Personally the Polyend Play is the most inspiring music device I've ever used. I don't care about the limitations because it just gets me making music in the way nothing else does.
very good description suh. i have mine paired with an Oxi One, mostly One for melodic and Play for drums. they both have such a Make Fun Music immediacy that is deliciouuuuuuus.
@@Webmasterstuff If you want to sample your own sounds, you can, but it needs to be recorded elsewhere like off a computer or a Wav Recorder and saved to SD card. This doesn't have direct audio in unfortunately.
TY Mr. T-Nez! You inspired me to look the manual again and I’m glad I did! This box has tons of potential and i have been filling every free moment just having a blast. It might not be for everyone but I am in love with it. Never laid hands on a more fun and intuitive box. But wow I’d love a mod matrix of some kind. Also it would be so great to be able to assign chance to any automation. This is something I’ve been waiting for and I hope the brilliant minds over in Polyend will figure out how to make that happen with the Play.
I got into music production as a hobby during the first covid lockdown. I have by now a mini collection of synths and drum machines (OP-1, several pocket operators, Uno Synth Pro, Uno Drum, Volcas, Circuit Rythm, Drumbrute Impact, etc). Hear me out... The Polyend Play is by FAR the one with the shortest learning curve and the most fun to use. It is still a bit buggy (Firmware v1.0) but I'm pretty sure it will be fixed with further software updates. Honestly, not having sampling is ok... it has so many available samples ready to play with (I think 3K). The only gripe is that I wish it had more memory for loading samples into a project. After loading a sample pack it usually runs out of memory if you want to load more samples... I have not found a way to unload unused samples in the project to free up space. I hope they fix this in future updates. Man, I have to say... it is amazing that every time I watch one of your videos I learn something new. Cheers to you Enrique! Saludos desde Viena! :)
Got one a few weeks ago and love it. It's immediate in its own way. I wish it sampled - but I don't need every device to sample so I'm not fussed by it. I don't leave the "studio" much so its all good. I got the Syntakt around the same time and they're totally different boxes of fun. The Play looks like it'll be great as I get more into sampling (I need more room to physically have gear - nothing can stay out permanently in my current place, all goes back on shelves in cases). So future fun here. Those performance effects are awesome, and the fact that you can combine them and apply them to certain track sonly is just so good. I'm still learning it but this is another "Circuit" for me - something I"ll enjoy by myself, make some jams for people possibly - but love it and looking forward to the very active firmware updates Polyend are known for.
On the performance page I also love applying in a fact and putting certain tracks in and out of it to the beat. For example if I have the midi rearranger going I’ll put the kick in it and then unselect the kick to make it go back to normal. It’s all fun haha
Try the Deluge, see my other posts about features (including on-board sampling, wavetable, FM synth, etc, etc). Screen is limited on Deluge, but surprisingly it does really matter that much since 99% of everything is hot-key accessible). Polyend reminds me of a very limited Deluge with a nicer screen, lol. But I am sure but has it’s charm… not bashing the Polyend, just saying if you like it, you might love the Deluge (then again, you might not, lol!)
@@GearGuy Only (totally personal) issue for me with the Deluge is without the screen its relying on those hot keys for a lot of stuff; and the challenge I have is with my low vision I can't read those labels at all without magnification; I'd have to not only remember where everything is but also learn the device at the same time. Some devices happen to have easier to read labels; but moreover the deluge has a lot of labels and features because of the lack of screen. The Play is more accessible for me in that regard though :)
@@Daphoid Definitely a valid point. My eyes are not great either so initially learning/reading the labels was a little slow, but they are pretty logically laid out. It did not take me long to basically remember the buttons based on the position in the grid (rather than the label), at this point it’s almost kind of muscle memory, lol. The lack of real screen is a little annoying at times, but on the other hand it makes accessing things fast because the only thing you need it for is a param number (which it works good for).. filenames are where it is annoying… not the 4 chars because it scrolls, but the weird letter substitutions. I imagine the grid will eventually scroll the filename as that seems to be a common request (and Synthstrom seems to be putting most effort on the big additions, so eventually alot of smaller convenience tweaks will get added). I do love a nice screen (like the QY700, wow!) but sometimes that goes with alot of menu diving… so its a trade-off… but yeah a nicer multi-line screen would have made the deluge even better. I Almost didn’t get it because of the screen, but I am glad I took the plunge.
The Polyend Play somewhat reminds me of the tenori-on but with more options, less limitations. I got the tenori-on in 2009 and used it with its limits for years as I got what I wanted out of it, but I have have just recently been using it to control vst instruments and physical synths. It is a minimalistic device that can use 48 uploaded samples of a limited 0.97 seconds long of wav or aiff format audio files. I read the comments about the Polyend Play being limited. It doesn’t seem so limited for all the added functionality that it offers to get creativity and productivity going. And you can load samples in it even though you cannot sample through it. I can see how the randomized capabilities and the ability to record automation can be so useful and propel you beyond the intention you had when you started making a song. I am probably more interested in getting the Polyend Tracker, but I wonder how limited it is in a positive minimalist way, how far you can build a tune with it, how different you can make songs sound with it. I’m new to trackers, so I wonder If you can tell if a song was created with a tracker. If you made a comparison video between the Polyend Tracker and the Polyend Play that would be sweet. Thanks for all the insightful videos you make, Ricky, and please continue the good work!
tracker is really different in use, based on computer software from Amiga era! though the machine is the same size. If you like Tenori, do check out Deluge
Great video. I am enjoying my Play but got the Dirtywave M8 pretty much at the same time and so that has taken more of my focus initially but I will be diving deeper into the Play. So far, though, great fun and ideas come together very quickly.
