Tracker Polyend Tracker Version: 1.1.22 Instructions of use for Polyend Tracker - Standalone Audio Workstation Index: Quick start / Tips & tricks Introduction Interface Back panel Audio architecture Dedicated controls Loading & saving projects Sampler From step to pattern Song mode Master section Performance mode Audio rendering Tracker configuration Firmware updates Warranty & Safety Appendix Quick start / Tips & tricks Basics: Play Pattern: press Play. Play Song: Song + Play (from the Pattern view).
Important features and information: The Tracker runs on 5V/1A and can be powered from a power bank. Firmware update: go to Config > Firmware > chose file from SD card > Confirm. Switching pattern view: hold Pattern key + one or two of the Note/Ins/Fx colored keys. Off/Fade/Cut step: turn the jog-wheel all the way left. Changing (transposing) many parameters at once: select steps > choose the parameter (Note/Instrument/Fx1/Fx2) > use the jog-wheel.
Render song to audio > Go to File > Export > choose what will be rendered. From Pattern to Performance: Use Perform key to tweak tracks, patterns or songs in a “live – on the fly” way.
The Polyend Tracker is a unique take on a retro form factor, aimed at artists who break patterns daily. Despite the retro look, it is equipped with powerful modern functionality, Fx, and a handful of forward-thinking creative tricks. The Polyend Tracker is an innovative, inspiring and immediate tool for making music. It functions as a sampler, a synthesizer, and equips you with a powerful and creative sequencer. Tracker has a large screen, ergonomic keyboard, and a big knob for fast and easy navigation.
Interface The Polyend Tracker user interface is divided into five sections: A – Display – 7″ LCD TFT 800 x 480. A centre point of the instrument that displays all the functions and operations in real-time. With brightness level control. B – Screen keys – mechanical controls that correspond to whatʼs displayed on the screen directly above them. C – The Grid pads – 4 x 12 grid of multifunctional (not velocity-sensitive) silicone buttons.
different modules. E – The Navigation keys & Jog-wheel – dedicated controls, transport, arrow keys for navigation, Insert/Home, Copy/Paste, Delete/Backspace and Shift function keys for all the basic and advanced operations. Back panel On the back panel, from left to right – find the following ports: Out – main headphones/line stereo audio output port – use a 3.5mm stereo plug (adapter to 1/4” jack is included in the kit). A cable inserted to this port will serve as the onboard FM radio antenna.
The included SD card is 16GB but SD cards with a bigger capacity can be used (successfully tested up to 256GB). Sample folders containing more than 100 files will be automatically split to subfolders. Reset button – hidden reset button for emergency flashing procedure (to proceed with the emergency flashing, remove the SD card from the slot). USB Type-C port – 5V 1A power input from any USB power source (included Polyend AC adapter/USB port/power bank).
Dedicated controls Polyend Tracker’s user interface offers different types of controls that can all be used alternatively to navigate and operate the instrument.
Most of the values/data input in the Tracker is done by using the silicone grid pads,aluminum jog-wheel, the dedicated mechanical function keys and the display corresponding screen keys. In most scenarios, these controllers can be used interchangeably – e.g. volume Fx1 value can be precisely entered using the jog-wheel scrolling for the desired value but also entered with a single press of the pad with the exact value. The multifunctional grid pads can have various applications.
In the Config menu you can set grid pads: Musical scale filter (list in the appendix), Layouts, Root note, The 4 x 12 grid of low profile silicon pads allow you to easily strum fingers across pads. They work great for playing both internal and external instruments live. With or without one of the 39 included musical scales filters applied (see the list in appendix). Not only the scale filter can be set but the pads layout too (the relationship of notes on the pads) and the root note too.
