Polyend Tracker+

Usually, when I edit a sample in a DAW, I play the track or all tracks and adjust the effects, parameters, etc., while listening to ensure the changes are as I want them. I can remove distortion, add a bit of echo, then change the distortion and remove the echo—any way I wish. I can also revert one step or all steps.

With Tracker+, I must first stop the pattern, go to edit the sample, apply changes, save them, and then leave the sample editor to play the pattern and see if I made the changes I wanted.

When you exit the sample editor, there is no way to undo changes you made. If it doesn't sound right, you have to reload the entire sample and start over! What a ridiculous way to edit samples.

The more I use this device, the more overpriced it seems. Even just using the EQ, why can't there be a simple one screen 24-channel EQ? Why force the user to navigate through three pages just to adjust the EQ? The device is full of these kinds of weird design choices. After a week, I think I will send it back due to squeaky buttons and weird/ unfinished/ illogical UI. Also the whole thing just freezes here and there, it does restart to the same state but hey 800€ for this. No way.

I bought the Tracker+ to have it as my main sequencer for sequencing itself and other gear I have, but I ended up using it only for composing songs within the device, as the tracker is brilliant for composing but in my opinion not so much as an instant-idea-performer or jams, because while you can record and play with the device while playback is active, the implementation of recording into the tracks live can be uncomfortable as the sequencer does not recognize properly when you release a note (does not add the note data called "OFF" consistently) and therefore starts spreading the notes you play in all available tracks automatically, this is done to compensate for the lack of polyphony in the device but there is no way to record notes monophonically into just one track, you can disarm all the other tracks but because it does not recognize note release properly it will not let you play a second note after the first one (this happens with a midi keyboard as well as with the pads that are on the machine).
I will also state that the mechanical buttons started to make squeaky sounds after a few days.
For the reasons stated above I cannot use it for what I planned but it is still great fun on it's own and when you are in the mood to program each step manually (and it even has video games inside!)

I am a huge lover of the original polyend tracker, so I just had to purchase this one due to stereo samples support and more memory. It is the perfect device for my music creation process and after I tried multiple samplers and grooveboxes I still come back to it.
I must admit there is just one concern which is not really a flaw by any means, but just a matter of personal preference. I think the coating of both the case and the keys was better on the OG, also the clicky feeling of the keys has some sticky vibes to it.
Anyways, an amazing instrument for writing and performing.

Ich bin bereits seit einiger Zeit Polyend Tracker (erste Generation) User und empfinde dieses Gerät als eine so große Bereicherung in meiner Produktion, das ich es nicht mehr weg denken kann.

Der PT Plus ist jetzt nur noch die Krönung, Stereo Samples und Klangerzeugung in dieser kleinen Kiste sind einfach unglaublich geniale Zusätze, die mir ein Lächeln ins Gesicht zaubern. Auch die Möglichkeit, externe mehrspuhr Aufnahmen zu machen ist einfach so geil. Ich hab das Gefühl Polyend hat viel Feedback bekommen und hat tatsächlich Leuten zugehört und dann alle Kritikpunkte auch noch umgesetzt.

Fazit
Um kreativ zu sein ist das Gerät für mich unschlagbar gut. Es bietet den für mich den genauen Grad an Möglichkeiten um zu experimentieren, jedoch nicht zuviel. Es gibt auf jeden Fall noch Bugs in der Software vor allem in der Synth Sektion, das kann manchmal schon nervig sein aber temporär verkraftbar. Polyend macht tatsächlich viele Updates und ist immer bemüht Fehler zu verbessern. Der Sound ist natürlich nicht highend, aber alle Male besser als bei anderen Instrumenten in dieser Preisklasse. Die zusätzlichen Midi Spuren bringen zusätzliche Möglichkeiten für externe Geräte. Ich benutze z.B. ein MRCC 880 um mehrere ext Geräte anzusteuern, das bedeutet ich kann den Tracker+ als Center nutzen. Ich Steuere mein Modular System damit an und zusätzliche Effektpedale.

Ich empfehle den Tracker Plus, allen den Menschen die im Bereich IDM, Breakcore, Jungle.. aber auch im LoFi Bereichen arbeiten, denn dafür sehe ich die größten Potenziale, kann aber prinzipiell natürlich auch alles andere.