I just came back because I couldn't remember the list of cons, which, I am really grateful, you put at the beginning. I know you have been busy with the EP133 mkIi stuff but I hope you get an opportunity to run over the Polyend Play Plus sometime now that the controversy surrounding its release and pricing is beginning to plateau.
Great video as always! I'm still preferring the Deluge, which has FM and subtractive synth engines as well as sampling and wavetables. But you always make any instrument look fantastic!
This video inspired me to buy the Polyend Play and it was one of the best gear decisions I've made. I am finally actually finishing tracks! This thing's workflow is just so easeful.
I had a lot of fun with this device and the generative options are inspired but with its current limitations and bugs I think the Tracker remains a more interesting purchase in this price range.
I was/am really excited to see a contemporary take on step sequencers by Polyend, and as you said, they integrated some quite innovative and unique (or at least not-wide-spread) features from the Tracker, like random, chance, perform mode etc. So I was really looking forward to you featuring the Play, especially given your adoration of the Tracker. So thanks a lot for the great video! After the first excitement.. given that it doesn't have sampling, fairly limited sound design tools (like LFOs, envelopes etc.) and no stem export, my guess is that it is primarily meant to be used as an inspiration source (as opposed to a full-fledged stand-alone production studio - not to say that you _can't_ arrange full songs on it). But having said that, I think the price tag is a bit too high for just being an inspiration source. Otherwise, it might be a great live performance tool, but then I'm not sure whether it is sturdy enough for that. I rather see it on the desktop at home or in a studio. I really love Polyend's design philosophy and engineering (owning the Tracker myself), nevertheless I'm a bit nervous for them whether the Play will succeed on the long run. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an awesome tool, yet I'm not quite sure whether enough people will go for it, given the price tag (and of course I totally understand that quite probably the price is appropriate, given the innovative engineering they put into their devices; yet that also means that probably there is not much room for Polyend to lower the price in the future).
Sometimes it seems like companies are counting on people falling in love with their company and just buy up their collection. I don't see much here that other synths can do minus the grid which I don't want to work with at this time.
i actually just messed with one B.C. and it was CRAZY! it does do a lot and the font is a bit tricky to read. I tried the one with the new OLED screen and it really changes the whole feel
Thanks for the video and demonstration. Next video comparison with tracker or other gear would be nice, or more like midi routing to synths. 🎶 I had to send tracker back to store cause the main knob was not working properly, finally got my money back and planning to get Play for testing a experience it to myself in future 💫 havent seen anyone to rap or sing over sequences from Play which i would like to do.)
I’m focusing on the sequencer aspect. So I own a Deluge which is great but has its issues. Now the Hapax and Polyend Play came along but they can’t be obtained atm. So I ordered the OXI One instead and boy, that thing is dope. I feel its release was overshadowed a bit by Polyend. Meanwhile the couple of guys behind the OXI One are pushing out many improvement firmwares, expanding the device. They are very open about it too. I like that. So maybe I’ll try the Play later on, when it really becomes available. But if you are in the market for a sequencer you might want to try the OXI One. Btw, I can’t understand why the Play doesn’t have a ‘piano roll’ mode. That is one of the great things the Deluge (and OXI One) have and a bit of a deal breaker for me. Ahwell, maybe Polyend will add it, but I doubt it.
this, when it works for live record (notes), or if Rhythm gets polyphonic midi sequencing would be so damn good. also that copy paste feature! and which totally works, the select whatever like a computer… is the best ui i have seen.
OK... I can NOT get this thing working with any DAW on my Mac. Just having the Play turned on completely crashes Ableton Live 11 (without me even trying to add it as an external instrument or anything else - if it's turned on and connected via USB, my Ableton will NOT run. It just beachballs endlessly, and I have to force-quit. Can't get this thing to work with Logic Pro or Bitwig either. Starting to really really wish I had gone with a Hapax or Oxi.
Nice overview. This doesn't really seem to excel at anything to warrant the $800 price point given what else is in the market - whereas the Tracker is pretty unique and priced fairly
Well it is only a super awesome generative sample player and can be a central hub for midi control for the entire studio. Firmware updates comming on midi performance and many other things.
@@anteeko I know i nought it almost exclusively for midi seqnecing, generative/euclidian stuff etc. I also fire my Analog rytm, Tempest, Octatrack and Machinedrum via program change messages, you can trigger any pattern on any machine. So, if you program really deep evolving patterns on say, Octatrack and Analog Rytm, you can further randomise everything using either single midi notes or program changes. Also, don't forget both tracker and play have 2 midi outs - usb and jack - and these are separate, so you can connect and sequence TONS of gear. In comparison Thoraz T1 is around 500 quid, which is another gewnerative sequencer. Added 2 hundred more for sample stuff and got this. Really shines and its inspiring in so many ways. I even use it more and more for one shot samples rather than Octatrack.
@@Romulus722 dont forget it is pick and choose - there are no "tracks", you can add whatever you want wherever you want. So multiple devices can be sequenced from the same horizontal track, if that makes sense. You program your drum machine internally, and then trigger its patterns via program change messages. This works very similar to octatrack, but without fixed channel - so say you want to sequence kick and snare - you can send kick notes to channel 1 and snare notes to channel 2 and these all would fit the same track - as long as you dont land kicks and snares on the same spot (even for hat, you can add it one spot before or after and via microplacement move it to align with the other one). So you could easily sequence your 8 track drum machine via 3 channels, if you really dont want to just change patterns.
Okay, if you make a pattern on the Tracker, copy and paste it to a new one, mess with the sounds and fx and play mode, how is it different? I’m still just seeing another format of the Tracker minus some functions?
