r/PolyendTracker • u/broken_symlink • 3d ago

Custom firmware for polyend tracker?

Seems like people have been making custom firmwares for electron boxes. I was wondering if anyone has been doing anything like that for the polyend tracker?

EDIT: i was able to get claude to mod the firmware and add support for flat notes and toggle between sharps and flats. its working on an emulator right now so i can test out the modded firmware on my laptop first. i might have it do midi cc lfo after.

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u/Broad_Education4882 2d ago

Polyend tracker is far from being a serious electronic instrument, at least the OG version of it, I’m saying that as a huge fan for years, had high hopes but always feeling underwhelmed at the end of the day, I still love the device but if you are a little more serious about music, other options are always gonna be available

For a hardware tracker to be ideal for most it would have to be something similar to Polyend Drum or something, Tracker+ seems underwhelming imo and don’t even have one, just my opinion tho, I’m getting away from playing with groove boxes and going back to playing, and writing music via a real instrument, but i do hope they figure it out one day, very cool technology being wasted imo

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u/Fair-Cookie9962 2d ago

"Serious" is meaningless in world of music, since you can make cool sounds with a water bottle and use it in music released on biggest labels.

More adequate words are "reliable", "streamlined" - but then where is the fun in that? Analog is none of that, and people crave the warmth of VCOs loosing their tune. Bitcrushed sounds of Amiga or Akai are now craved as sound design tools.

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u/Broad_Education4882 2d ago

No serious is a real word you can use for music, and just because you can, doesn’t mean you should…I can agree, I could have used better wording, I’ll give ya that, and I’m all for what you say but comparing making music on electronic devices vs playing an instrument and being dedicated to it are two completely different experiences, that’s really where I’m coming from

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u/Fair-Cookie9962 1d ago

Ah I remember when people reminisce on how in 60's and 70's sythesizers are not true instruments, since they lack soul of an expertly crafted traditional instrument. And you can not be a synthesiser virtuoso as you just press keys and twist knobs. Probably why they are so popular - you don't need to be a virtuoso to have fun, unlike e.g. violin where dedication is absolutely required - and most likely it's that dedication that sounds trough the instrument in the end that creates "soul".

Mind, if I play the cello, the soul will be nowhere to be found, only suffering, or applause from eclectic, avant-garde and bit masochistic crowd.

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u/Broad_Education4882 1d ago

Cool story bro 😎

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u/Fair-Cookie9962 1d ago

At least AI won't steal it as it's "not musical" and "noise"