There are 2 things I couldn’t find answer for:
1.Does it sequence externally poliphonically… like on step1 to see 3 or more notes?
2.Which is max sample size per project?
Thanks a lot!
I like seeing user reviews on this forum, I’m really set on getting one, but then again I wonder if I should save more and just get the octa.
copped one today
iam hyped me brothers 
7 Likes
Completely different workflow though. 
Understood, I just have a digitone, it needs a partner. The way you can do breaks on pt is dope.
Vis-a-vis Octatrack / Tracker as a dance partner for your Digitone, I’d say it depends on how much you want to deal with the interfacing of the two devices. With an OT, connecting to Digitone would be really straightforward and you’d be off and running quickly. It would also retain the stereo aspect of the Digitone (not sure how critiical that is for your purposes). With the Tracker, the live sampling isn’t going to be there, but once you do get the samples onboard, I bet much fun could be had. I have been using the Tracker by itself for the early going, trying to dig deep into it, but I do want to try sampling from Digitone, or Model:Cycles. The Tracker workflow is really quick and fun once you get used to it, and possibly more inviting than OT. Though, after this Tracker month, I want to jump back to the Octatrack for a bit to compare for myself which one I prefer.
Of course, cost is a factor too. The OT is roughly 2x the price of a Tracker unless you spy a 2nd-hand mk1 unit. To be honest though, since you have the Digitone, try digging deep into that machine. I love mine, and it’s extremely capable. Heck, @Ess released two whole (amazing) albums using only the Digitone.
I hope any of that rambling helped.
3 Likes
Had a listen to the demo projects just now. Didn’t do that before. Some of them sound pretty good.
Clearly, I’m not done with this thing yet.
3 Likes
Personally, I found the OT more fun. It feels more hands-on with the encoders and sliders. But to me the PT is much more straightforward and easier to grasp. And the large screen where you can see all the notes/fx is nice, whereas with the OT the info is hidden in each step button. The UX and thought that went into the PT is top-notch. It’s incredibly easy and fast to use. And the design is beautiful - I love the look and feel of it.
But that said, I returned the PT after a few days. I just didn’t feel an attraction to it. I’d rather use Renoise if I’m going to be entering notes and FX values to be honest. PT is more hands-on than Renoise but not more hands-on enough for me to justify buying it. Although knowing me, I’ll probably buy it again to give it another try (and return it again, because apparently that’s what I do with my life).
1 Like
It’s just like listening to Paradise by the dashboardlight, ‘what’s gonna be boy? Yes or no?..let me think of it, I’ll give you a answer in the morning…’
3 Likes
Ha! I was wondering. 
Maybe try it in another context. I kind of have myself. Instead of cramming it into the flow of my other gear, (I may do this a little experimentally) I’m going to use it more on its own as a self-contained instrument. I’m sure I’ll do a bit of sequencing of the other gear here or there, and I will definitely sample my other gear into it, but I want to make Tracker tracks, and Other tracks for a while. See how it goes.
2 Likes
Yep. I’m known around here for my rants being as inconsistent as they are entertaining 
1 Like
Yeah, I did a little thought experiment. All them other boxes, there’s always something, isn’t there? Not as in “Oh, I’m missing a few fx” or “Dang, I wish it had more voices”, but more like “Oh, it doesn’t do sampling” or “Oh, it’s not polyphonic.”
But I went through the checklist and I realised that the Tracker’s actually the best kit around for quite some time, that sort of handles the entire chain really well, from start to finish, in the way it sets out to do it.
So I was like -
Polyphony? Yep. Fire up a wavetable, play it like a synth and render the results.
Samples? Well, duh.
Creative sequencer? Well, obviously.
Song mode? Yep. And surprisingly efficient, too.
Live funk? Hah. Performance mode rocks.
Mixing? Yes, better than most. FX, limiter, solid headroom.
Logistics? Brilliant. Like “Ok, so let’s just do file management like everyone is used to from a computah.”
Full song rendering? Sure.
While you can obviously have opinions on what you’d like each section to do - streaming samples, more fx lanes, polyrythmic - I’m still very much leaning towards the fact that what the Tracker sets out to do, it does so very clearly and with a quality that leaves you satisifed in each area where it decides to be.
It has the entire workflow of song writing, including mixing and mastering, and in the areas it presents itself, it does so with very solid quality. I can almost imagine much of what one would ask for exists in alpha or branched code at Polyend, but they’re like “It’s not working as good as we’d like it to. Let’s not just release it at all, if we can’t do it super well.”
12 Likes
I know you’re reading this, Polyend. I’m on to you, baby
1 Like
Anyone?
Just use the shit. The only time it’s no good is if it’s broken, sits in the closet, or gives you 0 inspiration. (Even 10% inspiration is good for some tracks) They all have some kind of limitation. No box can have it all. That would be no fun in my opin.
All the tools are as good as you make them. People can do sick shit with anything.
7 Likes
Yes to Poly. Max sample time is 45 sec. per sample. I think 2 min per project but am away from home and will have to double check in a bit.
1 Like
Thanks for this response, I’ve had my digitone for over 2 years, I feel like I can rip on it. I make full tracks, straight stereo to daw. @Ess’s music is incredible. Deff inspired me to up my game, I’m very satisfied with my digitone. Just need a sampler. And the things I’m seeing done on the pt is right up my alley. Ambient Jungle for days
1 Like
Nice - so you know what I’m talking about. It does sound like samples would add to your setup. You could do a lot worse than the Tracker then. 
1 Like
complex machine it is
So you can see the notes on the grid at the same point when playing 4 or 5 notes?
Thanks!