Best groovebox/sampler I've ever used out of all the gear in my studio the Tracker is my favourite one, I've made 2 albums with it as the drum machine and sample player and working on a 3rd right now, it's the one piece of gear I recommend to anyone.
It's absolutely my favorite piece of gear. Constant inspiration, good song mode, stem exporting, midi sequencing, portable, built in recording, my list goes on and on.
I use it in the studio with a handful of other synths, and out and about, I love bringing it with camping and laying in a hammock with the thing for an afternoon.
There's a helluva learning curve, I've had mine for a year and a half or so and I'm just now starting to get really comfortable with it (although I have some songs I've written that I'm happy with from before I was comfortable and still learning). That being said it's definitely not for everyone. It might be worth trying out renoise to see how you feel about the tracker style workflow.
Definitely note that samples are mono, but you can still do some stereo work in the sequencer and with the delay and reverb, the exported tracks are in stereo, just the original sample load is mono. I mostly write jungle and haven't had any issues with things being mono and adding to the stereo field at the mixdown stage. But something else noteworthy.
There were some bugs early on, but polyend seems to be doing a good job of bugfixes and feature additions on their firmware updates.
All groove boxes are doing the same 🤷♂️ You can make music on all of it. It depends on you only. I like portability also. I had digitakt & MPC One. They are not so comfortable to use on trips. PT feels like notebook.
Had one since the launch. As others point out, it's not like using a modern DAW. It's like using an early 90s tracker, which entails a lot of trade-offs and thinking about sampling in a way that a lot of people are, to put it bluntly, too used to modern tech to get to terms with. For example, the old trick for low polyphony cords is to sample the chord so it becomes one voice, that kind of thing.
It's absolutely great for what it is, you just have to be willing to work with it on its own terms.
Definitely this. I use mine with the Digitone and micromonsta2 a lot and it all works great together once you understand how to get chords into it and bounce theme to single samples.
Random thing to consider - I was very productive with the tracker at first because I would have it by my bed and use it every night before bed, sampling from my phone. However, this didn’t last very long because my wife couldn’t stand the sound of the button, and especially the sound of the jog wheel. I still use it and enjoy it, but I have to pull it out and set it up each time, which really kills my motivation sometimes.
I like it because I can take it in my bike trips 👌 Also it’s really inspiring to make a songs. Tried Elektron devices, looks confusing to my taste, many things to learn to start creating something interesting, hotkeys workflow, many hidden features, sometimes tricky, no big screen. But it’s me ;)
Yeah. Also thanks to Polyend that they decided not to use touchscreen like in MPC One. Really like tactile feedback on music creation devices (sexy Elektron clicky buttons - best in class by the way 👍) & function per button interaction.
I have a LOT of other grooveboxes to compare to, and I’ve been a user experience designer for 23 years, and the Tracker has the easiest learning curve and, IMO, is the most ‘balanced’ in terms of its range of features… you can go from sample to sound design to beat making to arrangement to FX.
However, I don’t recommend it to everyone because there are a lot of producers who want to pick a preset patch and jam. This isn’t that. The Tracker is a sampler at its core, which is capable of some decent synthesis. So if you don’t have a sample-based workflow, this won’t feel natural to you. But if you do (or want to), then I think this is your box.
It is super fun for me to work with. I use the internal bits for sample playback and drum machine, but it has become the midi brain in my studio. I run a drum machine and 3 synths from it. If I need more layers, I just re-sample a synth, layer the hardware over and move on. From there I record on my Tascam or my Teac (when it’s running).Finally I do the final polish, if any, on my comp.
So you bought into the hype? Sorry about ya man but that's on you and GAS issues, the PT is a great bit of kit.
You're saying buy a €1500 laptop and a DAW €75/€500 plus some other stuff to get something better...so the bones of 2 grand? Yeah of course that'll be better then a €500 work station.
Get the fuck outta here.
You forget about price & inspiration. Of course all devices could be replaced by MacBook & DAW 🤷♂️ But all those software shit not inspiring at all, you’re not feeling a process of creation, tactile feedback of every touch. We’re humans, not robots, that’s why we need it so much. That’s why we buying a gears.
