Priced at $799. See the dealers on the right for availability.
"We are proud to present to you our new instrument,
Polyend Play - Sample and MIDI-based Groovebox.
Play is incredibly powerful yet easy to learn. It’s designed to let you create and perform music while having fun. It’s a groovebox that comes loaded with sample packs that makes it ready to play right out of the box. The Play offers an inspiring workflow for both seasoned and novice musicians.
It allows music makers to create and interact with musical patterns in a number of exciting and creative ways. Free, regular software updates will make it even better in the future. And if you already have other MIDI devices, Play can become the centerpiece of your setup."
"Polyend Play is possibly the most flexible and inspirational groovebox ever created. Loaded with tons of samples, 8 tracks of audio, and 8 MIDI tracks for sequencing, you can create beats straight out of the box and truly make them your own with a wide variety of playback tools and effects.
The audio was recorded directly from Polyend Play's output without any further processing."
POLYEND PLAY Review // How it raises the groovebox bar // Top pros, cons, 16 factory songs, tutorial
With a workflow that is both inspiring and simple, Polyend Play is far from your average sample-based groovebox. Endless possibilities for your beats are at your fingertips with over 30 sample kits to play with straight out of the box.
Polyend Play takes an open sandbox approach for creating and performing grooves, with the freedom to instantly mix things up with tons of different playback functions.
Flexible sequencing with 8 audio tracks and 8 polyphonic MIDI tracks for controlling your outboard gear – Polyend Play really wants to be at the center of your studio. This is quite possibly the most fun groovebox ever created.
Play
Pick & Place. Find your sound among over 3000 included samples and place it anywhere on the grid to start building your tracks.
Select & Adjust. Easily adjust step parameters independently with familiar sample-based controls at your disposal.
Make each track your own with 35 different play modes, Chance and Action Combo, Randomizer and Step Repeater functions.
Stuck for inspiration? Utilize the Smart Fill option to automatically fill any area you choose with an entire beat, a random placement of steps, or even a Euclidean spread.
Quickly move data around, such as Steps, Tracks, Track Pages, Variations, and Patterns, with simple selection and copy/paste controls.
Keep it musical with scale filtering, allowing only notes within the selected scale to be outputted by the entire sequence.
Perform
Perform mode allows you to make non-destructive changes to your tracks, via performance effects including Tune, Filter, Overdrive, Rearranger, Space and much more.
Live record automation or change individual step values on the fly and even record mono or polyphonic MIDI from an external controller or onboard keyboard.
Customizable pattern chaining allows you to map out entire sequences anywhere on the grid and perform them live.
Reverb, Delay, Sound Enhancer, Limiter, and Saturator master effects are included to spice up your entire mix.
Instantly Save and Recall patterns. Perfect for when things go wrong during a live performance.
Sequence
8 internal audio tracks and 8 individual polyphonic MIDI tracks combine for powerful integration with your existing instruments.
Full MIDI capabilities with flexible MIDI CC mapping per track for the individual rotary knobs and you can connect an external controller for MIDI note input. Plus, you can output chords, arpeggios, program and bank changes, pitch bend, clock and much more.
Over 30,000 track variations are available! That’s 128 Patterns holding 16 tracks, with each individual track holding up to 16 variations.
Control your synths and drum machines on individual tracks with the ability to output a separate set of MIDI values per track.
Each track can benefit from independent lengths (1 to 64 steps), different BPM-related speeds, playback modes and even swing values. Perfect for polymetric and polyrhythmic sequences.
Hardware
Split-screen display with 15 touch-capacitive knobs that can be tapped once to select and preview a parameter or twice to switch between upper and lower screen values.
16×8 step sequencing grid complemented with a 4×8 control grid for Mute, Solo, Variation, Select and Keyboard note input.
MIDI ins and outs via 3.5mm jacks
(MIDI DIN adapter included).
MicroSD card slot (16GB card included)
Runs on 5V/1A via USB-C and can be powered from a power bank for getting out and about.
Free, regular firmware updates.
A Quick Jam on Polyend Play Sample and MIDI-Based Groovebox at the Kraft Music studio.