That same live record issue messes with me a lot as well. I think once a track has samples in it you can play the most recently laid sample, but prior to that (when you only have the row highlighted) it doesn't play anything. It's not documented anywhere, just an odd quirk of how it works right now (and there are many others like it). If I had to guess it has to do with how the view more keyboard, row selecting and how it tries to plan out chords played across multiple tracks interact. Anyway, despite all these quirks, I've really enjoyed mine so far but it really requires a lot of focus to get started on it. The performative tools once you have tracks setup up are top notch and since I mostly play live rather than record this works for me. It's not as improv friendly as my trusty circuit(s) but it works well in conjunction with them
@@RickyTinez how would you compare the Digitakt vs Polyend Play? Can the Digitakt do generative beats and ideas of the same kind as the Play? Would it be ideal to have both or redundant? What should I pick?
@@shawnsaul7759 There are some major differences between the two. Digitakt can’t really do all this generative/randomized stuff like the Play. But you are able to edit samples much more deeply on the Digitakt. Two LFOs per track, amp envelope, and a filter w/ envelope, plus some effects. You’re also able to sample directly into the Digitakt.
I have both they are different l like the plays workflow. It’s fast and hardly any menu diving l have a few groove box samplers so it doesn’t bother me that it doesn’t sample.
No LFOs, no mod, and no sampling just makes this an odd device. It's not sure if wants to be a midi sequencer, or a sampler, or a groovebox/drum machine, and in being all of them it's kinda jack of all trades master of none. Like why would I want a performance page, but not even one LFO on samples lmao?
Oh! Another tip for quickly grabbing the sample you want is to long press the step (as if you were copying). Then you can paste it or it is now the selected sample. Much better than having to scroll to find "808_bd_2_overdrive1" (or whatever), especially if you have very wide folders for variations on a sample
I was hoping it would be a good alternative to Deluge, but it's missing so much stuff the Deluge can do. The generative features are really cool, but some choices they've made are really weird. Like only plays samples, but can't actually sample. Also i'm so pissed the companies are never listening to us. Every time they release a cool compact groovebox, every is like "i wish it had a battery". And yet here we are again.
Different strokes for different folks. The Play was what convinced me to start the hobby of music production. It's simple and approachable interface convinced me that I could actually do this. I looked at the Deluge since I saw so many people making the comparison and the learning curve for that thing looks like a cliff. Regarding the battery, I just velcroed a 5000mah battery to the top and it lasts a few hours. Not the most aesthetically pleasing, but it ensures that my battery is user serviceable and upgradeable
@@Zetaphor Great that you found the gear that inspires you. I found the Deluge super easy to get into. You turn it on and you're already in an empty project, empty clip ready to roll. Everything is intuitive. But i don't want to sound like Deluge fanboy. I sold mine, so i'll stop here :)
@@anteeko I picked up a battery, a laptop stand, a couple portable speakers with aux in, a stereo to mono split cable and some Velcro while waiting for delivery. Whole package was about $100 but it was worth it. It’s all one piece and I can flip it on anywhere any time and still hear if my baby cries. Check my IG if interested to see and hear. I love the freedom of a powerbank.
I get your point. But to be honest, I really don't like devices with built-in batteries. Yes, the idea of being mobile without any external periphery is tempting, nevertheless, sooner or later, the battery will loose its capacity and / or might stop working at all. Then you could send it in for servicing and pay a three-digit amount of money, but rather you'll power it externally, with a malfunctioning battery decaying inside the case. I'll rather use a USB power bank, a one time investment which I can use with a variety of devices. Yes, it might be a bit more convenient not to carry the power bank around, but that's a trade-off I'm happy to live with. I'd be totally down to internal batteries if they were as standardized as USB plugs, and user-replaceable, so that you wouldn't have to depend on over-priced and proprietary spare parts and service centers. But I don't see that coming anywhen soon...
Hey Ricky. Thanks a lot for your videos. I live in a small town and trying gear is impossible here. No stores or something. There are probably many ppl out there with the same issue and your videos help a lot. One question: If not possible to load samples, a machine should come with good ones. The samples in some grooveboxes sound bretty cheap. Are the samples in the polyend play good sounding and usable on a professional level? Especially drum samples. I mean, it's personal taste, sure. But what do you think? Best, Tobi (Whale Vs Elephant) from germany.
Can you assign a different sample to a different pattern in the same track? Let's say the second row was a clap on the first pattern, can you change it to a snare on the second pattern in the same row?
It's interesting where it's all going. Kinda seems like we need something with all the best features of the Play, Deluge, Hapax, Force, and Digitact/Syntact.
Elektron boxes do not have a grid sequencer, but xox.… you could add the oxi, jam, launchpad mk3, and menome grid to that comparison. Personally I’m interested which of all of these is best for live midi looping when playing along with others in a improvised performance. (I have a few of them - but they take some time to learn properly, and I doubt one person would know them all well - I’m best with the Deluge)
would this still be a great sequencer if i never use any of the random stuff? or is that really its main perks? hesitating to save for it or something else.
House music all night long! Thanks Ricky. Rant warning.. If this box had velocity/round-robin layers for percussion, and multi-chan audio over USB it would be an instant buy for me, as it would work across a wider range of genres and gear.
The Play intrigue me a lot, but I’m also afraid I could get frustrated in the process, don’t know. I use my Seq hardware sequencer a lot and I really like it as a tool for song creation, despite its limit and being just Midi. But the Play, it could be a nice improvement with build in samples and other features, but still in doubts.
