# Play 1.6.0 and Play Plus 1.2.0 MIDI Perform Mode Beta **URL:** \ **Category:** Archive\ **Tags:** play-plus, play, beta-release\ **Created:** [November 8, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585 "2024-11-08T17:35:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mitch](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/mitch/32/33_2.png) [@Mitch](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/Mitch)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/1 "2024-11-08T17:35:53Z")
New Beta can be found here - [Play 1.6.0 and Play Plus 1.2.0 Beta #3](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-beta-3/19865) **MIDI Perform Mode** MIDI Perform Mode is now available as an open beta update for Play and Play+. This firmware also includes planned fixes for the 1.1 and 1.5 launch on Monday as well as the PERC drum synth engine for Play+. **NEW FEATURES** - MIDI Perform Mode - Play+: A fifth Synthesizer model: the PERC **UI Changes:** - 2 Pages in Performance mode, with independent settings for each page. Press shift + pattern to toggle performance pages, with MIDI/Audio switching now unified for all modes. - Each page has an independent set of selectable presets on the pads. - When in the pattern editor, switching between MIDI and Audio clears the selected tracks. When in performance mode paging is unchanged. - When selecting a track in MIDI mode - All the MIDI channels and Synths on the selected track will also be selected on other tracks with the same Synth or MIDI channel. - Sample State/Sample End and Sample/Folder knobs are disabled in MIDI perform mode. **Audio:** - Master effects(Audio Loop, Reverb, and Delay) presets share a common send in both modes, with Audio changes overriding MIDI for these settings. Note that MIDI delay and reverb changes will not change the amount of the send, only the preset. - For CC parameter changes, performance pad presets overwrite step values. Knob values are added to pad preset values. - When exiting perform mode, the last step CC value is sent. If CCs were not used before engaging performance mode no MIDI message is sent when exiting. ⚠ Beware that beta releases might introduce new bugs that may lead to loss of work, data corruption, performance degradation, or crashes. **We recommend backing up your SD card before trying the beta.** If you run into any issues please share them with us by logging a [Bug](https://backstage.polyend.com/c/bug/19) in Backstage. Thank you. **Download Firmware:** Play: [PolyendPlay\_1.6.0.1703b.zip](https://backstage.polyend.com/uploads/short-url/eZxbwVZK8j8iWx3dkcndeBOCCXR.zip) (1.2 MB) Play+ [PlayPlus\_1.2.0.1703b.zip](https://backstage.polyend.com/uploads/short-url/1v7iPDnJyezOCN55ru77B6c3pNq.zip) (1.2 MB) ### INSTALLATION GUIDE 1. Download and extract the firmware file above. 2. Copy the .ppf firmware file to your Play SD card \> Firmware folder 3. For Play+ only: Download and extract PERC factory presets: [Perc.zip](https://backstage.polyend.com/uploads/short-url/cmQmo6KkEOY9KICzcqYNLQwWjCY.zip) (48.5 KB) 4. Copy the Perc folder to your Play SD card \> Patches 5. Optional: save your current project to avoid any potential data loss 6. In Play navigate to Settings \> Firmware \> Update Firmware \> .ppf file 7. Click the encoder and confirm with Yes 8. After the update create a new project to initialize the config settings. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8kvfy_m_JKc/maxresdefault.jpg "Beta Firmware: Play and Play+ MIDI Perform Mode") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kvfy_m_JKc) ---
**Author:** ![TheKrazyWabbit](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/thekrazywabbit/32/327_2.png) [@TheKrazyWabbit](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/TheKrazyWabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 5:50pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/2 "2024-11-08T17:50:57Z")
Play just became a lot more fun and powerful. Awesome update. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/ameliagagarin/32/4967_2.png) [@ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/ameliagagarin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/3 "2024-11-08T23:23:50Z")
A great update! I’m glad that there are two different effects panels, one for samples and other for synths. Great, thank you very much. Play,+ is an awesome device and I hope in a future to see more amazing updates like this!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hut48ku](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@hut48ku](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/hut48ku)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 4:31am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/5 "2024-11-09T04:31:19Z")
Wait, so it’s supposed to be separate perform pages for samples/midi& synths? I thought that was a bug before I reread what was above 😬 Will there be an option to affect both at the same time (where possible) at some point? ---
**Author:** ![Dann](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/dann/32/2287_2.png) [@Dann](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/Dann)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 4:54am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/6 "2024-11-09T04:54:36Z")
It’s a separate perform page just like everything MIDI/Synth is on a different “page” when Sequencing. I does also bring some uniformity to the Shift function as to how Shift with Pattern works with switching between MIDi and Sequencing pages. It could be an interesting idea for a wish, but I’m curious as to how you would envision a Pattern page that could impact both MIDI and Samples with all the options available to both? ---
