I own a Tracker OG, Mini, Tracker plus, and previously owned an M8. When I compare them across workflow, machine capability and sonic potential, the Tracker plus is by far the most inspiring for me. It’s an incredible machine when used properly and to its full potential. Great video too… thank you!

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Thanks for your feedback! Yes, the Tracker+ is incredibly powerful, the synths sound so nice :)

@Garethduffy707

29 күн бұрын

@@SONWU 100%

Thank you for sharing this comparison, @SonWu! I have the original polygon tracker and really love it. I was super excited to get the mini and pre-ordered. I agree with your assessment that it’s incredibly convenient and powerful but the workflow with those buttons is definitely much more challenging. I’m able to work much much faster with the Dirtywave M8. so I really appreciate you taking the time to put this together. It’s really inspired me to off my Tracker and reacquainted myself with what I loved about it in the first place.

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Hi Sean, I'm glad this was helpful! I didn't know you have the M8 :) I'll have one on preorder as well, so I'll be able to compare this whole tracker generation…hopefully soon.

Very nice breakdown and comparison. I asked others which they liked of the three Polyend Trackers and majority are saying Tracker +.

@krazywabbit

Ай бұрын

This is the first time I've heard anyone say an alt to the MPC. I struggled with MPC and sold it. Interesting thought.

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Yeah Tracker+ is the one :) In comparison with MPC, I am referring to the simplicity of sampling & sequencing. The pads make this workflow very appealing and the look and feel of the device has a retrovibe just like old MPCs…but is a little more capable than they were.

@twiglet2214

29 күн бұрын

Have another slice of carrot cake - mouth watering sampler so checking the vibe between mini and + - + is winning for me at the mo Wabbit.

I have the tracker mini and love it.

@SONWU

23 күн бұрын

Happy to hear it works for you!

Great breakdown

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Thanks!

I have the mini, and have been a part of the 2.0 beta. Really nice nice new features here. The one feature I was really hoping for is still not there and may never be, and that is a chorus send. The M8 has the chorus send, and its a feature I use a ton. If I had to chose one I'd still choose the M8.

thankyou so much for this review and comparison; i know i will have to get the fullsize one if i give trackers a try again.. i have serious damage in my thumbs so i can't handle much stiff buttons a shame because the tracker mini is on sale right now for a considerable discount at some stores.. but even if i didnt have that issue the slower workflow of the mini would be frustrating im sure

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Sorry to hear about your thumbs. I am glad I could spare you the disappointment though. I guess the M8 could suit you, as you can exchange the switches on it and just choose the lightest possible.

My choice is Polyend Play Plus. The best and fast workflow ever ❤❤❤

I have the Tracker Mini. It is a very fun device that I love because I can take it with me. The MPX is my main sampler and groove machine. I have multiple samplers and groove and drum machines. I always go back to my MPC. So, I use all of my other devices with my MPC X SE, because it just feels and sounds right.

I wish they would make a function where the 8 buttons at the top of the mini could temporarily function like the pads on the big one to play in chops, etc

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Would be nice, but they are taken up by other functions…we'll see!

@Swenglish

26 күн бұрын

@@SONWU I don't have any version of Polyend Tracker myself (I'm somewhat thirsting after the +), but I see that there is a Shift button. That probably means button combinations are a thing, which means the developers (if they wanted to) probably could add in a button combination that switches those functions for triggers, and switches back to those functions. I'm not a programmer, so maybe it's easier said than done, but it would surprise me if there's no way of making that work.

@SONWU

26 күн бұрын

@@Swenglish Yeah, there is a shift button, but it's not a good idea to get it in hope that there will be a certain function in future…overall the experience on the fullsized Tracker+ is MUCH better. I think most people that have used both will confirm that.

