Cannot record MIDI into OT on "active track" MIDI channels!

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

I am exploring using the OT to sequence multiple different devices on separate MIDI Channels.
I would like to select different parts from a Multi-timbral synth (on different MIDI channels), OR use different pieces of outboard gear networked through a 8x8 midi router, and select/record/capture onto the corresponding track (and matching MIDI channel) on the OT,
but this isn’t working as the manual suggests.

Page 112 of the OT manual 1.25, says

“While in MIDI mode note data and CC values can be recorded in real time to the active MIDI track. Activate LIVE RECORDING mode by pressing [REC] + [PLAY]. For the MIDI track to register incoming MIDI data, the note or CC data needs to be sent either to the auto channel, which is set in the CHANNELS menu, or to the MIDI channel of the active track.”

I understand the Auto Channel, and got it to work fine, but it’s NOT how I want to work.
I presently can ONLY use the Auto Channel to recording notes.
The MIDI channel of the “active channel” is not working for me.

For setup;
[ul]
[li]synth 1 is on Ch 1, OT MIDI track 1 is on Ch 1.[/li]
[li]synth 2 is on Ch 2, OT MIDI track 2 is on Ch2[/li]
[/ul]

in practice:
[ul]
[li]if I turn OT’s Auto Channel ON (say to Ch 1), then I can record onto any active OT track only from the synth that matches the Active Channel (synth/layer 1…)[/li]
[li]if I turn OT’s Auto Channel OFF, then I cannot step or realtime record as the manual suggests.[/li]
[/ul]

Has anyone else fussed with this ?
Has anyone else worked this out ?

I’d really like to work this out, as I could avoid needing a separate/dedicated controller for Auto Channel-ing.

2

I have Auto Channel set to Midi channel 11.

With the OTs 8 Midi Tracks set to Channels 1 to 8 (say), I can send Midi to any of them from my external controllers by setting to the relevant Channel.

If I set the controller to Channel 11, it writes to the highlighted, active OT channel.

It works and is really useful because it means you can target single tracks that share their Channel with another track.

I haven’t tried setting the Auto Channel to a number that may be being used by a Track because I would expect a conflict. Is that what you are doing, or did you just use “1” as an example?

3

Are you in MIDI mode?

Have you set up the OT’s MIDI sequencer channels correctly?

Can you successfully enter sequence data in the MIDI sequencer pages themselves WITHOUT using your other instruments for input?

There are sometimes problems if you have set the MIDI sequencer channels to be the same numbers as the MIDI channels for the audio tracks.

4

I do this regularily … it’s like rikrak says

  • your midi sending device has to send on the auto channel of the OT
  • the OT will route the incoming midi to the active track.

AFAIK, if you switch off the auto channel of the OT, the OT will be not listening to incoming midi.

You can check on the display of the OT the “very” small black dot in the upper right corner. This dot is blinking if the OT receives midi.

5

Are you in MIDI mode?

Have you set up the OT’s MIDI sequencer channels correctly?

Can you successfully enter sequence data in the MIDI sequencer pages themselves WITHOUT using your other instruments for input?

There are sometimes problems if you have set the MIDI sequencer channels to be the same numbers as the MIDI channels for the audio tracks.[/quote]
Ah YES !
Page 111 (right before it) specifies:
[ol]

[li]If an audio track and a MIDI track share the same MIDI channel, the MIDI track will block the audio track from sending out data while the audio track will block the MIDI track from receiving data. In the PROJECT menu you can see which MIDI channels are assigned to which audio tracks. Read more in the section “MIDI” on page 41.[/li]
[/ol]

Thanks for the reminder !

Oh MAN is that manual dense.

Now I just need to find a way to get my workstation to broadcast every Part on Channel 9 (to use as Auto Channel) and still receive on 1~8, (to be driven by OT ).
This will keep me from having to change matching Parts/Tracks on BOTH the Workstation and the OT.

Perhaps I can set up some re-mapping on the MOTU MIDI 8x8.
teehee !

1 Like