In 2022 Polyend introduced the Play, a captivating sample-based groovebox and MIDI sequencer that was just about universally beloved by anybody who may get their arms on one. The pandemic fueled chip scarcity made them fairly arduous to return by, not less than initially. However my, how issues have modified in a bit of over a 12 months. In simply round 18 months, the corporate has managed to carry the price of the Play down from $799 to simply $499. Extra thrilling although, is the supply of the Polyend Play+.
The up to date model is dramatically extra highly effective than the unique. It nonetheless has eight tracks of pattern playback and eight tracks of polyphonic MIDI sequencing. However, it now helps stereo pattern playback and there are 4 built-in synth engines that may be managed by the devoted MIDI tracks. There’s additionally assist for audio over USB-C. And impressively, it’s multitrack with 14 particular person stereo tracks out there for every of the eight pattern channels, the three synth slots, the reverb and delay sends, plus a grasp audio out.
The synths are restricted to eight voices collectively, however you may divide them up over three tracks nonetheless you see match. So you may have a monophonic bass, a duophonic lead after which have a 5 notice polyphonic monitor for chords. The 4 completely different engines are ACD, FAT, VAP and WTFM. The primary three are completely different flavors of digital analog synths, with ACD delivering easy single oscillator not not like Roland’s famed SH-101. Whereas FAT and VAP are extra sophisticated, with the previous delivering thick three-oscillator tones, and the latter having a fairly intensive modulation matrix for evolving pads. WTFM, is a two operator FM synth that, not less than primarily based on the samples posted on Polyend’s web site, is way extra succesful and versatile than you’d count on.
Whereas you are able to do some menu diving and customise the synth patches to your liking. There are many presets, every with macro controls for rapidly dialing in one thing pleasing. That’s the massive promoting level of the Play usually, its immediacy. There’s nonetheless the semi-generative sample filling choices, and that features with the ability to auto-generate bass and chord progressions utilizing the synth engines.
One of many extra intriguing issues, nonetheless, is that Polyend is permitting house owners of the unique Play to commerce theirs in for the Play+ for $399. This provides individuals who shelled out for a unit an improve path to the brand new extra highly effective {hardware}, but in addition reduces waste (and doubtlessly saves Polyend some cash) by permitting it to promote these returned items as refurbished down the street.
The Polyend Play+ is accessible now for $799.
