For MIDI-only projects without any samples, it loads in about two seconds. Once you start adding audio, even a simple project can take noticeably longer to open.
Thanks ![]()
Where is this thing up to on the stability front? I know that there were many issues/requests about actual features, but I wondered if things stabilised after the initial launch.
I believe there were a lot of bugs on launch. But comments like this one from only a year ago seem well thought out and balanced, but still paint the picture of Play+ as brilliant but flawed. I know some YouTubers pointed it out, and others made rant videos about it.
What’s weird is I imagine the underlying software is somewhat similar to the Trackers. Tracker has its gripes, bugs and little quirks, but nothing that gets in the way. So it’s a bit surprising in a way to hear of so many crashes and glitches.
What do we think - are these comments overblown, or fair? Interested to hear the reality, especially after 1.3.
Kinda interested in feedback from users here on this forum (you lot tend to be more tech and sound design oriented vs the normal ''Im a producer /musician /mpc /workstation/groove box user now watch my load some loops user …
How do you like/compare the sound and workflow vs elektrons?
as in
sample playback /pitch scaling and a bit reduction
Is the filter just vanilla? /or gets the job done?
FX quality
Seq -Workflow
Step FX vs triggers
Other key factors:
Inspiration where does it takes you
(it must be just massive to have this level of access and seq possibilities & live recorded automation of (selected)multiple tracks at this speed? ![]()
Can 100% Play tracks be radio ready?(sans mastering)
Bugs? are there bugs?
How do you compare the synths with the likes of others DT TE MC MPC etc.?
Worried about the screen lag on high CPU loads after last update though, not cause it’s a dealbreaker but cause waveform editing and slice might be unrealistic if it lags on basic synth editing graphics,
also custom colors for patterns and sound if CPU is more on the low scale might be impossible
and why has the DWA: A dual-sample engine not become a reality in the Play & Tracker … Surly they dont think users are going to collect different devices based on one or two engines (clearly one would do it for interface and of course the need of more poly and parts as you enjoy that sound!
On a personal note does the song mode still cause a bottle neck when coping/pasting chains of patterns?
And can you instantly jump into a song step without having to wait for the current song step /pattern to finish its bar length? i.e. can I freely jump around the song structure fast to cheek out pattern cues?
Gracias! ![]()
I don’t think there were any issues on launch. There was a YouTuber who had issues, but they were likely caused by a bad SD card.
I use it a lot, and I’ve been doing live performances during one year with it. It’s an incredible device. The sequencer is outstanding, you can do very complex patterns. The synhs sounds great and the UI is the best of the machine. Polyend knows how to design great workflows.
For me with tracker mini is my favourite machine. The sequencer in my opinion is better than elektrons, more visual and it’s true that it have some downsides but you can do if you want 90% of a song inside Play.
Some downsides
- No midi program change in
- Limited memory although you have plenty if you use one shots
- With much (I mean very much) patterns it becomes a bit slowly to copy paste that patterns.
Great things
- The spatial FXs sounds great
- Very good sequencer
- Performance mode is very well designed
- Mute and solo for very easy acces
- 100% fun and great options to begin with a groove in seconds (fill mode)
- Incredible for live performances.
And more. I’m in love with my Play+. My best machine with tracker mini.
I think you are in the wrong thread? The Synth has UI lag if you push it with presets that have lots of macro edits, or complex FX. The sound itself doesn’t lag, but the UI might. I personally have only seen lag a couple of times.
I have youtube series of play+ if you want to see workflow, if you know elektron workflow you can look at my series and see if they are similar or not. Just an idea ![]()
The videos are not me putting loops on, but showing workflow. The music is supposed to be just as an example and not reflective of my solo songwriting, just as an improvised placeholder to see how it works.
Ignore if you are not interested
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQvVnhG7o2yTfIAfDTX-IJ1ptsOqavqmP&si=0bKhFOZHa1GTkJN9
Been making my way through your Play playlist this week @RonCavagnaro , your videos are the best for getting to know a new device.
I’ve got a Play on the way, arriving next week. Been interested in this thing since launch and will now finally get to scratch the itch. I’ll be looking for comparisons to the Elektron workflow as well, so will try to report back here since it sounds like others are wondering the same things.
Awesome!! Thanks for the reply!!
What type of music do you preform? Do you have something online done via Play?
Im thinking it be good for anything brain dance and disco house
What are you comparing the synths to sound wise? And the sequencer and workflow is vs electrons? MPCs?
Ok you just lost me a bit … Trackers are nice but vs all the trig option and the polymeric stuff I dont see how the trackers limited to 2-step FX are really in the same league
And Im under the impression the the Play is far superior (although online users favor the tracker spangly) the reason is well you have access to all the rolls fills etc you have oin the tracker yet ontop you have all these ‘‘modern’’ advances in the play like level, start/end time of sample, microtime, filter settings etc ect ect … You can even record this over multiple tracks, and move copied notes across the grid like your playing Tetris with notes … While simple things like velocity or microtimeing require one of two-step FX on the trackers ![]()
What!! It can not send program change
![]()
that will seriously cripple it as a song ‘‘master’’ … Thought it be great to have the whole song at your fingertips ‘‘literary’’
Does the unit support playback of samples in lower formats like the tracker IIRC to save memory?
