Ahead of the 2025 NAMM Show, being held Jan 21–25 in Anaheim, CA, Polyend has introduced the Step, a fully programmable drum machine in pedal format.
The Polyend Step offers over 350 preset rhythms, 200 drum kits, and the ability to create intricate beats, Users can loop 16-step patterns for instant jamming or combine patterns into 16-pattern songs, for more structured compositions.
Polyend Step Intro Video:
Features:
- 4-Track Drum Machine
- Customizable Parameters: Control swing, speed, step probability, and more for each track.
- Punch-in FX: Choose from over 50 effects and assign up to 16 unique effects per song.
- Foot Controllable: Switch patterns, adjust tempo, and activate effects with the push of a
stompswitch. - Save and lock up to 1000 songs.
- Live Performance Control: Stomp-switches provide easy access to punch-in effects, song
changes, and pattern switches. Assignable FX include delays, repeaters, and rearrangers,
empowering you to elevate your performance with smooth transitions or bold moments. - Seamless Integration: Use Step’s MIDI input/output to sync with delay pedals, loopers, or
Polyend grooveboxes, or send and receive PC changes to keep a pedalboard fully
synchronized. - Humanized and Expressive Beats: Add natural dynamics with features like velocity control,
step probability, micro-move, and instant humanization—or lock in precision for machine-perfect rhythms.
Pricing and Availability:
The Polyend Step is expected to start shipping January 21, 2025, priced at 499 USD/Euro. See the Polyend site for details.
Oh no, another half baked software device?
I am tempted to get one. Not because I love pedals, but because this seems like it can be very popular with guitarists and there will be a market for fun drum sequences.
Polyend’s devices are appealing and make promising first impressions. However, prolonged use reveals persistent software issues and questionable development quality. Having experienced both the Tracker and Play, I’ve found them plagued with bugs and feeling incomplete. Until their development standards improve, I’ll avoid future purchases.
Spot on! Polyend simply does not complete their synths, they are more akin to “projects” except of course they sell these as finished products.
A feature list that is more a wish-list than actual features. And their products look amazing, however it is more clever design choices than actually well built ideas and reliable components.
The sequencer and feature set seems pretty limited– which is probably idea for some users.
Having only 4 tracks (with only one sound per track?) seems pretty limiting. Having only 16 steps per sequence/track (?) also seems very limiting.
Those limitations can force a certain type of creativity, but it can feel weird paying a premium price for it.
I was looking at various hardware sequencer options, and it looks like the Boss RC-10R and the Beat Buddy are two that will let you import your own MIDI sequences. This product seems more geared toward people who want really simple step sequences but with the ability to apply some various MIDI and audio FX.