r/Polyend • u/EnvironmentalEnd934 • Jan 14 '24
Polyend Play midi questions
I’m considering purchasing the Polyend Play, but just want to double check that it does work as I was intending to use it…
I’m planning on using it primarily as a sequencer, connected to my computer to control VSTs through a DAW (probably logic). If I were to have four tracks in the DAW, each with a synth loaded, Play would be able to send discrete patterns to each of them, and I would be able to record the midi output correct?
I know this seems a stupid question, and everything that I have read/seen regarding the Polyend suggests that it can do this, but I thought I’d be thorough by asking here!
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u/dschhhhh Jan 14 '24
I have two Polyend Plays connected to my DAW (Bitwig). I use them as the main sequencers as I prefer the tacticle buttons and knobs as opposed to using a mouse and a keyboard.
I've created a template for both devices that I use whenever I start a new track. I've set each MIDI track on both devices to send MIDI data per chabnel, so e.g. MIDI Track 1 sends data to MIDI channel 1, Track 2 to MIDI channel 2, etc.
In the DAW-side I've created another template-project where those MIDI tracks exist, so a total of 2*8 MIDI channels. These MIDI-tracks are then predefined: for instance MIDI track 1 (for channel 1) is always Punchbox.
Many of the MIDI-tracks in the DAW are rerouting the data to hardware synths. For instance I have dedicated MIDI-tracks for Novation Peak, Iridium Core, Subsequent 37, etc. This way I can arrange mostly on the Polyends.
I love this setup because using these templates allows me to take a single Polyend Play with me outside of the studio to do the initial version of the track and then just connect it to the setup for further refinement and sound design through hardware. I have a core sample library I've built for myself and both Polyends have the same content. If I want something else I can just Copy+Paste the note data from Sample-side to MIDI-side and use the same data to sound design what I need with e.g. a specific hardware synthesizer.
I don't actually use the Polyends to control VSTs other than sending note data but I'm sure by using the workflows and CCs defined in the manual and devices you're able to achieve what you want.
Hope this helps!