Hot on the heels of the big Tracker+ release, Polyend has a big update for the little Mini: now with Synth Engines, PERC drum engine, USB mass storage, more MIDI tracks and other improvements. And there is a big sale going on right now, this week only.
Tracker Mini has come a long way. The 1.x sequence improved clocking performance and accuracy, but also added major improvements to stereo sampling and workflow. Now 2.0 is all about new stuff – most notably Synth Engines and that PERC drum synth. That brings it in line with Tracker+ and Play+, including five synth models and a drum synth. The firmware is available now as a free download.
Those engines again – just let me save time writing other things by copying myself about this (even though you’re probably smart enough to figure out what ACD means):
- ACD monophonic analog synthesizer with one oscillator.
- FAT analog 3-oscillator synth with drift and detune. (Minimoog-like)
- VAP Virtual analog polysynth with dual oscillator architecture and mod matrix.
- WATFM 2-op FM synth with wavetable oscillators and 3x feedback system.
- PERSC drum machine, which uses only one synth voice but plays up to five drum sounds simultaneously, including dedicated Kick, Tom, Snare, Hi-Hat, Cymbal and Perc for each kit with many adjustable parameters.
WTFM debuted on Play+ and PERC on Tracker+. The great thing is that if handheld is more your thing, Mini is now a very, very valid option. They have a nice overview video for you:
Tracker Mini Downloads
Don’t have a Tracker Mini yet? It’s on sale for about $549 on the street, a limited-time, one-week sale with about $150 off. (Tempting!)
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Tracker Mini portable sampler workstation [Perfect Circuit]
Polyend Tracker Mini Standalone Audio Workstation [Guitar Center, who are adding an additional 10% in rewards back, too]
Polyend Tracker Mini Portable Standalone Audio Workstation [Sweetwater]
Let’s do the whole spec thing. They didn’t rebrand this Tracker Mini+, but that’s basically it: the Mini brought the architecture that would make the “plus” versions of Big Momma Tracker+ and Play+ possible. TL:DR version:
- Four exclusive synth engines: ACD, FAT, VAP and WTFM engines provide a
exceptional sound experience.- PERC Drum Synth Engine: Customize seven unique drums per kit.
- Advanced Synth Editor: Complete control over sound design.
- Synth and Drum Engine Macro Control: Evolve synth tones over time in the step fx
sequencer or create custom live controls with 6 multi-macros.- More tracks: eight additional MIDI and synth tracks.
- Expanded Song Mode: Song mode now includes 16 tracks.
- Enhanced USB: Extensive connectivity with 14 stereo USB tracks.
- Comprehensive Mixer: Mixer controls for each synth engine.
- USB Mass Storage: Effortless file management and storage.
- User Interface Optimization: A number of small changes to the user interface for a smoother workflow.
And everything:
NEW FUNCTIONS
- Pattern extended with 8 extra MIDI tracks (wish)
- MIDI can now be sequenced on a total of 16 tracks
- Synth engines can now be sequenced on a total of 16 tracks
- 3 synthesizer instruments with a total of up to 8 synthesizer voices (wish)
- Includes 5 models to choose from: ACD, FAT, VAP, WTFM (as seen on Play+) and the new PERC drum synth engine
- Synth Parameters, Synth Macros pages including patch loader and editor
- Synth Mixer on page 3 of the Master page with separate level controls for all three synth engines
- Reverb and Delay sends for the Line In channel have been moved to dedicated Master Reverb/Delay screens on page 1 of the Master page
Performance FX for synths
- Separate FX including Delay/Reverb sends and 6 macros for all 3 synths
- Updates to existing Sample Instrument/MIDI performance FX, mainly cosmetic
USB storage mode
- SD card storage is accessible via Config > USB
- Configuration for audio via USB
- Audio over USB settings can also be accessed via Config > USB
CPU overload indicator
- The indicator appears above the timer in the header when CPU usage exceeds 85% in yellow, 93% orange, 99% red
Destination added to FX description dialog
- Also updated all FX descriptions to take Synths into account
Instrument Synthesizer functionality (on Instrument Parameters/Effects screen) renamed to Instrument MIDI Mapping to differentiate from real Synth instruments
SOLUTIONS
- Pattern Length FX execution did not work with 128 step value
- Sometimes pattern 0 was loaded when switching patterns or when switching between the Run and Pattern page
- Track names were not saved with the project after restarting the device
- Pressing Sample Recorder and then Sample Editor during playback disabled the Cancel button on the screen
- After using specific Fill Notes settings/scales, steps in the pattern would disappear while navigating through the pattern editor. Additionally, in this state, it was sometimes not possible to manually edit pattern steps and Tracker could also crash completely.
- Render & Load loaded samples in mono (if used directly after device reboot)
- In Sample Recorder the start point can be moved after the end point, resulting in a freeze after trimming
Of course, if you want something a little more spacious, check out last month’s run-down of the Tracker+ . It gets you the jog wheel, an extra grid, more space, a larger display and, crucially, FM radio – but if all that doesn’t matter, the Mini is the clear winner: