Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere on the forum (did some searching).
I’m in the market for an Octatrack, and prefer the look and feel of the mk1, also got an AR MK1 so I guess that makes more sense (also for the similarities of button combinations between the mk1 models)
My question is: Do you guys think it’s risky to buy an OT Mk1 in 2022, given that Elektron don’t make anymore spare part for it (if I understood well)??? My concern is that, even if find a one in very good condition, some components might break in a few years, or is it really reliable on the long term?
No, I personally suggest you to grab an MK2 in any case. The only advantage of MK1 is the price. The look is “the same” of MK1 but the feel is a lot better.
I’ve got 2 Mk1s myself and the last one I bought about 2 years ago. For me, I wouldn’t have any major worries and I also do believe they still serve/repair the mk1s at Elektron in a very cost efficient way - at least I felt that was the case just a few years back, someone may know better now
Yeah, we’re a lot still rocking mk1 here. I’ve an OT mk1 myself… It’s still mint but the encoders are starting to skip a bit (one skips like mad if I turn it too fast. Got to be gentle with dem encoders…). From what I gather, you can still got them fixed by Elektron AND you can order the pieces needed to fix them yourself (for instance, I’ll probably buy a new motherboard for my OT to get clean buttons and encoders all at once…)
Okay thanks a lot for the insights guys!! that’s good to know that they might still be able to repair it.
And @JacopoAcquafresca Yeah i Know i’d rather get an MK2 but clearly there’s quite a difference in cost ^^. And in case i end up not liking it, I would have spent less money with the Mk1. I’ll see think some more about it, haha
I have a pair of OT MK1 from the earliest batches (textured finish)
Bought both used. I’m third and fourth owner of them.
Solid as a rock.
Do your homework. Ask about the state of the encoders, screen, and buttons. Ask if there is any wobble in the encoders and volume knob at all. This will give you a good idea if it has been cared for.
Get a guarantee.
I am going to share a hot take: I don’t like the OT MKII because the rubber buttons’ feel is yuck and the OLED panel makes no sense on a static UI instrument as it burns in over time.
For my use (usually a well lit studio), MKI is the GOAT.
In another 5 or 6 years they’re probably going to be sticky and covered with lint. It happens to everything with that rubberized coating eventually, although how long it takes varies with the environment and specific variety of coating. Between the button caps and OLED display, I have a feeling MKI OTs are going to outlast any of the newer Elektron stuff (at least as far as the buttons and displays go, no idea what the newer stuff is like on the inside).
I bought a used OT MKI in 2012.
Played tons of gigs with it, and really worked the encoders, buttons, and cross to the max.
It’s been repaired once for me breaking the USB port, and at the time I had them replace the crossfader that I had worn down to the nub.
Currently I’ve had to reseat the ribbon cables occasionally.
I worry that it might start to crumble, but it’s still going strong.
I know Elektron still services them.
I still feel confident about it to some degree, and often think about buying another MKI for a few reasons.
One thing I know for sure, it’s out lasted MANY laptops, phones and computers, and I’ve put my OT through the same abuse.
Curious to know more about this — are there really differences between different batches of the original OT? Can you say more about the differences (or link to something)? No reason, it just seems like an interesting topic (and I want to know which variant I have )
The paint job would flake off easily over time.
You can see the difference in finishes between the first OT’s and all the later Elektron boxes.
One seems to have a tiny bump texture
Yeah I have a textured OT.
When I got an A4 years ago it had a new finish, super smooth, but flakey I think.
I remember reading something about the early A4 finishes being abandoned because of the flakeyness
I’ve thought about buying a new motherboard for mine and just keeping it in a box so some day if mine dies I can swap it in, but I doubt they’ll still have MKI boards left by the time I actually have the money to do that AND don’t have a bunch of more practical and important things I could use it for.
When I wanted to buy an OT MKI recently, I had to return 2 of them because of the encoders jumping. Be sure to run the test mode in patience before buying.
I ended up with an MKII black and don’t regret it. Feels better than both, MKI as well as MKII grey for me.
Alright! I’m gonna go with an Mk1 finally! just have to find the perfect deal now!
And yeah it’s true that the buttons on the mk2 feel weird, I had a digitakt and digitone and they were always sticky under the finger.
Thanks a lot for all these responses guys!! really helped me a lot!
that’s good to know that they might still be able to repair it.
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