Polyend Synth Firmware 1.3 Update, With New DWA Synth Engine, Now Available
Today Polyend announces the release of Synth Firmware 1.3.0, a major update that expands the possibilities of the Polyend Synth with a brand-new synth engine, a dedicated MIDI engine, expanded MIDI capabilities, new content, and usability improvements.
At the core of the firmware update is DWA, an experimental sample-based synth engine designed to build unique, expressive sounds. Two independent sample layers and a host of sample manipulation tools —from synced looping to feedback, and crossfading to sample size control – allow for the creation of anything from glitchy drum loops and ambient pads, single cycle waveforms or Karplus Strong.
DWA Synth Feature Overview:
- Independent Dual Sample Playback
- One Shot, Loop, Synced Loop or Ping-Pong playback modes
- Forward or Reverse playback of each sample
- Feedback loops with pitch tracking and delay
- Sample window size control.
- Mix, tune and crossfade per sample
- Modulation Matrix with 2 LFOs and 3 Envelopes
- Multi-mode filter (LP, HP, BP, Notch)
- Polyphonic Aftertouch assignable to any parameter
Developer Karol Celinski on the creation of DWA:
“Many users were requesting a sample-based synth engine, and we wanted to give them one. We wanted to create something more than just a basic sample-based playback engine and we immediately started to consider how to push things further. I’ve always admired how Andy Stott builds tracks from just a few carefully shaped samples and his minimal, textural approach influenced the design.
“DWA is designed around dual sample layers—similar to our dual-oscillator synths. The outcome turned out to be very playable and expanded the sound design possibilities exponentially.The goal was to design a sample engine with lots of potential for modulation of how the loop plays back, the size of the loop, etc. Synced loops became one of the most unique aspects of this engine, I think it works differently than anything existing. Every looped sample creates a kind of rhythm on its own.
“What started as a simple idea quickly evolved into one of the most inspiring engines we’ve built, and it’s been great to see even our experienced sound designers getting excited by what they’re creating with DWA.”
Firmware 1.3.0 also includes:
- Custom color settings – Assign the color of each synth engine to improve visual accessibility and workflow clarity.
- Multi-synth Grid Layouts – Play 2 or 3 synths on one grid pad simultaneously using new “3 in 1” and “2 plus 1” layouts available in Note Mode.
- Free factory content pack – designed for DWA, with 50+ DWA patches, a DWA sample pack with 100 samples curated from our Palettes collection and ready-to-use scenes.
- New MIDI Engine – Save and load custom MIDI CC mappings, map up to five CCs to Macros, and build expressive MIDI instruments with ease.
- MIDI Input Pad Mapping – Allows users trigger grid pads via external MIDI—perfect for using an external device to playing chords or starting sequences with a single key.
- Polyphonic Aftertouch and Channel pressure support for external devices – with a new system setting to define your preferred input and output method.
Additionally, several key bug fixes and performance optimizations ensure a smoother and more reliable experience, including improved memory usage, accurate patch loading, and audio engine stabilization when using extreme modulation.
Polyend Synth Firmware update 1.3.0 is available now as a free download for all Polyend Synth users at this link.
For more information on Synth, visit the Polyend website.
