Remastered Tracker with Powerful Polyend Performance
Polyend’s flagship Tracker transformed the idiosyncratic tracker software of the 1980s into a contemporary beat-crafting machine, retaining the grid-based architecture and supercharging the format with a world of cutting-edge, multimode sonic possibilities. The Tracker+ takes up the gauntlet of its predecessor and extends its composition and performance capabilities to summit new peaks of artistic malleability, with the iconic, ergonomic form factor that made the OG Tracker a staple among multitudes of musicians. Equal parts sampler, drum machine, synthesizer, and sequencer, the Tracker+ is augmented to include 16 total tracks, half of which are dedicated to MIDI and synth parts. Increased onboard memory, streamlined file management, and refined responsiveness are complemented by expanded synthesis modes, audio over USB, and complete drum-machine production. Tracker+’s versatile stereo options have Sweetwater’s producers most excited to step up their standalone setup, with sampling to playback and beyond all in play. Did we mention it accepts legacy tracker file types? MODs welcome.
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Electrifying shades of synthesis
Though the original Tracker featured granular and wavetable synthesis engines, the Tracker+ ups the ante, introducing four additional electrifying options: ACD, FAT, VAP, and WTFM. ACD harkens to the iconic sonics of golden age, single-oscillator monophonic synthesis, while FAT comprises a trio of virtual-analog oscillators to capture the distinctive warmth of vintage analog instruments, complete with drift and detune controls. VAP — Virtual Analog Polysynth — utilizes a dual-oscillator architecture with a detailed modulation matrix, and WTFM deploys a 2-operator FM engine, a 3-times feedback system, and wavetable oscillators for a voltaic take on the hallmark FM sound. The Tracker+’s 8-voice polyphony is augmented by its capacity to use up to three synth engines per project, accommodating dynamic, versatile sound design and deep synth layering.
Step into sequence with PERC
The Tracker+ notably expanded its sonic scope by not only supporting full stereo output, but increasing its track count to 16. What’s more, eight are universal — audio, MIDI, and synth — while the additional eight are reserved for MIDI and synth parts. In addition to new synth engines, PERC is introduced as the Tracker+’s dedicated drum machine, performing up to five simultaneous drum sounds per individual synth voice. Plus, sampled sounds can be layered with digital synthesis, blurring the lines between the virtual and the physical. This allows for electrifying takes on classic booming basses and glitched-out DnB destruction. With each project capable of 128 steps per track and 256 patterns per song, the Tracker+ affords virtually limitless sequencing capabilities and rhythmic arrangements, including the onboard Advanced Fill Mode’s Random, Euclidean, and Musical scales for nuanced, expressive per-step FX.
Superlative sampling
By introducing stereo playback, the Tracker+ is also capable of sampling up to five minutes of stereo audio, or 11 minutes of mono, seamlessly captured through the onboard Mic and Line inputs with your instrument or environment of choice. Moreover, samples can be stored and loaded via the microSD slot and included 16GB card or microSD to USB-A adapter. Once you’re audio’s in, an assortment of sampling modes are at your disposal: 1-shot, forward, backward, two automatic slicing modes, ping-pong, and more. If you’re feeling ambitious — or missing the necessary tools — the Tracker+ continues its predecessor’s penchant for accessible sampling, built with an onboard FM tuner to grab audio straight from the airwaves.
Ferociously flexible FX
Texturization tools abound throughout the Tracker+, augmented by the robust 16-track architecture, and Polyend has outfitted their multi-hyphenate instrument with a suite of sound shaping capabilities to maximize this latent potential. Effects can be applied to each track, including LFOs, ADSRs, overdrive, flanger, chorus, distortion, wavetable-smoothing, time-stretching, resonant filters, diverse dynamics adjustments, and more. Furthermore, the Polyend+’s armada of aural aesthetics doesn’t stop at the composition stage, as an exhilarating array of customizable performance FX are included: high-, low-, and bandpass filters; versatile sample manipulation; bit-crushing and depth adjustments; flexible speed manipulation for LFO finetune, panning, filter, and colume values; and the list goes on.
Comprehensive connectivity for any environment
For all the Tracker+ can do by itself, Polyend understands there are countless ways to plug and play, from on-the-go beat-crafting to complex studio setups, and they want to power every performance possibility. Stereo-capable master and headphone audio outputs accompany Mic and line inputs, while the MIDI I/O utilizes Type-B 3.5-millimeter TRS connectors. Its microSD slot accommodates not only the included 16GB memory card, but can be used for USB mass storage, thanks to the included microSD to USB-A adapter. Furthermore, the USB-C port and accompanying 2-meter USB-C cable support up to 14 tracks of stereo audio, in addition to providing lightning-fast data transmission of stereo tracks, masters, or stems, to integrate with DAWs or external devices.
Polyend Tracker+ 16-track Stereo Sampler, Drum Machine, and Synthesizer Features:
- Iconic tracker-inspired layout delivers detailed control in a portable chassis with an intuitive and ergonomically arranged interface
- Expanded 16-track count and stereo playback mean virtually endless composition, performance, and sound design
- 8 universal tracks and 8 tracks dedicated to synth/MIDI parts
- ACD, FAT, VAP, and WTFM synth engines immensely expand your sonic palette with versatile shades of virtual-analog, monophonic, polyphonic, and wavetable-style FM synthesis
- 8-voice synth polyphony and a capacity for 3 synth engines in each project for powerful, dynamic composition throughout the spectrum
- PERC drum machine supports up to 5 drum sounds per synth voice to produce complex rhythms with textural depth and sample-layering support
- Multiple sampling modes, with automatic and manual configurations, and onboard FM tuner ensures flexible sample-based production
- Diverse onboard effects includes per-track composition FX and dedicated performance FX to make every studio and stage experience sound its best
- Comprehensive connectivity suite comprises dedicated mic and line inputs, 2 stereo audio outputs, and MIDI I/O for seamless integration in virtually any setup
- Versatile USB connections support up to 14 stereo tracks via USB audio, as well as lightning fast communication with external DAWs or devices
- Included 16GB microSD card and microSD to USB-A adapter accommodate external USB mass storage for flexible data management
