Superbooth 2026: Polyend Drums is a new hybrid drum machine with analog and digital synth drums, samples, FX, deep sequencing, and more.
Polyend, who have recently been more active in the guitar pedal market (Endless and MESS), caused a surprise this morning.
Not another pedal or a new tracker. Polyend has today unveiled Drums, a new flagship hybrid drum machine reminiscent of the Roland TR-1000’s feature set.
Polyend Drums
Drums is a new analog and digital drum machine that offers analog voices, digital synthesis, samples, effects, advanced sequencing, performance controls, and extensive connectivity.
According to Polyend, it’s built around a single-piece aluminum body, custom metal knobs, and high-end components.
Drums features 8 tracks, each designed for creating drum and percussion parts using analog voices, digital synthesis methods, or sample-based instruments.
The instrument is built to feel immediate, while still offering the depth needed for detailed sound design, evolving patterns, and live performance.
At the heart of the machine are four analog voices based on modern SSI chips. Each voice combines dual analog VCOs, a dedicated noise source, and an additional digital oscillator for hybrid layering or FM modulation.
A multimode analog filter and VCA shape each voice, allowing Drums to move from tight percussion to longer evolving sounds.
Alongside the analog section, Drums includes multiple digital synthesis methods, sample-based instruments, and eight independent LFOs for modulation.
Its instrument library includes more than forty instruments, each with its own sub-mode mutations, giving users hundreds of sound options to choose from.
Sequencing
Polyend also developed a powerful yet intuitive sequencer engine for the Drums. It offers 8 tracks with deep per-track control, probability, micro-timing, parameter locks, pattern chaining, generative tools, and multiple track play modes.
Projects can hold up to 64 patterns, 64 sound kits, and 48 songs with arrangement options, allowing you to build anything from short loops to full live sets.
Key Features
- 8-track analog and digital drum machine
- Four analog voices built on modern SSI chips
- Dual analog VCOs, noise source, digital oscillator, multimode analog filter, and VCA per analog voice
- Digital synthesis methods and sample-based instruments
- More than 40 instruments with sub-mode mutations
- Eight independent LFOs
- 8-track sequencer with up to 64 steps per pattern
- 64 patterns, 64 sound kits, and 48 songs with arrangement options
- Probability, micro-timing, parameter locks, pattern chaining, generative tools, live recording, polyrhythms, and multiple track play modes
- X0Y fader for morphing between three kit states
- Instant pattern and sound kit switching
- Send effects, sequenced insert effects, and master effects
- Eight individual audio outputs
- Stereo audio input for external processing
- MIDI over TRS
- Dedicated headphone output
- Dual-core main CPU with auxiliary processors for peripherals and analog control
- 32-bit floating point internal processing at 96 kHz
- 24-bit/96 kHz DAC and ADC conversion
“Drums is a return to the fundamentals that defined Polyend from the beginning,” said Piotr Raczyński, CEO of Polyend. “We wanted to build the drum machine we would want to use and own ourselves. Something uncompromising in sound, materials, and workflow.
Like our earliest instruments, Drums is made in small batches, with close attention to every detail, and built to stay relevant for decades.”
Polyend Drums First Impression
Drums looks like a very powerful hybrid drum machine. With its blend of all available sound generation options, it offers users a wide spectrum of sounds.
In contrast to other drum machines, this one has a very modern, clean look. With its asking price and feature set, it enters into a direct duel with Roland and the TR-1000. It is operating in the same high-end waters here. I’m curious to see how people ultimately decide.
Polyend Drums will be available for reservation with a fully refundable $500 deposit. The final retail price will be $2,699 / €2,699, limited quantities available at launch.
More information here: Polyend
It’s beautiful. Like the TR-1000 I will skip this based on price. Not in my budget.
A sort of competitor to the TR-1000.
Now, for those who want the Roland sound, there’s no comparison.
The price is similar; the Polyend Drums really needs to differentiate itself from the TR-1000.
A very nice machine; a comparison with the TR-1000 would be most interesting.
TR-1000 over this all day. Simply for the fact that Polyend’s track record is one of the worst I’ve ever seen. From shipping unfinished products, leaving issues unfixed on Medusa to the mess that was the Polyend Play upgrade.
This company is the equivalent of an NFT: hype, high price and ultimately useless.
Kinda harsh but mostly true. Their stuff is not useless, but always leaves a lot to be desired for the price, especially this one. Could get a TR-1000 or better, an Analog Rythm for it with pocket change for a MC-707.
I mean 8 tracks is kinda bad at this price range and their feature and quality set.
This thing is amazing. Instant reservation. Can’t wait.
you choose this over a tr1000? they are the same price and Tr1000 obliterates this. Polyend made a few bad decisions here.
The whole bottom right section is dedicated to a led level meter? at 2600, this would have been better with a screen instead.
The little screens at the top of the channels are also frustratingly small.
Hell yeah! Buying it.
Nothing beats tr1000 at that price. Just have to accept that tr1000 is the ultimate drum machine. now and for a long time in future
hmm I don’t know. Looks great and love the idea of having a dedicated drum machine but there’s so many options for drums at a cheaper price point and honestly between MPC’s, Push 3 and other standalone boxes it’s hard to see the value here. Atleast the tr-1000 was giving modern classic vibes for the price, plus original 808’s & 909’s go for well over the price of the TR-1000.
Maybe hearing this in person will change my mind? Maybe sonically this will blow the tr-1000 out of the water? I doubt it, but can’t want to hear it.
Polyend Drums from Roland? I don’t get it 😉
I want to like this but Polyend’s track record with releasing gear and either dropping support for it pretty quickly or releasing a ‘plus’ version has me so turned off. I don’t hate the industrial design but I questions some of the actual UI. If this was a lot closer the $1000 mark, maybe – but for my money, the TR-1000 absolutely smokes this aluminum box.
I think I’d immediately put some coloured knob caps on it so I could actually see which control does what. Which would ruin the cool inscrutable design…
yeah, not sure why anyone would pick this over Roland’s offering, considering Polyend’s shakey history with quality control…
TR1000 didn’t prove good quality control in Roland unfortunately.
I had very bad experiences with Polyend: Faulty gear combined with terrible service. Stupidly I bought another Polyend product not long afterwards not knowing it was already basically ‘discontinued’ and full of unresolved issues. I feel it is a public duty to warn others about this company. Their record is not good. If this drum machine has issues they’ll probably either drop it and leave you hanging, or fix things in a version 2 product in a few months.
expect the Polyend Drums+ in a few months (:
between the TR1000 (but less editing) and when you increase the compressor on the master you get a Perkons.
No way would I buy anything from Polyend ever again. Terrible customer service and abandoning of expensive products. Be warned.