Just want to say that I love all your videos and reference them all the time as video manuals / how to guides when i’m playing with gear at home. I love how comprehensive these videos are, and they’re so organized + clear about what is happening and why. If I made synths I’d legit pay you to just do what you do with these videos and have that be the actual product manual. Hope you get more into modular in the future too, some modules need this level of documentation :)
I don't even care if i can't afford any of this, i just love watching your vids, they make me happy just the way you cover everything. thanks for all you do, loopop!!! you're the goat of music tutorials!!!
*Don't dislike a review video when you don't like the product! The reviewers (if they are honest like loopop) do not deserve the dislikes as they are not the ones who made the product!*
Nobody can see the dislikes anyway... So its kinda pointless to like a videos either... For me personally, since the dislike counter is gone I'm more tending to dislike a video which I before wouldnt rate at all... But thats another thing
@@ickebins6948 It still impacts the algorithm and many people like myself have a chrome plugin that shows the dislikes. Also the creator of the video can see the dislikes
Like or dislike makes no difference, the algorithm isn't very clever and only understands engagement, good or bad, and now we can't see the ratio it really doesn't matter.
It's really amazing to see how Polyend managed to marry the best features from the step-sequencer world with their expertise from engineering the Tracker (fill, randomize, select + copy, undo, perform, ...). I even guess that there are some features on Play which only make sense if you worked with the Tracker before. Which is wonderful, since it adds innovations you wouldn't come up with without that 'niche' Tracker expertise
I think that it's important to note the fact that Loopop mentioned that you can play polyphonic chords per midi track which specifically translates to 30 overlapping midi notes at one time -per track -per clip . Will be great for sequencing external gear.
It is, i am sequencing entire hardware setup (20+different synths, machines and effects) via Polyend Play and Tracker, with little help from the Octatrack. Granted, most of the times I sequence Analog Rytm via Program change messages, so patterns have been programmed on the machine itself, but there is enough place to do sequencing from the Play if I wanted to). With few firmware updates focused on MIDI, this will be , and already is, a monster master sequencer. I hardly use it's audio engine. I think a big deal would be adding few notes (yes there is a chord option and they covered it with tons of variations but still I would like to be able to dial in say, up to 4-5 notes I want in one step, just like OT MIDI). Another super cool thing here is all this generative stuff, Eucledian sequencing etc.
@@earlsfield I don't own this device, but am interested in it to sequence external gear. I am not sure I get it, but is there some limitation for midi notes per step, and if so, when? I assume you can record chords played live into one lane/track, or is that not the case? As in, to keep chords in one track per step, do you need to use the predefined chords? If you want to use Chords outside of this, then each note take up a lane/track?
@@zenithjcoke Hi, sorry for the late reply. As of the latest FW version, it is not possible to record multiple notes in ONE step of the track, if you are playing 5 note chord, you will need to enable recording on 5 tracks for that step - however, you can enable "chord" function per step or per track, and you can choose to add any chord from the list into a single step, with inversions and all. However, you cannot record a say, 7 note chord played on external keyboard into one step of the track. However, since PLAY can send multiple notes in chord mode, I am sure that the future FW will allow for multi note input per step. While this may sound limiting, I've been using this for a while now, and rarely have an issue with using chord from the menu vs playing the chords in. I guess it very much depends on the type of music you want to sequence. I use Play with Tracker (which adds extra 8 tracks/notes you can record into) and Octatrack, so these 3 machines are my "sequencer", with that I trigger patterns on OT via program change on Play. Same with Analog Rytm etc, I do not want to loose flexibility of Elektron sequencers - so I combine Play sequencing with Elektron sequencing, and it gets even more generative and unique. Hope this helps.
@@earlsfield thank you for a thorough insight, I really appreciate it! My plan is to potentially use a Play in combination with an Akai Force and an MC-707, both of which are less capable when it comes to generative sequencing. In my head I would like the Play to be the main sequencer and send midi to the other devices mostly (I want to keep the workflow easy, especially when going from one track to the other). While the list of chords to pick from seems vast, something about having to pick from a list rather that inputting it via keys just makes it seem less intuitive and fun. Could go the route of sequencing those parts on one of the other units, but that defeats my want for a one-sequencer-solution. I'll keep an eye on FW updates. Thanks again for the info!
@@zenithjcoke As i said, while it might wound limiting, and while I prefer entering my own chords, I actually do so when I want to - I rarely use more than 5 notes in a chord - and also, don't forget - Play's "tracks" are not hard wired, so to speak. So let's have an example - you sequence Akai force and MC-707 via program changes, that's two tracks. In case you want extra hit here or there, you can choose one extra track to trigger random or generative notes on multiple midi tracks, depending where you want to sent those notes. Also, due to micro timing, even if some events overlap, you can always add event on a step prior to the one you want and then "push" it via micro tune (the trick I use on elektron gear all the time). Also, as I said, guys at Polyend are really offering tons of chords, and I don't feel as if my prophet 10, Jupiter 6, Super6, OB6, REV2, Evolver, are loosing any of their poly - powers. Actually i sequence multiple layers of bi-timbral poly synths like Prophet 10 and REV2 using this setup. So, while there are certain sequencers out there than maybe have a feature or two more when it comes to poly input, let's not forget that Play wasn't intended to be only the sequencer - and knowing Polyend and their exp. with sequencing gear, I am sure we will get amazing updates, like record multiple notes, midi performance etc. The device is fairly new and they just have released new FW that is more "general" and "housekeeping", as well as increasing immediacy of use. The main thing to remember here is that any step can be routed to any instrument, so it totally breaks the concept of tracks, IF you want it to. I will soo release a video on this, on how I sequence gear via Play. Will ping you once uploaded.
Just received mine. Glad to have this tutorial. While not as complex many “boxes,” it is not as intuitive as many of the UA-cam reviewers say. One needs the manual and then some. In my first Project, there was not enough memory to download the Acoustic Piano sample pack. Since many of the features work best when the user can download the entire sample pack, that was immediately frustrating. Parts of the pack were usable, but it was unclear as to what samples I did not have access to. There is a way to download individual samples, but it is not that straightforward or intuitive. With that being said, the customer service person at Polyend was responsive and helpful. That person said the issues were going to be addressed in a firmware update. It is a blessing and a bane to get the Play so soon😊. Despite the mentioned issues, the Play is the most unique and useful product like this I have ever used. I will be able to spend less time with equipment and more time recording music.
After watching this and other UA-cam videos I decided to go ahead and add one of these to my small collection of instruments. My Polyend Play arrived this morning and since then I have been trying out a few ideas. After searching the Polyend Play online user manual for how to do or setup certain functions without much success, I remembered this video. Within minutes, with guidance from loopop, I had found exactly the things I wanted and with a bit of logic I worked out a couple of others. Having watched this and other loopop videos I would like to congratulate him for such well presented reviews.
Thanks for the review! I have been waiting to buy a groovebox for years, and I think after watching this I'm still gonna go with the Deluge. Their latest update has given me pretty much all the features I want.
I owned Deluge for a while and its overall manageability seemed horrible to me (I care much more about interface than about features). This one seems to be more manageable, or is it just loopop’s mastery in doing the reviews makes me think so?
This is the best video on using the PLAY that exists! So good that I'm joining the Patreon because of it. Great work as usual! (Enjoyed the syntakt video as well) -- Buying way too much gear because of loopop!
I've been doing well in my GAS therapy program. Until now. The lack of ability to sample is not a deal breaker for me as I am not a fan. That's the beauty of this space. There's something for everyone. But there's only one loopop. Well done sir.
Absolutely my favourite groovebox/sequencer on the market. Gone through quite a few up until this point. The workflow is fun, creative and easy to produce fairly deep songs. The price is right IMO.
45:26 the sidechain option is brilliant! It would be cool if it could be set per pattern - so you don't have to have _sidechain from Track 5_ for the whole project but only for the patterns that actually have a kick in Track 5
I want to love Polyend, but I've never had a clean experience with any of their devices that I've owned. That includes Tracker and Medusa. There have been bugs a plenty in the firmware. As slick as the hardware can be, I had button sticking issues with both the Tracker and Medusa. The included power supply with the Tracker led to hanging issues and after rebooting from one hang, which required disconnecting the power supply, I lost all my projects. There may have been a language barrier, but their technical support was curt and uncaring. They said something to the effect of "Try another power supply. Backup your work more often." After that, I haven't been tempted to try something new from them.
