#413

The tracker does have arrow keys and they work as you would expect them to - look on the lower right side of the unit. In general, most things have their (semi-)dedicated keys, so it’s surprisingly close to navigating a classic tracker with a computer keyboard (source: used various trackers since I was 12, I’m now 37).

The grid is mainly used for fast input of notes (you can also change note value with the encoder) and parameters as the grid values map from minimum to maximum value so if you know the value you want, you can whack it directly from grid (this can also be done with the encoder). All the navigation is done via the dedicated mode and navication keys, and there isn’t much you really need the grid for if you’re more comfortable setting values with the encoder.

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#414

thanks for explaining! i guess i just have to try it and find out : )

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#415

The grid is great. You don’t really input notes via the grid in the way you might expect (where each pad corresponds to a position on the track). You use the wheel, and select the pitch, or instrument, or whatever, with the grid. It’s fast, and intuitive.

#416

Yeah, the grid acts like the QWERTY area of the keyboard without modifiers does in a computer tracker - you use it to input a note to the selected position (and then possibly moving to next position based on the step value). With the Polyend unit, as the parameter range for the other values corresponds to amount of keys on the grid, you can use it to input a value for any selected parameter in a logical way.

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#417

I just picked up a Tracker from my local boutique store yesterday. I love the build and overall feel of it. Polyend obviously put a lot of thought into its design and functionality.

Unfortunately though, I’ve been noticing a faint high pitched noise every time I turn monitoring on to sample something. The noise then gets baked into whatever I’m sampling. This occurs even if I don’t have something plugged into the line in and sometimes it occurs when monitoring is off and I’m in pattern mode.

Is anyone else experiencing this? Do you think it’s a bug or is it hardware related?

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#418

I’m not experiencing that at all - I wonder if you might have a dud unit, or some noise elsewhere in the system?

#419

nor am i, though i did get ground loop noise when attached to my computer usb before throwing an isolator on it

#420

Yeah, USB noise is my guess. If you have it plugged into a hub or computer, try powering it off of the provided wall plug instead.

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#421

Thanks for all of your responses. I was using the Tracker with the provided wall plug exclusively (except for when I updated the firmware) and continued to get noise. Yesterday I came to the conclusion that I probably got a faulty unit so I returned it. The Tracker is a really sweet groove box- it’s so focused and self-contained, but I already have two Octatracks and can’t really justify spending money right now. I’ll probably get another one sometime down the road. I’m still very pro-Tracker.

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#422

Hey there, really interested in this little set up.

I have my main room in the house but really fancy something smaller that I can move around a little easier. Do you sample norns? How else do you use it in conjunction with the Tracker? Very nice… :mountain:

#423

fell down the modular rabbit hole this past year and effectively stopped finishing songs since i didn’t want to keep using a computer (ableton) to make music. just got a tracker this week and it has been exactly what i’ve needed. i never used a tracker based workflow before but it is very intuitive and i’ve been making things that work a lot better as songs while still being experimental and fun to make.

4 Likes
#424

I read this a bit late, since you already returned the unit, but yeah, I also had high-pitched noise when I was monitoring/sampling. Just like you, it was occurring as long as “Line In” was enabled, even when no cable was connected. And even when “Gain” was at the lowest setting.

Counter-intuitively, I had to turn the gain up in order to fix my issues. I think the on-board limiter or something similar within Tracker was causing the problem. As long as there was enough normal / “not bad” noise present with the gain up, the “bad” high-pitched noise from the limiter would never kick in.

Also, I had been using a mono 3.5mm cable, I figured it wouldn’t make a difference since stereo would just sum to mono anyway. Well, I switched to a 3.5mm male-to-male stereo cable (this one, though any basic aux cable would be the same) and it also seemed to help significantly.

So between those two solutions I was able to record in with no high-pitched noise or weird limiter noise kicking in. Just a normal, acceptable (to me) amount of line in noise.

If you decide to try out a Tracker again, I hope one or both of those tips can resolve your problems.

4 Likes
#425

Thanks for your detailed explanation. I’ve been somewhat regretful of my decision to not exchange the Tracker for a new one. I only spent about 8 hours with mine, but I feel like within that timeframe I was already starting to get into a groove with the workflow. So yeah, I might be getting another Tracker sooner than I had originally planned (ie who needs two Octatracks??). Hopefully it doesn’t end up having noise issues again, but if so I’ll definitely use your advise to try to remedy it!

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#426

Thanks, @visitjunes. In this setup, I use my Norns Shield primarily as a synth voice. The tracker sequences scripts like Passersby, Molly the Poly, Lissadron, etc. I am currently working intensively with Supercollider to expand this synth engine list a bit.

You can also sample the Norns or record MIDI sequences of the Norns with the Tracker. There are a variety of possibilities.

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#427

Thanks for letting me know,

How do you the midi connections from Norns shield to the Tracker? Cheers for your time on this :mountain:

#428

You can simply connect the Tracker with the Norns via a USB C to A cable. The Tracker will then be recognized as a MIDI device and powered by the Norns. So you don’t need an additional MIDI cable.

3 Likes
#429

Hey there, thanks for letting me know, that is powerful and pretty slick, many thanks!

Does anyone have any info on the potential for the Tracker from Polyend for looping/live-looping? With in the bounds of the current firmware of course :mountain:

#430

Same story as me, fell down the modular rabbit hole, and then fell further with the DIY lark, was stuck down that hole for 7 years where I never made a single track.
Got tracker a few weeks ago and now I’m back on course making music and having fun, this tracker is a breath of fresh air.

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#431

There’s some stopping and starting involved in the process of recording that makes it difficult to do stuff on the fly/live as far as sampling is concerned. I recommend watching a tutorial specific to recording to get a better idea.

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#432

Has anyone had issues syncing Elektron gear with the tracker? Was running midi out to my digitone last night and it made it freeze with a"dsp boot failure" message, now the digi won’t work at all even after power cycling a few times with no cables plugged in…

Also, does anyone know if there’s a reason why only one midi adapter is included with the tracker? Can it not handle midi in and out at the same time?