The composition and performance effects are really attractive. As someone who doesn't program drums outside a daw usually, I assume there's an easy answer but I feel compelled to ask: can you insert triplets and other rhythms into the sequence?
just like other hardware sequencer. you can A. do it within one step by "ratcheting" (meaning evenly distributing the time by x) B. manually nudge trigs to make it closer to certain out-of-grid patterns in your mind and C.polyrhythm (meaning making one particular track timing differently, in which each step represent not a 16th but something else). Not much else.
Alright smart people, I'm looking for suggestions on midi routers. I have a Polyend Play on the way and want to really get full use out of it with other synths. Thanks for the help!
Hi, Does pairing this device with the Polyend Tracker solve the sampling issue? What might be powerful about this unit plus tracker if you already have the Polyend Tracker? Thanks again, great channel 👍
The generative qualities and MIDI out to other synths might interest you. Also this pairs very well the Tracker after the recent update for an added set of performance tools/controls
Hey Ricky, I don't think I can provide you with the stock samples that come on the SD card, but I should be able to provide you with the beatfill and randomize patterns since those are binary data and not audio samples. Let me know and I will upload those folders and send it to your site contact info
Lookin fresh! But I don’t think I could get behind this because I hate those little pads, I can use the tracker with limited interaction with them, but I feel like they are more necessary with the play. And no envelopes is a bummer.
I see now the Polyend is definitely not for me. HOWEVER, bruh... you got the most dopest intro of anyone on UA-cam!! (Think it's the brewing of the coffee that does it for me🤣👊🏾). Nevertheless, keep up the good work!!!!
the Toraiz has a lot more in terms of midi note modulation, variety, and manipulation. But what it lacks is ease of use. they're really funk to use haha. The Play on the other hand is extrememly straight forward and i love seeing the 8 tracks at once
Firmware 1.0 is very buggy for example every setting of chance and probability settings while on Midi Mode are reset immediatly after touching another Button.
@@RonCavagnaro seems to be correct that you have to push "set" to apply but still, the percentage of randomization is buggy and always resets immediatly...
Regarding the "I didn't quantize this" synth recording: I don't have the Play yet, but the predecessor Polyend Seq has a certain underlying "resolution". Say, you're doing some ambient stuff at 50bpm and for some reason, you want to add some really fast drums. Now each of your step is 1/50th of a minute long = 1,2 seconds. While you can shift beats during these 1.2 seconds, you can't record 2 beats within one step. You would either have to record them into 2 channels or use "roll". It's less likely to happen at the 130-ish bpm you were at, but if that happens and you "skip" a very fast beat, this could be the reason.
Hey so I think you need to populate at least one step with the sample in order to hear it in the midi mode.* edit: you figured it out later in the video nvm :)
Personally the Polyend Play is the most inspiring music device I've ever used. I don't care about the limitations because it just gets me making music in the way nothing else does.
very good description suh. i have mine paired with an Oxi One, mostly One for melodic and Play for drums. they both have such a Make Fun Music immediacy that is deliciouuuuuuus.
how is it possible to record the songs?
@@Webmasterstuff an audio interface like with every other piece of music equipment
@@middaymeds i think yonatans question was if you can record internaly....
@@Webmasterstuff If you want to sample your own sounds, you can, but it needs to be recorded elsewhere like off a computer or a Wav Recorder and saved to SD card. This doesn't have direct audio in unfortunately.
This is a great showcase of the Play. I’ve never wanted a tracker or anything Polyend until now. Nice one man
Thank you Ricky!
I’m having a blast with the play l’m creating patterns that l would never do on my other gear and quickly great workflow.
TY Mr. T-Nez! You inspired me to look the manual again and I’m glad I did! This box has tons of potential and i have been filling every free moment just having a blast. It might not be for everyone but I am in love with it. Never laid hands on a more fun and intuitive box. But wow I’d love a mod matrix of some kind. Also it would be so great to be able to assign chance to any automation. This is something I’ve been waiting for and I hope the brilliant minds over in Polyend will figure out how to make that happen with the Play.
I got into music production as a hobby during the first covid lockdown. I have by now a mini collection of synths and drum machines (OP-1, several pocket operators, Uno Synth Pro, Uno Drum, Volcas, Circuit Rythm, Drumbrute Impact, etc). Hear me out... The Polyend Play is by FAR the one with the shortest learning curve and the most fun to use. It is still a bit buggy (Firmware v1.0) but I'm pretty sure it will be fixed with further software updates. Honestly, not having sampling is ok... it has so many available samples ready to play with (I think 3K). The only gripe is that I wish it had more memory for loading samples into a project. After loading a sample pack it usually runs out of memory if you want to load more samples... I have not found a way to unload unused samples in the project to free up space. I hope they fix this in future updates.
Man, I have to say... it is amazing that every time I watch one of your videos I learn something new. Cheers to you Enrique! Saludos desde Viena! :)
Have they fixed the bugs?
Got one a few weeks ago and love it. It's immediate in its own way. I wish it sampled - but I don't need every device to sample so I'm not fussed by it. I don't leave the "studio" much so its all good.
I got the Syntakt around the same time and they're totally different boxes of fun. The Play looks like it'll be great as I get more into sampling (I need more room to physically have gear - nothing can stay out permanently in my current place, all goes back on shelves in cases). So future fun here.
Those performance effects are awesome, and the fact that you can combine them and apply them to certain track sonly is just so good. I'm still learning it but this is another "Circuit" for me - something I"ll enjoy by myself, make some jams for people possibly - but love it and looking forward to the very active firmware updates Polyend are known for.
On the performance page I also love applying in a fact and putting certain tracks in and out of it to the beat. For example if I have the midi rearranger going I’ll put the kick in it and then unselect the kick to make it go back to normal. It’s all fun haha
@@RickyTinez That's rad! I love this thing. Not perfect, but dang its awesome.