I asked them today what was the reason of not including cv or gate? Answer: what are those … jokingly. Okay. Battery? Use a powerbank. Kind of ignoring you as if you were dumb.
Lovely as always. This is on the top of my list. It will be great if I can map knobs to my AS-1 for a little more programing access and performance. Thanks as always for your well balanced view.
Anything aside from a hardware update could be addressed in a future firmware update. Polyend is great at adding new features to their products over the life of them. I'm just happy I can bring my entire sample library into Play and I don't mind having to plug in a USB drive to transfer.
Yeah! Finally!! An hour later. Thank you sir so much for your deep review. In terms of the pros and cons I'm fully agreed to the end. However I'd like to see one more function like : "learn my style". Anyway after this lecture I have to say I can play on Polyend Play. LOL It's time to pick up one.
Seems Deluge is still the KING 👑 for me... especially with the new firmware. However, this looks like quite a capable device. If only you could do live sampling...
Definitely have to agree. This thing looks awesome but I still love my Deluge. Glad to see more devices using a grid layout for sequencing though. It's interesting to see different companies take a unique spin on it.
Isn't it like 300USD + shipping and taxes more expensive? Not really the same league but sure Deluge is better. I feel like Polyend will add a lot with updates as with Tracker and Medusa. Medusa has FM synth so I would love to see the same thing copied to Play :)
Wow! A SiparioX! I just bought the smaller one and I’ve been surprised at how good it is. The Play looks really good. The chance option is a game changer though… if it’s what I think it is. I think the price is actually really competitive. I can’t wait to get one of these. It might be the first piece of “new” gear I’ve purchased in 10 years. I really wish it had Link compatibility. I still have this at the top of my list.
Just recently recieved a used Medusa in immaculate condition and it sounds and feels amazing. This unit isn't really for me, but if has been designed and built anything like the Medusa then I'm sure it will be amazing for the people it is for. Great review and demo as always. Cheers!
loopop based on a lot of comments I'm seeing here, you need to make pros & cons on the top sequencers (~ 1000$) on the market today e.g. Deluge, Hapax, OXI one and the Polyend Play . I can't, decided too much options ...
Throw in the Akai Force... It has a lot of software bugs, but if you can work past them it is the best "all-in-one" machine on the market right now; If they stop adding features and just tighten it up, it is unbeatable compared to everything else that is out there right now.
I’ve got the Oxi, play, T-1, MPC X, and Pyramid. They’re all better or worse at different styles. Oxi is great for finding new chords, esp wired up to the three voices on an Acid Rain Chainsaw. T1 makes some interesting rhythms but I tend to end up making the same kinds of things on it. MPC feels the most like a DAW and I end up reading a lot to figure out how to do something. The Pyramid I feel like I haven’t spent enough time with, as the euclidean features are cool but it doesn’t really inspire me. I wish Elektron made a straight sequencer with no internal voices that does what they do but for midi and modular gear. I always end up with something inspiring playing with the Rytm. anyway, get one used and sell it for what you paid if you don’t get on with it after serious attempts to learn and understand it.
The Deluge makes its own sound with several types of synthesis and it samples external gear. Play just plays your samples you have made on the computer and makes no sound of its own, and sequences. Hapax does even less, just sequencing other things and making no sound at all.
it looks like it could be very useful if you could set a color for the sample you're placing in a pattern. That way you could distinguish multiple different samples in the same track from each other.
i was like totally ok with the Deluge not having a screen for actual music making, but for sample browsing and editing it's a PITA would be amazing if you could use an app for this someehow
It does now, as of today! Old models can even be retrofitted but it’s gonna cost $149, plus if you’re not in a couple select countries, will also require shipping it to New Zealand, I think? And if you don’t have the original import paperwork or bought it second hand, you’ll get hit with a (or another) import fee! But an OLED Deluge is finally a reality!
The mental gymnastics to use this is over the top. 15min into the video and I'm already mentally exhausted! This is the first time I've never watched a Loopop video all the way through 😔
46:28 it would be very useful if the current waveform could be displayed while editing it, so you can visually set the sample-start and sample-end to the actual sample start/end without having to listen for clicks or moments silence. Would be helpful when setting the fading options (fade in / fade out) as well.
Seems fun, and a lot of people will make cool stuff with it. I like that they've expanded the live tweaking features of the tracker as that was something unique in that device.
I think this might be my next purchase haha damn they got me again. Pairing this with the tracker might just hold some live performance gold. Overall im excited to see where this Play machine goes with future updates
Thanks for the great review. I just bought one to go along with my other sequencer - Arturia Keystep Pro. This covers both my analog and digital synths along with a Behringer RD-8 drum machine for live performance. Love it.
I knew 2 minutes into this video that this device doesn’t have the features to replace my Synthstrom Deluge. Nice looking hardware, but it’s a pass for me. Great review as always!
I just want my Deluge to have a display like this. :x I understand all the reasons not to have it, but I stillll waaaant iiiiit! Yes, I just could not lose my Deluge features in exchange for the few advantages this does have. Several of the cool features look like they could be added to the Deluge via firmware, though. :D
I only found this today via BoBeats Superbooth 22 walk about, I was very excited by this groovebox and was pleased to find your excellent review. You have inspired me to buy a NDLR and a Korg Minilogue XD so far. I think this will be the third unit I will purchase influenced by your review. Although it is not yet available in the UK 😑
This entire comments section is focusing on features over workflow. Super disappointing to see how many people say “So this is basically a worse deluge” or “the digitak came out over 10 years ago and can do almost everything this can”… It’s a device that prioritizes its workflow over having every feature ever. If this were to ONLY be a midi sequencer it would probably still be worth the value… It’s not supposed to be a DAW in a box and that is a genuinely good thing. Enjoy this thing for what it is: an incredibly powerful drum and melodic sequencer that has probably one of the most powerful generative melodic/trig engines of any hardware device on the market. If you like those features, get it, if you’d rather have a synthesis engine or more sampling flexibility, there are hundreds of other options out there.
@@atetraxx Based. Super excited to pick one up for sequencing! I feel bad for the polyend guys. They’ve been getting roasted this morning. Their comments on reddit and youtube are being met with replies like “shame on you guys for once again ignoring what we wanted”. The toxicity of this hobby is exhausting sometimes.
I don’t want every feature ever, but I’d quite like for it to have proper 1/4 inch outs and an audio input, and maybe an LFO and some single cycle support.
@@danpreston564 And there are plenty of boxes that can do this all... I have an MPC Live 2 and it has all the features but I freaking hate the workflow of the thing... because its "oldschool" and as backwards as possible to keep the fanbois happy ...
Really enjoyed this video! You made this device look super fun and creative. It’s probably not something I will likely buy, but can see how someone like Bogdan Raczynski would use this in a live setting to make some crazy music
Looks like a ton of fun for what it's offering right out of the gate. I know PolyEnd supports their products like crazy so I don't doubt over time this will have a bunch more features added. I really hope we would see some sort of track export tho. What a shame to come up with all these cool patterns and not be able to export them out as stems. Im sure it will come at some point. Also, have to say PolyEnd always does a great job with their sample selections. The stock samples always sound so so good. Love PolyEnd. Such a cool company.
The main advantages for the Play seem to be that the effects sound nicer and it has a larger sample memory. The Dirtywave M8 is worth considering also.
I'll will get this for the sequencer alone not bothered about sampling i have an mpc live for that. I'm certain i'll have a ball having this sequence all my hardware. i'll be making way more songs with it for sure.
While I really love an upgraded version of the Polyend Seq, I wish it could a) sample directly via audio in and b) do stereo samples. I guess I will wait for the Polyend Play II then before I replace my Seq and my 1010 Blackbox- and hope the Play II also gets a 32 step-interface instead of 16 😉
Forunately, the effects are stero so that should counter some of your concern. Play is a 16 x 64 step sequencer by the way. Additionally, it features timing options both traditional and unique that make it "feel" like much more than 64 steps.
