Polyend has released a ‘functionality-boosting’ firmware update for its Tracker standalone music instrument workstation. Version 1.3.0 also brings onboard games, allowing users to take a break from music-making to refresh their creativity as a Christmas bonus.
As the world’s first hardware tracker, Polyend’s Tracker incorporates the characteristics of a classic software tracker with a vertical timeline, sequencer and mechanical keyboard and input interface to ‘make and perform music in a new and intuitive way’.
Tracker’s interface reveals an array of readily accessible tools that have been expanded by the functionality of the v1.3.0 firmware update – these updates include a new Midi CC input, Midi micro-tuning effects, tuning effects, and Midi chord functionality; track arm recording; line input availability during Song playback; longer sample import; low-quality sample import (saving sample pool memory time); unused sample deletion; a bass booster, control over bit-depth, distortion, five-band EQ, a new limiter (with gain reduction meter), and stereo enhancer effects; limiter sidechaining functionality.
There are also new Sample Editor time stretch effects (with beat and note modes); octave transpose; an enhanced Pattern editor fill command (with Euclidean fills creation and Density setting with random fills); and a rewriting from scratch rendering mechanism.
Additionally, the firmware for Preset – Polyend’s preset recaller and sequencer (now with Euclidean sequencing implementation) in a space-saving Eurorack form factor – is now open source, that invites development by third parties, while French next-generation musical instruments manufacturer Expressive E’s Carbon sound expansion – originally available as a free add-on for anyone who owns its MPE Collection combining banks of exclusive sounds into a versatile suite, ready to play with any MPE (Midi Polyphonic Expression) supporting instrument – is now available for Medusa, the Dreadbox and Polyend Hybrid Synthesizer.
Tracker is packaged 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.