Try the Deluge, see my other posts about features (including on-board sampling, wavetable, FM synth, etc, etc). Screen is limited on Deluge, but surprisingly it does really matter that much since 99% of everything is hot-key accessible). Polyend reminds me of a very limited Deluge with a nicer screen, lol. But I am sure but has it’s charm… not bashing the Polyend, just saying if you like it, you might love the Deluge (then again, you might not, lol!)
@@GearGuy Only (totally personal) issue for me with the Deluge is without the screen its relying on those hot keys for a lot of stuff; and the challenge I have is with my low vision I can't read those labels at all without magnification; I'd have to not only remember where everything is but also learn the device at the same time. Some devices happen to have easier to read labels; but moreover the deluge has a lot of labels and features because of the lack of screen.
The Play is more accessible for me in that regard though :)
@@Daphoid Definitely a valid point. My eyes are not great either so initially learning/reading the labels was a little slow, but they are pretty logically laid out. It did not take me long to basically remember the buttons based on the position in the grid (rather than the label), at this point it’s almost kind of muscle memory, lol. The lack of real screen is a little annoying at times, but on the other hand it makes accessing things fast because the only thing you need it for is a param number (which it works good for).. filenames are where it is annoying… not the 4 chars because it scrolls, but the weird letter substitutions. I imagine the grid will eventually scroll the filename as that seems to be a common request (and Synthstrom seems to be putting most effort on the big additions, so eventually alot of smaller convenience tweaks will get added). I do love a nice screen (like the QY700, wow!) but sometimes that goes with alot of menu diving… so its a trade-off… but yeah a nicer multi-line screen would have made the deluge even better. I Almost didn’t get it because of the screen, but I am glad I took the plunge.
The Polyend Play somewhat reminds me of the tenori-on but with more options, less limitations. I got the tenori-on in 2009 and used it with its limits for years as I got what I wanted out of it, but I have have just recently been using it to control vst instruments and physical synths. It is a minimalistic device that can use 48 uploaded samples of a limited 0.97 seconds long of wav or aiff format audio files. I read the comments about the Polyend Play being limited. It doesn’t seem so limited for all the added functionality that it offers to get creativity and productivity going. And you can load samples in it even though you cannot sample through it. I can see how the randomized capabilities and the ability to record automation can be so useful and propel you beyond the intention you had when you started making a song. I am probably more interested in getting the Polyend Tracker, but I wonder how limited it is in a positive minimalist way, how far you can build a tune with it, how different you can make songs sound with it. I’m new to trackers, so I wonder If you can tell if a song was created with a tracker. If you made a comparison video between the Polyend Tracker and the Polyend Play that would be sweet. Thanks for all the insightful videos you make, Ricky, and please continue the good work!
tracker is really different in use, based on computer software from Amiga era! though the machine is the same size. If you like Tenori, do check out Deluge
Great video. I am enjoying my Play but got the Dirtywave M8 pretty much at the same time and so that has taken more of my focus initially but I will be diving deeper into the Play. So far, though, great fun and ideas come together very quickly.
The M8 is king!
I love my polyend play so much, incredibly fun to play:)
I just came back because I couldn't remember the list of cons, which, I am really grateful, you put at the beginning.
I know you have been busy with the EP133 mkIi stuff but I hope you get an opportunity to run over the Polyend Play Plus sometime now that the controversy surrounding its release and pricing is beginning to plateau.
+1
Also very interested to see Ricky giving a spin on the Play+
Nice! Glad to see you're having fun with the Play. I too have both the Play and the Tracker and would love to see how you use them together.
I agree with you that they are so different! Nice track, Ricky!
Great video as always! I'm still preferring the Deluge, which has FM and subtractive synth engines as well as sampling and wavetables. But you always make any instrument look fantastic!
This video inspired me to buy the Polyend Play and it was one of the best gear decisions I've made. I am finally actually finishing tracks! This thing's workflow is just so easeful.
Yes! So excited to see your breakdown of this thing
Thank you for the vid! I'd be psyched to see you do midi on Play and the Hapax. So many options these days....
I had a lot of fun with this device and the generative options are inspired but with its current limitations and bugs I think the Tracker remains a more interesting purchase in this price range.
I was/am really excited to see a contemporary take on step sequencers by Polyend, and as you said, they integrated some quite innovative and unique (or at least not-wide-spread) features from the Tracker, like random, chance, perform mode etc. So I was really looking forward to you featuring the Play, especially given your adoration of the Tracker. So thanks a lot for the great video!
After the first excitement.. given that it doesn't have sampling, fairly limited sound design tools (like LFOs, envelopes etc.) and no stem export, my guess is that it is primarily meant to be used as an inspiration source (as opposed to a full-fledged stand-alone production studio - not to say that you _can't_ arrange full songs on it). But having said that, I think the price tag is a bit too high for just being an inspiration source. Otherwise, it might be a great live performance tool, but then I'm not sure whether it is sturdy enough for that. I rather see it on the desktop at home or in a studio.
I really love Polyend's design philosophy and engineering (owning the Tracker myself), nevertheless I'm a bit nervous for them whether the Play will succeed on the long run. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an awesome tool, yet I'm not quite sure whether enough people will go for it, given the price tag (and of course I totally understand that quite probably the price is appropriate, given the innovative engineering they put into their devices; yet that also means that probably there is not much room for Polyend to lower the price in the future).
Love your new studio light and decor
Nothing gets you jamming with your other synths faster than the Polyend Play. It’s added a faster and more integrated genre to my workflow.
Hmm I own both and I think deluge is faster :)
Ricky Tinez with the Doo Wop hair style.. I like it!
😂🤣🤣🫣 too true..