In song mode Can you quickly jump from pattern to pattern in a pattern-chain instantly? Or do you have to wait for the pattern or pattern-chain to play through?
and is the latest OS 100% stabel? BUg free? Just free to party?
I have seen and watched your channel. Thanks for all the informative value! ![]()
What do you think of the sound compared to the MPC and MC Deluge etc …
From online listening it seems the Polyene sounds a little ‘‘smaller’’ than MPC & MCs ?? … Im trying to avoid myself of this personal sound snobbery and be just good with ''it’s the music that needs to rock the PA not the playback alogos & D/A … but its tuff … so far the TV is the only one (the Polypulse, & Gotharman
‘‘digital only’’ comes to mind aswell actually) that as digital samplers have that clarity and dimension I long for
It has program change OUT. It doesn’t have program change IN. And if I remember correctly yes, you can change pattern instantly.
This is a live performance with Play+.
What do I think of comparing the synth engines from play+ , mpc, mc707, deluge? That is a huge question, I don’t think I can answer it except that all of these engines are capable, and all of them can midi out to any synth you want.
I love doing my own sound design, and my “best answer” is that it’s all pretty much down to your own talent, these subtractive mostly synth engines all have their own character and you can mold within the groovebox and outside with external FX.
I would say just get what you think might work best for your own workflow. Play+ is quirky and for me is more slippery and intenionally prone to happy mistakes. MPC I own mpc one but have not dived into it really much. MC707 I find leads me to experimental places as seen on my bootcamp series on it. Deluge is quirky but more “stable” in terms of happy mistakes, you can go in with an intention and come out with the results.
Maybe I am too hyper focused to give a generalized answer for you. Other opinions might vary drastically. ![]()
Kwel … Will cheek later in headphone enviroment …
However in all honesty I came here to reply to this thread… Thinking the P+ would be ideal travel partner (somewhere in between the XY and the TV) but the first thing I see is a new update for the TV … ![]()
It’s my dream sampler… Been crying for something like this for years (modular routing + top fidelity) … it’s an investment I feel like Im ready to make … The Electron camp seams very active and dedicated wherein I dont know how, when or if the P+ will evolve …
to me I feel like my search is over Elektron won the game ! but I look forward to listening to your set … prehaps it will change my mind… the P+ has soo many things going for it … its ethos is very much ‘‘instant’’ and that initself is very atractive ![]()
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I’m a Tracker owner and Play+ watcher, so always interested in what Polyend do.
The sequencer on the Tracker is simple, no doubt about it, but it is also immediate. Some things I am not sure were addressed on the Play (correct me if I’m wrong folks), was the issue of a) no filter sweeps on samples etc (like you can’t live record a filter opening and closing as it is all per-step based? Tracker is the same, but it is quick to programme a filter sweep accurately with an FX fill. And then also b) the limitation of one type of randomisation per step, so while you have access to some nice chance parameters, it’s not like p-locking where you control literally any parameter you want per step. Again correct me if I’ve misunderstood that. Moving things across the grid, I’d defer to the expertise here no that.
Play seems like it’s got the underpinning of something similar to Tracker, but the interface is what sets it apart. It loses the sample slicing and editing that you get on the Tracker (and audio in), while gaining the ability to run different measure lengths and directions which Tracker cannot do as everything is fixed. To me Elektron sits between these two concepts, but the Polyend way of sequencing with all the generative stuff is more immediate. That is why I think a lot of people love Tracker, and Play has its fans as well too. Elektron depth is undeniably awesome (and you don’t have to use it all) but Polyends UI’s are all about speed and I guess that has its place.
OK just skipped quickly through this dude your performance is absolutely BANGING!
man was not expecting this… Mad props… Maybe the best Play performance video online!! Great sound design as well (it all play + synths?..
I assume the track varraints are just brilliant way of working out beats /ideas… It’s really attractive after 1.3 update… Yet it really needs “resampling to a track” cycle and some sampling engines for me to jump on it, it’s really brilliant (big fan of playback directions seqFX)
And as shown in one @RonCavagnaro videos it’s even possible to automate a track end position… How crazy is that… And the units just keeps a tight beat with all that going on… Don’t think this is mentioned anywhere online or in the manual… It’s premiered 1st on Ronnie channel /RonCavagnaro
Glad I took another look…
Technically it can resample (though not to a track, and not literally) since the two Polyend grooveboxes can export stems. So it’s possible to grab stems and reload them within the device; though I’m not 100% sure if I’d do that. I’d be tempted to load Play+ stems into the Tracker+ (or any other sampler with slicing) and rework them there. Play seems a lot more geared to one shots from my initial tests with it.
I’m exploring all 3 Polyend devices this winter and my general sense is that Tracker+ is about building a full track, Play+ is a fun idea starter, and Synth is… ermm a Synth. They bounce off each other with their various strengths.
What do you mean by “automate a track end position” ?