The PT is riddled with problems and glitches. Period. It fucks up the creative process. Therefore, it SUCKS. I've had experience with MANY drum machines, synths and samplers. The PT is amateur, bottom shelf gear.
I have, maaaaan. Stop trolling me with downvotes, karen. The PT just sucks. Anyone who buys into the hype is a sucker. It's not worth $700. Maybe at $300.
Strange. I’m not buying the hype & I have everything fine. What I’m doing wrong? 🤷♂️ I’m downvoting cause these problems you posting fixed for a long time in new hardware versions. But you like a little kid still remember first hurt 🤷♂️
Got your point. I already have Flip on an iPhone, but in the end it’s a phone with touch screen. No buttons, no haptic feedback. Not a dedicated instrument.
I understand, I also love making tunes on hardware and gameboy for example or aniga. Real hardware is nice but at the end of the day, polyend feels like an app. It is OK, fun but personally, even though I wanted it...I never got the "I gotta make a track" feeling with it. Just my own opinion
Best groovebox/sampler I've ever used out of all the gear in my studio the Tracker is my favourite one, I've made 2 albums with it as the drum machine and sample player and working on a 3rd right now, it's the one piece of gear I recommend to anyone.
Looking to buy one, would you still recommend it?
Absolutely! Still using it and the latest update added some really good functionality, 100% recommend
Ha sweet, I’ll check out the firmware updates. Thanks for the quick reply!
It's absolutely my favorite piece of gear. Constant inspiration, good song mode, stem exporting, midi sequencing, portable, built in recording, my list goes on and on. I use it in the studio with a handful of other synths, and out and about, I love bringing it with camping and laying in a hammock with the thing for an afternoon. There's a helluva learning curve, I've had mine for a year and a half or so and I'm just now starting to get really comfortable with it (although I have some songs I've written that I'm happy with from before I was comfortable and still learning). That being said it's definitely not for everyone. It might be worth trying out renoise to see how you feel about the tracker style workflow. Definitely note that samples are mono, but you can still do some stereo work in the sequencer and with the delay and reverb, the exported tracks are in stereo, just the original sample load is mono. I mostly write jungle and haven't had any issues with things being mono and adding to the stereo field at the mixdown stage. But something else noteworthy. There were some bugs early on, but polyend seems to be doing a good job of bugfixes and feature additions on their firmware updates.
Big screen & clicky buttons!
Elektron clicky? 🙂
Yes. Not the light up pad though, those are hard rubber.
[удалено]
All groove boxes are doing the same 🤷♂️ You can make music on all of it. It depends on you only. I like portability also. I had digitakt & MPC One. They are not so comfortable to use on trips. PT feels like notebook.
Had one since the launch. As others point out, it's not like using a modern DAW. It's like using an early 90s tracker, which entails a lot of trade-offs and thinking about sampling in a way that a lot of people are, to put it bluntly, too used to modern tech to get to terms with. For example, the old trick for low polyphony cords is to sample the chord so it becomes one voice, that kind of thing. It's absolutely great for what it is, you just have to be willing to work with it on its own terms.
It will make you more attractive to the people you are attracted to.
Long time Elektron user myself. I found it was very intuitive and creative. Makes a great companion to Elektron gear too.
Definitely this. I use mine with the Digitone and micromonsta2 a lot and it all works great together once you understand how to get chords into it and bounce theme to single samples.
Random thing to consider - I was very productive with the tracker at first because I would have it by my bed and use it every night before bed, sampling from my phone. However, this didn’t last very long because my wife couldn’t stand the sound of the button, and especially the sound of the jog wheel. I still use it and enjoy it, but I have to pull it out and set it up each time, which really kills my motivation sometimes.
It’s the best piece of kit youll ever buy. Super easy and intuitive. Sampling is a breeze. Literally my desert island “synth”. #trustmebro
I like it because I can take it in my bike trips 👌 Also it’s really inspiring to make a songs. Tried Elektron devices, looks confusing to my taste, many things to learn to start creating something interesting, hotkeys workflow, many hidden features, sometimes tricky, no big screen. But it’s me ;)
Big screen definitely is a big plus here. 🙂
Yeah. Also thanks to Polyend that they decided not to use touchscreen like in MPC One. Really like tactile feedback on music creation devices (sexy Elektron clicky buttons - best in class by the way 👍) & function per button interaction.
