes
This approach seems like a good way to get more of the upgraded product into the hands of musicians, faster - especially for a small, bandwidth (and potentially supply chain) limited company. Nice job Polyend!
Great Review.. companies upgrade their products and sometimes the new version is just more appealing or adds features we what .. like buying a car last year and then finding that the car company just drooped the hottest new thing on the street and guess what ? its a smoking hot upgrade to the model you bought last year.. if you've been buying software or hardware for awhile then this has defiantly happened to you.
Benn, regarding audio interfaces and Apple: looks like they randomly kick interfaces out of supported list. Nobody knows why it happens. The only two interfaces i know and personally tested them: Elektron Digitakt and (oh, irony) Behringer UCA 222. They just work on any OS (iPadOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Mac) out of the box. My tablet is 5th generation of iPad mini.
Back then I sold the Play again because it could just sample and had no sound engines. While I thought it might be fine I felt the limitations that did not help me at all. Guess I have to give the Play+ another hard stare now …
Forgot about Deluge? That's probably the closest comparison IMHO.
Man this is so cool! I wish more hardware makers gave us this option!
Hello there, i'm wondering, coz i'm still a bit lost, what is the differences between both then ?
Is the polyend play (the one at 500 euros) a bad choice to start along ?
Or will i miss a lot compare to the + version ?
Thanks a lot and sorry for the question
Read the polyend site it highlights all the new features of the new unit.
OK the differences are pretty vast if you're intending to use as a MIDI sequencer and Synth engine.
Given there are 8 tracks of MIDI, both the MIDI and synth engines share these 8 tracks.
That aside, you have mono VS stereo samples.
I purchased the non plus version as only want to use it as a sequencer and am not interested in the sample side of things.
The non plus version does not have the 3 synth engines and has mono samples.
The plus version has the 3 synth engines and stereo samples.
Both are good with intended uses but the plus version is more expensive and offers less to me for my uses.
Hi Benn, thanks for this video. I was inspired by it and bought one. Most unfortunately, I returned it within 3 days. The reasons being the loading times, the lack of separate outputs, the lack of cv gates, and i just was a bit disappointed by the actual size. It is really small. Also the fact that i can not cancel the loading of samples was quite annoying. Especially when it ends up not being able to load everything cause exceeding memory limits. Also it is not really a 16 track sequencer. It has 8 audio tracks and eight midi tracks. And maybe it is because i have bad coordination or big hands, but when changing values, i often “hit” another encoder and accidentally changed the wrong values. Damn annoying! You might like this one, i ordered an MPC Live 2😂. I think it is ok to conclude that the Polyend ecospace is more of a niche playground. It lacks pro features that are essential for a good production.
You bought it without knowing what outputs it had and what size it was? Save yourself some hassle and read the specs next time maybe.
@@sodiumlights yes i did that. Yes i should’ve prepared more, i was just real excited when i saw the thing and i wanted it. Doesn’t change the fact that it is more a toy. There is too much work involved to make it sound serious. It needs a daw and that sucks. I noticed you skipped the other 90% of my comment.
@@MapleSonics The other points you made were all flagged up in videos that came out around the time of release actually, although the loading times & 'cancel loading' were skimmed over with sneaky edits. I was dead set on buying the OG but held back due to the price. Then after it was out in real users hands it appeared to be realllly buggy and under-powered. Benn's video implies that the beefed up specs solves those issues, and once again (looking through forums) it appears that this wasn't the case at all; it's just as bad once you do anything more than rudimentory stuff with it. A recent complaint flagged up is that the screen is loose in the casing by 'design'. Having bought the Tracker Mini (and been appalled with the build quality so sent it back) I feel it's just Polyend's BS.
Sorry for the slight but I'm getting increasing annoyed by some folk who instant buy stuff just because it's new & flashy, and without checking out the specs first (or just going on a promo video), only to send it back in the 'trial period'. I feel for those retailers who have to take a hit from this. That's why some less respectable companies then pump out the used units as new, and the next customer is the one that loses. The recent Stylophone Theremin is good example actually. Cool looking instrument, forums full of folk proclaiming INSTANT BUY/PRE-ORDERED! etc. Yet nowhere on their official promo page does it mention how it's powered, mains/battery either/or? I asked this on their YT video as no-one else seemed to have (it's batteries ONLY btw).
@@sodiumlights I don't believe i'm that person, buying instant stuff just because it's new & flashy. Then i would have kept it. I have been looking for ages for a tight ass sample/sequencer that was NOT the MPC (don't ask why). For the lack of gates i was planning to work around it with my Poly Hector. But it all just turned out to be a big disappointment. And the MPC Live2 has not been disappointing at any time. This is probable the best MPC ever next to the MPC X. Only time i was also very disapointed after buying, was the Behringer System100 range of eurorack modules, bleh.
@@MapleSonics I've never really gelled with my og Live, but it's certainly one powerhouse, the Live 2 even more so, especially bang for the buck when compared to the Play+. Since buying the Toraiz Sp16 the Live became the most expensive dust catcher I own. And boy, does it catch a lot of dust! I don't think this applies as your model has a different finish...but; I loaned it to a relative to play with. Instead of coming back in the superb condition it left in, it arrived looking like Godzilla had been using it as chewing gum! You could indent the rubber coating with a soft fingernail. I think it got fcked due to their small flat+very high humidity due to drying wet clothes on radiators without ventilation. A lesson learned. Zero resell value:( Gonna scrap the coating off. If any Tracker Mini owners are reading this I would advise keeping it in a non-humid environment (even if it is silicon).
