[11 September 2024] Polyend has released firmware updates for all three grooveboxes of the Tracker series. The original Polyend Tracker and the Tracker+ both receive new features that had been requested by users. The Tracker Mini also gets a small update that fixes some issues in the V2.0 firmware released back in July.
Polyend Tracker Updates
Polyend has released firmware updates for all three devices of the Tracker series. Even the original Tracker, which has now been discontinued, gets an update that greatly enhances your flexibility when sequencing external MIDI devices. Cheers to Polyend for maintaining an older product! Here’s an overview of what’s new:
- Polyend Tracker: The new firmware version 1.9 for the OG Tracker adds the option to use 12 tracks for MIDI sequencing, as opposed to eight. According to Polyend, this feature had been requested by users who wanted more flexibility for MIDI sequencing. In addition to this, the update includes several workflow improvements, such as more consistent parameter labeling to avoid confusion. Some bugfixes are also included.
- Polyend Tracker+: The still new Tracker+ also receives an important update. Version 1.0.2 adds Performance FX for the synth engines. Like the existing Performance FX, these can be punched in and out on the fly using the pads. Very nice! Furthermore, the Tracker+ also gets numerous bugfixes and smaller improvements.
- Polyend Tracker Mini: The Tracker Mini had just received a major update to version 2.0 a couple of months ago. With the 2.0.1 update, Polyend addresses some issues of the new firmware, such as the long period of silence that occured at the end of the new sample when rendering the selection on the Pattern page. The Preview feature on the Pattern page has also been fixed. The same goes for the sticking MIDI and synth notes that could occur when using an external keyboard.
The Polyend Tracker, Tracker+ and Tracker Mini updates are available to download from the Polyend website.
The Polyend Tracker+ and Tracker Mini are available at Thomann*.
Polyend Tracker Firmware Update 1.8
[15 March 2024] Polyend has released the Tracker Firmware Update 1.8 with many new features and bugfixes! And right now, you can save big when you purchase the Polyend Tracker. The groovebox is still on sale with a massive 40% discount!
Following last week’s Tracker Mini update, Polyend has just released a new firmware version for the original Tracker, as well. Version 1.8 brings many workflow improvements, including better sample handling and new custom names for patterns and tracks. Moreover, the Tracker now supports longer sample recording times within the memory limitations. And holding Shift while using the encoder now results in faster parameter changes – great news! In addition to this, the Polyend Tracker update 1.8 includes many smaller bug fixes and interface improvements. It’s available as a free download from Polyend.
More than just a sampler
[12 May 2020, original post by Lyubomir Dobrev] At first, it was rumored that Tracker is a sampler with granular synthesis. The device also seemed to house a sequencer. However, the first teaser pictures were very blurry. They showed a desktop unit with a large control dial and display. And that’s really the way it is. Tracker is an all-encompassing audio workstation with an old-school tracker sequencer. Designed very nicely, the hardware includes an integrated sampler, synthesizer, and an FM radio for sample fodder. Cute!
The Polyend Tracker’s centerpiece is, of course, the step sequencer as known from the Commodore C-64 and Amiga 500 days – or Renoise in the present. The tracker is actually programmed by entering parameters manually, somewhat similar to a programming music row by row. Your doings are visible on the large, clear display. The sequencer handles 8 tracks, 48 instruments per project, 255 patterns per song, and up to 128 steps per pattern.
Sequencer and display
A sampler and wavetable or granular synthesizers make sounds, arranged via the song arranger. You can also control external synthesizers over a bidirectional MIDI connection. All functions are designed so that you can edit the sounds and samples live in a musical context in every detail. There are even sequencer step effects for your live performance. These include Roll, Chance, Random, Reverse, Microtuning, Microtiming, Cutoff, Panning, Glide, Sample Position, Sample Slice, Reverb Send, and more.
Optimized for mobility
The workstation can be powered by USB devices, so you can use a power bank on the go to sample sounds, edit them, and create new songs. For sampling, you have a line input, microphone input (high gain, low gain), and an integrated FM radio. Your recordings (16bit / 44.1kHz) and creations are saved on a microSD card.
The sound generators have volume, tuning, panning, filters, reverb sends, LFOs and ADSR envelopes for sound shaping. The Polyend Tracker can be expanded with updates. When finished, you can export your song and its sounds as complete tracks in WAV format. Or you can choose to export nine stems (eight tracks plus one reverb track). For mastering, there are effects such as limiter and bit depth adjustment.
More information about the Polyend Tracker
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