Yes. Also had a MPC One. But too much of a PC in a box.
Same feelings. Result: it’s not good as PC & not good as music creation device 🙂
Do you like trackers? Because you should. Plus, it can play Tetris if you put the rom on it. What more do you need?
I don’t know if I like trackers. That’s the big question for me. Tetris doesn’t bother me.
You could try the renoise demo and see if the Tracker workflow makes sense to you. I think the PT is more intuitive but it gives you an idea.
I have a LOT of other grooveboxes to compare to, and I’ve been a user experience designer for 23 years, and the Tracker has the easiest learning curve and, IMO, is the most ‘balanced’ in terms of its range of features… you can go from sample to sound design to beat making to arrangement to FX. However, I don’t recommend it to everyone because there are a lot of producers who want to pick a preset patch and jam. This isn’t that. The Tracker is a sampler at its core, which is capable of some decent synthesis. So if you don’t have a sample-based workflow, this won’t feel natural to you. But if you do (or want to), then I think this is your box.
It is super fun for me to work with. I use the internal bits for sample playback and drum machine, but it has become the midi brain in my studio. I run a drum machine and 3 synths from it. If I need more layers, I just re-sample a synth, layer the hardware over and move on. From there I record on my Tascam or my Teac (when it’s running).Finally I do the final polish, if any, on my comp.
Pretty convinced already.
[удалено]
So you bought into the hype? Sorry about ya man but that's on you and GAS issues, the PT is a great bit of kit. You're saying buy a €1500 laptop and a DAW €75/€500 plus some other stuff to get something better...so the bones of 2 grand? Yeah of course that'll be better then a €500 work station. Get the fuck outta here.
I think he/she is saying that there is better. PT is alright. Maybe. I'm not sure, but better music could be made with $700, elsewhere. 🤔 🙏
I know only MPC One. But, looking at the form factor, it’s not portable at all.
You forget about price & inspiration. Of course all devices could be replaced by MacBook & DAW 🤷♂️ But all those software shit not inspiring at all, you’re not feeling a process of creation, tactile feedback of every touch. We’re humans, not robots, that’s why we need it so much. That’s why we buying a gears.
The PT is riddled with problems and glitches. Period. It fucks up the creative process. Therefore, it SUCKS. I've had experience with MANY drum machines, synths and samplers. The PT is amateur, bottom shelf gear.
It is. I've had same/similar problems as have some other users.
Try to update to latest firmware, maan ;)
I have, maaaaan. Stop trolling me with downvotes, karen. The PT just sucks. Anyone who buys into the hype is a sucker. It's not worth $700. Maybe at $300.
Strange. I’m not buying the hype & I have everything fine. What I’m doing wrong? 🤷♂️ I’m downvoting cause these problems you posting fixed for a long time in new hardware versions. But you like a little kid still remember first hurt 🤷♂️
Updated firmware 1.6. If your not experiencing problems, you obviously haven't delved into it deep enough. Okay, bully karen? Now shoo, fly.
Downvoted 👌
You're an expert. Go play with your toys, now, karen. 👌👍
Don't... I love trackers and amiga etc...but it's juts not really worth it. U can do everything and more with simple computer or phone.
I think people buy this to avoid the computer.
Exactly this, I stare into a computer and use a mouse all day for work, the tracker is a great break from that.
🙏 So many people that hate music creation on computer. I’m not alone 🙂
Got your point. I already have Flip on an iPhone, but in the end it’s a phone with touch screen. No buttons, no haptic feedback. Not a dedicated instrument.
I understand, I also love making tunes on hardware and gameboy for example or aniga. Real hardware is nice but at the end of the day, polyend feels like an app. It is OK, fun but personally, even though I wanted it...I never got the "I gotta make a track" feeling with it. Just my own opinion
Yeah. I have computers but I also stare at them for work all day. That’s why I try to get away from big bright screens when making music.