So I’m loving the Mini as a super portable music tool. One challenge I have is that often I’ll want to resample something drenched in an FX (eg to turn a piano sample into a lush pad with shimmer reverb). To be clear this isn’t about live performance - I want to resample back into my project.
I appreciate that my requirements might be niche but I’m looking for an ultra portable means to get a sample out of my Mini, into a decent FX processor and back into the Mini.
Currently the best solution is to use my Android phone as an external FX processor (Koala Sample has some basic FX). I sample using a Mini Line Out trs cable into an OTG convertor into the phone/Koala. I have a Headphone out on the OTG convertor so I can monitor the signal. I then have to swap the trs into Mini Line In and Record the modified sound.
This does work, but requires lot’s of cable swapping and also loses quality and gains a hum.
Mini supports Audio Out via USB but I can’t find a simple usb c to usb c OTG cable.
Ideally I’d rather have a small portable effects unit rather than use my phone, but since the Mini can’t Line Out and Line In simultaneously I’d need to add a Mixer, Looper etc…
I have found one solution… ahem… the Teenage Engineering TX-6
Surely there’s something similar that doesn’t cost twice what the Polyend cost!!
Maybe another portable sampler like the Roland P6?
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That’s actually a good shout!
I was hesitant in ‘investing’ in another sampler/sequencer unit - kind of feels a little redundant however he ability to add punch-in fx and resample back into the Mini would be very cool…
I mean if I was being super picky I’d like the P6 without the sequencer and with a few more fx and maybe a couple more ins/outs… but hey!
Maybe look into the Zoom MS-70CDR+ (or the other zoom multi-effects). I know the CDR has a looper with limited functionality, and can be battery powered and has many different reverb effects
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Thanks all for the suggestions, have looked into a few physical devices…
I’m settling (for now) on using my Android phone since it’s one less device to carry - I have bought a $15 USB OTG adapter which might allow me to use Audio Out over USB which might be a neater solution than Line In/Out…
On the app side, after a LOT of searching I’ve found a really interesting app which samples and can apply some VERY complex granualr effects - GainStorm.
https://grainstorm.rocks.me/
It looks pretty daunting tbf, but has a huge amount of depth (most of which I’m not sure I’ll ever use) but out of the gate it has some very nice creative reverbs with modulation (a bit like Blackhole or Valhalla Supermassive).
You can sample, then replay with FX with a couple of clicks. So whilst the overall workflow is a bit clunky it does function as an external FX for resampling.
Best of all the standard version is free, the Pro version (which I haven’t bought yet) is $15 - if I end up using this I’ll probably upgrade just to show my support to the devs.
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Good luck! Can you share the USB OTG you’ve bought? I’ve not managed to connect my android phone to the tracker mini over usb as my phone doesn’t seem to recognise it at all.
I just ordered it, should be here tomorrow!!!
It’s one of these Generic 3-1 adapters: https://amzn.eu/d/gqFOu3y
Chenyang 3 in 1 USB C to 3.5mm Audio AUX & USB 2.0 Socket OTG Adapter with PD 15W Charge for Laptop Tablet Phone
I saw someone on YT use this to connect a few different devices to an Android phone, it also has anotehr USB for Power (so you can keep your phone charged and maybe charge the other device too… will check)
It also has a 3.5mm for monitoring which is handy if your phone has no 3.5mm out!
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Also you need to enable OTG in the Settings, and I think you have to enable Developer mode to get to this setting (google it - super simple).
FYI apparently the OTG mode apparently uses a bit more battery so it times out after 10 mins of not using OTG - so you have to re-enable it before using.
Well in case anyone finds this thread - that OTG adapter didn’t work.
I was connecting the Mini via USB C to A into the adapter, powering the adapter via the USB C Power socket and then plugging the adapter Male USB C into my Android Phone.
I tried setting the Mini to USB Audio Output, and also enabled OTG on the phone.
I could use the 3.5 headphone jack, so I’m pretty sure the adaptor works when powered.
This YT video shows this setup, albeit with a Focusrite converting the analog signal to digital instead of a Polyend Tracker https://youtu.be/C5KxIpddj-g?si=UEg59peDh9CoRRbG
I’m going to revert back to a simple Headphone and Mic OTG adapter which does work for Audio In&Out - but is quite lossy.
Would have been nice to keep the signal digital right into the phone but looks like this isn’t the solution.
Thanks for the update! I think it’s a shame that Android phones aren’t able to connect to the tracker mini this way. I would have thought class compliant audio over USB would give us that ability but I guess not. Sounds like an android issue more than anything.
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If you did want to try another external device, the Mini Kaoss Pad 2S is pretty small, battery powered, has loads of effects, and I’m pretty sure it can do the thing you’re talking about, i.e. record a sample with added effects and then play it back into the tracker. I think it’s discontinued but you could get one on eBay. Needs to be the 2S, not just the 2 - only the 2S has sampling. If you do look into it please check the manual first, cause this is just from memory.
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Look into circuit tracks. It might be just the thing.
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I did see the non S version on a YouTube video - but didn’t realise there was an ‘S’ sampler version. Could be perfect! They look pretty rare here in the UK though - only 1 on eBay!
Cheers for the heads up!
I’m surprised I’d never come across the Novation Circuit Tracks before (I even have a Novation Launchpad X for my DAW!)
It looks great, I’m still on the fence about investing in something a feature rich as this when all I really want is something the size of a pocket operator with a couple of tactile knobs, a sampler and some really good effects.
The Kaoss 2S seems the closest so far… I’m really keen to keep this workflow ultra streamlined since I want to actually use it on the road… if I want more functionality I’ll just wait until I get back to my DAW!
If you look back at the ‘completed’ listings, it looks like they come up a couple of times a month on average.
Might even get round to digging out and listing one or both of mine at some point, I don’t use them much these days. Will drop a note here if I do!
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Not quite the same but I have been racking my brain on how to do something like this for the last couple of months. But more for having effects on each audio out rather than being limited in performance mode to whatever track is selected and not being able to sequence that.
I really wish that each performance slot could be locked to specific tracks.
I’ve been trying to work out a way to sequence effects on each of the audio channels (on the train, so no more objects to carry and power).
One solution would be to be able to run a sequencer on an old (not that old) android phone that can handle all of the USB audio tracks, sync the clock, and have a very simple way of drawing in FX automation for those tracks and then monitor from the mobile.
Obviously this micro DAW doesn’t exist but I think it could.
First thing I want to work out is getting those individual audio channels into android. If that is never going to work then I think I’m done.
I believe that the USB Out on the Mini supports multi-track - however the cabling/connectivity and the app required on the phone are the issue I’m finding…
Not really Polyend’s fault - its the dogs dinner of standards and support for Audio over USB (or even USB data in general)
6 out of 10 times it works every time…
I’ve just been playing with Audio Evolution Trial, but of a pain with the trial as lots of limitations but…
I’ve been able to record 3 stereo tracks from my Tracker+. Not been able to get audio back to the Tracker yet but it looks like it should be possible.
Interesting thing for me is there seems to be a lot of effects that you can chain (lots of paid ones) but looks like they can be controlled with midi, which would mean that in theory I could control track effects from the T+, if I can monitor the input channels.
Looks quite promising for my purpose, possibly yours… Battey is currently an issue as my T+ is powered from my phone and that isn’t being charged.
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It’s battery powered and fairly rugged. You can pick one up second hand for fairly cheap. In my view, it’s a steal for what it does at the price.
