someone's got to give synthstrom a shout-out here, for setting a precedent. early adopters of the deluge were madly enthusiastic about the machine, but almost all of us wished that the screen used grown-up writing instead of a toddler's red crayon. they listened, they made it so, with an affordable & simple hardware retrofit. then they made the firmware open-source. I dunno, lads. I have a tracker & a play here, & while I like the tracker's sequencing paradigm, the hardware capabilities mean you need very careful planning & a bunch of other boxes. the play has barely been out of its box. I like it- it's a lot of fun, & that is after all why any of us is in this game, right? but the deluge *easily* manages all of that functionality & more, except perhaps some of the "let's just push this button & see what the machine comes up with" stuff, & to be honest, in the context of working to a brief, or with other people in the band, some of these aspects become less important than (say) having a lot of capability in a small footprint & retaining firm control over it all. again, I loved the tracker for shifting me out of the existing hw sequencer paradigm, & the play has some excellent tricks. but these days, my deluge is the daily driver.

@distantcomets

6 ай бұрын

Plus one on love for the Deluge retrofit. I tried and failed at it with a numeric LED unit years ago, but when the OLED screen came out in conjunction with open-sourcing I jumped at picking up a used one and getting the retrofit done. The stated philosophy of wanting every Deluge ever made to be out here making music *forever* is so refreshing and groundbreaking for electronic music equipment. Replaceable battery, a software development community, upgradeable components. It's what we should be getting out of a lot more of our gear manufacturers. Well done Polyend, S/O to Synthstrom, who's next?

@vertigev

6 ай бұрын

💯

@barrierloss

6 ай бұрын

eh I actually am a bit worried about the precedent this sets. The play came out like a year ago. This feels more like an apple style yearly rollout than a community demanded retrofit. The deluge had years of very strong updates adding new features before they came out with the OLED thing and it was comparatively cheaper to retrofit. This is a $400 CPU swap. I get that that is a bit of an over-simplification but idk. feels weird.

@carstensorensen154

6 ай бұрын

Deluge screen upgrade a lot cheeper....

@njm8443

6 ай бұрын

This.

Synthstrom set the bar with the Deluge, probably to the chagrin of many larger companies. $150 for a major hardware upgrade and in my case only a 1 week turnover time. The Deluge was already doing more than anything in its class, but the hardware and firmware upgrades Synthstrom has done over the years really set my expectations for all other companies. Good to see Polyend following suit. Hopefully other companies will take note as well. Synth companies should take a page out of Fender's book and focus more on creating a long lasting, modular design that stands the test of time.

@MisterMajister

6 ай бұрын

This. I was blown away by Synthstrom's decision to make it possible for us to retrofit the Deluge's screen. I will forever be interested in their upcoming stuff, just because they are so god damn awesome with their customers. I also uses the Deluge as my daily driver (hobby only), and can't even imagine leaving without it tbh.

@pontram

6 ай бұрын

I agree. This could come slowly into the mind of the big vendors. I saw on the Korg UK site a "Nautilus AT" upgrade option (but not available now) that seems to target users that are unhappy with their flagship synth not having aftertouch. Ok, we'll see if that comes to life. Korg seems recently be a bit insane with their price policy, and if AT retrofit for a Nautilus 88 costs 600 Pounds plus 2x 50 postage or so, it's a bit much...the AT version itself costs now 530 Pounds more than the Nautilus w/o AT, and it's not for the 73 keys version and it's not Poly AT. Regarding the Deluge, I think this machine is now very interesting for users like me, as I really wanted to have it but not without a proper display. Sadly, the instrument is not available in normal shops, which has its own charm, but needs the buyer to pay import taxes and manage paperwork (maybe that is now done by the shipping company). And if you have it, and if you are unhappy with it, I don't now, send it back to NZ...instead to Thomann...or sell it on ebay...that's a bit adventurous.

@Bigfamilyhomestead

6 ай бұрын

I have owned both- Synthstrom took my money for the last hardware upgrade, and never delivered... 9 months later, they did send a refund, but I had to ask for it.

@davidlynch4338

6 ай бұрын

@@Bigfamilyhomestead That is sad to hear... I know most people had a fast and positive experience with the upgrade, but when Dom Hawken passed away Synthstrom was set back quite a bit. There were only a few people in each region who were allowed/capable of doing the mod. Anomalies aside, companies doing hardware upgrades instead of just a MKII is a good thing. Hopefully the practice catches on.