Loading & saving projects Use the File key to access all the operations performed on project files. New project > create a new project. Open > use arrow keys to select the desired project name. Use the Open screen button or Enter function key to load it. Use the Delete screen button on the selected projects to remove them from the micro SD card. Import mod files. Save > save a project.
switched off. When copying project folders to the SD card, their folders need to be placed directly in the Projects folder. Project subfolders won’t be displayed by the browser. Importing & exporting projects Polyend Tracker is able to import/export classic tracker project files with their basic properties (samples/instruments, notes/patterns, song structure and volume info). Open .mod/.it (many other classic tracker project file formats like .xm/.
that made the classic trackers so unique. Recording Audio https://www.youtube.com/embed/cKr9QLcTI_c?feature=oembed Press the Sample Recorder key to open the audio recording section. Choose the sampling source: line input, FM radio or microphone input. Set the recording gain and toggle the monitoring on. Use the onscreen Record key to start recording, press stop when ready. When a sample is recorded, it can be trimmed on both start and/points and cropped.
Sample playback https://www.youtube.com/embed/yj4iYy95gIk?feature=oembed Sample Playback key gives access to all the classic sample-based playback options plus a Slicer and Beat Slicer. There are also sample-based Granular and Wavetable synthesis instruments. Available options are: 1-shot (preview, set start point, set endpoint, zoom), Forward/Backward/Pingpong Loop (preview, set start point, set loop start, set loop end, set endpoint, zoom).
https://www.youtube.com/embed/a1-EBYzuEHQ?feature=oembed https://www.youtube.com/embed/DsCgf3tOpSo?feature=oembed Sample editor https://www.youtube.com/embed/qALA_ka_qGQ?feature=oembed Use Sample Editor key to access a section that provides an overview of the selected instrument sample. Set the sample start and endpoints using a precise zoom tool. Use the preview function to hear changes. Crop their desired parts and cut out what’s not needed to free up the sample batch memory.
Note: Sample Editing is destructive for the sample and changes the sample itself in your project. All modifications can be undone at any time until the file is saved. The original sample will remain intact on the SD card. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jGQoIEmL3yI?feature=oembed Sample Loader - Preparing Instruments https://www.youtube.com/embed/wlkXSamoQuE?feature=oembed The Sample Loader key opens the SD card browser.
time. Shortcuts: Left arrow in the left browser > takes to the very top of the browsed folder, Use Shift + arrows > for batch selection (more than one file at a time), Use Copy/Paste > for duplicating the Instrument, Use the Insert/Home key as an Enter. Instrument parameters and automation https://www.youtube.com/embed/HdwiucFxDZs?feature=oembed The Instrument Parameters key gives access to two screens (marked in the upper left corner of the screen 1/2 and 2/2).
Important: The LFO speed is always hard synced with the project tempo. The number indicating the speed of LFO is corresponding to steps. For example Speed = 16 means that one LFO cycle will last for 16 steps. To change/choose an instrument from Instrument Parameters screen quickly – press and hold the yellow Instrument key and a pop-up list of instruments will appear.
playing pattern phrase reaches its end (pattern number will blink red), Grid pads for an immediate pattern change, Up/down arrows and/or Jog wheel for an immediate pattern change.
A step is a Note, an Instrument number and two Fx. These four values are displayed as a line of colored characters that correspond to the colored Function keys located on the right side next to the display. Use them to toggle between step properties. Each step can be set to trigger the internal audio sample-based instrument or an external MIDI instrument.
Important: Step/note length is a distance between a note and next note or “note off” (shown as OFF in the pattern). To enter a note-off value (OFF) turn the jog-wheel all the way to the left, When note hits the note-off (OFF) Envelope Release is being run, Use CUT (cuts the sound immediately) and FAD (gently fades the sound out). Change the currently edited step properties (Note/Instrument/Fx) by using the four colour corresponding Function keys to toggle between their values.
Pattern editing Start a new project > load samples > go to Pattern > turn on Edit mode (press Rec) > use the arrow keys to navigate > input steps manually with the grid pads or the jog-wheel or using the tools explained below. The current pattern position is marked with a green frame (use the jog-wheel and/or arrow keys to overview track sequences). In order to make any changes in the patterns, to input/change the step values, copy steps or patterns etc.
Pattern key + Shift + Copy (Paste) to paste. Input OFF/Fade/Cut step > turn the jog-wheel all the way left, Important: Set pattern/project Tempo in BPM (from 40 to 800BPM) in the Song section. To transpose/change multiple values, make a selection of steps > turn the jog-wheel. To step input a chord > select as many adjacent tracks as many notes you want in your chord using Shift + arrow keys while in the edit mode and use pads or external controller to input multiple notes at the same time.
position. Use Step with setting from 0 to 32 to set the interval. Now, each step will be entered exactly in the needed spots without a need of scrolling or navigating to them. Fill tool is a sophisticated sequence editing utility that allows entering multiple-step values to a selected edited area with a single click.
This way, a random melody in a Chromatic scale is created. Use the same trick to populate steps for the selected are on one or more tracks for the Notes/Instruments/Fx at the same time with one press of a button. https://www.youtube.com/embed/w5WJO9mAVtM?feature=oembed https://www.youtube.com/embed/aA-iB78ZtbQ?feature=oembed Preview, Render selection, Undo and Invert tools The Preview function allows listening to a selected step (with all its properties) or entire edited selection on one or more tracks.
sequences of events are recorded – edit them as mentioned in the previous section if needed. A metronome with a pre-roll function is also available in the Config menu to make the live-recording easier. There are three different modes of live recording in the sequencer. To switch between these modes use the colored Note/Instrument/Fx buttons. The recording is available in the following modes: Notes – where the “note off” action will be also recorded. Useful to record chords and melodies.
composed and arranged piece? The Song mode would be the answer. A song is an arrangement of patterns in the desired order of playback. In the Song mode, the timeline also runs vertically moving down line-by-line from the top of a pattern/phrase to the bottom, triggering the pattern sequences containing Notes/Instruments/Fx stored in each line. Song mode offers a simple way of sequencing previously prepared patterns by setting their number per Slot.
If you accidentally delete a track, use an Undo function available under a screen button. Use Home (Shift + Insert) key shortcut in the Song mode to immediately jump to the top of your composition. Besides the onscreen Play Pattern and Play Song commands buttons use: Play > plays a song, Shift + Play > plays the highlighted slot/pattern, Shift + Play on a selected slot/pattern clip > preview that certain selected clip/track only. Master section https://www.youtube.
individual tracks and gives access to Mute and Solo for the desired tracks. It’s where it’s possible to rename tracks. Press and hold one or more screen buttons corresponding to chosen tracks and use Arrow keys or Jog-wheel to adjust the volume, Use the 8 screen buttons to Mute the corresponding tracks, Use the Shift + corresponding screen button in order to Solo the selected track. Press the red Rec button + one of eight screen buttons corresponding to the particular tracks in order to rename it.
Switch Performance template/preset storing mode settings from global to a per-project in the Config menu. Punch-in effects Performance mode gives access to many configurable effects at the same time. There are 12 effects slots that give the option to choose the Fx set that suits the desired creative concept (see the available Fx list in the Appendix). Effects are triggered in real-time using the grid.
Pattern tracks remixing https://www.youtube.com/embed/3JqIIGeaFJ0?feature=oembed Performance mode is also a convenient and powerful tool to make breakdowns, add live onthe-fly changes to patterns in a Song mode, or even remix entire tracks. On the bottom of the Performance mode screen – find 8 buttons indicating the pattern number for each track. Selecting the corresponding screen key applies the chosen punch-in effects to this particular track.
Polyend Tracker offers the functionality of rendering audio files directly to the SD card. Choose what is being rendered – single patterns, separate tracks, or entire song mixdown as a one track. Only active tracks will get rendered, Muted tracks will be ignored. Go to File > Export > and choose what needs to get rendered into an audio file (Song, Song stems, Pattern, Pattern stems). The Tracker will play the currently rendered material.
Tracker configuration Under the Config key, all the Trackerʼs configuration options are available together with a short description.
