Polyend Play Manuel utilisateur
Polyend Play
Play
Version: 1.0.1
Sample and MIDI-Based Groovebox
Index:
First Steps
Quick Guide
Basics
Enhanced Playability
Tips & Tricks
Introduction
Interface
User Interface
Back Panel Connectors
Audio Port Specifications
Project Management
Project Naming
Sample Pool
Sample Pack
Audio Sequencer
The Grid
View Controller
Variations
Step Edit
Quick Copy
Knobs
Live Recording
Master FX
Fill Tool
Pattern Mode
Perform Mode
MIDI Sequencer
Main Menu
File
Samples
Scales
MIDI
Settings
Firmware
Firmware Updates
In case of trouble
Warranty & Safety
EU regulations
Appendix
Audio Architecture
Predefined MIDI Chords List
Musical Scales List
Randomize Types
What's In The Box?
Device Dimensions
Polyend Play Battery Powering
Credits
Polyend Play Licences
First Steps
Quick Guide
Play is a pattern and performance-based Audio and MIDI groovebox, capable of great
complexity while remaining easy to operate. Play offers an inspiring workflow for both
seasoned and novice musicians. It allows music makers to create and interact with musical
patterns in a number of exciting and creative ways. Once patterns are created, they can be
chained together for playback or triggered on the fly. Additionally, each pattern’s tracks can
have its own variations, and each of those tracks may have its own length, playback speed,
and more.
If this sounds like a lot to take in, rest assured that Polyend has made Play’s interface so
user-friendly that you’ll be up and running with barely a glance at this manual. However, we
suggest that you take a look at the following First Steps section to get started, and then
come back when you’re ready to dig a little deeper.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/3s2Lq-sAMNI?feature=oembed
PickandPlace – First, use the knobs to pick the ‘work step’ parameter values, their sample,
note, volume, filter type, send Fx, MIDI properties, etc. When ready, start pressing the grid
pads to place steps on the sequencer tracks.
SelectandAdjust–Select a step by pressing and holding the grid pad, and use the knobs to
modify its parameters. You can select:
One or more steps by pressing and holding the grid pads.
A group of multiple steps by pressing the grid pads while holding the Shift button.
A whole track by pressing the Select pad on the right side of the grid.
A rectangular block of multiple steps across multiple tracks by holding the Shift key and
then pressing pads on opposite diagonal points of a rectangular block of the steps you
wish to include.
Press and quickly release the Shift key to clear any type of selection.
When no track or step is currently selected/held for editing, then by turning the
knobs you will pick/modify the so-called ‘work step’ values. It applies the same way
to both audio and MIDI sequencing modes.
Deselect all the steps and tracks to get back to ‘work step’ editing.
When multiple steps are selected, the parameter change is applied to all of them. When the
parameter values of selected steps are different, then a tilde ~sign together with a number
and +/- is displayed while changing them. Double–clicking a screen button corresponding to
the selected knob parameter (and/or its automation) will restore its default value.
Playback – Polyend Play offers various types of playback:
Press the Play screen button to start and stop playing the current pattern. When the
sequencer is active, it will turn orange.
Use Shift + Play while playing a pattern in a loop to continue playing arranged patterns
sequentially.
Use Shift + Play while stopped to start playing arranged patterns sequentially.
Use Shift + Play while playing arranged patterns sequentially to switch to playing the
current pattern in a loop.
Basics
Audio and MIDI sequencer – Use Play as the centerpiece of your studio, controlling external
devices with up to 8 polyphonic MIDI tracks, or use it on the go, making use of its 8 internal
audio tracks. Play is small and lightweight – an entire studio that can rest comfortably on
your lap.
Knobs – Turn the knob to control its active parameter. Each knob has two parameter values.
The operational parameter is highlighted. Toggle between them by double-tapping the knob
or using the two function screen buttons located on the left side of the screen. The currently
selected knob parameter can also be controlled by the screen encoder.
Entering Notes – You can choose a note by holding a step and turning the Note knob.
Alternatively, you can use the View controller function, or even by sending note data from
external MIDI gear.
Live Rec – Press the Live Rec screen button to use it (it will turn red when active). When the
sequencer is running it will register all the knob automation for existing steps. It will also
record notes inserted from both the View mode and MIDI controllers on the pattern tracks.
Entering the Live Rec mode disables the Perform mode and vice versa.