The hardware looks super nice, and it's got some great sequencing capabilities - I had been wondering if this would replace my Deluge - nope. I was excited for this device, but for me at least, the Deluge still has the edge... A Deluge with a screen would be nice though! Top video Loopop. You're the king of gear videos!!!
"Super nice" hardware? It offers no physical I/O beyond the absolute minimum (and omission of any audio input is "below the minimum"). This is a saddening design trend that can't end soon enough.
@@shaft9000 I should clarify - I mean the look of the unit, not the hardware features. As I said, I think the Deluge beats it in most regards. But I guess I just like the design of the Play. The IO of it is very disappointing! It's really not for me.
Deluge now has a real screen as of today! Old models can even be retrofitted but it’s gonna cost $149, plus if you’re not in a couple select countries, will also require shipping it to New Zealand, I think? And if you don’t have the original import paperwork or bought it second hand, you’ll get hit with a (or another) import fee! But an OLED Deluge is finally a reality!
@@dreamsaremaps yeah man, it looks super nice. The old display was mostly ok, but loading and naming samples was a bit shit... But with an OLED display, i think the Deluge is just unbeatable. Even though the play is cheaper, I think the Deluge just kills it for features. I can't wait to get mine updated (I still can't believe that Synthstrom are offering this service - it's unheard of in synth manufacturers!)
It feels like a budget version of the Deluge married with a budget version of Squarp hapax. If you are not particularly interested in 2 worlds (sequencing and groovebox) but mostly want a really deep sequencer you are better of with the Squarp. If you are primarily interested in a full featured groovebox and are willing to do with less (but still a fair amount) options for generative sequencing, the Deluge is a much better pick than the Play. Only if you need the combination of the 2 worlds in 1 box that is better priced, and are willing to accept the limitations, the Polyend Play seems the right option.
amazing sequencer. for me its far too limited in all other aspects tho. tiz a pity, but im sure it'll be perfect for many people. Notable omissions imo: sample slicing, waveform editor, assignable lfo's, filter env, sample loop for SSW's, audio in / sampling. resampling, internal synth engines.
This pushes all the right knobs for me. I know its limited compared to the Deluge but it just seems more playable and playful. I think I'm gonna get me one. :-)
@@glm1051 Doesn't have a synth engine - doesn't sample - limited sample length - doesn't time-stretch and pitch-shift - doesn't have CV/Gate I/O and a lot of other stuff. But it does have something else, it just seem easier and more playful. Seems to have at better interface and a lot more physical knobs for direct control of parameters.
Then there's the Oxi One... I'm not looking so much for a sampler and synth engine, but more of a creative sequencer. I find using DAW sequencers unintuitive and tedious so I'm looking for a solution that allows me to combine the best of both worlds (DAW/external seq)
50:29 - I feel that. This could be solved on software side, when there was an option to disable the select-on-touch functionality and only switch to the parameter when you start to rotate a knob or when one of the two buttons on the left side of the display is held while touching a knob.
After some days of playing with the polyend play I can tell that the alternative ideas I've mentioned wouldn't work well, since most of the time you have to hold some white pads as well and you only have two hands (you can't be in 3 areas at the same time). Maybe polyend could implement some kind of "debounce" delay to the knobs, so you only switch to a different setting, if you didn't touch any knob for a few hundred milliseconds. This way you wouldn't accidentally double-tap a knob by just changing your grip on it - and you wouldn't accidentally switch to a palm-touched knob that easily, while fiddling with a finger-touched knob.
36:15 is it possible to have an effect only active (temporary) while you're holding the button WITHOUT a long press? Sometimes you don't want an effect to be on for long and when you release the button too early it even stays on... Maybe something like shift+effect or select+effect could work?
MIDI TRS type B, like why. Why. Type A has been the standard for a a while now. With that size and capabilities I would have expected full size MIDI in/out though, and no audio over USB is a bummer...
Very nice review as always ....and a lovely groovebox with some interesting tricks up its sleeve...... but not yet selling my Deluge, which just keeps getting better and better ;-)
Great review as always! Sadly, and I hate to be critical, the product itself seems confused. No sample input, no sending samples over USB, no LFO's/Envelopes, multiple MIDI sends but only one jack, mono samples, SUPER limited sample length, no audio over USB, no timestretch (one of *the* biggest complaints folks have about the Digitakt for *years*). I'm not personally fussed about them, but not having a battery or synth engines can be seen as odd omissions. Even the case is weird: Fits the unit and cover, but not the PSU (which you'd kinda need seeing as there's no battery). Just some really odd design decisions, some of which (like the Digitakt) can never be fixed without a complete redesign. The sequencing and product idea *seem* like a great start, but the design choices have led to very bizarre limitations, many of which require a redesign to implement, make this product feel confused. I wish them well with it, and hopefully (like the Digitakt) a software update can improve some of these limitations, but right now it feels like a Kickstarter that didn't get community feedback prior to launch.
Yea, why do they not have more communication with their community and potential customers? That always surprises me how far many companies are from their clients.
Yeah I've had a grudge against Polyend for their uncanny ability to make amazing devices with hostile user experience and I thought I was being critical but this device proves I was onto something. To me, it feels like Polyend design really nice houses but then put doors in them that are only 3 feet tall.
@@TOMAvatars Hapax feels pretty much like a standard sequencer to me to write songs. It has extra crazy features but not as crazy as play. Play is a blast live!
Such a great sequencer... Sadly while its a beast for jam and live... my dealbreaker is: once i want to use this gorgeous variations in a production, i couldnt split up the audiotracks or capture my performance... so it does amazing things but i cant integrate them easily in a production... had the same issue with teenage stuff or octatrack... and while loving these machines i found myself not using them and create a workflow in ableton inspired by these machines
Solo the tracks and record them in individually. This method was used on countless hit records in the 80s & 90s. It’s more work, but music is a craft. Don’t be limited by the workflow psyop.
@@whoadog8725 yes. i do that a lot with my octatrack and op-z... however... often it is the full performance and interactiion of channels that make the difference... but yeah... solo recording is the way to go with a lot of the machines... still love the concept of "play"
Certainly more accessible than the Tracker but the ratio of controls to square centimeters is nuts. Ideal for capsule hotels. EDIT: nice review-man and machine all the same.
Haha, love that intro 😎 “Hey” @0:00 ♪🕺♬ 💃 ♪ A sincere thank you for all the amazing reviews that you make. I’ve learned so much from watching your videos and it has inspired me to delve back into making music again.
The sequencer looks really cool but I agree the sample player is fairly basic. It seems like a good pairing with my Tracker, though. Some way to drag samples from the Tracker to the Play other than SD card gymnastics (USB?) would be cool to have. I confess that one of my favorite features of my Tracker is the FM radio. I have a Bollywood station within range and it is super-fun to grab samples from that.
Could be a nice alternative 2nd piece. Korg KARMA did this "generative / probability' sequencing over 20 years ago (!) And it has too many head-scratching limitations to add much my setup of Spectralis2 + Rolands + Korgs. The ever-shrinking I/O trend has got to go...this thing won't even process audio input nor sample...this is unacceptable in any 'groovebox king'.
I wonder how the sequencer compares to the Oxi One and especially the Squarp Hapax, on the generative front. I don't need a groovebox, but the sequencer here is interesting, and seems the best aspect of this.
@@TOMAvatars I've had a hermod. If it's for driving a whole studio, including modular, Hapax is more flexible/powerful. For standalone, groovebox, pattern/ percussion based and instant gratification/fun, Play seems the choice.