I was on the fence when the Play came out but this video has inspired me to give the Play+ a look. Thanks for making a video that showcases the updated device very well.

want them to do this with the OG tracker...that would be so sick

@toslinked

6 ай бұрын

I am too waiting for that. I killed my tracker with soldering in a potentiometer for the jogwheel. would be happy to trade it in for a fair priced update machine.

@ruffiankickloops

6 ай бұрын

Yeaa that would be dope!

@ascendwithgorb

6 ай бұрын

@@toslinked oh, they will

@brainbox9219

6 ай бұрын

@@ascendwithgorb will they…? Thing has been out for a while and they made mini version before and updated OG version T_T would kill for an update that was worth a crap, not interested and another other Polyend product, I just want a legit update to hardware and firmware for OG tracker, that last update had improvements but it’s bugged even after 7.1 firmware ughhhh

I love trade in programs I wish more companies would do that.

@drconflict629

6 ай бұрын

A trade in for 400 dollars lmfao 😂😂😂😂 How delusional are you man?

This *was* normal for the super expensive Synclaviers and Fairlights which is why they tend to seem to be one of a kind depending on how much servicing they got despite them being as digital as an instrument can be

Thanks for all the amazing gear videos Ben! Your refreshingly thoughtful takes on beautiful instruments have always resonated with me and will be missed.

Brilliant review Ben. Personally, I'm a big fan of Polyend. It's such a shame they stopped doing modular gear. They were ahead of their time and now with this Polyend+ again they're nailing it. I love the brand for the kindness, innovation and even though they're not the cheapest, they're also not the most expensive and I feel it's worth it. Even if not everything they make is for everyone.

Ive never used one of these before but you have me excited about this concept. Also Roland could learn from this. 'This is how to make a screen/interface"

how do you manage to have no audible sound crackling when touching or turning a knob? I own two Polyend Plays and I always hear near-full-volume crackling when I turn any knob while playing. It happens using a batterybank as well as using a normal power outlet :/

Metric halo! -- They have offered upgrade parts for all of the new versions of their audio interfaces. They are amazing!

Ben you are awesome if it hurts them to see you enjoying yourself that speaks more about them than you life is too hard to give up so don't. Please don't give up reviews these rock.

Yes! Stereo is a huge upgrade and the reason I bought a cheaper simpler stereo groovebox last year instead of spunking a bit more on the Play. The Play+ is now the piece of gear I will aim for once I can afford to buy stuff like that instead of house upgrades.

I wanted to switch from circuit tracks to polyend play for a while. The only downside would be to lose two synth engines. Now that's not an issue anymore. Thanks for the update!

damn, polyend play looked sweet but it was missing that special something. this has me sold on the plus

I like it, would love to try it, What a marvellous sequencer! And intuitive design

I only just bought a play (with benns code lmao) and man I am so happy about this. I don't think I'll upgrade for a while, but I'm excited that I can down the line

@valdir7426

6 ай бұрын

Try emailing them apparently they offer the upgrade for free to very recent buyers

@user-mk3lk1zn5i

6 ай бұрын

Thats sucks big time,

the play lives up to its name, super fun piece of kit

Love you benn you’re the best.

Side note, I use an Audient Evo 16 and have previously used a Expert Sleepers ES-8 directly with my MPC without issues, now i connect the latter to the former via adat

Everything I've plugged into my iPad pro 3rd gen has worked. Digitakt, Focusrite 18i20, Caldigit. All show up, with all the channels, though not at the same time, because why would you? Even a mio10, which can be a bit picky at times. Maybe it's a USB C thing?

I made the Lone Birds patch from Lone "Birds Don't Fly This High" and I was thrilled when you said you liked it.

When Benn says "As many stereo samples as you can fit into the onboard memory", does that mean into the working memory (meaning we still have to preload a limited selection of samples per project) or does it now stream everything off of the internal storage? EDIT: nvm, got to the demo part

From another Ben, love you Benn! ❤

seeing the OP-1 Field come out mere months after I got the original, I really wished there was something like this.