@Swenglish

26 күн бұрын

@@SONWU Yeah, I have no intention of getting a Mini myself, but it would be nice for those who already have one to get such a workflow upgrade. Personally, I'd get the + if anything. The one thing I'm not sure about is the price. I did tell myself when the original came out that I'd wait for the inevitable stereo version, and the lack of triggers was the reason I didn't get the Mini. However, I have bought other sampling grooveboxes, and now I'm like...how many do I need vs how much do I need the money?

i was totally thinking abou tthis exact thing today ha

My main issue with the mini was the impossibility to directly enter notes. But there is a workaround, which is a good tradeoff I think : install a midi keyboard app on your phone and connect your phone to the mini using the midi cable. Then we can have the best of both worlds. (I have yet to receive my midi cable and connect it but I'm pretty sure it will work)

@ryanmendoza3621

16 күн бұрын

Which app did you settle on? I'm just starting to research midi pad/keyboard apps to pair with the Mini and would take advice from experience. Also, have you tried connecting USB for midi or just the midi in on the bottom?

@eldontyrellcorp

16 күн бұрын

@@ryanmendoza3621 I'm using a BT midi adapter. There are very few midi keyboard apps to my knowledge. I'm using a very simple one, which lacks functionalities but is working fine. It's called "midi keyboard" !

@eldontyrellcorp

16 күн бұрын

@@ryanmendoza3621 If you know of another synth/piano app which supports midi, I'm very interested to know. I have already tried a lot, but none of them support midi, or just as a receiver not as a controller.

Perfect example of why the Tracker+ is superior... I have owned the Tracker Mini for two weeks now, and I wondered why there were two hats in a row in the drum synth in the pattern section but not in the drum synth edit page. Well that pad section on the your Tracker+ showed me that there isn't a second hat. It is a skipped note. I really want a Tracker+. Great video, I love my Mini. I take it everywhere. Amazing device with outstanding sound. I do wish the outs were on the top of the unit not on the bottom.

@SONWU

20 күн бұрын

Thanks for your feedback! You reminded me that i wanted to mention the outputs at the bottom…but forgot :)

Cool! I am wondering though about having 8 synth channels but only 3 engines. And I suppose each engine can have only 1 configuration, is that correct? Can the synth parameters be modified from the FX steps? Or maybe controlled via another midi channel? That is also a feature that I'm missing on the original tracker. You can change the LFO speeds but not the amount. So that limits the options for morphing a sound. Would be cool if the plus could do that! The Novation circuit for instance does record the knob movements into the sequence.

Does the Plus multisample? I know that (at least the early firmware) of the original Tracker involved a lot of DAW prep to multisample, but does the Plus do it automatically?

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Not that I know of.

They should add a randomized option on the synth to help speed up the sound design

Is the tracker + worth upgrading for if you have the OG tracker? In your opinion

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

In my opinion yes, 100%. Unless of course you are happy with the OG, and don't need synths, stereo samples, or multi-track audio interface capability (I think the OG doesn't have that, right?).

I sold my OG Polyend tracker to get the mini which I love to bits . Now I want the plus version … To much gas

Another note is an IPhone 15 Pro Max can power the regular size tracker. So those that say you have to carry a battery your right…the phone in your pocket. 😆 Another note is the newer tracker export sounds via the same UsB-C and you can record them into your phone.

@SONWU

26 күн бұрын

Good points! Powering with a phone is a great idea :)

my Polyend mini after the update won t restart. it is frozen on opening the last project screen

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that, that's a case for customer service I guess.

@chambre466

Ай бұрын

@@SONWU I got it? sorry to botter with that, I exchanged the sd card and the machine restarted

so exactly what is the difference between the tracker plus and the original tracker, I would like to see that comparison?

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

OG doesn’t have: -stereo samples -synth engines -multitrack audio interface (as far as I am aware) also the OG has less RAM for samples, meaning less sample space per project.

grey background yay or nay?

@krazywabbit

Ай бұрын

kinda popped. like it.

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

@@krazywabbit 🙏

@OrangeDrinkMusic

Ай бұрын

i prefer the blue background, but switching it up makes your video page look more fun

I'm considering selling my Syntakt and Digitakt to get the Tracker Mini and free some money for something else. Mainly for portability and couchability. Any thoughts?

@SONWU

26 күн бұрын

Not a good idea in my opinion. If anything get the Tracker+ and a battery pack. Either way, there will be some downsides to this trade, as the Elektron parameter locks allow you to do a lot of stuff. In the tracker you can have less of those active per step.