Polyend Play is a flexible and inspirational groovebox. Loaded with over 3,000 samples and eight tracks of audio sequencing, you can create beats straight out of the box and truly make them your own with a wide variety of playback tools and effects. Pick and place your sounds anywhere on the grid for a truly sandbox approach to beat making. Switch into Perform mode for even more ways to create new grooves, and if that's not enough, take advantage of Play's powerful sequencer to control your outboard gear with a further eight polyphonic MIDI tracks.
Get more for your money with an exclusive Polyend Play bundle from Kraft Music. These package deals include the accessories you'll need to get the most out of your new sample- and MIDI-based groovebox, all for one low price. If you have any questions, please contact us. Our knowledgeable sales advisors will be happy to assist in choosing the bundle that's right for you!"
Polyend Play is possibly the most flexible and inspirational groovebox ever created.
Loaded with over 3000 samples and 8 tracks of audio sequencing, you can create beats straight out of the box and truly make them your own with a wide variety of playback tools and effects. Pick and place your sounds anywhere on the grid for a truly sandbox approach to beat-making. Switch into Perform mode for even more ways to create new grooves, and if that’s not enough, take advantage of Play’s powerful sequencer to control your outboard gear with a further 8 polyphonic MIDI tracks.
"Polyend Play's Highlighted Features Videos - Chance and Action will allow you to spice up your patterns in a quick and efficient manner. Chance can add a little bit of variety to your sequence to keep your listeners engaged or create evolving generative soundscapes.
These videos are an addendum to Play's online manual - polyend.com/manuals/play. Polyend Play was made to allow you to discover new ways of making music, and to inspire you by having a good time!
Chance – determines if/when the selected action is executed. If the action is eg. “Random Note” controls the tuning condition for triggered notes. The algorithmic Chance/Action couple operates on both internal sample-based and MIDI sequencing and is never destructive to the existing steps.
Action – special action/effect to be executed after the step is played."
Polyend Play isn’t really about satisfying your expectations, it's about getting you way beyond them! No matter which musical genre you dig at the moment, Polyend Play will help you to get there efficiently. If you are a musician seeking refreshment in your creative process, you may like to check what it can bring you!"
"Here's another video from an ongoing series of musical examples using the Polyend Play. The Play is an innovative instrument for creative individuals of all skill levels.
The Play is a different kind of groovebox with a simple and inspiring workflow to help you create unique patterns and complete songs. With a sandbox approach to sequencing, the 8 audio and 8 polyphonic MIDI tracks aren't limited to just one sample.
It doesn't matter if you're an experienced studio music producer, a famous beatmaker, or a modest beginner-level bedroom musician, Polyend Play is ready to be your sidekick while exploring new musical adventures!"
"In this video we're diving into pattern generation using the Polyend Play and the Roland J-6 synthesizer. These two tools are some of the fastest songwriting partners out there when it comes to music hardware. The Polyend Play stands out for its impressive fill and randomization features, making it a super fast pattern programmer. The Roland J-6 Chord Synthesizer, on the other hand, is known for its complex chord and arpeggiator generation capabilities. Together, these two synthesizers make for a powerful combination for creating unique and dynamic patterns. Stay tuned to see how we use them in action!
"Checking out the Polyend Play with the Octatrack MK2 and the Siren Drone Oscillator. Polyend Play mini-review with almost a full tutorial. Good times!
Get the Polyend Play here from the best synth shop in town whilst also supporting this channel: https://shrsl.com/3u5gj
Get the Octatrack Solo Template/Performance Template with regular updates: https://patreon.com/ezbot for folks who like to get in and out, there's Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/s/4f3a692375
Polyend is introducing Play+, Sample + Synth + MIDI groovebox.
3x Multitimbral Polyphonic Synth Engine
4 All New Synthesizer Engines with hundreds of presets combined with Play’s advanced sequencing capabilities
New Multi-Track Audio Over USB Integration and Stereo Sample Playback
Pick and Place - control the sequence
Instant playability - just turn on and PLAY!
2. Polyend Play+ WTFM Synth Engine Demo
Play+ offers more than just sample and MIDI playback; it now includes integrated synthesizers. Multiple synth engines have been added, each offering a unique character and including an extensive library of professionally crafted presets.