You legit had me laughing, trying to hold in my coffee, with your "WTF happened to your eybrow" line. Caught me right off guard.

You drive that thing like a Formula 1 car. Fascinating to watch. Great demo, Benn.

Benn, I'll always be a fan. You do a great job. I'd like to share my perspective being a new owner of the Play..my unit is 5 months old and I now learn it has depreciated almost 400 bucks and it has issues that Polyend has yet to respond regarding them. Files corrupting, project missing or swapping files. Crazy stuff! Anyhow, now I learn my 5 month old device is a Legacy device and if I want I can pay 400 more to upgrade. So the unit I have lost 400 in value and to regain its value and added functionality pay out another 400.. I feel insulted and truly disappointed that the company you gave great endorsements, has failed me. You bear no responsibility regarding this! I trust you completely. But Polyend did not think the upgrade or how its recent customers would feel! If my unit was 4 years old or 2 years old, OK, I understand the program and the costs. But They are not responding to email, or support tickets I sent. That is a huge NO NO in my book. I mean at least acknowledge you got my support requests. The Back stage forum is not a place for answers, IMHO. I'm so frustrated to have my play looking at me in my studio, it can't hold samples properly or corrupts them and now it is a door stopper? Keep doing your thing, Benn, as you truly are great at it! I wish Polyend had the same approach and desire. And, BTW, this is my second Play purchase, despite returning the first defective unit. I feel like a fool!

@kennethpace9887

6 ай бұрын

Thumbs up for speaking your mind. Upgrades happen with all tech gear but the silence from support is inexcusable. Seems to be the norm these days.

@sebastienbarre

6 ай бұрын

I feel you. This is not a perspective Benn shares I think, which is fine. I lurked in the forums that same day and what he said (on that frustrating day I'm sure) with respect to people complaining about this sudden depreciation was pretty much "Who the f* hedges their gear anyway?". People do, it's not stupid to consider the value of your purchases if you can only make so many...

@bobclark5360

6 ай бұрын

He may lack some perspective if much of what he gets is heavily discounted or free. But I still like to make sound purchases and feel good about owning it..I feel terrible regarding the recent events and now owning an insult that sits staring at me. Benn serves a community of peeps who respect his opinions and I'll continue to do so. Those that gutted him are simply wrong or misplaced their anger. And I still have not heard from Polyend. @@sebastienbarre

Wow! Finally, internal synths! Next they should go OpenSource to compete Deluge.

Can you please make a tutorial video for the tracker mini? I am totally lost with the thing. I was able to pick up the play without ever looking at the manual and thought i would be able to learn polyends other product quickly. Now i am putting myself to sleep with its manual.

This entire “situation” has me very hyped for a Tracker Mini. Maybe I’ll see some used ones pop up after all this settles 😂

The randomized song that the Play spit out at 12:49 sounds exactly like the beginning of the "Port Town" level on the original F-Zero soundtrack for SNES

Ben. Where did you get your PhD in music? Seriously though, thank you for the information. I just pre-ordered the Plus. I've had my eye on the Play since it came out. Between this upgrade and black Friday discounts, now was finally the time!

Would you say Polyend play is a great start up device to combine with other devices to setup some kind of live station?

The "later" at the end felt like being interrupted mid-sneeze. Thank you for saying "bye".

In response to audio class compliance, I have had my Keith McMillan K-Mix work across the board…my MPC Live, 2021 iPad Air, and 3 different MacBooks across different OSs. Maybe I’ve gotten lucky with a great product!

@echo_opera

6 ай бұрын

Yeah, I didn't get this part of the video. I've been rocking a handful of different interfaces with my MPC, iPad and macOS for years now. Not sure if he's trying to connect a Firewire interface to his set up or what...but USB works just fine...

Seeing Benn's comments about the Polyend stuff, and reading some of these comments about the capability of both Synthstrom and Polyend sequencer products was getting me very excited. Then i saw the info about lacking sysex capability and i got skeptical. Then seeing no NRPN either sealed the deal. I can almost understand the lack of sysex support, (although i think it's ridiculous), but not having NRPN support is beyond ludicrous. Is it too much to ask for to have a decent sequencer that can manage NRPNs and/or some basic Sysex support?

@notreally-sf3df

6 ай бұрын

what planet do you live on where sysex matter?

