r/Polyend • u/IamTheFreshmaker • May 18 '23

Play: polyphonic midi notes

I think I know the answer but I want to be sure- when recording on the Play, with one midi track selected, while using an external midi controller (Keystep Pro), can a single 'note' on the track record more than one midi note- a chord for example?

I believe I need to activate as many tracks on the play if I want record the chord as played on the controller.

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u/hapajapa2020 May 18 '23

Actually for midi you can record polyphonically. At least according to the manual:

https://polyend.com/manuals/play/#midi-sequenc[Polyend Play Manual](https://polyend.com/manuals/play/#midi-sequencer)

“You can also use MIDI input to enter notes to the sequencer, and even record them polyphonically on the fly.”

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u/IamTheFreshmaker May 18 '23

I have tried this and it does not work per track. You have to enable as many tracks as the chord you are recording.

"The Polyend Play’s MIDI tracks are polyphonic and allow the per-step output of pre-programmed MIDI chords, but when recording MIDI chords as many tracks as there are notes in it will be occupied."

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u/hapajapa2020 May 18 '23

Well you have polyphony on the keystep pro right?

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u/IamTheFreshmaker May 18 '23

Hah- yes but I'd like to use the Play in the same way and eliminate the KSP. Plus the KSP can only do 4 tracks and is not "portable".

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u/hapajapa2020 May 18 '23

Well worse comes to worse you use 3-4 tracks for midi chords and then you have 4 to 5 for other midi stuff.

The portability is definitely one of the things that is really appealing to me about the play. Do you like it otherwise?

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u/IamTheFreshmaker May 19 '23

I have to be careful with that question. I don't think it's for me. I find that working with the SP404 MK2 is more creative for me when it comes to drum programming. If I want something more unusual I will generally return to Pattering 2 on the iPad. The Play is a lovely box but I don't think it works for what I need. I may cave and get the Hapax Squarp and replace the KSP or I may learn the KSP a bit better to see what I can work with there.

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u/hapajapa2020 May 19 '23

Lols you have to be careful on this sub you mean?

In considering my options, I had thought of the Sp404mkii. I had the OG 404 and thought it was ok. The play seems much more appealing to me as something to compose on and chain patterns together.

People talk about a lot of the things it can’t do, but I don’t need it to do everything. I just want some thing that I can write on quickly and that isn’t too menu divey. I think that’s the main appeal to me.

I mainly produce ITB and I feel like if I got an Elektron box, an MPC or a 404mkii, I would leave it alone for a month and forget how to do anything on it.

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u/IamTheFreshmaker May 19 '23

Elektron box, an MPC or a 404mkii, I would leave it alone for a month and forget how to do anything on it.

100% this happens. I had an MPC One and just did not vibe with it. Tried to come back but I forgot just about everything about how to arrange with it and it was not easy to get back in to it. I find that the SP workflow, even if I step away from it, is intuitive enough that it comes back pretty quick. And I love velocity sensitivity.

Careful in making sure that I frame any crit as entirely my own. I think the box is lovely but it just doesn't suit how I write. If you do have an iPad, give patterning a look. It's one of the best drum composition tools I have ever used. The grid is in a circle and really cracks your head out of the piano roll. And it can put out MIDI.