**Author:** ![hut48ku](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@hut48ku](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/hut48ku)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 5:25am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/7 "2024-11-09T05:25:18Z")
I’d mainly want Rearrange, Repeats, or Loops to affect both Samples & Synths/Midi at the same time. Additionally having something like delay or reverb affect samples/synths at the same time (of course this would not work on Midi). Having some issues when I hit shift/patterns where occasionally it will jump out of performance mode, so maybe what I’m asking is possible but I can’t get it to work 😂 Would be helpful to get a manual to understand how it should be functioning Separately, the perform mode delays are LOUD on the synths. Any way to tone those down? ---
**Author:** ![Dann](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/dann/32/2287_2.png) [@Dann](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/Dann)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 6:34am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/8 "2024-11-09T06:34:17Z")
Your use case could make for an interesting wish. A bit like how the Tracker Uses Perform Mode. You have certain slots, and you define what they impact (with options for both MIDI and Samples on every slot). For now I’m going to bask in the glory of having the MIDI performance available as it is, but I encourage you to draft a wish on this idea 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/ameliagagarin/32/4967_2.png) [@ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/ameliagagarin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 6:45am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/9 "2024-11-09T06:45:48Z")
I like it separate, in my opinion it’s a better idea, but I would be great too an option per project to affect with one page all synths/samples. And best of all, in the performance page there is two rows per FX, so it would be great one and only page (as an option in the project settings) and each FX row type affects sample/synth. For example, in the delay two rows, left row for samples and right row for synths. Sure there are limitations to that but the definitive and perfect solution would be to be able to select which preset you want from the selected FX. The variation row would be for select sample tracks and the most right row for select synths. ---
**Author:** ![ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/ameliagagarin/32/4967_2.png) [@ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/ameliagagarin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 7:06am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/10 "2024-11-09T07:06:26Z")
My idea is that half of the FX could be implemented so one row for samples and one row for synths in the performance page for each FX type ---
**Author:** ![katzi](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@katzi](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/katzi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 11:57am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/11 "2024-11-09T11:57:30Z")
I agree that the fact that audio and MIDI perform modes are separated makes the Play way more powerful performance instrument, as we basically have two perform ‘scenes’ with different FX activated on each. But on the other hand I think there must be a way to apply the same effect to samples and synths **simultaneously**. Some use cases: - to transpose all melodic parts - both samples and synths - to make a scale change (if your tune is in major and you transpose all notes three semitones down, it becomes parallel minor). This is not possible now. - to make **the whole mix** to sound darker or brighter with the filter FX pad column - the same with distortion - to apply the same repeat type to all drum parts or melodic parts in our track - etc Because of this separation, perform mode kinda loses its, idk, ‘integrity’ (not sure about the word here), as we can’t change how the whole thing sounds with just one pad press. I guess this could be done via Shift + FX pad? For example, if I hold Shift and press the -3st pitch down pad, all the selected tracks, both samples and MIDI, get transposed three semitones down. @Mitch what do you think? Maybe worth considering my suggestion while the feature is still in beta. ---
**Author:** ![andymuza](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@andymuza](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/andymuza)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/12 "2024-11-09T21:14:37Z")
Yes this is a fantastic addition to the features on my Play. Updated and raring to go. ---
**Author:** ![Mitch](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/mitch/32/33_2.png) [@Mitch](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/Mitch)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/13 "2024-11-09T21:24:01Z")
> [@katzi](#): > > @Mitch what do you think? Maybe worth considering my suggestion while the feature is still in beta. Having 2 sides of performance mode felt like the most natural extension of Play but that is a fair request. However I don’t believe it would be a trivial change, and with people waiting for this as long as they have we want to polish this as fast as we can and get this to an official release without adding anything else. It could be a potential update in the future though and I would recommend a wish for it after the final MIDI firmware is launched. ---