I just got a Novation Circuit but might consider getting a newer Groovebox or Drum Computer in the future. Would the Polyend Play (or Plus) be a better upgrade than just getting a Circuit Tracks, MPC studio, etc?

One Love! Always forward, never ever backward!! ☀☀☀ 💚💛❤ 🙏🏿🙏🙏🏼

The upgradable hardware business model is such a better move than the TE's field's marketing blunder/embarrassment. Good job polyend!

@thelefthandofcreation1617

6 ай бұрын

It's like how E-Mu and other similar companies used to operate

@notreally-sf3df

6 ай бұрын

what do you even mean by that? what kinda fucking shill are you?

@drconflict629

6 ай бұрын

Almost nobody seems to agree with that on Polyend's own video though. It's 400 + shipping to "upgrade". And the first unit was only a year old. What sort of idiotic vision is this company pushing?

I always enjoy Watching your videos, Thanks for being so informative. Please don't stop making gear videos

Ahhhh this is what I was hoping for the original Play, and I sold my tracker and 1010music fireball to help pay for the Push 3 which is now my go to travel music making setup - I think if this had come out before that I would have definitely got it instead as I’ve heard and seen how great the Play is 😅

Thanks for making this review. I dig your review style. It helps me learn about interesting electronic gear from a grounded and information based level without the gross performative and capitalist jargon that crowds a lot of other reviewers videos. I’m here for all your content including reviews.

Speak Low! Really cool to hear one of my favorite Jazz standarts in the background.

Love your channel, content and thorough analysis from anything from reviews, reflections on music tech and industry. I love Polyend, but there’s so little known about the company it’s ethos or stuff like the history of their development of products. Would be cool if you did a video about their company and perhaps interviewing them as well. Great work as always! 🎉

FWIW Presonus Series 3 rack mixers work with MPCs when set to 44.1KHz and compatibility mode, giving me 24 inputs and 12 aux outputs in the case of my 24R.

I’m blown away by that trade-in for existing customers and kudos to you for pointing out.

I ended up getting the tracker awhile ago. I really like it, but my brain still has to work harder than I would like to get in the groove of the workflow.... It seems like this might have been a better fit for me. Do you (or anyone else) think that this is more "powerful" as a tool... Or just have any pro/con comparisons of the two? I primarily use it to make some drum tracks to add some electronic flavor to some of my music... not electronic music so to speak, typically metal/mathy rock type music.

"saving this part for the next time you have insomnia" jokes on you, its 4:46 in the morning, and I indeed have insomnia

19:10 oh man I love the Bulbpusher

Damn it… yeah I want one. Honestly I can’t be too pissed about it cause I have t used mine enough cause I’m so busy. I just wonder if they ever got around to adding midi efx. If they did, I’m keeping the old one. If they have not, I’m now left wondering why and thinking- no wonder people are pissed.

Could you go into a bit more detail about the section at the end with what looks like a guitar looper (I know a lot of pedals but this one doesn't look like anything im familiar with). Im a guitar player interested in the creativity that the play+ offers and am trying to figure out the best way to use both to compose. I suspect you're syncing the two with midi and have a mixer to blend the audio sources?

I got my Play yesterday, an OG unit that I wont upgrade, only wanted it for the sequencer, and for all the sequencers I've been through, this is fart the most powerful, cheapest and easiest to use when it comes to my MIDI requirements. Not interested in synth engine or samples, for people who want a robust MIDI sequencer, it's actually really nice and if you can get it cheap and want a robust MIDI tool, go for it.

@darondaron99

6 ай бұрын

Fart?

Hey, Benn. Great informative post. I have tracker and love it. Might be a while before I can justify getting a play+ as well, but who knows. No idea why some people think this review is controversial. Weird. Anyway... Keep it up. You're doing great!

This actually just makes me more interested in the original Play at the new reduced price. I've got plenty of hardware synths to pair with its MIDI sequencer so I don't care about the synth tracks in the Play +. The audio out over USB is a good feature though.

Can anyone identify the gear he was using to work guitar looping into his Play+ workflow? I am very interested in doing this with mine

@gatorgoforth3097

6 ай бұрын

Boss RC-505

Magnificent synths and the upgrade option is pure customer focus. Kudos. I was waiting to have in this version a real improvement on the sample editing. Someting like on the tracker and minintracker. You know how to do it and the screen support that. There are smaller screens doing it like sampltrk or even op1 and field. Why not including this in the plus version even on the classic?

