im just thinking of the way this sort of control would allow users to compound efforts without needing to use tracker or play’s methods. with pc you can use any equipment interface and even write pattern changes into a sequence, also reducing the number of gears you need to manage live. if i can keep my attention inside a single master sequencer, i feel this is a best case scenario. i spend time making a collection of drum patterns or bass etc and then use them the same way i would invoke a set of patches in an expressive way, potentially making my synth or drum track much more interesting and expressive.
ok my rant is done. sorry to put you through that. if i made it, mechanisms like these would have a front seat and i bet everybody would love it.
ok more ranting: reaper can do this with its internal step sequencer ‘megababy’ and i just wish some modern makers would give gear this flexibility. 2 sequencers is better than one. one meta sequencer, one workhorse sequencer. polyend stuff is gorgeous and sounds good but there is no meta control. it makes me cry lol
It’s all good. We all have different ways of working and workflows.
For me it works as it is. Tracker is my melodic and arranging brain for most parts.
Drums i nowadays do on the Play because of it flexibility and chance parameters.
I don’t mind switching between the two to perform and add variations… but i can see the advantages of having such an ability for sure.
so what do you do when you inevitably want to insert a pattern between 2 steps in the song sequencer? i mean to massage the arrangement to my process means making a lot of changes and revisions.
classic mpc workflow lets you combine many patterns into a longer pattern which then can be combined with any other patterns, even other combined patterns. this isnt external control of whats playing but it is meta capability of a sort. i just love 2nd or 3rd level meta control. deluge lets you get at meta control a bit with its arranger and many swear by its strengths. i feel like tracker and play could easily play its part with an easy change like that. is it a hard thing for some reason im not connecting with?
I go into Song Mode and navigate to the section i want to add a pattern in and press “Add Slot”
But more serious answer: i tend to work with 64 step patterns (can’t teach an old amiga dog new tricks et al). This allows me to combine two patterns later down the line if i really ever would want to.
no i don’t think so. It’s just not something tracker users of old ever worried about
The Trackers have followed the classic behaviour of trackers to a T (excuse my pun) and that is great for tracker lovers like me (an old Amiga Protracker user).
I’m guessing the Play kinda has some of it’s core from the tracker so follows a lot of things philosophy wise.
Mabye it’s also just down to Polyend and how they approach creating products
I truly believe they shouldn’t advertise these devices as a DAW workaround when they are so limiting. I still struggle to get MIDI to work correctly with the Polyend Tracker Mini and my other devices. If I were using any full DAW, it would easily be compatible and work seamlessly. I’ve been very upset about this, and talking to support, they haven’t helped me fix my problem.
