I actually use an EHX Talking Box with my Octatrack (cue out -> ehx -> octatrack in).
To get this actually into an useable state, I need to lower the cue out to a very low volume (it’s to hot), and need to gain and volume up the input alot. It kind of works, but I guess the signal could be so much more better - i love that pedal so much, I want to make this better.
I thought about this a bit, and found this here:
Do you think that could work?
I’m not a technician so any advice on this would be really appreciated - I have next to no knowledge about such things.
I’m far from an expert with these kind of things, but it looks like the box you mention only switches between the two line level standards (consumer and pro levels), and what you actually want is a box that switches between instrument level and line level (+4dBu). The difference between line and instrument levels are, from what I know, not just about volume, but also about impedance. Maybe somebody else can explain what impedance actually is, cause all I know is that some string instruments like guitars have high impedance (hi-z) output, so most guitar effects expect that kind of signal.
I saw a reddit post recently that referred to ‘reamp’ boxes which changed the level/impedance to go out to a guitar amp (so the same as what a guitar pedal is expecting) - https://www.reddit.com/r/Elektron/comments/bwkg7g/octatrack_before_guitar_amps/
That only deals with the level out of the Octatrack so you’d need some kind of DI box to change it in the opposite way on the way back in.
I also know very little about this stuff, but I’d be interested to hear what people are using to get the Octatrack to play nice with send/return with guitar pedals. Hopefully in ways that don’t cost too much cash! It’s a pain that you’d need two boxes to do this…
I use a mixer’s mic input to boost the level out of my pedals but would a mixer be a good fix to lower the level/change impedance to go into the pedals?
I think the problem discussed in that reddit post is that effects sends are line level and pedals/amps are expecting instrument level. You can compensate for this by lowering the output but I don’t think this is an ideal solution and doesn’t sound great for some amps/pedals.
Hi!
I guess I need to sample some oioioi ahah wah wah stuff and forget about using that pedal in live settings then - it sounds to mediocre with that “trick”. Bummer, those knobs are awesome on that thing. I dont want to carry a mixer, I need a portable solution where my back says thank you buddy for not put that load on me.
Octatrack, Digitone and I guess nothing then for that purpose.
Thank you all for your thoughts and recommendations!
If anyone knows a small (very small!) box that could fix that pedal problem…
Alternately: Do you know how the ZOIA acts as send/return for Octatrack? Same problem?
I use my USB interface to fix the low input problem/mic/instr-line thing so that might be a better bet than a mixer.
Mine’s a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8, comes with software Focusrite Control where you can set monitor mixes/switch outputs and it works without a PC. That’s a bit bulky but I think the same feature is available on the 6i8 which is a fair bit smaller. Gives a load of i/o options and bonus if you need a new interface
It needs a separate PSU though, haven’t used the 6i8 but might still be a bit bulky for your needs.
It’s just about the most useful thing I ever bought. Buffer, FX loop, splitter, joiner, pre-amp. It even has a 3.5mm TRRS send/return to use an iPhone etc. as a send/return effects loop.
Not cheap, but totally worth the money. In your case you’d put the EHX pedal in its loop, and hook the MixingLink up to the Octatrack.
I’ve been using one of these to run mics / synths etc into pedals for the last 6 months. Works perfectly and gives lots of options. Also saves needing to use a DI box when playing live! They’re great boxes, top quality.
I have just switched to Zoia though, plus I have Zoom for preamps… So I’ll probs be selling my mixing link 2nd hand soon if you’re interested!
