Page 1 Tracker Polyend Tracker Version: 1.2.0 Instructions of use for Polyend Tracker - Standalone Audio Workstation Index: Quick start / Tips & tricks Introduction Interface Back panel Audio architecture Dedicated controls Using the pads as a custom controller Loading & saving projects Importing &...
Page 2 To edit pattern press Rec (red frame), press it again to disable edit mode (green frame). Important features and information: The Tracker runs on 5V/1A and can be powered from a power bank. Firmware update: go to Config > Firmware > chose file from SD card > Confirm.
Page 3 All changes in your project are being autosaved. From Sample to Instrument: Capture audio using Sample Recorder > set source > set gain > record > crop > save & load as an instrument. Select audio files > use Sample Loader key to open SD card browser > add samples to project instruments by copying them from the left to the right side.
Page 4 feedback. Important shortcuts: Tempo: Song + jog-wheel. Play Song: Shift + Play. Record Pattern live: Rec + Play. Go to the top step of the pattern: Shift + Insert (Home) in Edit mode (Rec is on). Select more than one step on one or more tracks > Shift + arrows (works for clips in Song mode too).
Page 5 The Polyend Tracker is a unique take on a retro form factor, aimed at artists who break patterns daily. Despite the retro look, it is equipped with powerful modern functionality, Fx, and a handful of forward-thinking creative tricks. The Polyend Tracker is an innovative, inspiring and immediate tool for making music.
Page 6 The Polyend Tracker user interface is divided into five sections: A – Display – 7″ LCD TFT 800 x 480. A centre point of the instrument that displays all the functions and operations in real-time. With brightness level control. B – Screen keys – mechanical controls that correspond to whatʼs displayed on the screen directly above them.
Page 7 MIDI Out of an external MIDI device. SD card slot – use the included 16 GB micro SD card as a data storage. The micro SD card needs to be inserted in the port in order to make the Polyend Tracker operational.
Page 8 Reset button – hidden reset button for emergency flashing procedure (explained in the Firmware update section of this manual). USB Type–C port – 5V 1A power input from any USB power source (included Polyend AC adapter/USB port/power bank). Provides bidirectional MIDI class-compliant communication.
Page 9 Polyend Tracker’s user interface offers different types of controls that can all be used alternatively to navigate and operate the instrument. Most of the values/data input in the Tracker is done by using the silicone grid pads, aluminum jog-wheel, the dedicated mechanical function keys and the display corresponding screen keys.
Page 10 Most sections are using shortcuts. Itʼs good to master them to compose music in a fast and easy manner. Shortcuts apply in similar ways in different sections of the Tracker and are mentioned in these particular sections of the manual, but few are worth mentioning here at the beginning: Master key + jog-wheel >...
Page 11 The playable matrix of pads is laid out with the lowest note value being in the lower left pad (pad 37), incrementing a semitone with each position to the right. If pad 37 were a C1, then the next note on pad 38 would be a C#1, pad 39 would be a D1, and so on until pad 48 which would be a B1.
Page 12 “blank” project – everything that is being done is being automatically saved. There is no need to remember to save all the time. It is normally possible to recover current work even when Tracker was accidentally switched off.
Page 13 Export .it files that are compatible with the Renoise, Schism Tracker or Milky Tracker. Important: Files which you want to import to the Polyend Tracker needs to be placed in the MOD folder on the SD card so they can be accessed. Subfolders won’t be displayed by the browser.
Page 14 Polyend Tracker is not different, this is a conscious choice – its limitations are meant to force creativity and let the user stay focused. Working inside such limitations is one of the things that made the classic trackers so unique.
Page 15 Samples in the Polyend Tracker are automatically interpolated by the implemented anti-aliasing function (can be toggled on/off in the Config menu). Tracker’s audio engine is using an implemented de-clicking algorithm. Notice that the volume of samples recorded from any external source or FM radio is always on the exact same level as the original source (plus Gain).
Page 16 Wavetable sample standards – adjust the Window parameter indicating the length of the frame and use any kind. Note: you can use many Wavetable samples that are available for software synthesizers (e.g. Xfer Records Serum and Arturia Pigments uses 2048 window, Ableton Live uses 1024 window). To automatically transform the shape of Wavetable use available automation (LFO or Envelope) Use the WT Smoother tool in the Sample Editor section in order to turn any sample into a smoothly interpolated wavetable synthesis sound source.
