Archive for September, 2023

Free Polyend Tracker v1.7 Update adds Audio Improvements, Improved MIDI Control, User Interface + More


Polyend has released Tracker v1.7, a free update that adds a variety of upgrades to the Tracker’s audio path, user interface and MIDI control.

New in Polyend Tracker v1.7:

  • Audio Improvements:
    • Improved EQ, Compressor and Limiter in Sample Editor
    • New Audio Saturation modes for extra bite
    • Extra Headroom feature for additional clarity
    • Snap to Zero function for easier sample looping
  • MIDI Improvements:
    • Redesigned ‘Clock sync correction’ parameter in MIDI config
    • Improved Internal and MIDI clock stability and minimized jitter
  • User Interface improvements:
    • New Pattern arrangement Config setting: Vertical revolver
    • Pattern step numbering can be set from 0, 1 or hexidecimal
    • Sample Recorder: The physical Rec button starts/stops the recording
  • Improved project management
    • Song mode: Possibility to select and change Tempo with arrow buttons (in Rec mode)
    • Song mode: Empty Slot and Copy Pattern functions added
    • Sample Loader: Possibility to select and change the Preview Volume with arrow buttons
    • Changed access to Instrument Synthesizer page: Instrument Parameters > More
    • Updated text instructions in Config > Firmware update page
    • Sample Recorder: The physical Rec button starts/stops the recording

Polyend Tracker v1.7 firmware is available now as a free download.

 

 

Tracktion introduces Free Attracktive Player Instrument for Linux, Mac + Windows


Tracktion has introduced Attracktive – a free player instrument based on the BioTek 2 engine.

 

Attracktive is a free sound pack player, that’s designed to be easy to use and compatible with Linux, Mac and Windows.

Attracktive comes with a sample of previews from a variety of sound libraries, and is fully compatible with BioTek 2’s expansion packs.

 

For details just head over to  Tracktion website.

 

Mythos Debut The Fates Analog BBD Chorus Inspired by the 80’s Classic Japanese Chorus Pedals


Mythos Pedals dials MN3207 for modulation as it launches The Fates – a BBD tribute to legendary Japanese chorus pedals of yesteryear, and it is truly for the analogue connoisseur, with the all-important toggle switch for selecting Chorus and Vibrato modes.

Mythos The Fates is a bucket bridage analog chorus pedal inspired by vintage Japanese pedalboard candy. The Fates is the first modulation pedal by Mythos.

The star of the show here – though it’s a close run thing with the clean two-knob design and super-tough enclosure – is the MN3207 BBD chip, which is sure to warm the hard of even the coldest of analogue circuit nerds.

But just let that do its thing, where it needs to be, while the rest of the pedal presents itself to players as a super-straightforward way of accessing some heady, swirly, three-dimensional chorusing.

All you have are two large black knobs for Rate and Depth. Rate controls the speed of the LFO. The Depth controls, well, the depth, and just how wide and pronounced you want that modulation.

With the toggle switch in Chorus mode, it behaves like a chorus. In Vibrato, it takes out the clean signal, but Mythos has tweaked this vibrato setting so that you won’t get to extreme warble on the Depth control. Indeed, Mythos describes the range of sounds as running “the gamut of swirly shimmer to rotary speaker like vibes”.

In other words, it’s a chorus/vibrato but like all good modulation units it can cover a lot of ground without complicating things. This is part of the charm of these old-school style units. What you lose in exacting control over every single detail of your electric guitar tone, you gain in convenience.

“This Analog Chorus is not for those who want presets, infinite controls, and other modern feature sets,” says Mythos. “The Fates is for the player who wants to plug in and enjoy the simplicity of iconic Chorus tones with ease.”

The Fates was designed in conjunction with Brian for Madbean Pedals.

 

Mythos also takes you under the hood for a little more information about how its circuit works. The Fates has a JFET buffered bypass input stage that not only makes the pedal run quieter but pushes the signal for a “sweet output bump and EQ voicing” that will be suited to super-clean or overdriven guitar sounds.

The LED is worth keeping an eye on. When the pedal is activated, it will pulse in time with how you’ve set the Rate knob – so if it’s going to go ray-gun wobble on you with the Rate knob dimed, you will see it before you hear it.

Other Specs:

  • Buffered Bypass Switching
  • +9V ONLY!
  • 16mA Current Draw

Stick it on your ‘board, feed it 9V DC from a pedalboard power supply, and it’ll draw 16mA. The Fates price at £184/ $229, and it is available now. Just head over to Mythos Pedals website.