Perform – Press the Perform screen button to enter this mode. Select one or more tracks
with the Select pads on the right side of the grid, and start pressing the Perform pads. Only
the selected tracks will be affected. Each of the Perform pads holds a punch-in effect that
will influence the sound. Hold the pad for a momentary punch-in effect, press it and let go
immediately to latch the effect. In this mode, you can also use the knob modulators. All the
knob value changes will get back to the initial values after leaving the Perform more. Punch-
in effects will be immediately toggled off when you quit the Perform mode, and toggle back
on when you’ll get back to it again.
Pattern chaining /Song mode – Press the Patterns function button to enter the pattern view.
You can store up to 128 patterns in a single project. Place the patterns in a row and use the
Shift + Play keys combo to chain them together for sequential playback. Using this method
makes it possible to create an entire song. Leave at least one blank pattern pad between
pattern chains to create a set of pattern chains. Press grid pads with patterns or pattern
chains to jump between the parts of your composition. Quick Copy patterns by holding a grid
pad with an existing pattern while pressing a blank pad to paste it.
Config Menu – Click down the Encoder to enter the Main menu section.
Enhanced Playability
Sample Packs – Play comes with many sample packs created by top-notch sound designers.
You can load your own too, but the bundled packs are more than enough to create high-
quality music right out of the box. Play’s workflow relies on sample packs that have been
prepared in a specific way, with samples categorized in folders. Some of the instrument’s
algorithms are based on these packs. Most significantly, the Fill and Randomizing tool ideas
rely on them. Of course, you are not obligated to follow this formula, you can do things your
own way, but it helps to make the audio outcome very musical.
Quick Copy – Press and hold a grid pad for about half a second. The pad will be highlighted
in purple and its parameter values will now be copied to the clipboard. While still holding the
source pad, indicate the target pad where it will be copied. This works for steps, step pages,
patterns, and variations. The Quick Copy of an existing step copies its values to a ‘work step’
state.
Work Step – Select audio/MIDI parameters using the knobs before you place the steps on
the grid manually or with the use of the Fill tool.
Fill tool – This can be used to automatically fill the selected area with the fill type of your
choice. You can select a Random placement of steps, euclidean spread, or even an entire
drum beat.
Variation – This tool allows you to create alternative versions of your tracks. These variations
can be manually switched during playback. Press one or more of the Variation function pads
to make quick changes to the entire track. Each track has its own corresponding Variation
pad. The pads representing track variations are illuminated in pink.
Step Repeater – A flexible onboard effect, capable of making short stutters, ratcheting, pitch
effects, volume fades, and more. Very usable both on drums and melodic samples.
Randomizer – An advanced system that allows you to choose what and how much you’d like
to randomize. In this scenario, using one knob you can make a lot of changes at once. The
randomization outcome can be temporary or saved to a pattern.
View note inputcontroller – Hit this key to transform Play’s button grid into a keyboard or
grid controller. When using Play in this way, the function pads on the right side of the grid
will change color to orange. The upper row of padsallows you to change the octaves
andindicates if you’re in audio or MIDI mode. To start entering notes via the pads, hold a
step and press the desired note, or enable the Live Rec mode. You can choose from keyboard
and grid layouts in the Main menu.
Per track – Play’s tracks offer options that allow them to act independently from one
another. For example, each Track’s Length can be set from 1 to 64 Steps. Speed allows you to
choose different BPM-related divisions. Swing is provided, and it even works per track!
Additionally, 35 custom Play Modes let the playhead flow in different directions while using
the track content.
Chance and Action – This pair works in conjunction and allows you to set up some
algorithmic actions. Chance is a percentual or algorithmic probability of action. Action is a
specific parameter change happening on a Chance basis. First, determine the chance that an
Action will occur, and then the Action itself.
Master FX– The array of Reverb, Delay, Sound Enhancer, Limiter, and Saturator is very
useful to change the sound of your entire mix. To make it more convenient the effects are
managed with a bunch of curated presets.
Scales – Once the scale filtering is on, the entire sequence will input and output only the
notes that fit the chosen scale. The option to enable musical scales can be found in the Main
menu config.
Tips & Tricks
Autosave – Current project’s state is autosaved every time you hit the Stop screen button.
Undo/Redo – Every time you make a mistake (add/delete a step, make changes to
parameters) you can go back (or forth). When the Shift key is pressed, these actions are
available under the bottom screen buttons.
Session Save and Reset– At any given time you can save and recall the current state of your
pattern. It’s especially handy to have a lifebuoy during a live performance. Just hit that Save
button!
Copy/Paste – Select any number of steps (remember to hold the shift button to select
multiple steps) and copy them into the same or another pattern.
