What is the problem?
Currently, creating custom Fill templates is very clunky because you have to use a computer to do it.
What should this feature achieve?
My vision and idea is how this feature should actually quickly save the step and trigger structure directly on the device in a single click, without any complex menu diving.
FILL SAVE
The way of creating your custom Fill templates (described in section 6.14 of the manual) severely slows down the creative process. You have to constantly pull out the SD card and use a computer for this - it is very inconvenient for a groovebox of this type.
I propose a function that allows to quickly save the trigger / step structure from a single track or from 3 tracks for drums directly on the device. The device takes an instant snapshot straight from memory and automatically puts it into the right folder and automatically names the file.
IMPORTANT FOR DEVELOPERS:
• Folders: All the necessary folders are created either automatically during the firmware update, or the user creates them strictly according to the instructions with fixed names in advance on the sd card. This guarantees that all Polyend Play owners will have strictly identical root folders. Such a feature will allow users to easily exchange Fill templates between each other — the files are guaranteed to work for everyone without path conflicts.
• Saving: The saved template records only the sequencer data (triggers, notes, step parameters, and automation), completely ignoring the samples themselves that are assigned to these triggers.
• Loading: When loading this Fill template in a new project, it automatically uses the samples that are already assigned to the selected tracks. This is the same as how the standard FILL button works right now on the Polyend Play+ — the selected template fills the step grid and uses the samples selected for this track.
RULES
• Saving must happen ONLY when playback is completely stopped (Play is turned off) to avoid any bugs when accessing the device’s memory.
• 1 track is selected — the template is saved for melodies/bass.
• Exactly 3 tracks are selected — the template is saved for drums.
• The names of the used samples and their binding to the Sample Pool are completely ignored during saving — only the trigger / step data should be recorded.
WORKFLOW
Step 1: Preparation and track selection
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Turn off Play to completely stop playback.
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Select the track / tracks for saving:
• For melodies or bass: Select one track.
• For drums: Select 3 tracks at the same time using the Select buttons.
Step 2: Shortcut and pop-up menu
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Hold down the key combination (for example, Fill + Save).
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A compact pop-up window appears on the screen with a list of pre-created folders:
• User Drum
• User Bass
• User Melody
Step 3: Folder selection and auto-saving
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Turn the Screen Knob and select the right folder.
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Press the Screen Knob to confirm the folder selection.
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The device automatically assigns a name to the template based on the selected folder and a sequential number (for example, UserDrum_01, UserDrum_02 or UserBass_01), and writes it to the sd memory card. The process takes a couple of seconds.
This option for saving Fill templates I chosen not by accident — the task was to save programmers from unnecessary work: they don’t need to give the user the ability to create folders on the device themselves, manually write names for them, give names to templates on the screen keyboard, dive through menus and do the saving somewhere there. Everything should be much simpler: folders are created in advance on the SD card or automatically during a firmware update, names for templates are generated by themselves, and no menu diving or other troubles.