LOUD. I also bought an inline attenuator to give me a physical level control for the cans. It’s my one big criticism of the M8 - main volume control is awkward.
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Order finally placed 
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Looking forward to you guys trying out the M8, I’m a late adopter and still very much in the learning phase. Let’s share some tunes!
This is something I need to investigate, thank you for taking the time to explain. Chains is the next thing I’m going to investigate. Time to read the manual again. 
I absolutely love that this little device is capable of complex time signatures. Amazing to think something smaller than a Gameboy handles stereo samples and streaming from SD card.
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The first month. Now that the honeymoon is over. This is a keeper. It’s incomprehensible how so much has been packed into such a small device.
Edit: Headphones. I carry either Sennheiser hd-25 or IE-40 IEMs.
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Yeah this works, however there’s a downside in that when previewing it will always start from the start of each of the phrases.
Eg.
Slow groove for chord progression with one phrase for 4 bars and normal groove for melody with one phrase per bar. If you say preview from phrase 2 of the melody the chord progression will start from the beginning, not the second bar.
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You should get an email from DHL giving you the option to pay customs fees before it enters the country. It’s a hefty whack of cash, but by getting it paid off sooner it turns up proper quick, think mine got to me in 3 or 4 days from shipping
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u can map mix volume to the touchscreen, either x or y axis. just put cursor on ‘mix’, hold option and drag on the screen. then master volume is on the touchscreen. “no volume knob?” user is knob 
it’s like a fidget spinner, on windows I have it as touchpad three finger gesture up down same difference on M8
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See above:
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This looks like an amazing device but I have never got on with a tracker workflow (although to be fair I haven’t ever gone deep into it). What do you like about the workflow? Could the M8 be described as an instrument, no matter how much you have to essentially ‘program’ as part of it? It’s so well regarded that I’m considering ordering one, so what are the best bits of the machine compared with other devices?
This is why.
You have to use it for a while so that the workflow clicks and becomes real quick. Then the time between the idea and its realization shortens and you’re no more programming, but composing.
And it’s very deep despite the gameboy/“toy” format, offering lost of options for synthesis and sequencing.
Of course, adjusting a note decay, a delay send and reverb length at the same time is not possible unless you use an external controller.
But that’s not the workflow on this instrument, as always accept this and you’ll have fun for what it does.
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I also never could get into re-noise for example, but found the M8 very compelling. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but then I ordered a Teensy to use the Headless version before my order arrives and it’s simply amazing. I think it’s the simplicity of it and the amount you can actually do with that simplicity. It sort of cleans the desk clutter for you and focuses on essentials, is super fast, and if you know how synthesis and sampling works, know the terminology, it is supper easy to pick up. The sequencing part is more akin to programming, but I was always a tinkerer so it suits me, even though I also like to play my instruments. And yes, it can be considered an instrument, while also being a full on DAW, being able to also work with stems-long samples.
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After a month or so with the M8, I have completely forgotten it’s a “tracker” thing. I didn’t like Renoise very much, nor did I like the Polyend tracker, for various reasons. The workflow and design of the M8 are brilliant. It reminded me a bit of classic linear sequencers I used to use like the QY700 : it puts the “song” in the forefront. And from there everything flows very smoothly, the going back and forth between the song level and the phrase level (pattern, sort of) is easy and natural (pretty much unlike Elektron sequencing style that gets you a little bit stucked in the pattern, even with song mode). I think it’s the best hardware sequencer I ever came across : it’s not very important that it’s a “tracker”.
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u know the buttons on a gameboy? same buttons
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there is built in midi loopback! watch the 2.7 meetup, you can set a midi track to ‘internal’ and then use that midi track to map internally to basically whatever you want.
you can use an internal midi track to play internal instruments (for true polyphony) or use it to control multiple instruments at once (maybe?) or automate mix parameters or automate delay and reverb or mix settings. I haven’t tried it yet but in lieu of internal bussing, use a midi track to control the cutoff of 4 sampler tracks simultaneously, to low pass the whole ‘kit’
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Yes, right. Haven’t tried yet but definitely should 
Do yourself and get a Teensy and a game controller or number pad to give it a try. After a couple of weeks (or maybe even days, depending) you will know if it is for you or not.
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I’m gonna go against the grain a little and say that it’s more of a composition tool than an instrument, though it can be played like one with an external controller. A focus on composing is not a negative thing though, it really helps me finish tracks that I’ve started as jams on other devices.
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Yeah I agree absolutely
it’s taken me several months to get “fluent”
I withheld judgement until I was very proficient.
In that respect it takes some “muscle learning” analogous on some level to learning an instrument.
Ultimately though it’s economy and efficiency are unsurpassed. It can do so much with so little. Really is a genius device in that respect.
The build quality and sound quality are exceptional. It’s software is extremely robust (I.e free of bugs largely)
It will polarise opinion due to is complexity and unusual interface / approach. But it is a “classic” piece of gear in that it will be referenced many years from now I think.
I also love the Polyend Tracker
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I just got a cheap pair of Sennheiser CX 100, do the job and fit easily in the carry case.
Sennheiser website are currently selling them for £19, usual price is around £25/£35.
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