Sometimes it seems like companies are counting on people falling in love with their company and just buy up their collection. I don't see much here that other synths can do minus the grid which I don't want to work with at this time.
Looks cool. Really interested in seeing how this would work for a live performance machine.
Nice vid Ricky!
Doesn't quite keep up with the Deluge, you should get your hands on one if you get the chance.
i actually just messed with one B.C. and it was CRAZY! it does do a lot and the font is a bit tricky to read. I tried the one with the new OLED screen and it really changes the whole feel
Thanks for the video and demonstration. Next video comparison with tracker or other gear would be nice, or more like midi routing to synths. 🎶 I had to send tracker back to store cause the main knob was not working properly, finally got my money back and planning to get Play for testing a experience it to myself in future 💫 havent seen anyone to rap or sing over sequences from Play which i would like to do.)
Been waiting for this one. Really want to buy
I’m focusing on the sequencer aspect. So I own a Deluge which is great but has its issues. Now the Hapax and Polyend Play came along but they can’t be obtained atm. So I ordered the OXI One instead and boy, that thing is dope. I feel its release was overshadowed a bit by Polyend. Meanwhile the couple of guys behind the OXI One are pushing out many improvement firmwares, expanding the device. They are very open about it too. I like that. So maybe I’ll try the Play later on, when it really becomes available. But if you are in the market for a sequencer you might want to try the OXI One. Btw, I can’t understand why the Play doesn’t have a ‘piano roll’ mode. That is one of the great things the Deluge (and OXI One) have and a bit of a deal breaker for me. Ahwell, maybe Polyend will add it, but I doubt it.
Thanks so much for your comment dude, the oxi one seems to be gear i‘m looking for ! Never heard about it before
That grin right at the end is what it's all about
Regarding the keyboard being wonky, Polyend has acknowledged that it's a bit buggy in the 1.0 firmware and they're looking into improving it
amazing. i figured it was a funky bug and not intended to work that way but you never know haha
DO MORE RETRO MPC BEAT MAKING VIDEOS. I MISS THOSE 🤷🏽♂️ :(
Can’t wait to see, I’m
Still trying to wrap my mind around of exactly what this is and does 😂
Damn, I had to cut it off after you said no sampling followed by no battery lol just found out about it. Does seem like a cool box though
this, when it works for live record (notes), or if Rhythm gets polyphonic midi sequencing would be so damn good. also that copy paste feature! and which totally works, the select whatever like a computer… is the best ui i have seen.
If you mean the Analog Rytm with "Rhythm", I won't hold my breath on polyphonic midi sequencing for it... Although it would be wonderful to have!
A future video comparing the polyend play and the digitakt would be awesome
I was waiting for this video!!!! Also nice haircut!
So far I'm not sure it beats the Deluge. Was hoping for a bit more innovation, but they played it safe.
Would love a video of you working through a process with the Play. Like getting a sample and moving it to the Play.
Very noob to this, how can we record the sounds? can we connect it to a daw that will record as we make sounds?
OK... I can NOT get this thing working with any DAW on my Mac. Just having the Play turned on completely crashes Ableton Live 11 (without me even trying to add it as an external instrument or anything else - if it's turned on and connected via USB, my Ableton will NOT run. It just beachballs endlessly, and I have to force-quit. Can't get this thing to work with Logic Pro or Bitwig either. Starting to really really wish I had gone with a Hapax or Oxi.
Nice overview. This doesn't really seem to excel at anything to warrant the $800 price point given what else is in the market - whereas the Tracker is pretty unique and priced fairly
Well it is only a super awesome generative sample player and can be a central hub for midi control for the entire studio. Firmware updates comming on midi performance and many other things.
@@earlsfield This, it is a great midi sequencer for other gear
@@earlsfield maybe not an entire studio since you only have 8 midi tracks I couldn't be able sequence my drum machine+another gear for example
@@anteeko I know i nought it almost exclusively for midi seqnecing, generative/euclidian stuff etc. I also fire my Analog rytm, Tempest, Octatrack and Machinedrum via program change messages, you can trigger any pattern on any machine. So, if you program really deep evolving patterns on say, Octatrack and Analog Rytm, you can further randomise everything using either single midi notes or program changes. Also, don't forget both tracker and play have 2 midi outs - usb and jack - and these are separate, so you can connect and sequence TONS of gear. In comparison Thoraz T1 is around 500 quid, which is another gewnerative sequencer. Added 2 hundred more for sample stuff and got this. Really shines and its inspiring in so many ways. I even use it more and more for one shot samples rather than Octatrack.
@@Romulus722 dont forget it is pick and choose - there are no "tracks", you can add whatever you want wherever you want. So multiple devices can be sequenced from the same horizontal track, if that makes sense. You program your drum machine internally, and then trigger its patterns via program change messages. This works very similar to octatrack, but without fixed channel - so say you want to sequence kick and snare - you can send kick notes to channel 1 and snare notes to channel 2 and these all would fit the same track - as long as you dont land kicks and snares on the same spot (even for hat, you can add it one spot before or after and via microplacement move it to align with the other one). So you could easily sequence your 8 track drum machine via 3 channels, if you really dont want to just change patterns.
Sounds like Inner City "Big Fun" have you heard it?
Always a pleasure sir!
I been saying mpc need a drum randomizer like the atlas vst.thats why I'm buying this
Would you ever combined them like you would a digitact and a digitone?
or would the relationship not be as smooth?
Why don't you re-review the Isla Instruments S2400. That review you gave it was completely off base.