Limiter), Sends mode – Pre-fader, Post-fader (sets if the Send Fx works in pre or postfader manner), Hexadecimal numbers – On, Off (sets sequence step enumeration in decimal or hexadecimal values), Pads preview – Off, Track, Pattern (sets visual feedback on of the sequence displayed on the pads).
Firmware updates If possible from the software implementation level, Polyend will fix any firmware related issues considered as bugs. Polyend is always keen on hearing user feedback about possible functionality improvements but is not anyhow obligated to bringing such requests to life. We appreciate all the opinions, a lot, but cannot guarantee or promise their appliance. Please respect that.
Polyend warrants this product, to the original owner, to be free of defects in materials or construction for one year from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase is necessary when a warranty claim is processed. Malfunctions resulting from improper power supply voltages, abuse of the product or any other causes determined by Polyend to be the fault of the user won’t get covered by this warranty (standard services rates will be applied).
This apparatus, by itself or used with amplifiers, headphones and speakers, is able to produce high sound levels. Do not operate at levels that are uncomfortable. Protect your ears. Unplug your instrument from the power sources during lightning storms or when it is not used for long periods of time. Make sure that the power cord is safe from harm. Do not open up the instrument chassis. It is not user repairable. Leave all servicing to qualified service technicians.
m – Micro-move, slightly moves (nudges) forward the step position. from 0% to 100%. C – Chance, sets a chance of a step being played. From 0% to 100%. R – Roll, sets the type and value of the (step divider) parameter. From 0 to 16 for each Roll type. R – regular Roll; Rv – decreasing volume Roll; RV – increasing volume Roll; Rn – decreasing note Roll; RN – increasing note Roll; RR – random note Roll. n – Random note, sets the range of randomization for Note with each sequencer pass. From +/- 0 to +/- 100.
(BPM). Values the same as above. D – Overdrive effect, sets the amount of Overdrive. From 0% to 100%. L – Low-pass, sets the cutoff amount of the Low-pass Filter. From 0% to 100%. B – Band-pass, sets the cutoff amount of the Band-pass Filter. From 0% to 100%. H – High-pass, sets the cutoff amount of the High-pass Filter. From 0% to 100%. s – Delay effect send, sets the amount of Delay. From 0% to 100%. t – Reverb effect send, sets the amount of Reverb. From 0% to 100%.
Panning LFO Speed (from -20 to +20), Filter LFO Speed (from -20 to +20), Granular/wavetable LFO Speed (from -20 to +20), Step repeater (from 16 to 1/16), Pattern play mode (Forward, Backward, Random, Custom), Pattern length (from 1 to 128). List of musical scales filters available for the pads Number, Name – Abbreviation.
14 BeBop Dorian – BeBopDor 15 BeBop Mixlydian – BeBopMix 16 Blues Minor – Blues Min 17 Blues Major – Blues Maj 18 Pentationic Minor – Penta Min 19 Pentatonic Major – Penta Maj 20 Hungarian Minor – Hung Min 21 Ukrainian – Ukrainian 22 Marva – Marva 23 Todi – Todi 24 Whole Tone – Wholetone 25 Diminished – Dim 26 Super Locrian – SLocrian 27 Hirajoshi – Hirajoshi 28 In Sen – In Sen 29 Yo – Yo 30 Iwato – Iwato 31 Whole Half – WholeHalf 32 Kumoi – Kumoi 33 Overtone – Overton
37 Neapolitan – NeapoMaj 38 Neapolitan Minor – NeapoMin 39 Enigmatic – Enigmatic What's in the box? Polyend Tracker onboard original accessories. USB‑A power adapter (with different standard plugs set), USB-C cable (2 m), Audio 3.5 mm jack to 2x 6.3 mm jack adapter, MIDI 3.5 mm jack to MIDI DIN adapter, 16GB Micro SD Card, Micro SD to USB-A dongle adapter, Warranty and manual information card, Dust cloth.
All the onboard Polyend Tracker demo songs compositions prepared by various artist and samples included in these works are licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 4.0 International license.