I work for a company that makes large electronic mechanical widgets, and the semiconductor shortage and subsequent years of supply chain bullshittery was brutal for us. And we own fabrication plants. Didn't Teenage Engineering decide to make their next product based on what they could buy now in bulk?

My guy just uploaded a video halfway through I was done watching this brand new video. Lol nice. I appreciate it.

@tapdaddy69

6 ай бұрын

Damn, just watched the other video. Honestly I wasn't expecting that but I definitely understand why you're leaving and respect that. I didn't realize that your comment sections were getting so toxic. And I definitely didn't realize how toxic the synth and gear community is. Hope you know though that you are perhaps the most entertaining and interesting channel for producers IMO. Not gonna lie, I don't even buy hardware really. I just enjoy this channel because you're an interesting dude, and some of the content you make is just downright thought provoking. Seeing some of the stuff that excites you, some of the ways you approach production, alongside some of the more science based or adventurous videos, it's just way better than a lot of the other content for producers. You definitely are way more than a synth-tuber in my eyes, and it's a shame that a few people can only see you as a product reviewer they disagree with. If you ever continue to make other kind of content on other channels, I'd definitely keep my ear to the ground for it. In any case, I hope you go on to do more interesting things, hopefully things that fulfill you more. Thanks for all the videos.

@tapdaddy69

6 ай бұрын

This comment aged poorly over those 11 or so minutes... sorry about that lol. I'll leave it up for my other comment. Thanks again for all the videos

I love your videos, Benn. And I hate to see you, or anyone for that matter, getting unjustifiably negative comments or accusations like has happened here. Some people just jump on the negativity train because it looks like everybody else is boarding and they don't want to be left out. Don't let those people get to you, they don't appreciate or even recognise the amount of time and passion you devote to videos like this. Unlike many other content creators in the music hardware space, you actually get to know the products you test\use really thoroughly and that's something you should be incredibly proud of. Please keep being your wonderful, talented, authentic self. And keep making great videos like this one!

@alexiwiedemann

6 ай бұрын

❤

I think it's great that they're avoiding unnecessary waste. To the extent that the upgrade work can be done with a minimum of shipping all the better, since the environmental cost of said shipping is not negligible.

I noticed “the analog thing” analog computer on the back. I have always been curious about the possibilities for pairing with modular, is it good? BTW I would love to see a video on this computer with modular 😉

Forgot about Deluge? That's probably the closest comparison IMHO.

If you watch this at double speed, the 707 sounds like when i would make thrash demo songs on my four track back in the 80s

You are really talented. My only complaint about the video is if I bought one I would never be able to get it to sound like that in a bazillion years.

Man this is so cool! I wish more hardware makers gave us this option!

That jam around 16:00 sounds straight out of Cobalt Core's soundtrack! Which is a compliment of course. I recommend giving the game and the soundtrack a look/listen.

I really appreciate your insight here Ben. I feel like the pandemic made a lot of stuff in the music tech space weird and significantly messed with timelines (resulting in the year and a half turn around we see here). It looks like a fun upgrade! I don’t know if it’s quite for me given the embarrassing number of options I have that accomplish the same (with a different workflow, but still). I appreciate PolyEnd having an upgrade path - as a software engineer, I know that a significant upgrade like this costs. For those complaining about upgrades, a year after I bought my $12k ExMachina Quasars, there was a MK2 and the upgrade costs $1600 with self-install. Chips and DSP stuff are much more expensive than you realize or remember, particularly for manufacturers that can’t get batch discounts at the level of someone like AMD or Intel. If the upgrade path isn’t for you, that’s fine! Don’t take it out on Ben or others just genuinely sharing their joy.

