Am I the only one anticipating a new device to accompany the Drums? I feel like the next device could potentially be “the one”. Could you imagine an amalgam of the Tracker, Play, and Synth all rolled in to one MPC XL style device? Maybe not as big and heavy as a 90s office fax machine though? Seems like that would be an appropriate next step. Then obviously the Polyend XL +, and Drums + to follow the next season. Should we all start making demands and feature updates now? Like a pre beta? I for one think it would be dope to have both workflows and more available on one big studio grade grid beast with a big beautiful screen. Anyone want to fight me? 
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It’s funny, I woke up and felt stupid for posting this. But I can’t delete it, so, I guess I’ll just accept it. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into a dumpster fire.
Haha no need to feel stupid, it’s a fun conversation starter! I’ve seen this topic come up in a couple different ways, curious for a direction that our hearts can follow. I know I have done it lol
When I first purchased my Play+ a few years ago, an upgrade from having learned the basics of grooveboxes with a Circuit Tracks, I found myself always at odds with it for the first couple years. The workstep concept threw me off, and it lacked a few features that made it difficult to compose a full set the way I wanted to. I almost gave up…
Until I bought a tracker mini.
The two seemed to go hand in hand. Where one lacked capability, the other made up for it 10-fold. I had found my compositional toolbox 
No more worries, right? Nope lol
I found myself craving tighter and tighter integration, but the physical limits of each box came into question. I added feature requests that centered around combining the two. Then they dropped the latest firmware for the Play+, which, imo, gave the synth engines what they needed for proper sound design. I loved it so much, I traded some gear for a Synth 
Now, I’m sure you’re telling yourself “what better reason could this guy have to want them all in one box?” And you may think Im crazy, but…
I like the seperation. I want more specialization of each device and processing power put towards their unique capabilities.
More performance and generative tweakability to the Play+, with an emphasis on tweaking the synth engines with algorithmic goodness 
I don’t care for it to even have a sample editor or any special sample playback modes (hot takes 
i know lol). Just make it so that I can “play” my sequencer like an instrument after filling it with music. Something I think it already does a decent job of 
The Tracker is a proper leader and sound design tool. It’s my “DAW away from DAW”, if you will 
I want it to focus on a powerful sample creation workflow, tight midi syncronization via trs and usb, high-quality mixing and mastering fx, and deeper compositional functionalities. The only thing I wish it could do (and I know is most likely impossible) is transfer samples I made woth it via usb to the Play+.
The Synth, to me, is unique because it is almost a groovebox lol what I enjoy most about this is it gives me that deeper sound design that I can record directly to my Tracker mini and something I can play with on-the-fly. It’s an instant mood maker.
Which brings me to my main point (for anyone looking for the tldr 
), I like the separation because each device inspires a unique point of creation for me. Being “modular” in that sense, I take my mini everywhere I go, like a field recorder and musical journal. I write and experiment with rhythm and generative sequencing on my Play+. And the Synth for… well playing synths! each tool specializing in what it does, and doing it as hard as those little ICs and circuit boards can fire lol I am most excited to see what comes to these devices from the new Drums and Perc machines.
I think, for the price point around $2.2k USD, they would be hard pressed to make a device that had 2 distict sequencers, one being a 8x16 and tactile, a 60-key/pad bed, and the processing power to support the 9 synth engines with performance fx on top of it all while accounting for audio playback, sequencing fx, and a UI to control it all. Especially in a form factor that wouldn’t break your toe if you dropped it on it lol
But who am I to say, Polyend is pretty good at coming up with novel ways of doing things. As long as their gear inspires me (and others) to dream, I’ll be a supporter of their gear.
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Good perspective. I only like the idea of the combined layouts because I don’t have room for 3-4 devices the size of Drums lol. Only reason I got a Live 3 vs the XL as well. I’m sure whatever Polyend makes I’ll probably buy it. Except the pedals, just because of personal preference. They looks perfect for what they are, I just don’t like managing a bunch of pedal sized things for whatever reason. I really do hope they re-release Perc (the hardware*) as I missed out the first time around. Thanks for the positive response. Look forward to hearing everyone’s take on things.
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Tracker Pro:
- Form Factor/Size of Polyend drums
- Extra large screen
- Lot’s of knobs
- multiple knobs to control and input data to tracks and in sample and parameter editing
- knobs also used for performance mode
- Keep large jog wheel of Tracker and Tracker +
- Bus Effects
- 2 Effects assignable per track
- New Effects
- Multiple delay types
- Tape, analog, multi-head, digital
- Multiple reverbs
- Spring, Hall, Plate, Massive
- Chorus
- Flange
- Distortion
- more..
- Multiple delay types
- All Polyend Synth models available with new models available in future firmware releases
- Updated filter and types
- New Comb filter
- Ability to assign resonance of all filters to envelope and/or LFO
- Separate playheads per track with the ability to set sequence length per track for maximum polyrhythmic fun
- options for
- forward loop
- forward/reverse loop
- reverse loop
- random loop
- options for
- Updated granular engine for more control and sound mangling
- Mastering Effects
- Line in sample and live loop feature
- 4-6 effect slots per track
- new track effect for controlling track looping length and randomness
- More controls and options for randomization/generative sequences
- X/Y pad for controlling sample/synth/effects parameters in realtime
And it will wash your dishes and drive you to work. Too much to ask?
Whatcha think?
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Tracker Pro
- Different lengths per track
- Basic EQ per instrument independent from filters
- Hi pas and lo pass per instrument
- Real bitcrush, like the offline one per instrument
- All synth types
- 16 tracks for samples or synths.
- More slots for instruments (at least 64)
I’m ok with the synth polyphony and hardware is beautiful and perfect.
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Forgot to say: please keep the radio and add the mini mic.