Thank you for very nice comparison, but I’m afraid that the sound of TRACKER + is severely out of phase. Your voice is fine.

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

My pleasure! Are you listening on a mono speaker? Because I noticed it too, when I listened on my Mac speaker, but when listening on proper stereo speakers or headphones, it’s ok.

@depaffect

Ай бұрын

​@@SONWU yeah one side is out of phase. so in mono, it disappears - but in stereo it just sounds.. well, out of phase haha. slightly annoying but won't prevent me from watching this vid :) hopefully not a problem with your tracker+ !!

@-keihinmaterial1278

Ай бұрын

@@SONWU I was listening with an iPad Pro which has stereo speakers.

@undefinierbar

Ай бұрын

@@SONWU Hi, also an normal stereo speakers: Check the audio!

You read the manual? I probably should. Sounds like you found an easter egg in there!

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Haven't properly read it yet, but had a look at the synth engines :)

Can any of these engines play chords ?

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

Yes, using the arp/chord effect you can play chords.

M8 or nothing for me

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

I haven't tested it yet, but soon!

@J-Hz

Ай бұрын

Thats cool

Really wish with the Tracker + had an internal battery.

@SONWU

23 күн бұрын

Agreed

It might be me but the volume on the actual sound from the tracker sounds scrabble

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

You might be listening on a mono speaker, right? I heard it too, when listening on my Mac mini…but with stereo speakers, it's alright.

@bjamminsincebirth3494

Ай бұрын

@@SONWU maybe I had one ear piece in…thank you

I did try out the Mini but found build quality and haptics to be exceptionally bad. I hope those soft touch surfaces do not get sticky after some time.

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

I hope that too 🫤

Your left and right inputs for the Tracker are out of phase, it makes this video really painful to watch. This is really basic stuff to get right for any audio channel.

While I understand why you’d be inclined to compare each devices “button clicks per function”, but I find it to be a pretty pointless comparison. Any device of this size is going to inherently have some more menu diving compared to a full size alternative. That trade off is part of the appeal of having something this powerful portable enough for a roadtrip or plane flight.

@PsychologyAcademia

Ай бұрын

Do people still do road trips and fly?

@redboycaptures

Ай бұрын

agree- unless you carry a power brick around - doesnt make sense to carry the full form tracker around(as much as I love mine).. Fact is mini is just an excellent portable field device you can keep in your backpack and jam out whenever inspiration strikes.

@redboycaptures

Ай бұрын

to add- he is comparing a laptop and an iphone and suggesting its always better to have a laptop because "hardware keyboard"

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

I think the difference in operation (especially not having the pads) is significant enough to point out to someone deciding between the two devices.

@redboycaptures

Ай бұрын

@@SONWU appreciate it Son Wu- big fan of your work buddy. Please keep it up. Hoping you can do a couple more videos in your typical style for a standalone view of mini 🙏🏼

Uh you are meant to hold the tracker mini like a game boy. Your fingers won’t hurt if you pick it up like you’re supposed to

@SONWU

5 сағат бұрын

I hope you're trolling 😂

Still prefer M8 from Dirtywave... by far

@SONWU

Ай бұрын

I haven't tested it yet, but soon!

@J-Hz

Ай бұрын

Thats cool

@Thirolls

Ай бұрын

@@J-Hz 😉

@202xcic

Ай бұрын

Lol, the M8 is just a bunch of open-source junk repackaged. Doesn't even have original synths, their just the MI stuff.

@Thirolls

Ай бұрын

@@202xcic You say shit lol. The M8 takes over the ergonomics of LSDJ trackers, but is still different in its interface. For synthesizer engines, the only open source engine is the Macrosynth, which is taken from the Braids of Mutable instruments. All other motors are specific to the M8 such as : the wavsynth which is an 8-bit chiptune engine, the fm synth with 4 operators, or the hypersynth, which is a polyphonic synthesizer. You have to tried Polyend and Dirtywave trackers to get an opinion, which is my case. I will pass the sample engine, because the ability to stream directly from the sd card without limit on the samples definitively burys Polyend's specs at this level.

"more easy" ✔️ "easier" ✔️ "more easier" ❌ more is redundant

@SONWU

17 күн бұрын

👌