@@compucorder64 thanks. I'm asking to use it for live. With Bitwig for the moment. I have a story with live, used in the past combos with MPC 1000, so 404/555, push, synths etc... Sold all the gears, and making sequencing nowadays with Reaktor/Bitwig. But I'd like to control things from a machine. It's very hard to decide because both the machines have very interesting sequencing/live features
Very cool. My Tracker isn’t going anywhere; I’ve become too good at it! It is an INSTRUMENT! I bet the Play would be awesome with a Bass Station II & a JU-06A
It seems really strange that they chose not to include a line-in for sampling. If this was a synth-based groovebox that could also play samples, as many were expecting, I could it understand it, but given it's a sample sequencer/player, it seems a strange omission. I'm sure they have their reasons, although I can't think of any good ones. I don't think the addition of sampling would have cannibalised the sales of the Tracker or vice-versa
Yea, I think it's a glaring omission, and at this price point too. I wonder what people are going to use to prep and import their samples? Just thinking there's room for Polyend to make a companion software sample editor and transfer, in dream land of course !
unbelievable really. look , I'm not greedy, wouldn't complain about no synth engine or whatever. but making it sample based and then omitting line-in and a basic sampler functionality... like, wtf. When the vid was starting I was expecting to see some waveforms on that display soon, but nope. how was sampling on the Tracker btw? Maybe they can add it via Fw... price feels steep with the current feature set, but that's probably the macro econ environment factoring in too... still looks like it would be fun to make some beats on this for sure.
@@kostoglotow sampling on the Tracker is great, and it's been there since the start, it's not a new feature they added via FW. Everything is sampled to mono but that's never bothered me as I mostly work in mono anyway
Great review! But they made some really weird design choices imo, too many limitations. Why would anyone want only a few minutes of mono samples on a device that exclusively plays samples? Why not follow the midi trs standard? Given how the Poly2 was handled, I wouldn't expect much in terms of firmware updates or customer support from Polyend. Instead of fixing issues like screen burn in, the simply discontinued the product. There are also several reports of them treating customers rudely. It's always good to only buy a product based on what it can do now, rather than hope for firmware updates, but sometimes bug/issues (like screen burn in) show up later on, or are introduced by firmware updates. Polyend has shown that they won't necessarily solve these types of issues, so if buying anything from them at all, I'd wait at least a few months, maybe a year, until it's clear what sort of issues there are.
Do you have an idea of how much time over 5 min of true sample time is? The time is calculated per sample not in real time. I would venture to bet that you would literally never run out of samples while creating an entire hour long performance. Regarding support, Polyend released the Tracker (their current product) in 2020 and they are still supporting it via firmware updates. Additionally, they have warranty support located in the US!
Gen Y&Z'ers are used to previewing entire song-length mixes in ableton as a loop, so anyhing less than a gazillion bytes of sample memory seems restrictive.
I guess the sample length limitation comes from Polyend's Tracker heritage. Over there, it was an intentional design decision to foster a different creative workflow based on restricted capabilities. At least that's how I understand it. And on the Tracker, in my opinion it works out really well in most cases. Given that a step sequencer is more geared towards live performance though, I would be quite concerned to wait up to a minute for a project to load...
@@jean-pierrejoubert6140 No audio in sampling is to be expected but audio over USB should be implemented in all new releases in my opinion, as more and more people are into hardware setups
@@Flying-Roro It's funny, I kinda feel the opposite; Even more reason to have both from the get-go. 😉 Seriously, though, seeing as even something like the new AIRA Compacts have audio over USB, it does feel like a pretty big oversight not to include it. Ideally Class-Compliant, too.
Interesting machine but where is all the sampling functionality? Can you view sample wav files for setting start/end points? Can it loop forward/reverse? Does it timestretch?
Thankyou! Great review/guide. You're really great at this. Always a pleasure. But thankyou for illustrating the nuances..eg chance and rando and how saving randomisations The tip re slowing down the track with chords really makes its smoother and pushes back on the 64 step limit. And manual suggests rando notes across an octave with scale filter for instant melodic generation. Lot going on but it clicks together as you learn another bit. Depth over width really works for me because I don't need another sampler and means it upcycles all my existing stuff from anything with a zen engine to maschine expansion packs. Workflow is slick intuitive, very immediate, generative and rewarding - unmatched in terms of applied design. Pricing is a bit spicy. Suddenly interested in a tracker, wait NO! , Aaarghhhhj!!!!
As always, nice review. I think for 799 EUR incl VAT a (midi) sequencer and a groovebox "sounds" interesting and is also on a reasonable price level. Well done Polyend.
@@robinr22 MPC one is more like a ”DAW in the box”. But other competitors are squarp Hapax (1200EUR) and OXI ONE (750EUR). So the price level is in the middle.
Just want to say that I love all your videos and reference them all the time as video manuals / how to guides when i’m playing with gear at home. I love how comprehensive these videos are, and they’re so organized + clear about what is happening and why. If I made synths I’d legit pay you to just do what you do with these videos and have that be the actual product manual. Hope you get more into modular in the future too, some modules need this level of documentation :)
Thanks for taking the time to write :)
I don't even care if i can't afford any of this, i just love watching your vids, they make me happy just the way you cover everything. thanks for all you do, loopop!!! you're the goat of music tutorials!!!
Thanks for taking the time to write!
*Don't dislike a review video when you don't like the product! The reviewers (if they are honest like loopop) do not deserve the dislikes as they are not the ones who made the product!*
Nobody can see the dislikes anyway...
So its kinda pointless to like a videos either...
For me personally, since the dislike counter is gone I'm more tending to dislike a video which I before wouldnt rate at all... But thats another thing
@@ickebins6948 It still impacts the algorithm and many people like myself have a chrome plugin that shows the dislikes. Also the creator of the video can see the dislikes
@@musicdefinesgravity But people are people...
They shoot the messenger all the time...
Not just on youtube.
Like or dislike makes no difference, the algorithm isn't very clever and only understands engagement, good or bad, and now we can't see the ratio it really doesn't matter.
@@musicdefinesgravity i just disliked your comment. Did your Chrome dislike detector flag up and identify? I hope so.
It's really amazing to see how Polyend managed to marry the best features from the step-sequencer world with their expertise from engineering the Tracker (fill, randomize, select + copy, undo, perform, ...). I even guess that there are some features on Play which only make sense if you worked with the Tracker before. Which is wonderful, since it adds innovations you wouldn't come up with without that 'niche' Tracker expertise
Congratulations to Polyend!- each of their product is better than the previous one.
Thank you Miki!
I think that it's important to note the fact that Loopop mentioned that you can play polyphonic chords per midi track which specifically translates to 30 overlapping midi notes at one time -per track -per clip . Will be great for sequencing external gear.
It is, i am sequencing entire hardware setup (20+different synths, machines and effects) via Polyend Play and Tracker, with little help from the Octatrack. Granted, most of the times I sequence Analog Rytm via Program change messages, so patterns have been programmed on the machine itself, but there is enough place to do sequencing from the Play if I wanted to). With few firmware updates focused on MIDI, this will be , and already is, a monster master sequencer. I hardly use it's audio engine. I think a big deal would be adding few notes (yes there is a chord option and they covered it with tons of variations but still I would like to be able to dial in say, up to 4-5 notes I want in one step, just like OT MIDI). Another super cool thing here is all this generative stuff, Eucledian sequencing etc.
@@earlsfield I don't own this device, but am interested in it to sequence external gear. I am not sure I get it, but is there some limitation for midi notes per step, and if so, when? I assume you can record chords played live into one lane/track, or is that not the case? As in, to keep chords in one track per step, do you need to use the predefined chords? If you want to use Chords outside of this, then each note take up a lane/track?
@@zenithjcoke Hi, sorry for the late reply. As of the latest FW version, it is not possible to record multiple notes in ONE step of the track, if you are playing 5 note chord, you will need to enable recording on 5 tracks for that step - however, you can enable "chord" function per step or per track, and you can choose to add any chord from the list into a single step, with inversions and all. However, you cannot record a say, 7 note chord played on external keyboard into one step of the track. However, since PLAY can send multiple notes in chord mode, I am sure that the future FW will allow for multi note input per step. While this may sound limiting, I've been using this for a while now, and rarely have an issue with using chord from the menu vs playing the chords in. I guess it very much depends on the type of music you want to sequence. I use Play with Tracker (which adds extra 8 tracks/notes you can record into) and Octatrack, so these 3 machines are my "sequencer", with that I trigger patterns on OT via program change on Play. Same with Analog Rytm etc, I do not want to loose flexibility of Elektron sequencers - so I combine Play sequencing with Elektron sequencing, and it gets even more generative and unique. Hope this helps.
