I definitely completely lost track of about two hours on the Play + today. I had spent the first couple of sessions with it doing nothing but working with the synths. Today I was strictly using samples and only intended to make a single pattern. I got pretty deep into using Perform mode with a really slow tempo, which basically allowed for on the fly arrangements. Previously, I had only really thought of it as a massive punch in effects grid. While it can definitely still do that at a lower tempo, it also became more of an instrument unto itself that I could completely change an arrangement with. The synths sound very good and I haven’t even gotten into modulation or deep parameter changes yet.
Polyend’s machines have their issues, but in terms of UI, I keep on coming back to Play (and now Play +) and Tracker. They are just so much fun to use (for me) and always result in something that I just can’t or wouldn’t do on other machines. I’m looking forward to seeing where they take it from here.
The bugs can definitely be a headache sometimes, but for me, the positives always outweigh the negatives.
The Play+ only works as a complete package. The sampler part itself is absolutely basic (which is what stopped me from buying the play back then). The synth part is quite extensive (and sounds great), but building your own sounds is no fun because everything is squeezed into a list. Everything is subordinate to the sequencer and only makes sense and is fun in combination with it. For me the Play is a toy in the best sense. It only makes sense if you get involved with it, play around with it and are ready to be surprised. Definitely not a “serious” tool for implementing concrete ideas.
The Digitakt embodies this side much more. A “conventional” solid workhorse that offers all the building blocks to realize your own workflow, ideas and sounds. Something you can rely on in a live situation and that works very well in conjunction with other devices. I wouldn’t come up with the idea of creating a complex liveset with the play and taking it on stage… or (like with the Digitakt) sequencing it with the Hapax. But absolutely to quickly build crazy beats and loops that I sample and use on the Digitakt/Octatrack.
Unfortunately I can’t say anything at all about the Roland S1. Roland gear doesn’t really appeal to me in general…
aye, I’m an elektron guy thru & thru. I like the sound of the plus synths, they hit a lot of sweet spot for the kind of stuff I make. not too excited about that list editor either, ngl.
I don’t know if Im making the right choice buying it, let’s see… My tracker in 1?7.1 have been pretty stable, it’s my dream machine, I’m happy with it, tons of fun, I trust in Polyend machines and innovations so… bought the play.
I can’t say the play is unstable … and it’s definitely so much fun to work with. I only come across one „issue“ so far … it doesn’t like it to be synced to external midi clock … that makes the timing very shaky.
There are only p-locks on the play, so to speak… there is no sample or any parameter assigned to a specific track. So this should work well and it does
I’m back looking at Play/Play+ as I’m still in the market for something I can use away from my computer and desk. I work at home 4-5 days per week and if I then do music here as well I’m often stuck in this one room all day every day. Not healthy!
I know there’s been a lot of controversy around Polyend recently but it looks, to me, that the Play/Play+ may still be a good options for a standalone groovebox I can use with headphones on the sofa. I’m aware of long-running complaints about MIDI sync and some complaints about missing features but I’ve been around long enough to know this is par for the course with any device. I don’t want (or need) to integrate with tons of other gear, I just want a device I can use by itself for 90% of the time and then, if possible, nice to export the stems or maybe multi-track into my DAW which I believe the Play+ can do. I can live with stem export over streaming audio, nice to make some loops and then use a DAW for arrangement or session view.
Few questions: -
Does the multi-track USB audio streaming actually work?! My experience of such things is patchy with Elektron gear and e.g. Roland boxes like MC-101 or MC-707.
Is the synth programming really that bad on the Play+? The demos sound decent but the menu-diving looks a bit clunky. I’m no wizard sound designer, maybe good for some basic subtractive sounds?
Can I control FX/synth/sample parameters with a MIDI controller? I can’t find anything online about this.
I would say the Play is ideal for this purpose… a device that you can take with you on the sofa (or in the garden) and have fun with. Unfortunately it doesn’t have a built-in battery but the power consumption is really minimal (really amazing). Even with power from a cell phone, you can make music for hours.
Unfortunately I can’t answer first hand… I haven’t tried it yet.
depends on how you define bad. It’s doable but really not inspiring and inviting to explore the synth engines. Scroll through a list … select a parameter (click) … change a value (click) … back in the list looking for the next parameter. After 5 minutes this is simply annoying and extremely confusing. But you can handle it for quickly adjusting a few presets. I don’t understand why there isn’t a more convenient solution. There is a large display and lots of controls… then why not have a few pages with the associated parameters like Elektron does.
No, that doesn’t actually work because the play is structured the way it is. There is no midi channel assigned to the tracks (except midi out on the midi tracks)… and no samples or parameters are assigned to a specific track. You choose a sample and the various available parameters as you like and place them on any step on the grid. You can then of course, for example, select all steps on a row (track) and edit them together (for example adding reverb) … but this always refers to the steps and not to tracks (as usual).
It takes a bit of getting used to at first, but it works quite smoothly once you get used to it. Sequencing other synths with it also works well… but otherwise it’s not very sociable. Nevertheless, I really enjoy it.
you can adjust values with the tempo knob with your right hand, while scrolling the list with your left. it’s definitely a more fluid way of editing than having to click to select a parameter, adjust, and come back out to the list. but patch editing really could do with a rethink. I hope they do.
an elektron-esque approach would be great, like you mention.
I think, despite various complaints about the company (which may well be legitimate), this fits the bill as a “sofa” device and I always buy from a retailer with a good return policy so I can get at least a month or so to make my mind up.
I was also considering an Octatrack (apples and Oranges I know) but I think the price difference and immediacy with this device are going to win out this time. I’m particularly drawn to the “control all” type functionality and being able to see/edit multiple lanes of step sequencer at the same time. The performance mode and FX seem very jam-able and if I can stream multi-track into my DAW as well, it seems like a lot of bang for the buck.
I’ve been around the block many times with Elektron, perhaps time for something a little different.
