Probably not? A tracker is like making music in a spreadsheet filled with hexadecimal codes, which is pretty obscure at first glance.
However, plenty of kids started making music on tracker programs in the 90s, so there have been beginners who found success with a similar interface. It probably depends on how your brain works. One advantage of the interface is that a lot of information is visible on the main page, once you understand what you're looking at.
I'd recommend watching this video to get a sense of how it works but remember that Loopop has years of music production experience, and you won't be able to make stuff that sounds nearly as good without lots of practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQufJBVvAtY
(Watch up to 5:04, then skip to watch 42:50 until the end, then watch the middle if you're still interested)
You can also download a demo for Renoise, which has a similar interface although it's more powerful and probably a bit harder to learn. https://www.renoise.com/
If you're interested in a groovebox (an all-in-one hardware device that can make beats and melodies, i.e. a full track) like this, I'd consider the Novation Circuit Tracks for a similar price. The Roland MC-101 might also be good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq3yveNXnQs
I ordered from American Music Supply and used the code "TESD" for $20 off bringing the subtotal down to $339.
You missed the commas. Beats, drugs, and alcohol!
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I believe the Polyend Tracker is compatible with MOD files, look into it when you get yours.
It does MOD files and IT files(!!!) apparently, which is amazing because Impulse Tracker, while one of the true late great DOS-based trackers (more functions and compatibility than almost anything else), wasn't that big IMO. But it drew a lot of very dedicated fans. A lot of what I did was in S3M or IT and I could probably convert .S3Ms as appropriate. It would be cool to pick up a project I never finished and noodle with it on hardware
1.7 firmware released yesterday and they dropped support for MOD.
Wat? Damnit.
I can upconvert MOD to IT if it still works. ITis a much more powerful format, better fidelity and more advanced controls as well as using midi instrument info as well as samples.
Ouch. Bought mine full price and it's still in the box. Ah well, such is the life of a hobbyist.
This happens way more often than I shold. I shouldn't be more excited about buying a thing than using it, but I kind of am sometimes. OTOH, having a thing I'd like to use when I can afford it is great. After using trackers often, mostly in the 90s, I recall lamenting that the concept seemed to be dying, too nerdy maybe? Anyway, this is a modern device which sounds like it supports 1 or 2 classic formats. Super cool, it might give me a shot in the arm compared to DAW software and synths that aren't so good at sequencing things (IIRC it can interact with synths in MIDI as well).
1.7 firmware released yesterday and they dropped support for MOD.
I would definitely suggest using 1.6 firmware, which I was able to find on their website. The ability to use MOD files is where this thing has its strong suit.
1.7 firmware released yesterday and they dropped support for MOD.
I was just on a discord channel where people were belly moaning about this. I suggest emailing them and asking them to bring it back in a future firmware update.
I ordered off AMS with the code on 8/30 and got a "backordered" email yesterday.
Bear in mind, there is also a newly released Tracker Mini that does everything its big brother does and has been getting rave reviews. Some are arguing it is better than the original. I believe it also adds an internal battery. https://polyend.com/tracker-mini/
Bear in mind, there is also a newly released Tracker Mini that does everything its big brother does and has been getting rave reviews. Some are arguing it is better than the original. I believe it also adds an internal battery. https://polyend.com/tracker-mini/
I was looking at that too! But it's $699 USD on preorder, and I already dropped $$ on the Dirtywave M8 last year . I do want it though at some point, but haven't read/watched reviews comparing the two yet...
I was just on a discord channel where people were belly moaning about this. I suggest emailing them and asking them to bring it back in a future firmware update.
I ordered off AMS with the code on 8/30 and got a "backordered" email yesterday.
Did anyone have a direct download link to the 1.6 FW? I looked on the Polyend site but I can't figure out how to get to any older firmwares...
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However, plenty of kids started making music on tracker programs in the 90s, so there have been beginners who found success with a similar interface. It probably depends on how your brain works. One advantage of the interface is that a lot of information is visible on the main page, once you understand what you're looking at.
I'd recommend watching this video to get a sense of how it works but remember that Loopop has years of music production experience, and you won't be able to make stuff that sounds nearly as good without lots of practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQufJBV
(Watch up to 5:04, then skip to watch 42:50 until the end, then watch the middle if you're still interested)
Another good tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXu5254
You can also download a demo for Renoise, which has a similar interface although it's more powerful and probably a bit harder to learn. https://www.renoise.com/
If you're interested in a groovebox (an all-in-one hardware device that can make beats and melodies, i.e. a full track) like this, I'd consider the Novation Circuit Tracks for a similar price. The Roland MC-101 might also be good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq3yveN
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I can upconvert MOD to IT if it still works. ITis a much more powerful format, better fidelity and more advanced controls as well as using midi instrument info as well as samples.
I ordered off AMS with the code on 8/30 and got a "backordered" email yesterday.
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I ordered off AMS with the code on 8/30 and got a "backordered" email yesterday.