Got one a couple of weeks ago. I love how direct the sampling is and the character it adds (or I guess removes…) to the samples. Being used to a Digitakt it’s a bit more rigid and basic in its sequencing, but the direct sampling and its sound for sure makes it up for me.
It’s fun to sync it up with the more simple gear like the Pocket Operators and such 
This looks pretty nice. I like the form factor of the SmplTrk but the device itself kinda sucked imo. Should have been called the LooperTrek.
This looks more like I wanted form the SmplTrk.
That said, I’m not too impressed by them. Their workflows give Roland a run for their money, both the original Lofi 12 and the SmplTrek were just so weird to me to use.
this looks solid, Honestly I might ditch my lofi-12 for this one. Its everything I want the lofi-12 to be. And considering how much support Sonicware is giving to all their products with firmware updates it can only get better. Thanks for the link 
Looks like it has a 404 type skip back feature they call mix tape recording
I agree on the workflow. I use the Digitakt, MPC and OP-1 and I think they are all more straightforward.
I had the initial SmplTrek. Was underwhelmed by it. Even with the updates. Sold it.
I did backed this one up. I love the retro color and I see the UI looks a bit more on it.
Also sound design on this looks more advanced than SmplTrek. Lfos, more FX possibilities. Also automation recording.
Hardware wise I loved the SmplTrek so no worries on this side.
Is this basically an Alt Firmware for the smpltrek?
Yeah SmplTrek felt good to hold. The pads worked surprisingly good as well, pretty good feeling velocity sensitivity.
Other than portability, however, I don’t see the benefit of getting this over the closest competitor which is no doubt the Sp-404 MK2.
I love low sample rate and bit rate recording but not having the option to have higher quality recording is gonna put this device into a very specific niche for music style, imo.
For the kickstarter price it looks worth it but apparently it’s gonna be $650 at retail? But still, this looks like a far superior device than the Lofi-12. Having to have a paper overlay just to get all the functions across is not it…
I’m gonna guess it’s not just firmware, it records at the sample rate and bit rate which might be reliant on the AD converters not just firmware.
I also could be talking out of my ass here.
I couldn’t gel with the SP. love the design but it’s a UX nightmare.
Seems like a very strange decision - they should instead build on the smpltrek, not fork the firmware as a new device.
How would we feel about, had it been a “Digitakt 2” with repitch, werp and slice machines?
It’s kinda what they do.
I’m pretty sure the entire liven series is just the same hardware with a different firmware and color scheme. I could be wrong but I think they all have the same buttons and knobs in the same spot.
And of course they did the Liven Lofi 6 which was basically an even more low fidelity Lofi 12.
that’s just them optimising cost of developping a new product, smpletrek cpu was probably too full to allow all the new features the lofi-12 xt got.
Also FIY, elektron does this aswell: Both models have exactly the same hardware, just a different firmware, all digiboxes and models share the exact same cpu and all 3 digiboxes have quite a lot in common inside aswell.
“….smpletrek cpu was probably too full to allow all the new features the lofi-12 xt got….“
That’s speculation though. Reducing bit resolution and having a filter are not exactly wild and crazy features. Should be on a “production sampler”.
While on the other hand Sonicware does have a long track record of using the same box and putting out new models that don’t necessarily have to be entirely separate boxes.
I’m very happy that they’ve reached the Kickstarter goal. I’m not interested in that machine but it’s good when a small company has success.
The more you add the more complex it gets to build out the UI and controls. I’m fine with unique focused boxes at low costs. I’m kinda hoping they build out a XFM XT.
My eyes and that 1.5 inch screen just aren’t pals 
The Smpltrek platform is not focused, its various functions. And it’s not cheap either. Costs more than a Roland SP404.
So this one is being sold for $150 more than the smpletrek, same body assuming same board…
A. Why would this need a kickstarter
B. Why is it so much more