**Author:** ![darioleicach](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/b782af/32.png) [@darioleicach](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/darioleicach)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 9:39pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/14 "2024-11-09T21:39:11Z")
Ive noticed that in this release this two bugs are still there. I´ve lost track if they were going to be adressed in the final release, but just in case… Cheers and glad to see changes in Polyend policy! 👏 👏 😀 💚 > [@Hanging notes with View keyboard when playing from an octave which is not in range of currently selected steps](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/hanging-notes-with-view-keyboard-when-playing-from-an-octave-which-is-not-in-range-of-currently-selected-steps/7121): > > Bug Description When I attempt some of the steps that would be required to record a synth live with the pad keyboard, but don’t start recording and instead ‘practice’ what I want to record – if I select a different range of notes with a purple pad, it does not play the notes properly, gets stuck playing a possibly infinite note, and jumps back to previous purple pad. If I do the same with samples it has the same keyboard issue, but not an infinite note one. So probably with samples you can get t… > [@Losing recorded steps after switching patterns when using the live rec mode](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/losing-recorded-steps-after-switching-patterns-when-using-the-live-rec-mode/14319): > > Bug Description Losing steps using the “Live Rec” mode. Reproduction Steps Select a sample with the sample knob. Select an empty track. Activate Live Recording. Activate the view mode keyboard. Play notes. Select other pattern of the project. Go back to the previous pattern and the recorded track is empty again. Theres a workaround though: if you previously imput a step in thr grid, the recorded steps do not disappear. Occurence Allmost allways, a couple of times didn’t happened. Found i… ---
**Author:** ![ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/ameliagagarin/32/4967_2.png) [@ameliagagarin](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/ameliagagarin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/15 "2024-11-09T21:43:30Z")
Thank you. It’s a great start. Maybe in a future… But I’m very happy with two different sides 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![j.hantz01](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@j.hantz01](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/j.hantz01)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/16 "2024-11-10T18:49:58Z")
Unfortunately, this bricked my device on startup for me. Luckily, I was able to revert back to 1.4.2 with the Polyend Tool. Let me know if there are any files I can send over to help reproduce this. What happens is the Polyend logo loading screen shows up with an empty loading bar and hangs, seemingly indefinitely. There is a project autosaved that should be loaded ---
**Author:** ![j.hantz01](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@j.hantz01](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/j.hantz01)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/17 "2024-11-10T18:56:00Z")
Very Very interestingly, autoloading an empty project allows the device to boot… Unfortunately, my account is too new to upload the offending project ---
**Author:** ![3xm](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/3xm/32/537_2.png) [@3xm](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/3xm)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2024, 7:43am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/18 "2024-11-11T07:43:17Z")
Welcome to Backstage, @j.hantz01! I believe the issue you run into is the one discussed in [this thread](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-wont-boot-after-updating-to-1-6-0-1705b/15641), which also mentions how to work around it for now. ---
**Author:** ![TheKrazyWabbit](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/thekrazywabbit/32/327_2.png) [@TheKrazyWabbit](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/TheKrazyWabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/19 "2024-11-15T15:31:59Z")
Updated to this beta. Connected to Microfreak, without any programming, worked! I have to map filter but I would expect that not everything would be 1:1. Really appreciate the update. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![TheKrazyWabbit](https://backstage.polyend.com/user_avatar/backstage.polyend.com/thekrazywabbit/32/327_2.png) [@TheKrazyWabbit](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/TheKrazyWabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/20 "2024-11-15T17:08:36Z")
also, boot time is super fast, or is it just me? ---
**Author:** ![jason](https://backstage.polyend.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/dc4da7/32.png) [@jason](https://backstage.polyend.com/u/jason)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585/21 "2024-11-16T01:54:56Z")
It sounds like the issues on the play hanging up after updating have been corrected in firmware 1.5. Is it possible to update the two open beta firmwares with that fix implemented because I keep having to pull out the usb cord to power off the play when it hangs during startup and I worry that might cause issues. I also worry the sd card is more likely to have problems since I am often ejecting it in order to erase the workspace folder. Or maybe the corrections have already been made and I am doing something wrong. [Next page](https://backstage.polyend.com/t/play-1-6-0-and-play-plus-1-2-0-midi-perform-mode-beta/15585.md?page=2)