WTFM is a unique 2-operator FM synth engine that utilizes WaveTable-based oscillators driven by a 3x feedback system.
3. Polyend Play+ VAP Synth Engine Demo
Play+ offers more than just sample and MIDI playback; it now includes integrated synthesizers. Multiple synth engines have been added, each offering a unique character and including an extensive library of professionally crafted presets.
VAP is a Virtual Analog Polysynth that boasts a dual-oscillator architecture and a versatile modulation matrix.
4. Polyend Play+ FAT Synth Engine Demo
Play+ offers more than just sample and MIDI playback; it now includes integrated synthesizers. Multiple synth engines have been added, each offering a unique character and including an extensive library of professionally crafted presets.
FAT is a powerhouse synth engine that epitomizes the lush, vintage warmth of classic analog synthesizers.
5. Polyend Play+ ACD Synth Engine Demo
Play+ offers more than just sample and MIDI playback; it now includes integrated synthesizers. Multiple synth engines have been added, each offering a unique character and including an extensive library of professionally crafted presets.
ACD is a recreation of iconic single-oscillator monophonic analog synths that transport you back to the golden age of electronic music.
Review: Polyend PLAY PLUS // Is it worth the upgrade? // (and PLAY+ Synth Tutorial)
MIDI sequencing a Yamaha EX5R, bringing back these nostalgic 90ties vibes.
Dust off your old gear and breathe new life into it with Polyend Play. Besides its impressive audio mangling capabilities, Play is also offering you instant control over and a fully configurable MIDI sequencer. Its grid adds another layer of real-time composing and music performance.
With the Scale, Fill and Chord generator functions it brings the music theory under your fingertips in a moment. An innovative groovebox instrument and a best friend for you - musician, beatmaker, and music producer! No matter how experienced you are, it's here to help you discover new ways of making music.
"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness
https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Polyend Play Plus. Is this updated version of the original Play groovebox and distant cousin to the Polyend Tracker worth the price of the hardware upgrade (which is $399). Is GearTube toxic AF??? Should you just keep the OG Play and add a few synths instead? Are early adopters of Play disappointed for a reason?
Thanks to Polyend for sending me a demo unit as a long term loan.
Chapters: 00:00 Intro tune 00:47 Overview Play Plus 01:35 Chronology of the Controversy 02:53 Back to the Groovebox 03:01 Play Workflow, Pick and Place 03:20 Filter 03:30 Envelopes, FX 03:39 More Parameters 03:48 Sequencer, Microtiming, Ratches, Chance, Random 04:24 Pattern Length, Polymeters, Play Modes 04:43 Midi Tracks, Chords 05:01 Internal Synthesizers, Polyphony 05:23 Limitations of the Synths 05:41 UI, Knobs, Double Tap, Main Encoder 05:52 Master FX 06:00 Real Time Recording 06:15 Performance Mode 06:26 Pattern, Variation, Mute/Solo 06:33 What else??? 06:50 Hate 07:11 Jam 1 (House Solo) 08:06 Jam 2 (DnB Setup) 09:05 Finale (Synth Showcase) 09:37 Verdict"
"Polyend is announcing the official Polyend Play v1.3 firmware update. This time it’s all about the MIDI. MIDI functionality has been improved and refined with copying tracks and steps between Audio and MIDI, enhanced functionality of MIDI CCs, and a few more features and bug fixes.
"Polyend presents the Polyend Play v.1.2 firmware update available now. New features delivered in the Polyend Play v1.2 firmware update:
Global Master FX are now customizable. Download the latest firmware here
https://polyend.com/downloads/"
"A live, semi-improvised track performed entirely on hardware. (In all fairness, this one has an overdubbed piano for a bit of variety.)
