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# What's This? A Tracker?
- URL: https://gerenm.mymagic.page/whats-this-a-tracker/
- Published: 2023-09-18T14:41:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-30T20:28:12.000Z
- Description: Never let it be said that I'm one to turn down a good deal ... And now, I have a Polyend Tracker.
- Author: Geren Mortensen
- Tags: Music, Polyend, Tracker, #Migrated-1790799853699, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-09-30 16:24

Never let it be said that I'm one to turn down a good deal. The Polybrute and the LXR-02 are examples. And now, I have a Polyend Tracker. So, what's up with that?

### What the heck's a Tracker?

Way back in the '80s when home computers were in their infancy, there weren't a lot of ways to make music on a computer. Atari ST computers had built-in MIDI ports, and became the de-facto standard for home sequencing. Commodore Amiga computers had the Paula chip, the precocious little sister of the C64 SID chip. Paula could play back four simultaneous samples, and became the darling of game developers because of the relatively high audio quality.

![](https://gerenm.mymagic.page/content/images/2026/09/ultimate-soundtracker-b-copy-1400x1050-1.jpg)

In 1987, a professional audio editing tool was introduced by programmer Karsten Obasrki to make it easier for game developers to create immersive soundtracks for Commodore Amiga games. That software was called The Ultimate Sound Tracker.

The program provided a relatively simple method of playing back and, to some extent, applying minimal effects to the sample files. Ultimate Sound Tracker also introduced the first versions of the MOD file format that software trackers can use to this day and the "Chiptune" sound was born.

As with most good commercial products, a number of shareware alternatives arrived on the scene, and more and more features were added to allow for more complex song structures and deliver a wider range of effects. However, the Paula chip still limited Amiga MOD files to 4 tracks and 8-bit audio.

![](https://gerenm.mymagic.page/content/images/2026/09/screamtracker321.jpg)

As IBM PC clones became more mature and their processors became more powerful, trackers migrated to that platform as well. In the case of PCs, early trackers required sound cards developed for gaming, such as the SoundBlaster and similar cards that could play samples. These cards also usually included a Yamaha FM synth chip in addition to the PCM audio files. At that time, the most popular tracker for IBM PCs and clones was Screamtracker. Screamtracker featured 8 tracks and increased the effects available.

It should be noted that the "effects" parameters used by trackers are not exactly what most musicians consider effects. Instead, they're mostly modifiers like volume, pan, glide, micro timing, arpeggiation, etc. Audio effects like reverb and delay are attached to the "instruments" or to the master section.

I never really had a lot interest in trackers back then. I already spent enough time with computers and programming, and I didn't really want to have to program my music.

Fast forward to today. Commodore Amigas are gone, as are Atari ST computers. But PCs are still with us and more powerful than ever. Trackers have come of age as well, almost rivaling modern DAWs. A popular modern tracker that runs on Windows and Linux PCs, Macs, and even Raspberry Pi computers is Renoise. It is, in almost every way, a thoroughly modern DAW and can even use VST effects and instruments.

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