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@@jiffybox Haha yeah it was about time after sleeping on it for a year. 😊 Happy holidays!

Thanks so much! This one was (heavily) produced inside the box. The Push 3 really is rather limitless when it comes to this type of meticulous production. The combination of those instrument-like MPE pads and the insane producer's toolkit makes it a killer groovebox, really.

It really is and it's interesting to experience how a synth preset turns into an instrument when played on those pads. They did something very special with the Push 3.

Yeah, trackers go way back to the late 80s!

Really appreciate your feedback, thank you! 🙏 ✨

That's a really interesting connection. I haven't seen thy movie but I had to listen through the tracks and thought there was something about A Message that made me see it. Is that perhaps what you heard? Appreciate your comment, as always. Hope you'll have a great holiday.

Hey! The Push 3 is pretty amazing, especially the pads. We'll be posting a review that compares the MPC and the Push 3 shortly, planning to record it over the holiday break. :) We have another MPC jam lined up too but it got pushed back a couple of slots due to me wanting to get the Push content out sooner rather than later. The MPC is still the king if you ask me. ;) Have a great weekend!

@ Awesome. I'm excited to see that. I've decided I won't get rid of the MPC to get the Push 3, because I think you're right in that it excels in ways the Push doesn't. I'm definitely curious to hear your perspectives on it!

Yeah they definitely have their own pros and cons and excel in slightly different ways. I like them both but I have more fun with the MPC. They both sound great and help us make nice sounding music (to our ears at least 😂).

The M8 mk2 looks amazing! I can see how one could develop some serious muscle memory on it. Yes, they're incredible in their own way. 😊

What a lovely comment, thank you so much!

Yes, you do need to sequence a synth engine across multiple midi tracks (tracks 9-16) to play a chord since the track sequencer is monophonic. But you basically have those separate midi tracks for it so they don't occupy tracks 1-8 which can be used to play back samples.

The Digitakt 2 you mean? 😊

@ Yea haha

Thank you so much for your comment about the music! The Minifreak makes an excellent first synth and it's frankly the most intuitive and fun pure synth I've had the pleasure of playing with. The fact that it integrates so neatly into the DAW makes it so easy to work work it once you're going from playing to actually producing. Hope you'll have fun with it!

Yeah, there are a lot of really great presets on the Tracker across so many synths engines!

Hey there, I really appreciate the feedback, thanks! I listened to some of your tracks on SoundCloud, very nice! Are you also using a Syntakt?

Haha yeah it's a thing that definitely influences where I make music! In fact, I just got an Ableton Move and the first thing my wife says is "those are the worst button clicks ever - why do you always get synths that click so annoyingly?" 😭😂 I guess that makes the Elektron boxes more tolerable though, right? 😊

I appreciate your point of view on this. As someone with no previous experience of trackers on the Amiga 500, I found the interface to be easy to understand, though not always the fastest interface. I envy you on the Digitone 2!! That's a machine I hope to try soon. :)

@@sinewaymusic Spare some money to buy the Digitone 2 :) you won't regret it! I sold my Syntakt / Digitakt 1 to buy it. With the Digitakt 2, a hell of a combo!

@@eldontyrellcorp I'll definitely be getting a Digitone 2 at some point soon. It seems a bit too good to be true. 😊

@sinewaymusic It isn't, believe me :) The only things missing on this machine are more effects, because the effects are still the same since the first Elektron dt/dn box. It seems to me that the DSP is powerful enough on the new generation of boxes to add new effects. Also, some new machines would be great, like the SY chip on the Syntakt (but this was designed for the analogue voices, so not sure if it can be done on the DN2)

@@eldontyrellcorp Yeah, I hear you on the effects. We use the Syntakt in hybrid mode though (Overbridge) so this is less of an issue given the way we make music. Can't wait to try a Digitone 2 out!

Hey there! DT+DN is an absolutely amazing combo and if you're fine with its lack of portability, there's no need to switch things up. The Elektron workflow is tough to beat.

Even better then, thanks for that correction! I had memorized 7 somehow and I guess that is what you are left with after one of the synth engines is occupied by the drum synth. :) But at least I'm right in saying that you get a Syntakt worth of synth polyphony.

@@sinewaymusic since PERC does sound very nice usually, i would consider saying it only has 7 also correct 😆. But yes the syntakt comparison still stands!

