Octatrack has not had a proper update in over a year and a half now. There have been two minor updates / bug fixes (obviously critical if it affects you) at the tail end of last year.
The last OS update v1.25E, fixed a bug with Flex machines, and exposed/transferred the diagnostic routine for the crossfader positioning/tracking. (i.e. existing code was copy/pasted)
I have my own views and theories regarding a lot of stuff and things, but yeah.
They’ve beeen around for 17 years now, so hardly a ‘new’ company, especially in the context of electronic musical instruments.
I would say that they had built themselves a good reputation for product support and vision on the back of the MachineDrum and MonoMachine…
No, not really, and I don’t think the MD/MM can be used as a litmus. But as above, but the MachineDrum and MonoMachine are mature stable instruments, and got that way thanks to two key items.
- Inital release was not a beta release. Beta testing was done with a limited pool of users prior to mass release.
- Stable base that was iterated over time.
I doubt it personally, for well, reasons.
Yes, no, maybe. Regardless, only ever buy an Elektron based on what it can do now, I guess that applies to everything.
Generally no, as they like to keep quiet. Even if yes, doesn’t matter, as it doesn’t exist, and it wouldn’t be the first time that they announce something and don’t release it, let it quietly disappear / take ages to implement.
Their current business strategy revolves around getting units/OS to a “useable” state, then releasing them for mass beta testing, and releasing existing functionality later on, so people think that it is “free” and that they are awesome (A4 Poly mode / A4 +Drive); similar tactic to hw Access constantly push out updates to their Virii.
The thing is, there are a lot of very smart heads around these parts, hello everyone /waves, who figure out smart ways to use the devices, and come up with ideas that they then leverage off.