The Polyend Play is an eight-voice sample player groovebox focused on performance and fun. It seems designed to get you from the starting line to the finish line quickly. It's got a unique sample loading scheme where folders or "packs" can be quickly added to a project. It's got composition and sequencing tools to fill tracks with random steps, euclidean rhythms, or even a large number of traditional kick/snare/hat patterns. It's got sub-patterns (called variations) within main patterns, as well as pattern chaining for full-length songs. And it has a huge array of performance effects to take static loops and make them come alive. In short, if you've ever dabbled with something like the Novation Circuit and wanted more power and more performability, this is it. It's a delight.
It has limitations, of course: with the fill features, those eight tracks run out fast; its reverb and delay are simply presets with little direct control; and it suffers from the same frustrations as any other sample-based workflow, where I wish there were synths (even just ROMplers) instead. But as a device for sitting on the couch or travelling—it's easily powered by a USB battery pack—it's hard to beat the Play. You can get something up and running quickly, it's got a decent and large factory soundbank, and it's so much fun to perform on.
Here, I quickly put together a single pattern, with a couple of variations, from a couple of long samples and loading up one of the Play's included sample packs. I could hardly stop using the Perform page to actually complete the song idea, and that's always a great sign. Once I had a main take, I added a little acoustic piano for some flair at the end, and I like the way the melody sounds on separate octaves of the piano and Play.
Recorded as two full takes (one on the Play, and one on the piano), with in-the-box reverb on the piano, and EQ, compression, and limiting on the master."
Introducing Polyend Tracker
Performing with Polyend Tracker - Performance mode and MIDI sequencing fun by SLG (Łukasz Seliga).
Polyend Tracker Demo One
Polyend Tracker Demo Two
"A retro form factor updated with forward looking functionality and designed as an easy to use compact standalone workstation. Made for the creatives who break patterns on a daily basis. Designed to help artists forge unique avenues of sonic construction. Introducing the first hardware tracker in the music world.
The Polyend Tracker incorporates the quintessential characteristics of a classic tracker. The vertical timeline, the powerful sequencer and the mechanical keyboard combined with a newly designed input interface enables you to make and perform your music in a new and intuitive way. After a quick glance and a few minutes with the Polyend Tracker interface, you’ll soon realize the array of tools that are at your fingertips.
Polyend Tracker is slick, light and portable. It's also easy on the energy consumption so you can use it with any USB power source. Its sturdy and compact form factor makes it a great companion for music creation wherever and whenever you feel like it. No matter if you’re in your studio, on the run, or at the gig.
Polyend Tracker is equipped with a variety of powerful sound design tools. Use your existing sample library, record new ones with line or mic inputs, or use the built-in FM radio. Record samples, play them, slice them, mash them, or even make a synth out of them using Wavetable and Granular synthesis with its all necessary parts (filters, ADSRs, etc.)
Polyend Tracker works great with other instruments too. Thanks to the bilateral MIDI implementation, you can use it to sequence and control external gear or it can be used as a sound module controlled by any external MIDI software or hardware devices.
Don't be fooled by the classic tracker look. While maintaining the original quick and straightforward workflow, the Polyend Tracker is armed with an updated arsenal of sonic weapons. Automatic filling, randomizer, probability, selection rendering, effects per step, live recording, batch parameters editing, micro-tuning, micro-timing, rolls and many more give you the tools to be endlessly creative. Compatibility with MOD files allows you to import and finish tracks from back in the days or export and finalize them in the modern software trackers."
