The Most Inspirational Electronic Music Gear I've Ever Used!

[@dustyaudio]

More tracker (mini) please! That thing fits my workflow so well

[@FreeBeat]

More Tracker Mini content on the way :)

[@dustyaudio]

@@FreeBeatjust noticed the date this video was posted… lol opps

[@FreeBeat]

@@dustyaudio All good!

[@alex-r-t]

See, now that you've experienced this and a more "sampler-based" workflow, I'd be _very_ curious to see how you'd get on with the Polyend Play. Would the limitations be too much (especially regarding arrangement), or would the inherent idea-generating philosophy of it be even more inspiring? Thanks for sharing your journey with the Tracker!

[@FreeBeat]

The thing that appeals to me about the tracker isn't that it's sample based, it's about being able to view all of the tracks at once, including note data, and having immense control over everything. Because of that, I don't really have any interest in the Play honestly. I'll definitely give it a shot though, who knows what will happen!

[@aikighost]

I love my Polyend tracker but the Play is not interesting for me at all due to the very lacking sound design options.

[@DraganAlves]

Helpful video and excellent presentation, thank you!

[@unknownfilmmaker777]

1:30 I appreciate your clarity of the dichotomy between random/generative and actually making what you want. Some stuff out there, some of the sample manipulation plugins that I have, seems cool but when you use it you just lose sight of what you're doing.

[@FreeBeat]

Definitely, it's a great blend of the two creation methods that works really well!

[@jantuitman]

I am happy that it is so inspiring for you, and even though I don’t own a tracker I find this very inspiring to watch. Looks like the key ingredient is that you can apply randomness on controlled selections (e.g. empty spaces, previous notes, manual selections and so on).

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely, it's very powerful!

[@DavidDeLuge]

If you like that workflow, you'd love the Polyend Play. Honestly, it is superb.

[@FreeBeat]

I'm honestly not really interested in the play, it seems cool, but it seems to lack a lot of the control that the tracker has.

[@MichaelDeschambault]

I’ve got the Dirtywave M8 recently. I’ve make music on it every single day since. I’m really surprise to gel with the tracker workflow. For some reason, it works and the inspiration strikes easily. I should give a shoot at the Polyend too.

[@shifteleven]

I’m still trying to vibe with it. I think it’s because I like to use chords and play things in - but the tracker lifestyle is different. Any tips?

[@FreeBeat]

Nice, glad you're liking the M8! I REALLY want to get my hands on one, but they're never in stock when I have the funds haha. Thanks for watching!

[@MichaelDeschambault]

@@shifteleven I force myself to really use this as tracker (without midi controller). This is really a different mindset than what I’m use too. For some reason, one day, I’ve clicked with the work and I’ve start flying on this device (and driving my wife crazy with “click” sound 😂). One trick that made me like this device but scared me at the beginning is the tables. I’ve started to use the groove table and the instrument table. Make a lot of sense we you got the workflow. There are some workaround for chords (with tables, FX but also the instruments themselves). It not ideal and it a little bit tricky. The sampler section is better in my opinion for this kind of stuff.

[@MichaelDeschambault]

@@FreeBeat I’ve wait about 5 months after the initial purchase (I was aware that I need to wait). Absolutely no regrets. On top to be a super cool device, the developer and the community are on point. I really enjoy the Discord that goes along every new firmware update.

[@shifteleven]

@@MichaelDeschambault thanks. Using it to input things feels nice. I’ll see about giving tables some more love. I do think that’s one of the things I’m battling is I want to tweak a knob while something is playing rather than hitting up the table.

[@alitna]

I did not know about this gear! It seems really fantastic. I've been trying to find something so controll my Korg Volcas. Would you please make a video how good this works with Volcas? I'm thinking both to sample them and to controll them with Midi. This could really be a game changer for all people with Volcas to sequence whole songs!:)

[@FreeBeat]

I believe I'll be having a MIDI video with the Tracker coming out soon!

[@azeriustv]

I was sceptic at the start but it keept getting better. Great Vid again

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you!

[@humidite4875]

I love the design of this beast and i really want to try it since a while. But im scared of the limitation of the workflow + tracker interface

[@juliuscanus1568]

sketch on the Tracker and then copy into a DAW? Renoise, SunVox, OpenMPT, etc. The Tracker has limited output options, but you can at least see precisely the notes and effects that you need to duplicate, and you can get your exact samples with your burnt-in effects from the project on the Tracker's SD card.

[@SimpleTrax]

@@juliuscanus1568 I have tried software trackers before, but I never clicked with these. But this machine was a gamechanger, its so easy and fluid.

[@Gainn]

The interface is great. Far simpler to get your head around than ReNoise or any of the other tracker softwares. Loading and editing samples is a breeze. It's just a fun thing to use.