Thanks for your input. The synth editing part of the workflow is indeed fiddly and I'm bringing this up in the review. I wasn't aware of the midi limitation because I use it as a standalone sketchpad/production device and want to avoid cables and stuff whenever I can. :)

That's the thing that these devices are so great at - filling that space when you have time for music making but you're not at home. Jui jitsu, or whichever kids activity you're currently at. :D The correlation between clicking with the workflow and being a programmer is interesting. I started my career as a computer engineer and even did lots of programming on a TI-82 calculator while also programming the Roland W-30, so perhaps you are right?

@@MrDagon007 That's it really, the Digitakt/Syntakt feels more like an instrument thanks to the physical encoders. To your point, a Tracker++ with some knobs would bring forward the synth side of the workflow more to the surface, I agree it's currently more of a preset box but the new Polyend Synth has really shown) revealed the powerful synth engines that are there on these trackers if you engage with them. It's clear that they're primarily samples focused so leaning into that more and leveraging other synths like the Roland SH-4D for the synths sounds like combining the best of two worlds really. That's a great setup you have there!

@@hotchameanshotcha Yeah there are definitely ways to do it on these trackers. My point was more that it feels like you have to be more deliberate about it on these devices than what I'm used to. Technically using the fill modes *is* writing on the note sheet - my point is that you can't just twist a knob to explore, you have to engage with the commands to alter the note sheet to hear the idea. You're right that the Performance Mode offers ways to explore. Like I said in the video, I wish there was a way to save those states somehow. Thanks for sharing your experience with the trackers!

@@sinewaymusic There are ways to explore in real time that isn't about using the Performance Mode. For example, have a pattern play (looping) while you edit it. I've noticed that often when people are making "beats" they are so focused on filter sweeps or other timbre evolution that they don't notice they've been playing the same tonic/key for 3 minutes. So you could do something as simple as copy-and-pasting into a new pattern, highlighting all the notes of your arpeggio/melody track, then rotate the dial to transpose it into a different key change. Or highlight the entire effect data column and do a data-fill to change things up (possibly randomly), then rotate the dial to further modify it, such as how strong the change is. It could randomize the high-pass cutoff, sample start position, roll, glide, synth macro, etc. Or you could make small changes manually per step (live) if the data fill is too heavy-handed.

@@droetkering That's very cool to hear, yeah the tracker workflow and jungle seems to be made for each other. And it's very true that DAWs often give you way too many options. Thanks for the comment about the video, and thanks for watching!

If that is your worst criticism about the tracker+ then it really is a winner 😊

@@anomalousmaterialsmusic Yeah it's hard to argue with aesthetics. I personally think they look great, but I'd like the look without the brushed surface too. 😊

Glad the video was helpful! The Mini is definitely the most portable groovebox of the ones you're choosing between and the battery life is excellent. The Ableton Move is almost on the opposite side of a spectrum between immediate playbility and the ability to make full tracks in standalone. It's clear the Move was designed so you would go and finish the song in Ableton Live, whereas on the Polyend Tracker Mini, you can leave just the final mixing to the daw. So I guess it depends on how much you want to use the portable groovebox in that spectrum from just noodling/sketching to actually producing. Disclaimer: I haven't tried the Move yet but I indend to! Have tried the SP-404 MKII though and wouldn't recommend it as a groovebox. That one is more purely a creative sampler in my opinion. 😊

@@sinewaymusic What I was looking for was a small groovebox with at least 8 tracks that doesn't take up much space. I'm from the time when Noicetracker 1.1 on the Amiga 500 was popular. So I'm not completely unfamiliar with that workflow (it was only a while ago). However, being able to take something with you on the go and possibly transfer to Ableton attracted extra interest. If I have to reveal something, I ordered a mini after your video. A Christmas present to myself.

@@robertgrabowski2265 Congrats, Sounds like it will fit perfectly and you even have experience with trackers. Back in those Amiga days, my friend and I actually used Deluxe Paint 4 the most. 😂 Same friendship that now involves music making. Four decades of creative fun, good times no doubt. 🤩

Check out Dirtywave M8 before you make your purchase! I owned the Polyend tracker, the tracker mini and the m8 and I ultimately sold both Polyend devices and i don’t regret it. The m8 is a beast!

@@SergeyCoder The Tracker+ feels pretty playable to me, though the note mode of the Mini feels more like something you'd use in a pinch. A tracker with a piano keyboard would be dope!

Of course you can play it live. I did this several times. But I spent hours on playing it, memorizing. Why would it have the performance mode? Learn to use it live, this is one of the assets of the tracker.