@@earlsfield thank you for a thorough insight, I really appreciate it! My plan is to potentially use a Play in combination with an Akai Force and an MC-707, both of which are less capable when it comes to generative sequencing. In my head I would like the Play to be the main sequencer and send midi to the other devices mostly (I want to keep the workflow easy, especially when going from one track to the other). While the list of chords to pick from seems vast, something about having to pick from a list rather that inputting it via keys just makes it seem less intuitive and fun. Could go the route of sequencing those parts on one of the other units, but that defeats my want for a one-sequencer-solution. I'll keep an eye on FW updates. Thanks again for the info!
@@zenithjcoke As i said, while it might wound limiting, and while I prefer entering my own chords, I actually do so when I want to - I rarely use more than 5 notes in a chord - and also, don't forget - Play's "tracks" are not hard wired, so to speak. So let's have an example - you sequence Akai force and MC-707 via program changes, that's two tracks. In case you want extra hit here or there, you can choose one extra track to trigger random or generative notes on multiple midi tracks, depending where you want to sent those notes. Also, due to micro timing, even if some events overlap, you can always add event on a step prior to the one you want and then "push" it via micro tune (the trick I use on elektron gear all the time). Also, as I said, guys at Polyend are really offering tons of chords, and I don't feel as if my prophet 10, Jupiter 6, Super6, OB6, REV2, Evolver, are loosing any of their poly - powers. Actually i sequence multiple layers of bi-timbral poly synths like Prophet 10 and REV2 using this setup. So, while there are certain sequencers out there than maybe have a feature or two more when it comes to poly input, let's not forget that Play wasn't intended to be only the sequencer - and knowing Polyend and their exp. with sequencing gear, I am sure we will get amazing updates, like record multiple notes, midi performance etc. The device is fairly new and they just have released new FW that is more "general" and "housekeeping", as well as increasing immediacy of use. The main thing to remember here is that any step can be routed to any instrument, so it totally breaks the concept of tracks, IF you want it to. I will soo release a video on this, on how I sequence gear via Play. Will ping you once uploaded.
Amazing what of a product specialist and musician loopop is. Always a joy to watch. And very helpful when you buy a product.
Just received mine. Glad to have this tutorial. While not as complex many “boxes,” it is not as intuitive as many of the UA-cam reviewers say. One needs the manual and then some. In my first Project, there was not enough memory to download the Acoustic Piano sample pack. Since many of the features work best when the user can download the entire sample pack, that was immediately frustrating. Parts of the pack were usable, but it was unclear as to what samples I did not have access to. There is a way to download individual samples, but it is not that straightforward or intuitive. With that being said, the customer service person at Polyend was responsive and helpful. That person said the issues were going to be addressed in a firmware update. It is a blessing and a bane to get the Play so soon😊. Despite the mentioned issues, the Play is the most unique and useful product like this I have ever used. I will be able to spend less time with equipment and more time recording music.
Do you know what this message from loopop is about l received the same message.
@@mojodrum3215 Unsure. We need to hear from Loopop.
@@JohnMark61355 l was told it was spam from another chap who received the same text.
I've watched a slew of your videos, and how you remember all this stuff is mind boggling to me.
He uses a script; it’s one of the main things that separates good UA-cam channels from bad
After watching this and other UA-cam videos I decided to go ahead and add one of these to my small collection of instruments. My Polyend Play arrived this morning and since then I have been trying out a few ideas. After searching the Polyend Play online user manual for how to do or setup certain functions without much success, I remembered this video. Within minutes, with guidance from loopop, I had found exactly the things I wanted and with a bit of logic I worked out a couple of others. Having watched this and other loopop videos I would like to congratulate him for such well presented reviews.
My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to write
Thanks for the review! I have been waiting to buy a groovebox for years, and I think after watching this I'm still gonna go with the Deluge. Their latest update has given me pretty much all the features I want.
I’m in the same reflection
@@NicleT Me 2
I owned Deluge for a while and its overall manageability seemed horrible to me (I care much more about interface than about features). This one seems to be more manageable, or is it just loopop’s mastery in doing the reviews makes me think so?
ok I just caved. bought a polyend play. checking video again heheh
This is the best video on using the PLAY that exists! So good that I'm joining the Patreon because of it. Great work as usual! (Enjoyed the syntakt video as well) -- Buying way too much gear because of loopop!
Thanks very much!
I've been doing well in my GAS therapy program. Until now. The lack of ability to sample is not a deal breaker for me as I am not a fan. That's the beauty of this space. There's something for everyone. But there's only one loopop. Well done sir.
Absolutely my favourite groovebox/sequencer on the market. Gone through quite a few up until this point. The workflow is fun, creative and easy to produce fairly deep songs. The price is right IMO.
Do you know what this message from loopop is about l received the same message.
@@mojodrum3215 what?
@@rorz999 Someone mentioned the message was a scam but it has been removed.
45:26 the sidechain option is brilliant! It would be cool if it could be set per pattern - so you don't have to have _sidechain from Track 5_ for the whole project but only for the patterns that actually have a kick in Track 5
Sidechain is super good on this, those hard kicks can get very punchy ;)
man the sound u got at 1:03 after turning the cutoff down was an insane idea for a track, that bassline was deep af
I want to love Polyend, but I've never had a clean experience with any of their devices that I've owned. That includes Tracker and Medusa. There have been bugs a plenty in the firmware. As slick as the hardware can be, I had button sticking issues with both the Tracker and Medusa. The included power supply with the Tracker led to hanging issues and after rebooting from one hang, which required disconnecting the power supply, I lost all my projects. There may have been a language barrier, but their technical support was curt and uncaring. They said something to the effect of "Try another power supply. Backup your work more often."
After that, I haven't been tempted to try something new from them.
I asked them today what was the reason of not including cv or gate? Answer: what are those … jokingly. Okay. Battery? Use a powerbank. Kind of ignoring you as if you were dumb.
Lovely as always. This is on the top of my list. It will be great if I can map knobs to my AS-1 for a little more programing access and performance. Thanks as always for your well balanced view.
The variations feature makes this (once programed) an easy, endless, Tecno/dance music source.
Great as always. I love the tracker and this is def something to consider. Disappointing about not being able to sample in....
And no sample slicing 🙄
Firmware? Or am I dumb, is that something that can be done later 😂😅
@@robertminnis6540 it can
It is called PLAY not RECORD ;)
Anything aside from a hardware update could be addressed in a future firmware update. Polyend is great at adding new features to their products over the life of them. I'm just happy I can bring my entire sample library into Play and I don't mind having to plug in a USB drive to transfer.
Yeah! Finally!!
An hour later.
Thank you sir so much for your deep review.
In terms of the pros and cons I'm fully agreed to the end.
However I'd like to see one more function like : "learn my style".
Anyway after this lecture I have to say I can play on Polyend Play. LOL
It's time to pick up one.
Your tutorials and overviews are INDISPENSABLE!! Loopop. Thank you! Thank you!
Glad you like them!
This is pretty amazing groovebox magic.
Like the grid features and ways to modify the playback. Love the music at the end.
Seems Deluge is still the KING 👑 for me... especially with the new firmware.
However, this looks like quite a capable device. If only you could do live sampling...
Definitely have to agree. This thing looks awesome but I still love my Deluge. Glad to see more devices using a grid layout for sequencing though. It's interesting to see different companies take a unique spin on it.
somehow that hugs lcd seems only the slightest bit more informative
Yup, audio over USB would have sold me but Deluge is still the king of the hill, even though I prefer the digitone thanks to overbridge.
Isn't it like 300USD + shipping and taxes more expensive? Not really the same league but sure Deluge is better. I feel like Polyend will add a lot with updates as with Tracker and Medusa. Medusa has FM synth so I would love to see the same thing copied to Play :)
There may be a few things that this does better, but the Deluge has so much more functionality it's not even a fair comparison.
Wow! A SiparioX! I just bought the smaller one and I’ve been surprised at how good it is. The Play looks really good. The chance option is a game changer though… if it’s what I think it is. I think the price is actually really competitive. I can’t wait to get one of these. It might be the first piece of “new” gear I’ve purchased in 10 years. I really wish it had Link compatibility. I still have this at the top of my list.
this is absolutely fantastic in my opinion. the generative features seems like a lot of fun!