Page 17 Limiter – with adjustable threshold, attack and release parameters, Compressor – with threshold, ratio, attack and release options, WT Smoother – turn any sample to an interpolated wavetable by setting its window number (from 1 to 256) and length (from 1 to 2048), Fade In, Fade Out.
Page 18 samples fast, Replace an existing instrument by loading another sample to its position (all other properties of the instrument remains the same). The progress bar is showing the sample pool capacity in percents (displayed in white). Red color displays the space needed to load a certain sample as an instrument. The green color is showing when a replaced sample will free up some of the sample pool time.
Page 19 Note/Instruments/Fx1/Fx2 + their values as events appearing in time. This is the Tracker’s main screen, the one you will be spending most time working with and probably the most important one – the step sequencer view with the classic tracker vertical layout.
Page 20 Patterns can be changed in different manners: By using the Pattern function key and: Left/right arrows for a sequential change – patterns change after the currently playing pattern phrase reaches its end (pattern number will blink red), Up/down arrows and/or Jog wheel for an immediate pattern change. By using the Pattern screen button and: Left/right arrows for a sequential change –...
Page 21 Redo – reverses the undo or advances the buffer to a more recent state, More – gives access to a set of another 8 functions, Invert – vertically inverts all the sequence steps within the selection, Duplicate pattern – doubles the length of the pattern and automatically duplicating all the existing steps, Expand pattern –...
Page 22 P -2 (blue) > Fx2 – the same as in Fx1. Note: Fx in the Polyend Tracker are not necessarily audio effects as one will find in other types of electronic music instruments. They often serve more as automation/modulation information.
Page 23 Most of the step edit actions performed in the Pattern section can be done both on a single or multiple selections of steps. One of the classic tracker strengths was the ability of quick values/data input and edition. Knowledge and fluent use of the shortcuts mentioned below will be crucial to achieving the coveted effect on this field.
Page 24 separately. Deleting an Fx value itself wonʼt erase the entire step, just the selected Fx. Copy/Paste (Shift + Copy) – to move existing steps/selections/tracks/patterns around quickly. It is possible Copy/Paste the selected Fx value only. Insert/Home – press to add an empty step and move down all the steps already existing on the track/tracks.
Page 25 Particular tracks can be renamed in the Master section. Step & Fill tools Besides the basic step input options, the Polyend Tracker offers two compelling step input/editing tools. Step and Fill tools are crucial to master to get a quick musical output without spending too much time.
Page 26 filling. Fill type: Constant – fills the same chosen value for the selected steps, From-To – fills in the selected area, evenly distributing the values within the chosen range, Random – randomly chooses the values within the selected range. A short example on how to efficiently use the Fill tool in a few steps would be to make a random melody: Highlight all steps in a track (or tracks) >...
Page 27 selected step or step selection (on one or more tracks at the same time) into a single audio file. In Pattern section > turn Edit Mode on (Rec) > use Shift + arrow keys to select the desired area > now use the Render screen button to create a new sample clip. The delay and reverb send fx’s are being rendered too if used on the selected steps/instruments, this includes their “tails”...
Page 28 Rec button. When live recording to an occupied track step with already existing notes/values, Tracker will record changes on the track to the next one to the right. It won’t overdub the steps with existing notes/values. The grid pads are not velocity-sensitive and the “live record” mode will record notes with micro-moves Fx but won’t record the velocity Fx.
Page 29 Song mode is offering a Green mode where the screen scrolls with the timeline and whereit’s possible to switch between the Play Pattern and Play Song without stopping thesequence. And a Red mode for the Song structure edition (press Rec key). Song mode offers a simple way of sequencing previously prepared patterns by setting their number per Slot.
Page 30 While the song mode is playing back the rows of pattern’s tracks – toggle between the Song mode and the Pattern modes. While the sequencer is playing the song mode arrangement – use the Performance mode to apply different effects “on the fly”. External source MIDI clock and transport in the Song mode will playback the entire song, while in Pattern mode will loop the current pattern.
Page 31 Sync – on/off, Rate – from 8 to 1/32, Time – from 1ms to 3500ms, Feedback – from 0 to 70, Bit depth – sample playback rate (from 16bit to 4bit), Limiter properties: Attack – from 0.001 to 1s, Release – from 0 to 0.0100s, Threshold –...
