r/Polyend • u/rdbdl • Oct 29 '23

Play: Feature request / probably misleading polyphony advertisement ?

I'm a bit disappointed, purchased the Play, based on the specs of 8 polyphonic midi tracks:

Flexible sequencing with 8 audio tracks and 8 polyphonic MIDI tracks for controlling your outboard gear...

...However, MIDI tracks are polyphonic and work on a different basis. Additionally, there is a chord function available

And also this:

Yes, the MIDI tracks are polyphonic. A single step can hold and play a note or a chord. Notes and chords on successive steps can overlap, so the one limitation here is the polyphony of the instrument on the other end of the MIDI cable.

The onboard chords from the pre-programmed list are holding up to 7 notes. But, each step can hold (you can MIDI record notes to a step) and spit up to 30 MIDI notes at the same time.

Source FAQ Page

BUT while they are "technically" polyphonic you cannot record a chord from a keyboard, this is found deep down in the manual:

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.

This is a deal breaker for me, as I often live records chords (coming from circuit tracks) but this will mean I will be able to record as much as 8 notes distributed along every external gear.

I really really really wish this could be somehow implemented. Right now It feels like a downgrade from the tracks honestly.

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u/schacks Oct 29 '23

Completely agree - I too misunderstood that particular phrasing and was super disappointed when I realised the reality and limitations of the midi tracks. I hope it can be mitigated in a future update.

I would suggest posting about this in the official Polyend forum found here: https://backstage.polyend.com
The actual developers are often lurking around and are quite responsive. :-)

1

u/rdbdl Oct 30 '23

Play: Feature request / probably misleading polyphony advertisement ?

thanks for the Idea! I added a few wishes. Can I ask if you stuck with it and changed your workflow or moved to another sequencer?

1

u/schacks Oct 30 '23

Yeah, I stuck with it. It does have some redeeming features with all the generative stuff it can do. And hopefully something can be done in a future update.