Yes, pretty please with a cherry on top make a comparison video of Tracker and Play. For months Ive been trying to get the Play
Okay, if you make a pattern on the Tracker, copy and paste it to a new one, mess with the sounds and fx and play mode, how is it different? I’m still just seeing another format of the Tracker minus some functions?
That same live record issue messes with me a lot as well. I think once a track has samples in it you can play the most recently laid sample, but prior to that (when you only have the row highlighted) it doesn't play anything.
It's not documented anywhere, just an odd quirk of how it works right now (and there are many others like it). If I had to guess it has to do with how the view more keyboard, row selecting and how it tries to plan out chords played across multiple tracks interact.
Anyway, despite all these quirks, I've really enjoyed mine so far but it really requires a lot of focus to get started on it. The performative tools once you have tracks setup up are top notch and since I mostly play live rather than record this works for me. It's not as improv friendly as my trusty circuit(s) but it works well in conjunction with them
Yea the performance stuff is sooo good. Really makes me want to play this live! It’s buggy but to be expected nowadays on a 1.0 firmware
@@RickyTinez how would you compare the Digitakt vs Polyend Play? Can the Digitakt do generative beats and ideas of the same kind as the Play? Would it be ideal to have both or redundant? What should I pick?
@@shawnsaul7759 There are some major differences between the two. Digitakt can’t really do all this generative/randomized stuff like the Play. But you are able to edit samples much more deeply on the Digitakt. Two LFOs per track, amp envelope, and a filter w/ envelope, plus some effects. You’re also able to sample directly into the Digitakt.
I have both they are different l like the plays workflow. It’s fast and hardly any menu diving l have a few groove box samplers so it doesn’t bother me that it doesn’t sample.
No LFOs, no mod, and no sampling just makes this an odd device. It's not sure if wants to be a midi sequencer, or a sampler, or a groovebox/drum machine, and in being all of them it's kinda jack of all trades master of none. Like why would I want a performance page, but not even one LFO on samples lmao?
Smashed the like button so hard my screen cracked
This thing is sick!
Oh! Another tip for quickly grabbing the sample you want is to long press the step (as if you were copying). Then you can paste it or it is now the selected sample. Much better than having to scroll to find "808_bd_2_overdrive1" (or whatever), especially if you have very wide folders for variations on a sample
You also grab the parameters along with the sample with this method I believe? It’s a quick way to layer samples though you’re right!
More JD Power to ya! good discussion
I was hoping it would be a good alternative to Deluge, but it's missing so much stuff the Deluge can do. The generative features are really cool, but some choices they've made are really weird. Like only plays samples, but can't actually sample.
Also i'm so pissed the companies are never listening to us. Every time they release a cool compact groovebox, every is like "i wish it had a battery". And yet here we are again.
Different strokes for different folks. The Play was what convinced me to start the hobby of music production. It's simple and approachable interface convinced me that I could actually do this. I looked at the Deluge since I saw so many people making the comparison and the learning curve for that thing looks like a cliff. Regarding the battery, I just velcroed a 5000mah battery to the top and it lasts a few hours. Not the most aesthetically pleasing, but it ensures that my battery is user serviceable and upgradeable
@@Zetaphor Great that you found the gear that inspires you.
I found the Deluge super easy to get into. You turn it on and you're already in an empty project, empty clip ready to roll. Everything is intuitive.
But i don't want to sound like Deluge fanboy. I sold mine, so i'll stop here :)
Who cares about the battery, just plug an external battery if you need?
Battery is the last feature I want in the gearbox.
@@anteeko I picked up a battery, a laptop stand, a couple portable speakers with aux in, a stereo to mono split cable and some Velcro while waiting for delivery. Whole package was about $100 but it was worth it. It’s all one piece and I can flip it on anywhere any time and still hear if my baby cries. Check my IG if interested to see and hear. I love the freedom of a powerbank.
I get your point. But to be honest, I really don't like devices with built-in batteries. Yes, the idea of being mobile without any external periphery is tempting, nevertheless, sooner or later, the battery will loose its capacity and / or might stop working at all. Then you could send it in for servicing and pay a three-digit amount of money, but rather you'll power it externally, with a malfunctioning battery decaying inside the case.
I'll rather use a USB power bank, a one time investment which I can use with a variety of devices. Yes, it might be a bit more convenient not to carry the power bank around, but that's a trade-off I'm happy to live with.
I'd be totally down to internal batteries if they were as standardized as USB plugs, and user-replaceable, so that you wouldn't have to depend on over-priced and proprietary spare parts and service centers. But I don't see that coming anywhen soon...
Hey Ricky. Thanks a lot for your videos. I live in a small town and trying gear is impossible here. No stores or something. There are probably many ppl out there with the same issue and your videos help a lot. One question: If not possible to load samples, a machine should come with good ones. The samples in some grooveboxes sound bretty cheap. Are the samples in the polyend play good sounding and usable on a professional level? Especially drum samples. I mean, it's personal taste, sure. But what do you think?
Best, Tobi (Whale Vs Elephant) from germany.
Can you assign a different sample to a different pattern in the same track? Let's say the second row was a clap on the first pattern, can you change it to a snare on the second pattern in the same row?
Always on point, i just asked about this in another video. Haha
Thanks!
Steven! just noticing these haha. Thanks again for the support
It's interesting where it's all going. Kinda seems like we need something with all the best features of the Play, Deluge, Hapax, Force, and Digitact/Syntact.
Boyd would you want an ALL IN ONE device or separate pieces? I'm guessing the former. If so, how big would it need to be?
