Does anyone know how well this thing works in Linux? I specifically mean the multitrack USB audio….
Questions for the owners of the play+. Im looking into this gear at the moment.
- Is it fast loading samples?
- can automation be recorded per clip or pattern?
- is there a proper song mode? Maybe like the deluge?
- can the encoders also be used for CC?
Could not really find most in the manual, and if so, most manuals are outdated these days.
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Loading samples in the pool takes a little bit, but not much. Once in the pool, it load instantly in the sequencer. So, yes.
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Yes.
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No. You put your patterns in order, press shift+play ant it will reproduce in order. But it works. You only need to do an arrangement and put it in order. If you want to see some Play+ songs arranged send me a PM.
And it has a mode to play with patterns like clips in Ableton. Very useful to improvise. Although I almost always use the pattern mode.
- Yes. In the synth part you can choose to use a midi channel or usb channel instead an internal synth. But right now I don’t know how many CCs you can configure.
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Thank you so much for the detailed reply.
You’ll find a sequencer like no other. The Synths sounds are amazing if you like some BOC/AFX stuff (in my opinion). The FXs are great (delay the most). It’s true that bitcrusher and overdrive aren’t the best but works…
The perform page is fantastic. It doesn’t have much memory but you can do a lot with it. It’s a great device. Only 8 polyphony in the synth part wich is enough for me. I’ve done a lot of music with it. It’s very inspiring. The full function is great too.
New firmware for play + just announced, including a new synth and proper synth editor!
Play+ firmware 1.3 adds a new Synth engine, Dirt, as well as a redesigned and improved synth patch editor and USB mass storage access.
NEW FEATURES
- USB Mass Storage
- Access the SD card over USB in Main Menu → Settings → USB Mass Storage Mode
- Dirt Synth Engine. Features:
- Blend between 5 classic oscillator shapes + Sub Mix
- Bi-Directional Warping
- Bi-directional modulation via envelope or LFO
- Multiple Waveshaper modes
- Bi-directional modulation via envelope
- 13 Types: Saturator, Overdrive, Diode Clipper, Asymmetric, Sin, Sin+, Fuzz, Bitcrush, Bitcrush+ Rectifier, Redux, Redux+, Bit+Redux
- 60 Dirt Presets
- Perc Engine Kick Adjustments
- Refined 808 and 909 kick engines for more accurate sounds.
- Improved Patch Editor
- 3×3 knob grid from Note to Repeat Type now changes the displayed patch parameters
- Scroll parameter pages with the main encoder
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USB mass storage mode is a huge QOL improvement. It drove me crazy having to take the card out to load samples.
I really like my polyend products, but boy does it sting when I see my play, a 2022 listed product , named in the legacy part of their web page.
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They really screwed Play owners, tbh.
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When the play plus came out the Loopop review (and probably others) highlighted the limitation of three synth slots per project … that is through all the variations and patterns, you are limited to just those same 3 synth patches.
I tried to find out if that changed, but have drawn a blank so far. Is it still the same after all the firmware updates ?
It’s true but you could change a preset on the fly. For example, muting that part or not placing steps in the sequencer and choosing another patch… Is just only an idea …
This machine is so complete, is incredible to make music in it. I just wish more memory per project and program change in. They are loosing money not implemented phm change in because you could pair two polyend plays or trackers… I’d bought another regular one.
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For the synth patches, can you vary the ‘macro’ values per step ? I gather from the loopop review there are 3 knobs related to macros for the synths … but I have not figured out if that means that you can ‘parameter lock’ them (to borrow the elektron term).
you can p-lock the macros, but you can’t p-lock the parameters within the macros. I think there’s generally 5 parameters per macro, n you can’t change those parameters per step.
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Okay, but that at least opens the scope a bit from 3 fixed patches 
. Thanks.
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I think it opens a lot, because each macro can have 5 parameters so it can be a lot of change of the patch. Althought I used presets because the navigation page was very unfriendly. Now the have fixed that and is like polyend synth. Very friendly.
And really you have 8 synth notes and 8 sample notes. Plenty of space for really anything. And with the render trick you could sample down a synth.
Well now.
That new synth. Sounds lush.
It does. And the new synth editor is actually very good. This is what it should have launched with.
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Hi,
How long does it take to load a project ? I would like to use it as midi sequencer only but maybe the pattern number per project won’t be enough for long sessions.
Thanks !
Edit : talking about the OG 
For all the three people in the world that care about this…. It does, I just confirmed it last night. Tested on bitwig / manjaro.
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