Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Polyend's 'Step' is the ultimate Drum Machine in pedal format, and the most sophisticated device of that kind to-date
Key Points
Polyend 'Step' is a built-for-performance programmable stereo drum machine stompbox in pedal format. It has 4 customisable drum tracks, 16 (4 x 4) rhythm steps, 2000+ samples, 500 presets and 200 distinct drum kits.
Per-step control via 15 parameters, Instant Drum Beat Generator, master FX (Reverb, Delay, Limiter, Saturation, Custom) and In-Sync Sidechain. Controls include Tracks 1–4, Song View, Tempo/BPM, Beat/Genre Patch, Effect Selection, Master Volume, Kit and Effect/Next/Play footswitches.
Rear: 9–18V DC 560mA, Reset, USB‑C, Micro SD, MIDI In/Out 1/8", EXP, Stereo In (TRS), Left/Right Out. Dimensions: 180mm x 120mm; 930gm. As of 2026-07-13, price was $499; available via Polyend Webstore and international dealers.
So we’ve had smart Drum Machine Pedals before - best exemplified by the Dedalo Beat, DigiTech SDRUM, Rainger FX Snare Trap, and Singular Sound Beat Buddy, while Polyend’s ’Step’ - takes the whole concept a level higher!
This is almost a kind of Linn Drum in pedal format - with 2000+ Samples onboard, 500 Presets, 200 distinct Drum Kits, 4 layers of Drum Tracks, and 16 (4 x 4) clearly visible rhythm steps.
You can kick in a whole load of different effects, drum fills and outros - a load of careful thought has gone into this pedal. While I’m not convinced it has to be quite as big as it is - but it’s cool to have 3 footswitches to punch in different effects.
It won’t be the easiest pedal to accommodate in you rig, it’s dimensions are the typical workstation pedal size - or at 180mm x 120mm. I’m certainly intrigued enough to want to try one out first-hand. I’ve always loved things like Prince’s Linn Drum programming - and I feel I could have a lot of fun with this device - as the White Stripes and Royal Blood have shown - at a minimum you need a guitarist and drummer to make the smallest unit of band - so with the addition of this particular Step Drum Machine - the sky’s the limit. The fact that the pedal is also full Stereo In and Out (Stereo In via TRS Cable) - makes it absolutely perfect for my needs.
Controls - Tracks 1-4, Song View, Tempo / Global BPM, Beat / Genre Patch, Effect Selection, Master Volume, Kit (select from 200 onboard Kits), Effect Footswitch, Next Pattern Footswitch, Play Footswitch.
Rear Ports - 9-18V DX [-] 560mA, Reset, USB-C, Micro SD, MIDI Out 1/8", MIDI In 1/8", Expression Pedal, Stereo In (TRS), Left out, Right Out.
The $499 price tag definitely seems about right - you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck here! Available right now via the Polyend Webstore, and at leading International Dealers. I will for sure be getting one of these in at some stage - I just need to decide what the priority is going to be. I’m looking forward to see how contemporary musicians make best use of this device - it could be a game-changer!
Key Features
- Built-for-performance Fully Programmable Stereo Drum Machine Stompbox
- 4 Customisable Drum Tracks
- 16 (4 x 4) Rhythm Steps
- 500 Preset Rhythms
- 200 Distinct Drum Kits
- Separate controls for Song, Tempo, Beat, Effect, Volume, and Kit
- You can mix and match sounds and samples from across different Kits
- Instant Drum Beat Generator
- Delivers Modern Sounds from over 2000+ Samples, and is easily expandable
- Per-Step Control via 15 Parameters
- Create a Thousand complete and complex 16-Part Songs
- Several Master FX onboard - including Reverb, Delay, Limiter, Saturation, and Custom
- Expansive Connectivity including MIDI In & Out, EXP, Micro SD and USB-C
- In-Sync Sidechain
- Power : 9-18V DC [-] 560mA
- Dimensions : 180mm x 120mm
- Weight : 930gm
- MAP / RRP : $499
Demos