Turn Preview – While the sequencer is stopped, turn one of the knobs to hear the change
parameters immediately.
Step Preview – Click down and hold the encoder, then press a step pad containing a note to
hear it.
Easy Selection – Select one step, a block of steps, a single track, or an entire pattern.
Mute and Solo – You can perform these actions to all the audio and MIDI tracks separately
using the dedicated function pads.
Reverse sample – Set the sample endpoint before its start point to reverse its playback.
Swing – This is a per-track function. But you can apply it to all the tracks at the same time
for global swing.
Default Values – Double-clicking a screen button corresponding to the selected knob
parameter (and/or its automation) will restore its default value.
Decaying sample cut – When a long sample sounds through (decaying) after stopping the
sequencer, you can cut it by touching the Master Volume knob.
Portability – Polyend Play runs on 5V/1A and can be powered from a power bank.
Tracker integration – Go to the Main menu > MIDI > CC Mapping -> Channel and select Set
Values for Polyend Tracker to enable integration mode for the Polyend Tracker Standalone
Audio Workstation.
Introduction
With a workflow that is both inspiring and simple, Polyend Play is far from your average
sample-based groovebox. Endless possibilities for your beats are at your fingertips with many
sample packs to play with straight out of the box. Polyend Play takes an open sandbox
approach for creating and performing grooves, with the freedom to instantly mix things up
with tons of different playback functions.
Flexible sequencing with 8 audio tracks and 8 polyphonic MIDI tracks for controlling your
outboard gear – Polyend Play really wants to be at the centerpiece of your studio. This is
quite possibly the most fun groovebox ever created.
Polyend Play isn’t really about satisfying your expectations. It is about taking you to new and
different musical places you didn’t even know existed. We made it to allow you to discover
new ways of making music, and to inspire you by having a good time!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ShwKlOaTyZE?feature=oembed
Interface
User Interface
The Polyend Play user interface is divided into four sections. Starting from the left side:
A – High-resolution screen accompanied by five dedicated mechanical screen function
buttons (the current description of each button is displayed on the screen) and a
multifunctional clickable encoder. Press/click on it to enter the Main menu. Thanks to the
encoder’s detents, you can precisely dial in the value of the chosen parameter value while
turning it.
B – Middle section consists of fifteen dedicated touch-sensitive function knobs. You will be
using these knobs to manage the step and track parameters as well as the global project
status. Each knob controls two described parameters. The operational parameter is
highlighted in the display. Double-tap a knob to switch its active parameter.
C – On the right side there are six mechanical function buttons. Besides the Shift key itself,
they offer two actions. Hold the Shift button to access the secondary action for each button.
D – The 8 x 20 grid of multifunctional (non-velocity-sensitive) silicone pads covers the lower
half of the device. The grid pad brightness level is user-adjustable. It is vertically split into
two main parts. On the left side, you’ll find 8 x 16 track steps columns. These can also be
used to arrange your songs in Pattern mode or used to trigger the Perform effects. On the
right side, you will find an array of 4 function pads for each track. These perform various
duties, including selecting, muting, soloing tracks, and much more besides. This 4 x 8 array of
pads can also be used as a note entry/keyboard controller in the View mode.
Back Panel Connectors
On the back panel, from left to right, you will find the following ports:
Out – headphones/mainline stereo audio output port – use a 3.5mm stereo plug (adapter to
1/4” jack included in the kit).
MIDIdataoutputport – use the included TRS type-B 3.5mm jack to MIDI DIN adapter to
connect to MIDI Input of an external MIDI device.
MIDIdatainputport – use the included TRS type-B 3.5mm jack to MIDI DIN adapter to
connect to MIDI Out of an external MIDI device.
MicroSD card slot– use the included 16 GB micro SD card as data storage.
The MicroSD card must be formatted to a FAT32 MBR partition. This is the only file
system supported by Play.
The MicroSD card needs to be inserted into the port in order to make the Polyend Play
operational.
Use the included MicroSD card to USB type-A dongle adaptor to access the SD card
from a computer.
The included SD card is 16GB but SD cards with a bigger capacity can be used too.
Reset button – hidden reset button for emergency flashing procedure (use something thin to
reach it if needed).
USB Type-Cport – power input from a USB power source (AC adapter is included in the kit).
Provides bidirectional MIDI class-compliant communication.
Polyend Play runs on 5V/1A and can be powered up from a power bank.
Power switch – press once shortly to turn the unit on or press and hold for a couple of
seconds to toggle it off.
Autres manuels pour Play
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