Just recently recieved a used Medusa in immaculate condition and it sounds and feels amazing. This unit isn't really for me, but if has been designed and built anything like the Medusa then I'm sure it will be amazing for the people it is for. Great review and demo as always. Cheers!
Congrats - the Medusa is awesome despite the bad press. Even nicer paired with a Tracker. Have fun!
loopop based on a lot of comments I'm seeing here, you need to make pros & cons on the top sequencers (~ 1000$) on the market today e.g. Deluge, Hapax, OXI one and the Polyend Play . I can't, decided too much options ...
This is the video I need! I'd like to see the Torso T-1 in the comparison. Mostly interested in generative sequencing features.
Throw in the Akai Force... It has a lot of software bugs, but if you can work past them it is the best "all-in-one" machine on the market right now; If they stop adding features and just tighten it up, it is unbeatable compared to everything else that is out there right now.
M8 Tracker makes a solid sequencer in my opinion. Especially for fleshing out entire songs. No performance mode though
I’ve got the Oxi, play, T-1, MPC X, and Pyramid. They’re all better or worse at different styles. Oxi is great for finding new chords, esp wired up to the three voices on an Acid Rain Chainsaw. T1 makes some interesting rhythms but I tend to end up making the same kinds of things on it. MPC feels the most like a DAW and I end up reading a lot to figure out how to do something. The Pyramid I feel like I haven’t spent enough time with, as the euclidean features are cool but it doesn’t really inspire me. I wish Elektron made a straight sequencer with no internal voices that does what they do but for midi and modular gear. I always end up with something inspiring playing with the Rytm.
anyway, get one used and sell it for what you paid if you don’t get on with it after serious attempts to learn and understand it.
The Deluge makes its own sound with several types of synthesis and it samples external gear. Play just plays your samples you have made on the computer and makes no sound of its own, and sequences. Hapax does even less, just sequencing other things and making no sound at all.
it looks like it could be very useful if you could set a color for the sample you're placing in a pattern. That way you could distinguish multiple different samples in the same track from each other.
Can you not?
As always great review.
If only the Deluge had a similar lcd Display..saying that the Deluge is still a Stella machine.
i was like totally ok with the Deluge not having a screen for actual music making, but for sample browsing and editing it's a PITA would be amazing if you could use an app for this someehow
It does now, as of today! Old models can even be retrofitted but it’s gonna cost $149, plus if you’re not in a couple select countries, will also require shipping it to New Zealand, I think? And if you don’t have the original import paperwork or bought it second hand, you’ll get hit with a (or another) import fee! But an OLED Deluge is finally a reality!
The mental gymnastics to use this is over the top. 15min into the video and I'm already mentally exhausted!
This is the first time I've never watched a Loopop video all the way through 😔
46:28 it would be very useful if the current waveform could be displayed while editing it, so you can visually set the sample-start and sample-end to the actual sample start/end without having to listen for clicks or moments silence. Would be helpful when setting the fading options (fade in / fade out) as well.
yeah, im pretty sure they'd put it but i think it's a c.p.u. problem
Great review as always! The granular control you get from Polyend devices is amazing!
Seems fun, and a lot of people will make cool stuff with it. I like that they've expanded the live tweaking features of the tracker as that was something unique in that device.
I think this might be my next purchase haha damn they got me again. Pairing this with the tracker might just hold some live performance gold. Overall im excited to see where this Play machine goes with future updates
Thanks for the great review. I just bought one to go along with my other sequencer - Arturia Keystep Pro. This covers both my analog and digital synths along with a Behringer RD-8 drum machine for live performance. Love it.
I knew 2 minutes into this video that this device doesn’t have the features to replace my Synthstrom Deluge. Nice looking hardware, but it’s a pass for me.
Great review as always!
I just want my Deluge to have a display like this. :x I understand all the reasons not to have it, but I stillll waaaant iiiiit! Yes, I just could not lose my Deluge features in exchange for the few advantages this does have. Several of the cool features look like they could be added to the Deluge via firmware, though. :D
Interresting what are the feature that make the difference?
Great introduction to the Play's features. This is a good video to watch for those new to their Play and want to get a good handle on what it can do.
Really appreciate this video, more useful for me than Polyend's own tutorial. Thanks
One of the best Nubass demos that I’ve seen 😃
I only found this today via BoBeats Superbooth 22 walk about, I was very excited
by this groovebox and was pleased to find your excellent review. You have inspired me to buy a NDLR
and a Korg Minilogue XD so far. I think this will be the third unit I will purchase influenced by your review.
Although it is not yet available in the UK 😑
It is, check with Signal Sounds UK
This entire comments section is focusing on features over workflow.
Super disappointing to see how many people say “So this is basically a worse deluge” or “the digitak came out over 10 years ago and can do almost everything this can”…
It’s a device that prioritizes its workflow over having every feature ever. If this were to ONLY be a midi sequencer it would probably still be worth the value… It’s not supposed to be a DAW in a box and that is a genuinely good thing.
Enjoy this thing for what it is: an incredibly powerful drum and melodic sequencer that has probably one of the most powerful generative melodic/trig engines of any hardware device on the market. If you like those features, get it, if you’d rather have a synthesis engine or more sampling flexibility, there are hundreds of other options out there.
exactly, the generative capabilities of this thing are unreal. This is why you would buy it, not because its a swiss army knife.
@@atetraxx Based. Super excited to pick one up for sequencing!
I feel bad for the polyend guys. They’ve been getting roasted this morning. Their comments on reddit and youtube are being met with replies like “shame on you guys for once again ignoring what we wanted”.
The toxicity of this hobby is exhausting sometimes.
@@noahtotten 💯
I don’t want every feature ever, but I’d quite like for it to have proper 1/4 inch outs and an audio input, and maybe an LFO and some single cycle support.
@@danpreston564 And there are plenty of boxes that can do this all...
I have an MPC Live 2 and it has all the features but I freaking hate the workflow of the thing... because its "oldschool" and as backwards as possible to keep the fanbois happy ...
This is not just a great review but also an excellent tutorial and reference. Thanks!
Really enjoyed this video! You made this device look super fun and creative. It’s probably not something I will likely buy, but can see how someone like Bogdan Raczynski would use this in a live setting to make some crazy music
Just like Novation's circuit tracks+rythm, ima hold out until Polyend can combine the tracker with this.
Looks like a ton of fun for what it's offering right out of the gate. I know PolyEnd supports their products like crazy so I don't doubt over time this will have a bunch more features added. I really hope we would see some sort of track export tho. What a shame to come up with all these cool patterns and not be able to export them out as stems. Im sure it will come at some point. Also, have to say PolyEnd always does a great job with their sample selections. The stock samples always sound so so good. Love PolyEnd. Such a cool company.
I postponed my Tracker purchase because I thought the new Play could be better for me. I'm getting a Tracker.
The main advantages for the Play seem to be that the effects sound nicer and it has a larger sample memory. The Dirtywave M8 is worth considering also.
@@NegHead it doesn't sample and I don't find the interface all that inviting.
@@rok_koritnik it does sample, but if you're not into the interface that'd be a deal-breaker
@@NegHead No it doesn’t sample it only plays samples.
@@mojodrum3215 If you're taking about the Polyend Play you're right, but I was taking about the Dirtywave M8 which does have sample recording.
i already thought you were working overtime with the korg/roland double drop the other day. then i saw this beauty and all its knobs!
Thanks and indeed it has been a crazy week…
Its superbooth, the most busy time for audio equipment youtubers
@@loopop doesn’t help TE dropped the TX-6 and the OP-1 Field. I do hope you’ve had some sleep!
I'll will get this for the sequencer alone not bothered about sampling i have an mpc live for that. I'm certain i'll have a ball having this sequence all my hardware. i'll be making way more songs with it for sure.
While I really love an upgraded version of the Polyend Seq, I wish it could a) sample directly via audio in and b) do stereo samples. I guess I will wait for the Polyend Play II then before I replace my Seq and my 1010 Blackbox- and hope the Play II also gets a 32 step-interface instead of 16 😉
Forunately, the effects are stero so that should counter some of your concern. Play is a 16 x 64 step sequencer by the way. Additionally, it features timing options both traditional and unique that make it "feel" like much more than 64 steps.
