What is the problem?
The tracker and mini have extra engines; but one that is missing, and that is present on other hardware that run on the Teensy platform is a SID based engine. If the engine can run on the M8 and on the Microdexed, it could run on the Tracker/Mini.
What should this feature achieve?
the engine could be used to run SID files on the device and to play SID patches as the other engines do. If there is not enough space in the teensy flash, you can always make other engines optional, so users can decide which engine to swap with the SID engine.
As the M8 and Microdexed have a SID engine, and considering that people build SID based synths using very simple electronics (you can make one with a raspberry pi pico for example for few bucks), because there is a lot of interest around that IC and what it sounds like, the value added to the tracker (which is a retro-device for many; so would align with the feature) could be quite substantial.
Are there any workarounds?
No, the tracker synths currently do not sound anything like a SID nor can read SID files.
Any links to related discussions?
I will start a conversation on the forum about this
Any references to other products?
Dirtywave M8 has it, same for the Microdexed touch. There are plenty of hardware based SID synths too, but I focus on the devices that are more similar to the Tracker/Mini