In principle, this an excellent move by Polyend. It is a more sustainable approach than that of many landfilling vendors. It reminds me of the OLED screen upgrade approach from Synthstrom audible for their Deluge. The Polyend upgrade pricing is perhaps a bit steep, but I suppose time will tell. Talking Deluge, because I have one, I haven’t (yet?) cracked for a Polyend Play but the addition of the synths and the USB audio are tempting me…

genuinely curious how the premiere function benefits creators. i always forget to come back and watch the videos

@frien_d

6 ай бұрын

...I don't

@keithlane4705

6 ай бұрын

Same, though it can be handy if its like 20 min or 30 min, and you want to join in the chat. Can go make a coffee and settle. Over an hour though .. I don't plan my life around youtube

@BennJordan

6 ай бұрын

Some people enjoy it and I get to hang in real time with viewers. 🤷🏻‍♂️

@RoamingAdhocrat

6 ай бұрын

I don't mind premieres (I'm watching one right now!), I do find it a bit of a bait-and-switch when KZread says "one of your favourites has uploaded a video! no, you can't watch it. they've uploaded it, it's complete, you must wait because Reasons"

@dansimco

6 ай бұрын

@@BennJordan Thanks! Didn't consider the hang in real time thing. It's hard to come across as genuine in a youtube comment but it was :)

The Play as a midi controller for synths paired with sample packs is the real appeal for the Play. If you don’t have synths to pair with, the Play+ is a good buy, but definitely not worth the upgrade for gen 1 users who like their own synths better than internal synth engines.

You make great content. Don't pay attention to people that don't matter. ;)

you were certainly able to create a lot of cool sounding music with a minimal amount of effort. that was very impressive to me, though I was completely lost during most of the process. that’s on me, not you, I could see that once you learned the ins and outs of the device, you could probably create music quite effortlessly with it

This approach seems like a good way to get more of the upgraded product into the hands of musicians, faster - especially for a small, bandwidth (and potentially supply chain) limited company. Nice job Polyend!

Bought my OG Play 4 months ago. At least $500 (In Europe and shipping) for the upgrade. Just ship us upgrade kits for those that want it Polyend.

@fulhjort

6 ай бұрын

Do you have what is needed to desolder SMD components? What if you fail with the upgrade? Are you willing to take the loss?

@diereken

6 ай бұрын

@@fulhjort I'd give it a go

@fulhjort

6 ай бұрын

@@diereken At the expense of possibly completely bricking the device and not being able to get a replacement under warranty?

@diereken

6 ай бұрын

​@@fulhjortyes

A few years ago I bought a Novation Launchpad Pro Mk2. Then the Mk3 came out within a few months and had a bit more capability. I considered buying a Mk3 but held out long enough until some smart dude developed a custom firmware that basically turns my Mk2 into a Mk3... for free. That said, I would have liked an upgrade option to go from Mk2 to Mk3 instead of having to buy a whole new piece of hardware when I already have one that looks basically the same and does 80% of the same stuff.

The beat you started at 18:16 is sick bruv. Please finish this one and release it - one pre-order waiting right here...

6:44 Yep, I power my original Play on the go with the iPhone 15 Pro :)

@sebastienbarre

6 ай бұрын

That is very nice. Doesn't work with my 14. How much power does it draw from your iPhone? A few hours and it's done? Thanks

Back then I sold the Play again because it could just sample and had no sound engines. While I thought it might be fine I felt the limitations that did not help me at all. Guess I have to give the Play+ another hard stare now …

I disagree with the similarity of workflow between the Play and modern MPCs, Machine stand alone, and SP-404MkII. The Play (and Play+) can play samples loaded into it, but do not have sampling. Did Polyend do the upgrade thing because they are nice or because new EU regulations require it?

@squarelanguage

6 ай бұрын

Either way, it is a nice option to upgrade and I'm hoping to see more manufacturers do this (not just music gear)

Wow this upgrade makes look like it could be a very well rounded groove box. It might have to be the next item on my list now. Your review was great too and am sorry after watching today's video you will stop making more.

People are mad that a new product hits the market too quick?

Benn, regarding audio interfaces and Apple: looks like they randomly kick interfaces out of supported list. Nobody knows why it happens. The only two interfaces i know and personally tested them: Elektron Digitakt and (oh, irony) Behringer UCA 222. They just work on any OS (iPadOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Mac) out of the box. My tablet is 5th generation of iPad mini.

For some reason I want to go and play Ridge Racer now...