[@FreeBeat]

What workflow limitations are you scared of?

[@tr1co0]

My problem with generative/random focused production tools is that it rarely results in something that sounds/feels like someone impressing their creative voice. It comes across more like the byproduct of an algorithm.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah that's the whole point of this video haha, the Tracker actually presents the randomness as data, so after it's generated, you can then manipulate it to your hearts content! Like I say at the end of the video, this was an extremely condensed session so I could fit it all in a video, but there are so many possibilities to inspire yourself!

[@tybowesformerlygoat-x7760]

It's funny, but some of the most artistically authentic stuff, for me, has been generative.

[@DraganAlves]

Not everyone works the same way; some people thrive with generative

[@Terrible_Peril]

Did you study production, specifically VO diction? Because you have incredible diction, and it makes watching at 2x speed possible, which I really enjoy.

[@FreeBeat]

I really appreciate you noticing that! I didn't study it at all, but I did play drums for a children's theater for a long time, where my best friend (who's now a music and choir teacher) was the music direction. So I've been around people and places that require excellent diction for a long time. I try my best to make my voice as understandable as possible, thanks again!

[@wiggesobk]

Very nice content! 👍

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks as always Wigges!

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

Once I make up my mind to touch it, I usually end up making something with it and getting really into it.

[@FreeBeat]

Definitely, thanks for watching!

[@taosophymusic]

Glad when people find their workflow, but this kind of step sequence music making isn’t mine. Step sequence EDITING I’m fine with, but if I can’t play-in the notes, it just feels like I’m disconnected from the music. This for me is analogous to those paint-by-numbers kits from the 70s. But we all have our individual preferences-and that’s the good thing-there are TONS of options for music making these days and to each his own.

[@FreeBeat]

You can live play your notes in on the tracker :) You can even set the metronome to give you a count in. It works pretty well with a MIDI keyboard too

[@taosophymusic]

@@FreeBeat Well that certainly is a plus.

[@electronicfeelings5832]

This looks like fun but man the 8 track limit kills it for me, even if you can work around that I want to have fun making music not trying to squeeze in as much music as possible

[@FreeBeat]

I definitely feel that, but remember that each individual step can have a different instrument on it. So while it is only 8 tracks, it can feel like a LOT more. Thanks for watching!

[@BacaBaconi]

I'm glad that this device inspires you 🙌 In my case, Polyend Tracker did not give me any satisfaction in creating music, so I sold it after 4 months. I am currently looking for a new device 🤔

[@FreeBeat]

Fair enough! What didn't you like about it?

[@Left-All-Rights]

Aphex Twin in 10 Minuts! Nice

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@SonicVibe]

one gripe is the print on buttons wears off fast wish they where back lit like every other machine or hollow on print unless ya memorize all the buttons

[@FreeBeat]

I'll have to be on the lookout for that, thanks!

[@rayderrich]

Zzounds if you guys read this: please send Free Beat a Polyend Play as well so we can go crazy here.

[@FreeBeat]

I'll probably check it out eventually, but I don't really have any excitement for it honestly. It looks cool, but not for me necessarily.

[@rayderrich]

@@FreeBeat It is like sound design: once you try it, there is no way back lol.

[@extrajava9175]

It's basically renoise lite in a box

[@FreeBeat]

Now that I have a better understanding of how trackers work I should go take another look at renoise, it's been a while! Thanks for watching :)

[@warius1]

Inspirational or inspiring? Anyway love the demo.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Doesn’t this tracker scroll down when playing?

[@Gainn]

It's a setting you can turn on or off.

[@FreeBeat]

You can down or sideways :)

[@Gainn]

@@FreeBeat Sideways feels so.. Dirty.. lol

[@JakeSweeper]

Kewl. Are you going to buy it?

[@FreeBeat]

I really think I am haha.

[@dreamstaticsounds]

More not less Tracker content! 😉

[@FreeBeat]

Don't worry, there is plenty more coming :)

[@steveedwards4495]

less not more polyend content lol

[@gooneybird808]

I’ve wanted it for awhile. Can you nudge notes??

[@danzap384]

yes ya can

[@FreeBeat]

Very easily!

[@krazywabbit]

❤️🤘🏻💪🏼✌🏼🥓🎉👌🔥

[@FreeBeat]

The next video on the channel won't be a tracker one, I promise 😂

[@Lo-fi_Hi-brow]

But there are no KNOBS! How can it be inspiring without knobs?!

[@llliiillliiilll404]

Didn’t like the workflow, and way to big to take it with you

[@botsim1715]

Might want to check out the dirtywave m8

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah I definitely wish it had an internal battery.