via Polyend - 499 GPB which comes out to roughly 600 USD, and 550 Euro. Update: Official price is €499 EUR/$599 USD
Update: and the official press release with a new pic:
"Polyend Tracker reboots retro form factor of software past with forward-looking functionality as world’s first hardware tracker
OLSZTYN, POLAND: famed for bringing new technologies to creative musicians by building innovative and unique musical instruments, Polyend is proud to announce availability of Tracker — effectively extracting the best bits of yesteryear’s tricky tracker software classics and rebooting them with forward-looking functionality as the world’s first hardware tracker, deftly designed as an easy-to-use compact standalone workstation with immediacy and simplicity at its creative core, and aiding artists with forging unique avenues of sonic construction to boot — as of March 18…
For the benefit of the uninitiated, a music tracker — tracker, for short — is a type of sequencing software. Speaking historically, the tracker term itself is derived from the first tracker software, Ultimate Soundtracker, starting life as a game sound development tool released for the Commodore Amiga personal computer back in 1987. The first trackers supported four pitch and volume modulated channels of 8-bit PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) samples, a limitation imposed by the Amiga’s audio chipset. Classic trackers represented music as discrete notes positioned in individual channels at discrete positions on a vertical timeline with a number-based user interface. Indeed, notes, parameter changes, effects, and other commands were entered via computer keyboard into a grid of fixed time slots as codes comprising letters, numbers, and hexadecimal digits — the latter being a positional system representing numbers using 16 distinct symbols. Saying that, those in the know appreciated the immediacy and simplicity of classic tracker software, if not necessarily those hexadecimal digits! One thing’s for sure, though: tracker software has exerted its influence on modern electronic music with influential IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) artists like (Aphex Twin alias) AFX, (Polish-American) Bogdan Raczyński, Brothomstates (a.k.a. Lassi Nikk, Finnish composer), Machinedrum (a.k.a. Travis Stewart, American electronic music producer), and Venetian Snares (a.k.a. Aaron Funk, Canadian electronic musician), to namecheck but several so-called ‘demo scene’ movers and shakers skilfully orbiting around those tricky trackers. That said, some might say that trackers need not be so tricky in this day and age. And it is this thinking that led to Polyend’s trailblazing Tracker.
The timely arrival of the aptly-named Tracker puts Polyend in pole position for blazing a new trail, tooled to take the tracker concept to a new level of innovative, inspirational, and immediate music-making by effectively extracting the best bits of yesteryear’s tricky tracker software classics and rebooting them with forward-looking functionality as the world’s first hardware tracker. Thankfully, Tracker waves goodbye to hexadecimal hysterics — not only did those entering the brave new world of classic trackers not necessarily know what those values actually represented, they could not see what was affected by them. Thinking inside its beautifully-engineered box, Tracker instead implements a simplified system of readable decimals that also shows the effects parameters when those decimals are entered in a frenzied fast track to creativity.
Tracker takes the quintessential characteristics of a classic tracker — the vertical timeline, powerful sequencer, and mechanical keyboard — and cleverly combines them with a newly-designed input interface, divided into several sections: a (high resolution, crisp, and bright) big screen and associated screen keys — mechanical controls that always correspond to what is displayed on the screen directly above them; the grid — featuring 48 backlit multifunctional silicon pads for quick note and pattern value entry and visual feedback (while also acting as a highly-customisable keyboard controller with editable scales); function keys — for fast and responsive control over all functions and options; plus navigation keys and associated (metal-manufactured) jog-wheel (with haptic feedback for fast scrolling or precise adjustments) — for facilitating transport control alongside arrow keys for navigation control, as well as dedicated Insert, Copy/Paste, Delete/Backspace, and Shift keys. All are at hand, helping to streamline making and performing music in a new and innovative way — without having to leave the world’s first hardware tracker, deftly designed as an easy-to-use compact standalone workstation with immediacy and simplicity at its creative core, and aiding artists with forging unique avenues of sonic construction to boot.
Better still, the classic tracker look of that dominating (default) screen — showing (up to) 48 instruments and 256 patterns with a maximum of 128 steps per pattern per project — belies an infinite source of inspiration. Indeed, Tracker comes complete with a wide variety of onboard sound design tools to enhance creativity still further for those wishing to take it to the limit. Let loose with Instrument — a chain of tools (Volume, Tuning, Panning, Filters, Reverb Send, and ADSRs) to make an instrument from any sample; Sampler — choose from different (1-shot, Forward, Backward, and Ping-Pong) play modes; Slicer — slice samples manually, or let Tracker take care of it ‘automagically’ at any time; Wavetable — full-blown wavetable synthesis with variable table length to make it compatible with the most popular (Ableton Wave and Serum) standards; Granular — single grain yet very powerful granular synthesis to create crazy and futuristic sounds from old and boring samples; Sample Editor — built-in precise offline rendering sample editor with multiple effects; and Sample Recorder — records up to two minutes of 16-bit/44.1kHz samples using built-in Radio, Pattern selection, Mic or Line In inputs, all of which can be saved to the included (16GB) MicroSD card for later use or loaded directly into a project. Put it this way: with Tracker, users can quickly and easily use existing sample libraries, record new ones, or use the built-in FM (Frequency Modulation) radio. Record samples, play them, slice them, mash them, or even make a synth out of them!
