Audio feedback routing (will it kill my OT?)

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

i thought about using my OT as a sequenced no-input mixer, connecting the L/R outs to some of the inputs and monitoring via the headphone out for example, but since it’s not exactly a cheap piece of gear i’m worried about frying the inputs or something

has anyone tried this? i know internal feedback routings are possible but i’d like to have the option of adding pedals etc into the feedback loop

i know no-input mixers and pedal noise have been done to death but adding scenes and sequenced amplitude/fx into the equation seems like an interesting idea to me

2

If it’s just the OT in the loop you’re probably fine. Pedals are probably OK too. Just be wary of plugging really hot signals (like eurorack module outputs or something) into the inputs.

I’d use the CUE instead of the main outs just so it’s easier to monitor the main outs. Just a personal preference.

3

sequenced mixer feedback? To me that sounds genius. Please post any results from this. Would love to hear it. Seriously.

4

i recommend a mixer for stuff like that.
more control, more possibilities, more fun.
much safer when levels get out of control :wink:

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5

This sounds like an awesome idea!

Have you thought about sticking a hardware limiter between the output and input? I’ve been thinking about getting one so I’m less afraid of frying my gear when I drive my T-Resonator into crazy-feedback-land.

I think the T-Res’ max output is rated at +13dbu… I used to run everything through an interface (a presonus firestudio project) that could handle up to +18dbu I think, so I could get away with using just a software limiter to protect my speakers and feedback away.

But now I sample everything directly into the Octatrack. From Elektron’s website the max input level is +8dbu though, and the max output is +10dbu, so it looks like you could run into trouble without a limiter…

I wonder if, because all of your sound is coming from the Octatrack itself, you could achieve the same thing with a compressor on the master track?

I would love to hear if anyone is using limiters to protect the inputs of their Octatrack. I’ve been considering some of the FMR things but I’ve read in a few places that they are (maybe?) not fast enough to catch everything.

Wishing I knew more about how compressors work…

6

tried the master compressor, still got nasty clipping at points. i’ll see if i can borrow my roomies RNC177, i wish i could experiment more boldly with this but i’m really scared of messing up my OT :dizzy_face:

thanks for the dBu numbers for ins/outs, FuzzyPause!
that helps a lot actually.
i’ll see if i can whip up something soundcloud-worthy over the weekend (:

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Have you tried messing with the gain settings in the Mixer screen? Turning it down might tame the clipping.

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@robin

Did you try this out?
Just found this “ancient” post, while researching about the use of the octatrack as a noise/feedback machine - so would love to hear how it worked :slight_smile:

9

Could you elaborate?

Considering noise, you can record unplugged inputs with max Gain, Vol, compressor…
Audio feedback is pretty simple. Record Cue, play it with a Flex, send it to Cue. It can be done internally, but with cables it’s even simpler.

Noise / feedback examples, no samples (unplugged inputs recording).

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