This video, via MIDI-VERSE TV, reviews the Ploytec Pi L Squared synthesizer.
The Ploytec Pi L Squared is a miniature, knob-free hybrid duophonic synthesizer, that’s powered by your MIDI cable.
Video summary:
First we’ll be unboxing the synthesizer and taking a quick listen to some of the preset sounds. Then we’ll be heading over to Ploytec’s website to download the editor for the PL2 to dive a little deeper into the programming side of things.
Next we’ll download the free iOS application “Ploytec PL2 Editor” so we can control the synthesizer directly from the touch screen of an iPad.
Lastly, we’ll quickly show an example in Ableton Live about how the synthesizers parameters can be automated via MIDI CC data in a MIDI clip.
The Ploytec Pi L Squared is available for 77 Euro.
If you’ve used the Pi L Squared, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!
So instead of just having a soft-synth that lives on your computer, it lives in a knob-less, screenless box? Dumb. The editor is ugly as fuck too.
Sorry.
Some of us like to perform live without looking like a chump hiding behind a laptop. Having hardware with a small footprint makes sense, and this synth doesn’t sound too bad. A welcome addition to the midi powered synth spectrum.
While Adolph was pretty harsh sounding, I do have to ask goudron: in a live scenario, what is the difference between having a midi keyboard plugged into this box and having it plugged into a laptop. Does the sight of laptop signify “no talent” ? I don’t think you would “hiding” behind it if you were using a soft synth. You would probably be on a midi keyboard with params mapped to controllers/knobs. I think the performance would look damn near identical. I ask this question in all sincerity, because you got a bunch of up votes. So obviously I must be missing something.. Wouldn’t be the first time :-$
I make music with a big board full of small format synths. This would be a welcome addition to fill the void where a computer would just take up too much room, feel out of place, and break my flow. I’ve wanted something like this for some time.
Just kidding, saw it’s only duophonic and only square wave. WHY?!?!?!! Is it analog in there?!
there’s an analog filter on the output, after the digital filter… which does give it a fat low-end on certain sounds/settings.
I have one, and it’s real easy to map its various parameters to a midi controller. Then you can ignore the ugly as fuck editor. The speech firmware is pretty awsome too!
Also, what Goudron said.
Correction: I have the black version with only a MIDI DIN input, which can be used standalone without a computer or ipad.
After watching the video I think I see why you dismissed this. I’m pretty sure you don’t need to hook it up to the computer to use it, you could hook a USB MIDI keyboard straight into it and bypass the computer all together.
yes – I’ve been running it (the midi version, that is), off of my mpc1000, and it’s a perfect companion… It doesn’t work with all midi keyboards and devices though, so you’ll need to check the compatibility list first or try one if possible.
The sound is a total yawn. Got an iPhone? You can get way more tones out of any number of iOS app for a fraction of the price.
oops – accidentally clicked thumbs up, but — having tested both units (and both sound engines), I can say that it’s way more ballsy than most iphone apps, and IS in my opinion, much more interesting and less 2-dimensional than many soft-synths… which makes it a pleasure to work with sounds that have their own character and grit… the BASS sounds stay thick and heavy even when heading extremely low on the keyboard, not to mention the 2 drumkits massive KICKS… it certainly won’t please all, but it IS a powerful little box.
I’m getting one or two!
This thing is great! An inspiring-sounding fun little gadget. The lack of a screen is my favourite feature.