Tracker sequencing in the hardware realm

Polyend’s Tracker is a hardware sampler with a tracker-style sequencer. Here are some classic tracker tricks

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We program a single note on step 1 of our first track. We assign pitch C4 from instrument 01, which we’ve set up as a basic wavetable synth with fully sustained volume envelope. In tracker style, this note will sustain until we program a note off, cut or fade to silence it.

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Next we add more notes on steps 5, 9, 15 and 29. We now have a fully sustained, legato melody. Let’s make it more interesting. By inserting FAD steps on 11 and 21, we alter the rhythm by introducing slow volume fades after some notes. A CUT on Step 31 is a more abrupt cutoff.

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Tracker’s two FX columns are where we can add variety and movement to our melody. In the first FX slot, we add a quick Roll on step 5 and a Glide on step 9, introducing a glitchy stutter and portamento pitch sweep respectively.

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We can also add FX to modulate sounds between note-triggering steps. By adding ‘P’ FX across steps 15 to 23, ranging between P12 and P-12, we can add a subtle drift in pan position across the duration of our melody’s most drawn-out note.

05

Finally, let’s add an element of randomisation to our melody. We add a couple of higher pitch notes on steps 3 and 8. These sound cool but it’ll be more interesting if they don’t trigger every time the pattern cycles. In FX slot 2, we add C (chance) values, dictating a probability for each note.