Want the Polyend Tracker Mini, Dirtwave M8 or XOR Nerdseq? Try These 5 Free Music Trackers First!

[@TedCurran]

$75 for Renoise might be a "steep payment" if you're expecting free, but that one license will cover you for a full point release. I bought v 2.9 in 2013 and still haven't had to pay again yet. Currently up to date on 3.4.2 and probably won't have to pay again for another 10 years LOL.

[@JakeSweeper]

With the growing popularity of handheld console-fied PCs, it'd be pretty sweet if someone made tracker software purpose-built for the likes of the Steam Deck or ROG Ally.

[@Aisjam]

That would be interesting to see

[@jamesthelemonademaker]

Check out the shield tracker

[@JakeSweeper]

@@jamesthelemonademaker You have my attention. :) Can I get a link?

[@kassie2k4]

there is korg gadget for the switch, no reason why some tracker couldn't work

[@JakeSweeper]

@kassie2k4 Own it. Like it. Not the same, though.

[@paulgallant8115]

Trackers have kind of a high learning curve. It's not Fruity loops or similar where you just drop in loops on a timeline. It's worth it to learn them though because they make you think about making music different then what you may be used too.

[@wob303]

Dang no mention of OpenMPT/Modplug and it’s been around for years.

[@Aisjam]

openMPT is good and used it a bit. Thanks for adding it here

[@MattmanAZ09]

Yeah I thought of OpenMPT too. Windows only limits it’s user base however.

[@phillindablank]

I've used milky tracker, Sunvox & Renoise and they are all great softwares (my favourite being renoise).

[@Aisjam]

Need to highlight renoise more here I think

[@then_comes_dudley]

bonus #6 suggestion: a modded nintendo ds with nitrotracker! no external sequencing, no effects, very limited in a lot of ways. BUT, it's like an amiga in the palm of your hands, both in terms of workflow and sound, and a fraction of the cost of the m8. it also has the massive benefit of allowing you to play castlevania, something the m8 is still unable to do

[@Aisjam]

Nice, Haven't modded my 3ds but have Rytmik rytmikultimate.com/ and Korg DSN-12 and they are a good fun when travelling. Bit sad that they shut down the store. But got Korg Gadget for my switch.

[@channelite]

Awesome video! This past year I finally bought Renoise instead of using the demo and it’s been my best gear purchase in a while. Another cool tracker for midi only is Tutka , but only for linux and mac.

[@avrilcadabra]

Nice one, I definitely would like a Nerdseq if I had eurorack. , was happy to see headless m8 mentioned. I guess something neat about deflemask is it can export to run on real hardware (the c64 export doesnt work though) , there's also Furnace which is based on deflemask I believe. Some older OPL trackers like Edlib and Adlib II are very interesting (but might not run on everything) , for c64 Goat Tracker II and Sid Factory II are very good, SidWizard for a native c64 feel on hardware or emulator. There really is a life time of trackers to try, some more documented than others.

[@Aisjam]

Cheers. all good options. Personally trying to keep away from modular as I feel it would be an addiction for my programmer brain.

[@iamYork_]

Renoise actually led me to buying the Polyend Tracker which brought me to your channel... Anyone who enjoys a Tracker workflow and using a DAW I 100% recommend Renoise to anyone... Great videos as always keep up the good work!!!

[@Aisjam]

One day ill get around to making my Renoise video. Really to highlight its sample engine as it is mint :)

[@iamYork_]

@@Aisjam yeah i come from Reason to Cubase to Bitwig to Renoise background... Long time DAW musician shifting towards hardware but i am big fan of the Tracker style workflows... The Polyend Tracker is fantastic but limited as to be expected when compared to a DAW... but sometimes the limits lead to less rabbit holes... Looking forward to your take on using Renoise... The slices to track/pattern tool, is a big part of my Renoise workflow I hope Polyend will implement something similar one day in its Tracker...

[@bousky8601]

Where is lgpt???

[@Aisjam]

there are so many good ones out there, Just found out about Furnace which i am exploring atm

[@franciscomolina8970]

Little piggy tracker maybe?

[@michaels8607]

POlyEnd Tracker,,checking in...Sturdy...portable enough...powerful...Makes you THINK outside the box...NOT for those preset folks...Did i mention it samples the radio???I would have bought it just for that,yet, Granular Synthesis????

[@Aisjam]

The Polyend Tracker is still in its own class. However I know paying over $1000 dollarydoos for a synth early in my journey would of been scary. Trackers is that in-between DAW and Dawless as even using it on the computer, its focused on keyboard inputs and efficiency. you could get a laptop, but dedicated hardware has its own benefits

[@michaels8607]

@@Aisjam I have a new laptop, a gaming one...I have PC and Apple desktops..I paid less than $300 for my Roland HS60 synth, and I have 4 other hardware samplers. I have DAWs and open source software, and i do not believe in the DAW vs DAWless scam, because whatever tools get the job done matter. Music can be made with computers/software from 1998, 2013, or last year, and synths do not expire like bread. All that KZbin hype is only that,and we can order gear from Amazon and make an LP.

[@julienchrist]

Nitrotracker forever 😁

[@deedd4401]

Mega shout out for Sunvox ..it's a lab of a mad scientist in yer pocket !!! For easy fun time I go for caustic (both are free for PC and like 6buck for Android) . Been eyeing deflemask too.. but not sure o need anything else besides the first two mentioned

[@Vallam23]

unfortunately you can't really buy caustic on Android anymore cause it hasn't been updated in like 6 year 😭

[@deedd4401]

@@Vallam23 that's bollocks.. got it on my android 11 device

[@Aisjam]

I really want to make a hardware Sunvox. Super powerful when you get into it.

[@deedd4401]

@@Aisjam given how cheap phones and tablets are these days in china.. it's hard to beat. Although you could go for something like raspberry pi (possibly zero 2).but given tablet/phone has touch screen..just hook some midi controller to it and you're set. Don't get wrong ..I've been nagging Alexander Zolotov for hw product every once in a while

[@iamYork_]

I was looking for a Tracker to use on my ipad and was a fan of Zolotov... Picked this up and was super impressed... Assumed it was a basic tracker and its pretty much a fully functional DAW... a bit too complex to be used on an ipad in my opinion but on desktop it is superior and free somehow!!!

[@cray56]

Hi fellow Aussie, Loving your channel Just bought POLYEND Play as im bored with Ableton. Might grab a Polyend Tracker.

[@Aisjam]

Cheers Cray. You're in store with a lot of fun.

[@64_three]

Openmpt or renoise are definitely the best options Edit: Not to mention furnace tracker, its backwards compatible with delfemask modules and its free and open source!

[@kurtafterall]

Oh wow. Didn't know anything about deflemask. Need to try it out immediately

[@Aisjam]

Do it :)

[@system64_MC]

In my opinion, this software is obsolete. There is a way better free and open source alternative called Furnace.

[@zooblestyx]

Any thoughts on the Woovebox?

[@Aisjam]

I have seen it, but haven't got to play with one. Gives me pocket operator/nanoloop vibes and they are fun to play with. Would be super portable, however I always try to look at the User Experience as button combos and cryptic screens can be a barrier to music making. On paper it looks good though.

[@carloslx]

Thanks for the great content on this channel. Do you have a MIDI setup tutorial when using Renoise?

[@Aisjam]

Cheets Carl. I'll haven't really touched renoise tutes yet. But do have a few ways :). I'll make a note for the video list

[@jasonjayalap]

Thanks!

[@Aisjam]

No problem Jason.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Only just begun diving into the world of trackers recently but you’ve just given me flashbacks...had TOTALLY forgotten about using a tracker on my old Amiga!!! That explains why I’m finding it so much fun on the Polyend! P.S. hugely appreciating your library of tips, tricks and ideas, thank you

[@Aisjam]

Cheers Slab, Glad you are enjoying the tips and having a good time with your tracker :).