Page 32 Performance mode https://www.youtube.com/embed/NimyYhD0W0s?feature=oembed While the classic trackers were mostly about composing music, the Polyend Tracker also introduces a way of performing it. Press Perform key to enter this mighty inspiring live pa tool. It’s offering a Green mode, where making mistakes during a live performance is less likely and a Red mode for the performance Fx editing (press Rec key).
Page 33 When switching between Performance and Pattern screens, the effect affected tracks indicators are getting back to default/off (this prevents unexpected things to happen when playing live). The Pattern Length effect will apply to the length of every track, no matter if they are selected or not.
Page 34 The timestamp and progress bar is indicating the ongoing rendering. Rendered audio files are saved to the Tracker’s SD card root directory Export folder, in a current project’s named subfolder.
Page 35 While rendering stems, the Tracker exports 8 mono track files, 2 send Fx (Delay, Reverb) mono track and the master stereo mix track. The master audio output is rendered into a single stereo file. Rendered stems are PCM .wav audio files with a sampling rate of 44100Hz/16bit.
Page 36 Under the Config key, all the Trackerʼs configuration options are available together with a short description. They are as follows: General configuration: Pattern Divider – highlights each chosen step, to give better visual feedback in the pattern > from 1 to 16, Radio Region –...
Page 37 SD card from a computer level. Manual: view the onboard Polyend Tracker Quick-Start. Credits. Polyend Tracker is equipped with a bidirectional MIDI (class-compliant over USB) implementation and is both able to control and be controlled with external MIDI gear. Its internal PPQN resolution is 192.
Page 38 Note: In any of the Tracker sections – Press Shift + on/off button to take a screenshot which will get saved directly to the SD card. Firmware updates If possible from the software implementation level, Polyend will fix any firmware related issues considered as bugs.
Page 39 Tracker, in the Polyend Tool, choose the .ptf file you want to flash with, use a pin to press the hidden Reset button next to the Tracker’s USB C port, wait for the firmware update to complete, if it’s at 100% but the device didn’t reboot on its own, do it manually,...
Page 40 Malfunctions resulting from improper power supply voltages, abuse of the product or any other causes determined by Polyend to be the fault of the user won’t get covered by this warranty (standard services rates will be applied). All defective products will be replaced or repaired at the discretion of Polyend.
Page 41 – liquid has been spilt or objects have fallen into the unit, has been dropped or does not operate normally. A sound peak occurs on the stereo output of the Polyend Tracker when it’s being toggled on/off. You may like to turn down the volume on all speakers and headphones before.
Page 42 400%. (Notice that MIDI Clock is being sent out based on the current tempo, so synchronizing anything over MIDI while using Tempo step Fx will affect the MIDI sync with other instruments). m – Micro-move, slightly moves (nudges) forward the step position. from 0% to 100%. C –...
Page 43 Position with respect to the project tempo (BPM). Values the same as above. l – Finetune LFO, Sets the LFO rate for finetuning value. Values the same as above. D – Overdrive, sets the amount of Overdrive effect. From 0% to 100%. L –...
Page 44 Volume LFO Speed (from -20 to +20), Panning LFO Speed (from -20 to +20), Filter LFO Speed (from -20 to +20), Granular/wavetable LFO Speed (from -20 to +20), Step repeater (from 16 to 1/16), Pattern play mode (Forward, Backward, Random, Custom), Pattern length (from 1 to 128).
Page 45 13 BeBop Major – BeBopMaj 14 BeBop Dorian – BeBopDor 15 BeBop Mixlydian – BeBopMix 16 Blues Minor – Blues Min 17 Blues Major – Blues Maj 18 Pentationic Minor – Penta Min 19 Pentatonic Major – Penta Maj 20 Hungarian Minor – Hung Min 21 Ukrainian – Ukrainian 22 ...
Page 46 37 Neapolitan – NeapoMaj 38 Neapolitan Minor – NeapoMin 39 Enigmatic – Enigmatic What's in the box? Polyend Tracker onboard original accessories. USB‑A power adapter (with different standard plugs set), USB-C cable (2 m), Audio 3.5 mm jack to 2x 6.3 mm jack adapter, MIDI 3.5 mm jack to MIDI DIN adapter,...
Page 47 All the onboard Polyend Tracker demo songs compositions prepared by various artist and samples included in these works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

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