Yeah tables… don’t have to use them either initially. I was also feeling quite daunted… Then it clicked. A separate sequencer that’s re-triggered by each not, running at its own speed :). Plus a few tricks, with a way to advance it for each note of the phrase instead of retriggering, and ability to re-trigger it on any row via FX command.
I wonder about the volume as FX command… Maybe a real estate thing as well, in order to display more tracks on screen… no idea.
@sandroid, @jemmons, @52beats: thanks for very thorough explanations that also taught me some of the history of trackers.
@jemmons, since you were more on topic and compared the performance mode and workflow more against the Tracker+ and not the Tracker Mini, meaning jog and pads are no longer there, does that mean that your thoughts on eg performance mode no longer applies on the Mini?
Yeah, that number confused me
It’s hard for me to say, as I haven’t used the Mini. I don’t get the point of it — to quote Yoda, “Tracker or M8, there is no Mini.”
So an actual Mini user would have better thoughts. But to me, yes, the PT’s “keyboard” was a big part of the hands-on feel of performance mode. I don’t think it’s going too far to say it’s what made it feel performative. I’m not sure how/if Polyend worked around this in the Mini.
in my experience performance mode on the mini is a bit clunky compared to the full size tracker. still works, but it’s better with the pads.
Bringing the total count to 14 
The additional tracks don’t really count towards the mulittrack channels, since the newly added 8 tracks are for MIDI and Synth only. And since you can only use 3 synth engines at the same time, they only needed to add 3 more stereo channels for those.
really great upgrade. Almost everything I missed in the original was added now
Very interesting! So a synth engine is one instance of a synth, that can still be played across several tracks, i.e. polyphony for that one engine (say you device tracks 9-11 for a pad chord on one engine = that becomes one of the three stereo tracks over USB)?
Do three different presets of the same synth engine count as three engines or the one/same engine?
I guess with three synths and lots of sample tracks, you probably have what you need anyway, even if three presets of the same kind of synth engine/type uses up all three slots.
But that was good to know because I assumed you had 8 synth tracks to work with, not just 3.
That is correct. Or you use the MIDI Chord Step FX then you only use one track. But that is more about managing your real estate and has nothing to do with how the audio is output, yes.
They will count as 3 engines. Also there would be really no point in doing this. As you assign how many voices an engine can use (from up to 8 in total across the three engines). One of the fun things is resampling those engines. This opens a lot of possibilities and room to create things.
Oh absolutely. I noticed i tend to create a patch for a synth and if it’s not something i need to be super lively, i render it in place and use it as a sample instead. This leaves you with 3 actual synth engines that you can use to modulate and evolve over the lifespan of a track. So i never felt so far that i am limited. I think my imagination hits a wall long before i hit a wall with the tracker 
What you can do with the tracks has a couple people confused now. Let me sum it up like this:
So technically you can place your synths and MIDI wherever you want. You’re only limitation is the sample tracks which has remained the same.
You are limited to 3 synth engines. With a total polyphony count of 8 voices ACROSS those 3 engines. You can freely assign those voices. The new PERC Drum Engine uses only 1 voice but can play the percussions at the same time (paraphonically i suppose).
This is very good information, thanks for laying it out so clearly. I must say my curiosity about the Mini is peaking. I understand that the M8 mk2 is more advanced/deep into the plumbing of the music and can as such probably be the more interesting device in the right hands, but I’m mainly about quick and simple workflow while managing to still make things sound good so I’m drawn more towards the Polyend side.
Just had a thought about the rubber keys. Possibly its to prevent the issue some people had where the key would hit the edge or get stuck if the button was pressed slightly on one side?
Can you freely play the on-board VA or wavetable synths via an external keyboard with full 8 note polyphony?
These synth engines sound really lovely.
Yes you can. I think they added a specific Synth mode for integration with the Play.
I think that would make it worse tbh. The trig caps on my OT can occasionally stick on the plate sides because the top plate is just slightly misaligned, they’ve mostly worn in enough that it’s not a big issue anymore though. Because of the rubberised surface there’s definitely more friction.
Supposedly the Tracker+'s buttons are silicone rather than TPE, so maybe that would behave differently in this regard, but I can’t imagine it would help vs smooth plastic tbh. Ideally manufacturers would just deliver proper fit and finish.
Are these actually shipping from Polyend? I see an order now but no lead times
I have a few workflow questions i hope some Tracker+ users could answer:
Can you play individual Tracks at different playback speeds the way we can on Elektron kit?
Can you adjust your fx and audio manipulation in realtime? Things like Tuning, Delay, Reverb, BitCrush, Overdrive…etc things that you want to automate or tweak on a per step basis.
What’s the longest sample length you can import? Can i import a 10 minute audio file so i can play around with the Start times on a per Step basis? I often reuse long audio files on multiple tracks to explore soundscapes.
Can i plug an OP-1Field or other audio over USB-C device into the Tracker+ and sample audio over USB?
Many thanks,
-echo opera
Whats the wait time on this. Its a great way to create music anywhere when inspiration strikes.
I just ordered from Thomann. Their site states it’ll be available within a week. I’m thoroughly excited to see whether Polyend actually managed to make it feel like a complete unit akin to how the M8 feels to me. I’ve been very pleased with the M8, but the built-in keyboard and jogwheel are wonderful features to have at hand when doing longer sessions. I’m hoping they’ll compliment each other greatly.
With all that being said, I’ve been very disappointed with the UI in general when handling gear from Polyend, because it often times feel a little clumpsy and not well-thought-out. So with that in mind, it might get returned.
I am very pleased with the obvious progress Polyend has been making, and I honestly root for them. I’ll post an update once I’ve been playing around with it for some time.
Regarding point 4, there is only one USB-C port on the tracker, and it’s also the only way to power it… OP1 field can power it but it drains the field battery pretty quickly in my experience (I am using the original tracker, I assume tracker plus is similar)
Ahhh. I wonder if a powered usb hub would work then…