APC40 to control OT?

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

Hi there,
long time lurker here - thanks for tons of great info and general niceness of tone on the forum :slight_smile:

I‘d like to control the track volumes on my OT simultanously and just wanted to check if I could use what I already own, so:
Does anybody know if either the APC40 mk1 or the Doepfer pocket dial or pocket control could be used for this pupose?
Any help would be appreciated!
Cheers!

2

The APC40 really needs Ableton to be of any use. You would probably have to use max 4 live to set it up to send CCs to the OT, but no use stand alone.
I don’t know about the Doepfer devices, sorry.

3

pity, but thanks for swift reply!

4

…looks to be the device that can do what you want. I don’t own any Doepfer, but the manual says that you can edit presets with software and set every encoder on your own.
So probably you are able to set encoder to send any CC# (manufacturer calls them “controllers”) on specific midi channel.

Let’s say you set midi channels 1-8 for audio tracks 1-8.
CC#19 is for OT audio tracks Volume (parameter no.4 on Playback page).
First thing you can try is to edit any Doepfer preset and set encoders like this:

doepfer editor
doepfer editor1919×913 344 KB

I cannot test it, but it looks promising.
It looks like you can also use CC#7 for Volume, but CC#19 is better if you want to get values feedback from OT to Doepfer Dial with second midi cable.

Edit: typos

5

wow - thanks a bunch!!
actually makes me feel a little bad for not rtfm myself before asking :grimacing:
thought maybe someone here
already had experience with one of these…
the pocketdial is currently at a friends, but i‘ll check it as soon its back!

anyway -

:pray:t2::pray:t2::pray:t2:

1 Like
6

APC40 is Class Compliant so it can send MIDI messages.
OT needs specific CC#'s and channels which I doubt the APC40 will be sending, but there’s a chance (I haven’t checked it because: event processor reasons).

Stick an Event Processor in there and all good.

Trickier if you want to use APC40 buttons to ‘do things’ and get feedback, but completely doable if: event processor.

7

Ok, so still a chance :wink:
Don’t have an events processor, but if I understood it correctly, it might work without one too, right?
Thanks already!

8

Well, you still need a usb host, so youll still need something to at least power/connect.

At the least youd need a USB to DIN MIDI device. I suggested an Event Processor because some (at least a BomeBox) can handle connection, power, and routing/translation.

IMO an event processor is worth its weight in gold.

9

Why not look at the MPD232?

  • 64 Channel, 32 Step sequencer
  • 16 Velocity and pressure sensitive MPC pads (backlit with RGB) and 4 banks
  • 8 Assignable faders
  • 8 Assignable rotary knobs
  • 8 Assignable buttons
  • 72 Controls accessible via 3 banks
  • Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing
  • 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
  • 30 Presets in total
  • With configurations for most popular DAWs
  • Works with virtually any MIDI software or hardware
  • iOS compatible via the Camera Connection Kit (available separately, not included!)
  • MIDI in- and outputs for controlling other equipment

P.S. The doepfer pocket dial will work, and I (an many others) would pay good money for one if they ever turn up. Those things are built like tanks and will work forever, so if you ever wanna sell it…

10

Okay, so the APC40MkI faders send Ch1-8, CC7 so…umm…alls you need is a USB Host and just send the MIDI data to the OT and it will control the Level of Tracks 1-8

With an Event Proc you can get trickier.

Just tested this - took me a bit to find the power supply for the MkI.
APC40Mk1 -> USB Hub -> BomeBox (routing only; no translations) -> OT

Edit to add: forgot to mention that OT Tracks should respond to Channels 1-8 for this to work. I forget OT specific settings all the time. Sorry

2 Likes
11

Why settle for an apc40 when you could have an apc80? :stuck_out_tongue:

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