Outstanding!
I disagree with the similarity of workflow between the Play and modern MPCs, Machine stand alone, and SP-404MkII. The Play (and Play+) can play samples loaded into it, but do not have sampling. Did Polyend do the upgrade thing because they are nice or because new EU regulations require it?
Either way, it is a nice option to upgrade and I'm hoping to see more manufacturers do this (not just music gear)
Huge Kudos to Polyend for this approach for current owners - and huger (more huge) kudos to Benn for creating more awareness about the upgrade - and double kudos and THANKS to both Polyend and you, Benn, for the $200 discount code!! The upgrade at that price is an incredible value!! My upgraded Polyend Plus is on the way back to me!! ❤❤❤
How do you know that the Polyend play compared to the other devices had that much more research? Quite engrossing
So cld I get a gen 1 for $400 or less now?
Probably very soon once everyone realizes the new one goes for $499 now, they going to have to sell theirs for less if they want it to sell.
I swear, right before you mentioned the eyebrow I was thinking, "I can't believe after all these years, people still give him sh*t about that eyebrow." It has to be the v neck, haha. I still haven't tried Polyend yet, but these new features have definitely peaked my interest.
People are mad that a new product hits the market too quick?
I stopped buying sequencers and stuff a while ago, good to see that some companies out there make it reasonable to keep buying some of them.
Poland stronk! 🇲🇨
genuinely curious how the premiere function benefits creators. i always forget to come back and watch the videos
...I don't
Same, though it can be handy if its like 20 min or 30 min, and you want to join in the chat. Can go make a coffee and settle. Over an hour though .. I don't plan my life around youtube
Some people enjoy it and I get to hang in real time with viewers. 🤷🏻♂️
I don't mind premieres (I'm watching one right now!), I do find it a bit of a bait-and-switch when RUclips says "one of your favourites has uploaded a video! no, you can't watch it. they've uploaded it, it's complete, you must wait because Reasons"
@@BennJordan Thanks! Didn't consider the hang in real time thing. It's hard to come across as genuine in a youtube comment but it was :)
Have you ever used a traditional PC based tracker?
He literally started his professional career making music with em lol
@@middaymeds I was actually curious which ones :)
For some reason I want to go and play Ridge Racer now...
I thought arturia keystep pro was the best sequencer. Is this a better buy? I like arps btw.
This is better than a KSP imo as you can map CCs, set them to do a bunch of diff things that for MIDI is brilliant.
I am able to pan my Nord 3P drum, adjust filter, add probability to it, just what ever you can think of, only thing is, the UI is a bit weird to star off with, but then becomes 2nd nature.
Automating CCs is important to me for MIDI, I am able to now control my gear from 1 brain.
My Akai Force cannot do what I can do with this, as easy as I can.
I like the KSP but this is so much more powerful when you understand what it can do.
I think I have had over 10 sequencers, this is by far the best for my purposes, which is generate sequencing, don't care about the samples.
I still have a ton to work out, but I managed to do more in 1 session than I have all my other sequencers, that's saying a lot for not reading the manual.
@@dankeplace If that isn't a glowing review then I don't know what is. Thanks for the detailed response.
@@AlwaysInAtari I don't think this is an arp machine though, if you use your KSP with the Play, I think they're perfect partners.
You can still arp trigger via KSP, you can trigger the arps with the Play in a way that it becomes generative, but you can inputs notes to the Play via the KSP.
I don't think one is better than the other, just that they complement each other.
What I managed to do today was a revelation, my Nord 3P, I was panning my drums, my other sound, then having some filter randomizing with some other stuff, all on 1 track, I got some really nice movement.
I cannot do this on the KSP, and I don't care about the samples on the Play.
The test I did today was something that I was seriously glad I got the Play, it may not be what other people want, but if you want to automate CC parameters, this is the way to go.
I see this as a controller for the Nord 3P, and that's a massive bonus for me when I can do so much movement without having to rely on an additional pedal.
It doesn't do NRPN, I am happy with this as it's the closest I can get to a Hapax without having to pay where I live, double the $.
The KSP can do exactly the same, KSP has great arp that works on chords, you can do nudge and adjust steps on the fly. The big thing about the KSP is that you can record midi and CC exactly how you play it, meaning that if playing polyphonic you can have chords with notes that dont start and stop at the exact same time, this gives a completely different sound and feeling, like recording exactly how you play it. With the KSP you are limited to 5x CC values per track, I do not know if that is the case with the Play. I also have no intention to find out, as i bought a mega expensive "Seq" from them that has become a doorstopper, only after 1 year it got repaired, they would not accept that there was something wrong with it after 30 videos. I just kept reporting the same issue over and over again, until one day they said that it was probably a hardware issue, besides that, there were software bugs, lots of them.
So now I have a doorstop that cost half of a Sequential Take 5 or a brand new Syntakt. Yeah, I am not a fan as you can understand.
@@PORRFNK No the KSP cannot do the same thing.
You are not able to do Plocks with MIDI, not can you do program changes or bank changes.
You cannot do Euclidean sequencing and you are limited to 4 tracks of MIDI vs 8 on the PE Play. In theory you can have 16 tracks of MIDI as each step can have it's own MIDI channel, so you can lay 2 diff channels on the same track giving you 16 MIDI channels compared to 13 on the KSP.
This is 3 channels for key sequencing and 1 for drums or 4 for key sequencing and no drums, where with the PE Play you can squeeze out 16 MIDI channels by doing what I said.
The arranger on the Play is really fun and intuitive. May have to buy the + since I sold my original Play.