@@hotchameanshotchaPerformance mode it’s not live. You should record something before to use performance mode. Live means choose some instruments & playing like on piano, MPCL2 etc.

@@renevanderkraats224 Now I can't unsee it. 😭🤣

@@sinewaymusic Hahaha! On a more video related note: I haven't played with PolyEnd hardware yet, but I like their exterior and UI designs (minimalistic and 'business-like'), I think it's aluminium? I checked out the Synth reviews, seems like a usable device! However, still honeymooning and learning my current hardware (some Torso, Arturia, and Elektron gear), so I'll be fine ;-)

@@renevanderkraats224 Yeah the hardware design is really nice, industrial and clean. Sounds like you have no need for more hardware at the moment, which is always a good thing. 😊

Yes, it can be done! Do you publish your music somewhere? Thanks for listening! ❤️

Thank you so much for this comment, it means a lot! Many of the string sounds are made with the SY Swarm machine, then the "horns" are made with the analog tracks. I'd say that a lot of it is in how they're "played", as in the amp and filter envelopes and sequencing. Thanks again!

I meant digitone - not digitise - obvs!!!!!

Hey Andy! Haha, great minds think alike. 😊 However, I haven't purchased an mk1 this time like I did earlier this year with the Digitakt. Since I enjoy working with a single box at a time, I already know that the Digitone 1 isn't for me. I really enjoyed it when I had one a few years ago but I've learned more about what I enjoy to know I wouldn't enjoy it in standalone this time. The Digitone 2, however... ❤️ I can definitely see myself owning one soon!

Hey James, thanks for your suggestion! Tutorials is actually on the list of content we'll be expanding into next year. We have a steady pipeline of music but the list of ideas beyond that is piling up. Definitely expect some tutorials covering things like the creative process from us within the next few months!

@ can’t wait. Thanks for the reply. Cheers!

Thank you!

This comparison was made two years ago. :) I'd love to compare the Syntakt against the Digitone 2, but I currently don't own one.

@@sojourner-kl6ei I guess a Digitakt 2 could replace both in that duty, no?

@@sinewaymusic It's a valid question for sure, but I find sampling from DT to SP a relaxing experience. Its immediately on the pad. Re-sampling in SP404 is also invaluable for FX and I love the multisample PTN exporting for stems. Drag, drop files from the Roland App into DAW timeline and start editing. It's a slick workflow.

@sojourner-kl6ei I totally get it. That was the thing I liked the most about the SP-404 mk2, it was so immediate to sample.

@@sinewaymusic I appreciate you. Thx for the quick reply.

Haha glad you noticed it. If you watch the very end of our MPC jam "Black Fire", you can hear us ironically complimenting our work in Swedish too. :) Thanks for watching!

Thanks! 🙏 Yes the Stellar version is beautiful isn't it? What a lovely pairing that will be for you. I totally agree, this is our favorite monotimbral synth at the moment and the ability to just drop it into a daw project is amazing!

❤❤❤

Appreciate it! Yes it does bring completely different elements to the sounds and its effect section is quite extensive. The main thing going on with the lead track is the distortion which is then sent through a really nice sounding reverb. All the effects are from the Minifreak too. As far as recommending pairings, keep in mind that I personally don't enjoy hooking things together. What I *really* love about the Minifreak is that it works just as seamlessly in a hybrid workflow as it stands on its own. It really is the best of both worlds. But yes, if you do need a poly synth that is both fun and deep, the Minifreak should be on the short list for sure. By far the most fun we've had with a hardware synth in a while!

Thank you!

…as in polyphonic…

It's so much fun! What other synths do you have?

@@vovinlonshin3708 Thank you! 🙏 ✨

At least short and sweet. 😅 Thanks!

@@jakovponomarev5968 Thanks! We'll release the full track on Monday. 😊

Can't wait! Love what I'm hearing.

Thank you! The MPC is amazing. We've got lots more music like this coming up. 🔥

@@mc84music Thank you! I'm using an old Olympus E-M5 with a 60mm macro lens. 😊

Great combo. Had a few different Olympus micro 4/3 cameras. Wish I’d have kept hold of one

@@mc84music Yeah I'm a little over-invested in the lenses so I guess I'm stuck with this system. 😂 I dread the day when I have to buy a new camera house though because cameras have gotten so expensive since I bought my gear back in 2012.

GAS is strong though! :D