I have lots of hardware devices, which is funny to test out together with Polyend Tracker. I have example tested synthesizers like Korg MS-20, ARP Odyssey, Microkorg, Behringer TD-3 and drummachines like MFB 512, Akai rhythm wolf & Behringer RD-6.
I always found the communication between 2 different designs very interesting and i´m thinking about testing the Polyend Tracker in combination with my Roland SP-404 Mk2, as I find the sample-handling more intuitive here, while the pattern recording is too stiff or sloppy on SP404 MK2. [I just have to find out how to trigger the SP404 Mk2 pads from the Tracker]
What is your favorite hardware companion(s) to use with the Polyend Tracker?
Example ARP 2600 [or cheaper alternative Behringer 2600], I saw these videos by Patchwerks and also @Stazma.
Imagine the sonic possibility, which you could get by just transmitting one midi-note on the top of the Track and then just keep patching till you find a hotspot or a weird effect, which you can sample directly into the Tracker.
I’ve been having great fun using the T+ with ASM’s Hydrasynth 49. Having the ability to address Polyphonic Aftertouch on the Tracker is the Bees Knees.
When I travel with my play + I usually bring my Soma Rumble of Ancient Times, Korg NTS-1 and myVolts mickXer (5 way passive mixer). I’ll use the ROAT for drones, and the NTS-1 for master/bus effects.
And how do you have connected the audio? Did the audio output from nts1 in the audio input of the tracker?
Does the sound sound in stereo to you? I also have the Roat, and I’m thinking of getting the NTS1, but if I connect the Roat directly to the audio input of the tracker, I can only hear it in mono, that is, a single speaker, even though I have the options set to stereo within the tracker. At the moment I don’t have a mixer.
It is pretty common in the modular world to have mono outs. The NTS-1 and NTS-1 mk2 or the NTS-3 are all stereo.
Yes I connect the audio out of the NTS to the input. But I also do the opposite, sort of loop, for when I want to use it as an FX box.
The midi out of the NTS goes to the midi in of the Tracker. For MIDI I intend to control the Tracker and input notes but I’ve got to check the settings to make it work, probably missed out something when I tried.
I’ve been using the Roland SH-4d since its release and it’s worked pretty well for me.
It has 4 instrument parts (tracks) plus another rhythm part. It includes Juno and SH-101 models and is loaded with all the X0X sounds - plus a bunch of other useful models/sounds. I especially like the Chord model - I can program chord progressions in a single track on the Tracker using both MIDI CC FXs, with any type of chord/inversion I could ask for.
It makes a lot of sense to me to use it with the Tracker because you can basically create an entire composition with it. It can be stretched further with program changes, but I never venture that far (or just use the Digitone - another honorable mention for this thread). However, it does have a few issues, and I’m holding my breath for a firmware update.
I’ve also been interested in getting a Korg Wavestate MKII (desktop form). I’d love to hear other people’s experiences with it.
Program changes with the Digitone work perfectly (as far as my jams ventured). Pretty cool also to animate synth Params or filter Params from the tracker. You can basically mix and choose what to trigger where (you can have an hybrid midi implementation as it becomes easy to miss all the conditions trigger in the DN). Midi chords also work well with the DN.
So you can basically sequence full on on tracker (Params and notes and send clock and transport for patches LFOs), partially sequence in the tracker (for instance notes with rolls or random notes, Params, etc) and sequence the rest in the DN adding program changes in the tracker, sequence all the DN in the DN and just use the tracker midi channels for coordinated pattern changes…or sequence everything in the DN and use the Tracker as a headless groove box providing sample playback.
I didn’t try that last scenario, but will give it a go some day, becomes interesting to use the tracker as a mere sample mangler player and use the DN as brains with the spiced up sequencer.
Currently I’m routing all audio through a 10/2 mixer but have used the tracker to glue a bit the sound using the internal limiter and EQ in the past and works reasonably well too.
I have been playing around with Roland SP-404 Mk2 and there has been a few challenges, not due to Polyend Tracker, but due to how the SP404 MK2 is technically designed.
First define, which PAD is triggered by which note as the documentation from Roland was incorrect and is shifted by an octave.
You can only play one pad chromatically. [Assign it to midi channel 16 and then play it chromatically]
So, I had to re-think, how I can implement it into the Tracker setup. So, my next idea is following:
Let the Polyend Tracker handle the drums and then play the other instruments into the external input of SP404MK2, when something is satisfying, then open SP-404 MK2 Skipback and trim sample followed by assigned to a pad. The challenge is then to find the correct trigger spot in the Tracker track, so all sounds in sync.
Let the Polyend Tracker handle the drums and then play the other instruments into the SP404 MK2 using the newly introduced “Looper”. It would be interesting to see, if the looper can sync with the midi-clock from Polyend Tracker.
Said in other words, SP-404 MK2 would become a audio recorder, where the parts can be triggere and pitched [within SP-404 MK2] to sync the Polyend Tracker.
too much fun.