While Polyend Play+ is a powerful performance tool, the current firmware only scratches the surface of its hardware potential. Users face several critical bottlenecks:
What should this feature achieve?
My goal is to transform the Polyend Play+ into the most powerful and versatile groovebox on the market. This proposal is not just a list of minor tweaks—it is a comprehensive visual and functional blueprint designed to unlock the massive untapped potential of the “+” hardware.
Are there any workarounds?
–
Any links to related discussions?
–
Any references to other products?
«Inspired by the most efficient workflows in the industry, but completely reimagined and optimized specifically for the Polyend Play+ hardware layout and grid logic.»
Hi Polyend community!
I’ve prepared a detailed concept on how to expand the capabilities of our beloved Polyend Play+. My goal is to make the device even more self-sufficient and convenient for both mixing and live performances.
I have meticulously designed the interface and logic for all the new functions. Unfortunately, as a new user on the forum, the system doesn’t allow me to upload more than one image. Therefore, I’ve combined all my work into one large file. I apologize for this format, and I hope it won’t stop you from exploring these ideas!
I would be happy to hear constructive criticism from experienced users and, of course, the opinion of the Polyend development team. Let’s make the Play+ even cooler together!
Amazing stuff! I gotta second Dann’s question, do you think this can work with just firmware updates on the current Play+ or is it something more of a hardware and firmware evolution youre proposing?
Initially, I designed all of this specifically with the current Polyend Play+ in mind. My goal was to push the existing hardware to its absolute limit by optimizing the UI and adding a variety of sound engines for working with samples and loops. I also focused on refining and enhancing the parameters we already have. Throughout the process, I made sure everything fits within the current button layout and workflow logic.
Regarding a potential Play+ 2 if this vision looks so massive that it feels like a next-generation device - I’m all for it! If Polyend sees this as a foundation for a completely new product, that would be amazing.
Great post mate @Cronos and more thorough than I could imagine, are you a project manager by profession?
I previously asked about the DWA engine to allow us to at least use samples polyphonically on the Play+, but was informed its a complicated task and that it would push the performance limits of the Play+, so sounds like the cpu is limiting what can be achieved here? Although the project RAM is also way too limited, 30mb is far too small for stereo samples.
My thoughts are what you have curated would be ideal for a completely redesigned Play 2 or whatever it would be called, as the current device does not have the processing power unfortuntely.
I also sent some ideas which were passed to the dev team in regards to workflow and feature improvements:
1. Advanced Sampling & Memory
Expanded RAM: Increase project/sample pack RAM to 256MB or higher to support recorded audio or longer stereo samples and loops
On-Board Sampling: Full sample recording, resampling, and destructive editing capabilities directly on the device (Play device would require an audio in for recording older devices that are not USB class compliant for USB audio).
Timestretch: Implementation of high-quality Timestretch/Warp algorithms (something like élastique Pro v3) for syncing loops to project BPM.
2. Flexible Track Architecture
Moving beyond the “one sample per step track” by allowing the 8 Audio Tracks to be assigned any of the following “Track Types”:
One Shot Track: This would be how the current Play+ operates with single sample per step implementation from a Projects sample folder.
Drumkit Track: Up to 16 samples per kit mapped to the selected track
Audio/Looper Track: Dedicated to internal resampling, external recording, or timestretched loops.
Slice Track: For slicing imported or recorded audio with a dedicated project slice folder within the project (the slices are then able to be randomised like other samples in the pack via the randomiser algorithm)
3. Synth & MIDI Instruments
New Synth Engines: Include the synth engines in particular the sample based ones from the Polyend Synth
Polyphonic Consolidation: Allow up to 4-voice polyphony per track (32 voices total). This prevents the current issue where manually recording a few chords on the synth track quickly exhausts all 8 synth tracks.
Consistent Midi Track data: I’d suggest restricting “Pick and Place” to Audio tracks only. For Synth/MIDI tracks, maintaining a consistent patch per track would prevent accidental patch jumps and make melodic composition much more intuitive.
Per-Track Arpeggiator: A dedicated arpeggiator available to the Audio and MIDI/Synth tracks
4. Additional Enhancements
Full colour oled screen: Implement the same screen as used on the Polyend Synth device
Velocity-Sensitive Grid: Utilise the 16x8 grid pads as a fully playable keyboard grid controller. This would make the device a true playable instrument and remove the reliance on the clunky side-view keyboard layout.
128-Step Sequencer: Expand the maximum pattern length to 128 steps for more complex, evolving sequences.
Expanded FX Routing: Make the distortion/waveshaping algorithms from the “Dirt” engine available as Insert FX for other synth and audio tracks.
Ableton Link: Integration of Ableton Link (via Wi-Fi) for seamless wireless sync with Ableton Live and other Link-enabled mobile apps and hardware, this would be especially relevant now that Ableton Link Audio is currently in beta to allow wireless streaming of audio between Link enabled devices.
I’m very passionate about the Play/Play+, I have and used other grooveboxes, but nothing compares to the Play for super quick composing and production, the only thing I struggle with when im producing something are with the synth/midi tracks, I find it difficult writing melodic tracks, when placing multiple notes on the piano roll due to how manually played chords are spread over multiple tracks or recording via that side keyboard layout, I just have to use other gear to riff on or record with, I much prefer the Synthstrom Deluge’s layout and track handling where the midi or audio data is stored in a single clip, makes editing notes much easier and you can’t end up accidently using a different synth track on the same track!
It would also be way cool to be able to parameter lock the synth parameters per step to get some variation on the synth tracks too.
The Akai Force has pretty much everything you need in a production groovebox, it’s also great but that machine is an absolute beast on your lap, you can’t just sit on the couch and jam away like you can with the Polyend Play.
Wild stuff man. It shows you put some real though and effort into this.