Tracker also plays nicely with other instruments. Thanks to its bidirectional MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) implementation, it can be used to sequence and control external gear or be controlled as a sound module by any external MIDI software or hardware devices. Whatever way anyone chooses to use it, armed as it is with an impressive arsenal of sonic weaponry — including automatic filling, randomiser, probability, selection rendering, effects per step, live recording, batch parameter editing, micro-tuning, micro-timing, rolls, and much more besides — it has what it takes to be a surefire hit, harbouring endless creativity. Compatibility with MOD files — a computer file format primarily used to represent music, made up of a set of instruments (in the form of samples), a number of patterns (indicating how and when the samples are to be played), and a list of what patterns to play in what order — allows users to import and finish tracks from way back when or export and finish their Tracker creations in modern-day software trackers.
The world’s first hardware tracker is slick, light, and portable. It is also energy efficient, so will work with any USB (Universal Serial Bus) power source. Sturdy and compact, the retro form factor of software past with forward-looking functionality makes for a great music creation companion — in the studio, on the run, or on stage. Simply put, Polyend’s Tracker puts everything right on track as a ‘back to the roots’ experience like no other!
Tracker comes complete with a USB-A power adapter, 2m USB-C cable, 3.5mm to 2x 6.3mm adapter, Minijack to MIDI DIN adapter, 16GB MicroSD card, and MicroSD to USB-A adapter, and is available to purchase through Polyend’s growing global network of authorised dealers at an MSRP of €499 EUR/$599 USD. Or order online directly from Polyend itself via the dedicated Tracker webpage, which also includes more in-depth information."
"Piotr from Polyend gave us a demo of the new Play, a tabletop groove box, sophisticated MIDI sequencer and generative music machine.
Play gives is 8 green audio tracks and 8 purple polyphonic midi tracks each with up to 64 steps. everything on the Play is per-step editable, and it comes with a bunch of cool features to help imagine, create and beautifully mangle your samples and sequences, whether in live performance or in the studio.
"Here is a quick tutorial on setting up your external MIDI-enabled devices to work with the Polyend Play.
The Play has a versatile yet uncomplicated MIDI feature set. Send clock, start and stop sequences, and send note, CC, and PC changes on a per step basis. Map custom CCs and send MIDI out via USB or 1/8" TRS ports.
This week's HWJ (Hardware Jams) challenge theme was "TWO BOXES".
I picked the Polyend Play and Virus Darkstar as my two boxes and off I went to make a jam!
I got carried away though (Hahaha), and ended up programming out and arranging a full, finished track using the Play's sequencer and song mode. So, at the end of the day - this became a TRACK, not a JAM on any level, so I won't actually be submitting it to the weekly HWJ challenge this week.
**BONUS**: I learned how to send program changes over midi from the Play to the Virus to change presets during the track! SWEET!
"Here's another video from an ongoing series of musical examples using the Polyend Play. The Play is an innovative instrument for creative individuals of all skill levels.
It doesn't matter if you're an experienced studio music producer, a famous beatmaker, or a modest beginner-level bedroom musician. Polyend Play was made to give you a lot of fun while exploring new musical adventures!"
"Greetings from the Polyend Team! We are proud to announce the Polyend Play 1.1.0 firmware update is now ready to download. Get the file and check the detailed changelog at: https://polyend.com/downloads/
Autumn now finds us in the middle of intensive work on new projects. However, we’ve managed to complete a tasty Play 1.1 firmware. Sounds fantastic. Doesn’t it? You can now download it for your device! What’s new? 2 new Sample packs, 50 new Beat fills, Export files to SD card, and many more! We are constantly grateful for all your support.
With a workflow that is both inspiring and simple, Polyend Play is far from your average sample-based groovebox. Endless possibilities for your beats are at your fingertips with over 30 sample kits to play with straight out of the box.
