CC setup OT + Polyend Tracker (how to send CCs?)

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

So here I was, with several midi devices and not totally thrilled with the OT as a midi drum controller due to the poly limits, and it struck me: why not program the drums on the tracker and just trigger program changes as needed from the OT?

I have transport and clock going. I have the drums playing. I just haven’t got the know how to properly trigger program changes from OT.

According to the tracker manual:

Supported incoming CC messages:
CC41 – CC48 – Performance mode track change,
CC51 – CC62 – Performance mode Fx slot values,
CC71 – CC82 – Master section mixer volume levels.
CC79 – Delay mix
CC80 – Reverb mix
CC81 – Dry mix,
CC82 – Line input,

So, I’ll choose a drum track from CC41 – CC48 and send a pattern number to it. Seems straightforward!

The OT manual is less clear. Especially for a relative noob to OT. But with your help I’ll make this work and be a better person for it.

For this process, let’s assume the Tracker is at MIDI channel 16. I think I’m supposed to put a CC trigger or something… :smile: I’ve not really got to the learning level of parts as thus far I’ve mostly been using OT for live effects and sampling. #slowlearning

Many thanks,
P

2

I don’t know how the Tracker works but to send MIDI CC 41 on channel 16, for example, from the OT:

  • Select a MIDI sequencer track,
  • Set its channel number to 16 in the Note Setup page for that track (don’t forget to press the DATA ENTRY knob (A) to activate the change),
  • Set one of the outgoing messages to be CC 41 in the Ctrl Setup page for the track,
  • Set the value of CC 41 that you want to send in the Ctrl Main page for the track.

That will send the CC 41 message whenever the pattern starts on the OT.

You can also parameter-lock values for the CC 41 message on any given step of the OT’s pattern.

1 Like
3

Mostly successful! Thanks.

Taking what you said, and adding this (Nord User Forum - View topic - Nord 3P / slave Midi connection with octatrack), I to set the value for the CC 41 (my OT CC option 10 box (the last one) via Ctrl2) to 2 from step 9 and 1 from step 1. I selected a note (D4) outside of the drum track range to apply the parameter lock for these CC values.

On the Tracker, I made a Pattern 1 (4 on the floor) and Pattern 2 (random snares) so I can detect the change easily. I went into Config on the Tracker, to MIDI >> CC in and set it to receive.

This did not work. So, I began to try a whole bunch of CC options in the Ctrl2 menu on OT. Eventually, through trial and error, this is what I determined.

Tracker CC 41-48 is not useful for this process; rather, you need to use what OT calls CC slots 70-77 (SNDCNTRL1-8). Also, you cannot change the tracker pattern by this method (AFAIK). However, you can mute and unmute the 8 tracks in the current pattern on the tracker by setting values for the slots I mentioned.

For practical purposes, it’s limited. Assuming judicious use of tracks or limited variation, I think that this approach could be used compositionally to control tracker tracks from the OT. However, for performance purposes, the Tracker has Mute / Solo features easily accessible from a pretty robust performance screen with other features that can apply to the drum machine line-in or outgoing notes.

Still, it was worth a try and perhaps they’ll add patterns control via CC later.

Thanks again!
Phil

1 Like