The hardware looks super nice, and it's got some great sequencing capabilities - I had been wondering if this would replace my Deluge - nope. I was excited for this device, but for me at least, the Deluge still has the edge... A Deluge with a screen would be nice though!
Top video Loopop. You're the king of gear videos!!!
"Super nice" hardware? It offers no physical I/O beyond the absolute minimum (and omission of any audio input is "below the minimum").
This is a saddening design trend that can't end soon enough.
@@shaft9000 I should clarify - I mean the look of the unit, not the hardware features. As I said, I think the Deluge beats it in most regards. But I guess I just like the design of the Play. The IO of it is very disappointing! It's really not for me.
Deluge now has a real screen as of today! Old models can even be retrofitted but it’s gonna cost $149, plus if you’re not in a couple select countries, will also require shipping it to New Zealand, I think? And if you don’t have the original import paperwork or bought it second hand, you’ll get hit with a (or another) import fee! But an OLED Deluge is finally a reality!
@@dreamsaremaps yeah man, it looks super nice. The old display was mostly ok, but loading and naming samples was a bit shit... But with an OLED display, i think the Deluge is just unbeatable. Even though the play is cheaper, I think the Deluge just kills it for features.
I can't wait to get mine updated (I still can't believe that Synthstrom are offering this service - it's unheard of in synth manufacturers!)
Just ordered Mine.. can't wait.. thank you For your deep dive./.
Thank you loopop for this demonstration you have provided me a better understanding on how to use my play.
It feels like a budget version of the Deluge married with a budget version of Squarp hapax. If you are not particularly interested in 2 worlds (sequencing and groovebox) but mostly want a really deep sequencer you are better of with the Squarp. If you are primarily interested in a full featured groovebox and are willing to do with less (but still a fair amount) options for generative sequencing, the Deluge is a much better pick than the Play. Only if you need the combination of the 2 worlds in 1 box that is better priced, and are willing to accept the limitations, the Polyend Play seems the right option.
Thank you Ziv!
This looks seriously good, considering selling my Maschine + to get one…your videos are just the best
Here from Benn Jordans shout-out. Excellent job! Thank you!!
As always....perfect review...
Oh yeah! Thank you for the review Loopop!
amazing sequencer. for me its far too limited in all other aspects tho. tiz a pity, but im sure it'll be perfect for many people.
Notable omissions imo: sample slicing, waveform editor, assignable lfo's, filter env, sample loop for SSW's, audio in / sampling. resampling, internal synth engines.
you go around sampeling directly into your grooveboxes? Something ive never done as its always subpar.
@@atetraxx yea i do a lot, different folks I guess :)
Might be intentional in order not to undermine Tracker sales.
@@wizetek very possible
Get a Deluge for all that. I have both and they play nicely together
This pushes all the right knobs for me. I know its limited compared to the Deluge but it just seems more playable and playful. I think I'm gonna get me one. :-)
Trying to decide here... Can you explain the limits compared to Déluge?
@@glm1051 Doesn't have a synth engine - doesn't sample - limited sample length - doesn't time-stretch and pitch-shift - doesn't have CV/Gate I/O and a lot of other stuff.
But it does have something else, it just seem easier and more playful. Seems to have at better interface and a lot more physical knobs for direct control of parameters.
Then there's the Oxi One... I'm not looking so much for a sampler and synth engine, but more of a creative sequencer. I find using DAW sequencers unintuitive and tedious so I'm looking for a solution that allows me to combine the best of both worlds (DAW/external seq)
Great review and wow, this groovebox is very interesting.
~57:25 Reminds me of The Flashbulb/Benn Jordan's album Flexing Habitual.
50:29 - I feel that. This could be solved on software side, when there was an option to disable the select-on-touch functionality and only switch to the parameter when you start to rotate a knob or when one of the two buttons on the left side of the display is held while touching a knob.
After some days of playing with the polyend play I can tell that the alternative ideas I've mentioned wouldn't work well, since most of the time you have to hold some white pads as well and you only have two hands (you can't be in 3 areas at the same time). Maybe polyend could implement some kind of "debounce" delay to the knobs, so you only switch to a different setting, if you didn't touch any knob for a few hundred milliseconds.
This way you wouldn't accidentally double-tap a knob by just changing your grip on it - and you wouldn't accidentally switch to a palm-touched knob that easily, while fiddling with a finger-touched knob.
36:15 is it possible to have an effect only active (temporary) while you're holding the button WITHOUT a long press? Sometimes you don't want an effect to be on for long and when you release the button too early it even stays on... Maybe something like shift+effect or select+effect could work?
MIDI TRS type B, like why. Why. Type A has been the standard for a a while now. With that size and capabilities I would have expected full size MIDI in/out though, and no audio over USB is a bummer...
Agreed, 3,5mm trs midi adapters should definitely be standardized. Came to the conclusion when i accidentally ordered a wrong type
Really it should be switchable in software on every device.
Very nice review as always ....and a lovely groovebox with some interesting tricks up its sleeve...... but not yet selling my Deluge, which just keeps getting better and better ;-)
Holy cow...This just showed up 53 seconds ago! Kinda of an interesting machine
Great review as always! Sadly, and I hate to be critical, the product itself seems confused.
No sample input, no sending samples over USB, no LFO's/Envelopes, multiple MIDI sends but only one jack, mono samples, SUPER limited sample length, no audio over USB, no timestretch (one of *the* biggest complaints folks have about the Digitakt for *years*). I'm not personally fussed about them, but not having a battery or synth engines can be seen as odd omissions. Even the case is weird: Fits the unit and cover, but not the PSU (which you'd kinda need seeing as there's no battery). Just some really odd design decisions, some of which (like the Digitakt) can never be fixed without a complete redesign.
The sequencing and product idea *seem* like a great start, but the design choices have led to very bizarre limitations, many of which require a redesign to implement, make this product feel confused. I wish them well with it, and hopefully (like the Digitakt) a software update can improve some of these limitations, but right now it feels like a Kickstarter that didn't get community feedback prior to launch.
Yea, why do they not have more communication with their community and potential customers? That always surprises me how far many companies are from their clients.
Yeah I've had a grudge against Polyend for their uncanny ability to make amazing devices with hostile user experience and I thought I was being critical but this device proves I was onto something. To me, it feels like Polyend design really nice houses but then put doors in them that are only 3 feet tall.
Looks pretty great for performing dance music and the UI is clean. Gonna stick with deluge for now tho.
I would like to see a comparison between POLYEND PLAY vs Squarp Hapax.
Me too
I can make that. they're very very different
@@RonCavagnaro I think I'll go with Hapax. I prefer to have more firepower with sequencing over sampling abilities.
@@TOMAvatars Hapax feels pretty much like a standard sequencer to me to write songs. It has extra crazy features but not as crazy as play. Play is a blast live!
@@RonCavagnaro but I really like the per step editing of the Play! Still. I'm sure Hapax will be a better investment for my use case.
Such a great sequencer... Sadly while its a beast for jam and live... my dealbreaker is: once i want to use this gorgeous variations in a production, i couldnt split up the audiotracks or capture my performance... so it does amazing things but i cant integrate them easily in a production... had the same issue with teenage stuff or octatrack... and while loving these machines i found myself not using them and create a workflow in ableton inspired by these machines
Solo the tracks and record them in individually. This method was used on countless hit records in the 80s & 90s. It’s more work, but music is a craft. Don’t be limited by the workflow psyop.
@@whoadog8725 yes. i do that a lot with my octatrack and op-z... however... often it is the full performance and interactiion of channels that make the difference... but yeah... solo recording is the way to go with a lot of the machines... still love the concept of "play"
I love your videos. Such a present to be able to learn new skills from your vids. Thanks!
Certainly more accessible than the Tracker but the ratio of controls to square centimeters is nuts. Ideal for capsule hotels. EDIT: nice review-man and machine all the same.
Thanks!
Haha, love that intro 😎 “Hey” @0:00 ♪🕺♬ 💃 ♪
A sincere thank you for all the amazing reviews that you make. I’ve learned so much from watching your videos and it has inspired me to delve back into making music again.