Elektron boxes do not have a grid sequencer, but xox.… you could add the oxi, jam, launchpad mk3, and menome grid to that comparison. Personally I’m interested which of all of these is best for live midi looping when playing along with others in a improvised performance. (I have a few of them - but they take some time to learn properly, and I doubt one person would know them all well - I’m best with the Deluge)
I love my TR8-S with FM synth mode, scatter, custom samples, fxs, and many more,… best machine ever🎉
would this still be a great sequencer if i never use any of the random stuff? or is that really its main perks? hesitating to save for it or something else.
Saving randomization is so clutch on this thing!
House music all night long! Thanks Ricky. Rant warning.. If this box had velocity/round-robin layers for percussion, and multi-chan audio over USB it would be an instant buy for me, as it would work across a wider range of genres and gear.
wait you can load custom samples into the Polyend Play now correct?
This unit looks like a fun killer
I want to see you using it with midi.
So is it a stripped down deluge?
The Play intrigue me a lot, but I’m also afraid I could get frustrated in the process, don’t know. I use my Seq hardware sequencer a lot and I really like it as a tool for song creation, despite its limit and being just Midi. But the Play, it could be a nice improvement with build in samples and other features, but still in doubts.
The composition and performance effects are really attractive. As someone who doesn't program drums outside a daw usually, I assume there's an easy answer but I feel compelled to ask: can you insert triplets and other rhythms into the sequence?
just like other hardware sequencer. you can A. do it within one step by "ratcheting" (meaning evenly distributing the time by x) B. manually nudge trigs to make it closer to certain out-of-grid patterns in your mind and C.polyrhythm (meaning making one particular track timing differently, in which each step represent not a 16th but something else). Not much else.
@@symbiosis07 those are good suggestions, thanks!
Alright smart people, I'm looking for suggestions on midi routers. I have a Polyend Play on the way and want to really get full use out of it with other synths. Thanks for the help!
I'm running midi out of play via usb into ableton and sending it out to a few synths from there
This device is all I was looking for from a Groovebox.
Same actually. I might get one, but I think it is priced a bit too high
Anyone know where to find that sample CP -amigaclapsnare? Sounds so dope!
Hi, Does pairing this device with the Polyend Tracker solve the sampling issue? What might be powerful about this unit plus tracker if you already have the Polyend Tracker? Thanks again, great channel 👍
The generative qualities and MIDI out to other synths might interest you. Also this pairs very well the Tracker after the recent update for an added set of performance tools/controls
@@Cesiumswimsuit thanks Jeff, great info 👍
Hey Ricky, I don't think I can provide you with the stock samples that come on the SD card, but I should be able to provide you with the beatfill and randomize patterns since those are binary data and not audio samples. Let me know and I will upload those folders and send it to your site contact info
i experience the exact same frustration with live record and rehearsal mode.
I hope they fix it in a firmware update
I lucked out getting a Hapax, which I ended up not loving.. this thing seems so weird though but I like some of the tactility and features
9:53 - ohhhhh I wish the Digitakt had these folders!!!
Lookin fresh! But I don’t think I could get behind this because I hate those little pads, I can use the tracker with limited interaction with them, but I feel like they are more necessary with the play. And no envelopes is a bummer.
yea slicing sampels and playing them back on the Tracker is pretty annoying. Here i end up sequencing more vs live playing it in but its a bit tricky.
what bluetooth headphones are those? no lag?
THIS PERFORM MODE !
What spec AIAI headphones are you using?
Does the Polyend Tracker have the same Chance function? Like “play 1, skip 4”?
I see now the Polyend is definitely not for me. HOWEVER, bruh... you got the most dopest intro of anyone on UA-cam!! (Think it's the brewing of the coffee that does it for me🤣👊🏾). Nevertheless, keep up the good work!!!!
Dope!
Does anyone know if it's possible to use the Play to sequence some iOS synth tracks via MIDI?
Thanks for the video Ricky. How will this compare to a Toraiz Squid for sequencing?
the Toraiz has a lot more in terms of midi note modulation, variety, and manipulation. But what it lacks is ease of use. they're really funk to use haha. The Play on the other hand is extrememly straight forward and i love seeing the 8 tracks at once
Where do you work? Do you make more money as a dj independently?
I wishlist’d the Play, but still not quite sold on it. Hmmmm
are you supposed to link the player and the tracker together somehow?
So is there a way to create an 8 bar loop on Play with the full resolution of 16th notes or not?..
Firmware 1.0 is very buggy for example every setting of chance and probability settings while on Midi Mode are reset immediatly after touching another Button.
Yea some graphics I noticed would switch up on me too!
To set in random you have to press save...
Same
@@RonCavagnaro really? Oh...I'll try that.
@@RonCavagnaro seems to be correct that you have to push "set" to apply but still, the percentage of randomization is buggy and always resets immediatly...
Regarding the "I didn't quantize this" synth recording: I don't have the Play yet, but the predecessor Polyend Seq has a certain underlying "resolution". Say, you're doing some ambient stuff at 50bpm and for some reason, you want to add some really fast drums. Now each of your step is 1/50th of a minute long = 1,2 seconds. While you can shift beats during these 1.2 seconds, you can't record 2 beats within one step. You would either have to record them into 2 channels or use "roll". It's less likely to happen at the 130-ish bpm you were at, but if that happens and you "skip" a very fast beat, this could be the reason.
This Play thing is just so fast. To me it is a true challenger against Elektron paradigm.
What headphones are those?
fresh as watermelon!
That thing looks hella confusing. And I use a load of elektron gear 😆
It's actually super simple + intuitive
Can you import midi stems?
Hey so I think you need to populate at least one step with the sample in order to hear it in the midi mode.* edit: you figured it out later in the video nvm :)
Thanks
I love to see you figuring something out in this dope way.
Yo! Thank you so much for the Super Thanks! I'm glad you found the video enjoyable
4-Bits is chunky. I like it.