This video completely changed my perspective on the situation. Everything that you capture here is completely lacking in Polyend’s own communication about this new product.

kinda late to the party but w/e imo trade in is a very cool thing for them to do (although something that should be regarded as a standard procedure in such cases), however I am kinda iffy about the fact that they knew they were shipping a product that is not a fully realised version of what they want to release yet still asked a full price for it (I say full cause they charge 799 for the plus aka intended version). Saying as a someone who really like the idea (and now also the realization) behind this device and maybe will purchase it at some point.

How do you know that the Polyend play compared to the other devices had that much more research? Quite engrossing

The upgrading of existing hardware (especially if the motherboard has to be changed) is a really cool idea. I feel like 499$ for the upgrade is still _a lot_, but the concept itself is good. Especially from an e-waste perspective

@TwoBassed

6 ай бұрын

But the circuit board is the most expensive part of the product so understandable!

@nolyspe

6 ай бұрын

it's 399 for the upgrade

Huge Kudos to Polyend for this approach for current owners - and huger (more huge) kudos to Benn for creating more awareness about the upgrade - and double kudos and THANKS to both Polyend and you, Benn, for the $200 discount code!! The upgrade at that price is an incredible value!! My upgraded Polyend Plus is on the way back to me!! ❤❤❤

Great Review.. companies upgrade their products and sometimes the new version is just more appealing or adds features we what .. like buying a car last year and then finding that the car company just drooped the hottest new thing on the street and guess what ? its a smoking hot upgrade to the model you bought last year.. if you've been buying software or hardware for awhile then this has defiantly happened to you.

Hello there, i'm wondering, coz i'm still a bit lost, what is the differences between both then ? Is the polyend play (the one at 500 euros) a bad choice to start along ? Or will i miss a lot compare to the + version ? Thanks a lot and sorry for the question

@radfaraf

6 ай бұрын

Read the polyend site it highlights all the new features of the new unit.

@dankeplace

6 ай бұрын

OK the differences are pretty vast if you're intending to use as a MIDI sequencer and Synth engine. Given there are 8 tracks of MIDI, both the MIDI and synth engines share these 8 tracks. That aside, you have mono VS stereo samples. I purchased the non plus version as only want to use it as a sequencer and am not interested in the sample side of things. The non plus version does not have the 3 synth engines and has mono samples. The plus version has the 3 synth engines and stereo samples. Both are good with intended uses but the plus version is more expensive and offers less to me for my uses.

Would be neat if the user could upgrade the board like computers used to be

The Play still does everything I loved about my Seq ... but in the end I sold my Seq and got a Squarp Hapax as it has 16 tracks and each track can have unlimited voices. The Hapax can also send Bank & Program Changes and do LFO-like automation, e.g. for a low-pass filter or velocity. The Play+ still can't do any of this ... apart from its 2x8 voice limitation (8 voices will already get used up by one drum track and a chord) and it's inability to record sounds directly, what a bummer 😢

@HEsi1bm

6 ай бұрын

Seq was their original abandonware. Dumped it with a ton of major bugs and basically said “sorry, Seq was for us to learn how to make sequencers”.

@one23johnson

6 ай бұрын

Agreed. Would have loved to see polyend try and compete with squarp here as I think they have the HW and expertise to do so, but lost faith in them and went with the Hapax and haven’t looked back. It would be good to see some other gear manufacturers like Elektron that support a device for 10+ yrs.

@dankeplace

6 ай бұрын

You've posted some inaccurate things, the Play can do Bank and Program changes, you can have 8 voices from drums then 3 synth engines on the other 8 MIDI channels shared with MIDI tracks if wanted. 1 lane is only required for chords, leaving you 7 for w/e. If you've used a Play, you would know all of this. Hapax is stand alone sequencer, Play + is both Samples then Sequencer and also 3 Synth engines. Why you're comparing a groove box to a Sequencer is beyond me. Again if you knew anything about the Play, you can do a lot on 1 lane, being able to change samples or MIDI on each individual step. I've only had mine for 1 day and already worked this out.

Nice device

I will say sample loading seemed faster.

I LOL'ed at the HSN logo.

I'm really thinking of selling my Syntakt for this.

Poland stronk! 🇲🇨

Have you ever used a traditional PC based tracker?

@middaymeds

6 ай бұрын

He literally started his professional career making music with em lol

@neqkk

6 ай бұрын

@@middaymeds I was actually curious which ones :)

12:55 what the hell i was jamming to that.