My pleasure and great!
This box seems damn nice!
But i hope, they'll add the wavetable and granular engines of Tracker at some point.
i was told their github says that wavetable is coming indeed.
better update trackr with stuff from this box.
@@kostoglotow there is no github for play...
@@leehu1971 It's a private repo. Benn Jordan mentioned seeing changes there in his Q&A
Polyend is awesome and I love my tracker but I wonder why the hell they omitted sampling?
Because the tracker samples.
Exactly, only samples but no sampling input. Not sure what their thinking is here.
Want get into sequencing as a part time musician. The fun factor of this is drawing me to get it, appears intuitive.
USB multichannel audio out or stem export would have made it so useful. As is it's an expanded model:samples or super MIDI sequencer
They don't get it. They never will. Just another hipster toy..
Stem export was added in a FW update, in case anyone is still looking!
The sequencer looks really cool but I agree the sample player is fairly basic. It seems like a good pairing with my Tracker, though. Some way to drag samples from the Tracker to the Play other than SD card gymnastics (USB?) would be cool to have. I confess that one of my favorite features of my Tracker is the FM radio. I have a Bollywood station within range and it is super-fun to grab samples from that.
Wow … no 1 on my to buy list … great for my upcoming live act
really cool performance features but...mono samples? only FX sends? am I the only one who wants per track everything?
Could be a nice alternative 2nd piece.
Korg KARMA did this "generative / probability' sequencing over 20 years ago (!) And it has too many head-scratching limitations to add much my setup of Spectralis2 + Rolands + Korgs.
The ever-shrinking I/O trend has got to go...this thing won't even process audio input nor sample...this is unacceptable in any 'groovebox king'.
Agreed, a lack of I/O is a constant disappointment.
Still only two audio out channels like the tracker, so limiting :(
I wonder how the sequencer compares to the Oxi One and especially the Squarp Hapax, on the generative front. I don't need a groovebox, but the sequencer here is interesting, and seems the best aspect of this.
I’m wondering the same thing as someone who only cares about sequencing and is in for the June Hapax drop.
I'm currently looking Play and Hapax videos in loop wondering which one of these I should get. Help!
@@TOMAvatars I've had a hermod. If it's for driving a whole studio, including modular, Hapax is more flexible/powerful. For standalone, groovebox, pattern/ percussion based and instant gratification/fun, Play seems the choice.
@@compucorder64 thanks. I'm asking to use it for live. With Bitwig for the moment. I have a story with live, used in the past combos with MPC 1000, so 404/555, push, synths etc...
Sold all the gears, and making sequencing nowadays with Reaktor/Bitwig. But I'd like to control things from a machine.
It's very hard to decide because both the machines have very interesting sequencing/live features
Very cool. My Tracker isn’t going anywhere; I’ve become too good at it! It is an INSTRUMENT!
I bet the Play would be awesome with a Bass Station II & a JU-06A
Great! Many thanks!
Oh why did I watch this? Now there's another thing I want!
It seems really strange that they chose not to include a line-in for sampling. If this was a synth-based groovebox that could also play samples, as many were expecting, I could it understand it, but given it's a sample sequencer/player, it seems a strange omission. I'm sure they have their reasons, although I can't think of any good ones. I don't think the addition of sampling would have cannibalised the sales of the Tracker or vice-versa
Yea, I think it's a glaring omission, and at this price point too. I wonder what people are going to use to prep and import their samples? Just thinking there's room for Polyend to make a companion software sample editor and transfer, in dream land of course !
Exactly, the tracker isn’t just a groove box, it’s an entirely different workflow. Interesting nonetheless
unbelievable really. look , I'm not greedy, wouldn't complain about no synth engine or whatever. but making it sample based and then omitting line-in and a basic sampler functionality... like, wtf. When the vid was starting I was expecting to see some waveforms on that display soon, but nope.
how was sampling on the Tracker btw? Maybe they can add it via Fw...
price feels steep with the current feature set, but that's probably the macro econ environment factoring in too...
still looks like it would be fun to make some beats on this for sure.
Or at least have stereo playback of samples…
@@kostoglotow sampling on the Tracker is great, and it's been there since the start, it's not a new feature they added via FW. Everything is sampled to mono but that's never bothered me as I mostly work in mono anyway
Great review! But they made some really weird design choices imo, too many limitations. Why would anyone want only a few minutes of mono samples on a device that exclusively plays samples? Why not follow the midi trs standard?
Given how the Poly2 was handled, I wouldn't expect much in terms of firmware updates or customer support from Polyend. Instead of fixing issues like screen burn in, the simply discontinued the product. There are also several reports of them treating customers rudely. It's always good to only buy a product based on what it can do now, rather than hope for firmware updates, but sometimes bug/issues (like screen burn in) show up later on, or are introduced by firmware updates. Polyend has shown that they won't necessarily solve these types of issues, so if buying anything from them at all, I'd wait at least a few months, maybe a year, until it's clear what sort of issues there are.
Do you have an idea of how much time over 5 min of true sample time is? The time is calculated per sample not in real time. I would venture to bet that you would literally never run out of samples while creating an entire hour long performance.
Regarding support, Polyend released the Tracker (their current product) in 2020 and they are still supporting it via firmware updates. Additionally, they have warranty support located in the US!
@@eriklee909 it's so crazy when people don't understand sampling time lol.... artists made entire tracks with like 10 secs of sample time.
@@nautical_twilight Maybe it's an old schooler thing!
Gen Y&Z'ers are used to previewing entire song-length mixes in ableton as a loop, so anyhing less than a gazillion bytes of sample memory seems restrictive.
I guess the sample length limitation comes from Polyend's Tracker heritage. Over there, it was an intentional design decision to foster a different creative workflow based on restricted capabilities. At least that's how I understand it. And on the Tracker, in my opinion it works out really well in most cases. Given that a step sequencer is more geared towards live performance though, I would be quite concerned to wait up to a minute for a project to load...
Alreday ordered one...I guess Polyend will do some nice updates in the future as they did with the Tracker as well...!
We will!
No audio over USB, no battery and no synth engine. Might be expected at this price point but I guess it's not a deluge killer.
Yeah, also no audio in/sampling or sample transfer over USB.
@@jean-pierrejoubert6140 No audio in sampling is to be expected but audio over USB should be implemented in all new releases in my opinion, as more and more people are into hardware setups
@@Flying-Roro It's funny, I kinda feel the opposite; Even more reason to have both from the get-go. 😉
Seriously, though, seeing as even something like the new AIRA Compacts have audio over USB, it does feel like a pretty big oversight not to include it. Ideally Class-Compliant, too.
So its just a sampler with a sequencer?
I would love it to have some synth engine
Interesting machine but where is all the sampling functionality? Can you view sample wav files for setting start/end points? Can it loop forward/reverse? Does it timestretch?
Thankyou! Great review/guide. You're really great at this. Always a pleasure. But thankyou for illustrating the nuances..eg chance and rando and how saving randomisations The tip re slowing down the track with chords really makes its smoother and pushes back on the 64 step limit. And manual suggests rando notes across an octave with scale filter for instant melodic generation. Lot going on but it clicks together as you learn another bit.
Depth over width really works for me because I don't need another sampler and means it upcycles all my existing stuff from anything with a zen engine to maschine expansion packs. Workflow is slick intuitive, very immediate, generative and rewarding - unmatched in terms of applied design. Pricing is a bit spicy. Suddenly interested in a tracker, wait NO! , Aaarghhhhj!!!!
now i’m sure to have one, thanks loopop!
Great review. But I think for the money the Roland mc707 is the way forward.
Thanks keep up the good work
As always, nice review. I think for 799 EUR incl VAT a (midi) sequencer and a groovebox "sounds" interesting and is also on a reasonable price level. Well done Polyend.
In my opinion, it's way too expensive for what it is. More than an MPC One but does way less.
@@robinr22 MPC one is more like a ”DAW in the box”. But other competitors are squarp Hapax (1200EUR) and OXI ONE (750EUR). So the price level is in the middle.
Has there ever been a better time to buy a groovebox? I own the AKAI Force, which I love, but I would own all these machines if I could.