AudioPilz Faces the Polyend Synth: Forgotten but Not Gone!

Welcome to another cracking episode of ‘Bad Gear’ where the forgotten becomes the focal point. AudioPilz, the maestro of musical misfits, pulls back the curtain on the Polyend Synth – a bit of kit he managed to completely overlook after receiving it as a long-term loan. Only in a world saturated with shiny new things could such a beast slip through the cracks. With his usual mix of humour and technical insight, he introduces the audience to this underappreciated piece, hinting at its potential as both a dream and a nightmare for any synth enthusiast. From the get-go, it’s clear Florian Pilz’s style hasn’t changed – it’s still just as entertaining and irreverent as ever.

It’s time for the synth to prove its worth. AudioPilz doesn’t just dip his toes in; he dives headfirst into creating soundscapes that push the machine to its limits. The FX section is highlighted, from choruses to delays that add surprising depth, although these delights come with a sprinkle of computational hiccups along the way. The synth’s CPU isn’t quite up to speed, stumbling when more complex algorithms are in play, a sticking point for those expecting seamless performance.

Multitimbrality, the synth’s ace card, is both a blessing and a curse. Capable of layering three distinct voices, the machine tantalises with possibilities while simultaneously frustrating. AudioPilz unearths these quirks with the practised eye of someone who’s been down this road before. The arpeggiator, merely a shadow of Polyend’s more robust tools, couldn’t support the sonic constructs he attempted to build, yet its potential for creative tinkering isn’t to be understated.

AudioPilz’s jam sessions take centre stage, where he lets the synth dictate the rhythm of techno and trance with mixed results. It’s here Florian’s expertise shines, identifying the Eurotrance vibes hidden within the synth’s depths and coaxing them out with both skill and scepticism. As always, he captures the essence of an artist both charmed and challenged by his medium.

The grand finale comes with a hefty serving of wit and wisdom. As AudioPilz wraps up his session with the Polyend Synth, he delivers a verdict as nuanced as his analysis. A synthesis of mixed emotions, much like a dodgy kebab on a Friday night. The synth’s processor clearly struggles, leading Pilz to theorize about optimisation overreach in favour of cram-packed features.

Yet despite its shortcomings, Florian acknowledges the machine’s versatility. He likens it to a Swiss Army knife of synths – a toolbox stuffed with post-2000 buzzwords. Unfortunately, the synth feels a bit undercooked, missing the polish and sheen of high-end contenders like the Hydrasynth or Iridium. He summarises with a tongue-in-cheek quip about what the synth could be if tailored by Polyend’s team with firmer foresight. In typical blunt fashion, he gives us his ultimate takeaway: a synth ripe with potential but begging for a little more beef under the bonnet.

In the end, it’s a tale as old as synth itself – great ambition meets practical limitation. Yet, AudioPilz’s candid exploration assures viewers that even the most confounding gear has its moments of brilliance. We walk away with a clearer understanding of the Polyend Synth, flaws and all, thanks to an expert who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is.