Changing patterns on OT from Ableton

alexdecker · 2013-11-05T20:53:35.000Z

Hi all

Is it possible to change the patterns on the OT via a track in Ableton Live, and if yes, how do I go about it?

Alex

alexdecker · 2013-11-06T14:59:37.000Z

Nobody knows anything about this?

I’m thinking it must be possible. How else would you integrate it into a production DAW, if you can’t control it by midi…

cykranosh · 2013-11-06T15:38:54.000Z

""alexdecker"":

Hi all

Is it possible to change the patterns on the OT via a track in Ableton Live, and if yes, how do I go about it?

Alex

[quote="“Octatrack Manual pg. 42"”]
PROG CH RECEIVE will when checked make the Octatrack listen and react to incoming program change messages.
[/quote]

Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for? I suspect it might be? I’m not gonna be around my gear til Friday to test that.

alexdecker · 2013-11-06T16:21:48.000Z

It sounds like it’s what I’m looking for. I am just wondering what changes I need to send from Ableton (which CC’s), and how I send them…

Any ideas?

cykranosh · 2013-11-06T19:31:58.000Z

""alexdecker"":

It sounds like it’s what I’m looking for. I am just wondering what changes I need to send from Ableton (which CC’s), and how I send them…

Any ideas?

I know you can send MIDI Program Changes that are attached to clips. I’m pretty sure that it will send them when the clip starts.

midi_prgch_png_289x210_q85_crop_upscale.png289×210 27.1 KB

So, you might need dummy clips that have program changes. There is a setting somewhere that has the resolution for changing patterns in the OT, so, you could queue, or, switch on demand. But, Program Change is usually a slow command for MIDI, so, “on demand” might be pretty glitchy.

Edit: Since the OT has 256 patterns and Program Change only deals with 128 locations, you might need a Bank Change CC sent, which is either CC 0 or CC 32, depending on the gear. I’m guessing it’s 0, since the OT won’t send CC 32 as bank change (I have a ticket in for this at Elektron).

alexdecker · 2013-11-06T23:14:05.000Z

Cool, thanks for the reply. I’ll try this out and let you guys know how it goes…

Alex

Ozone · 2013-11-07T00:43:54.000Z

A little while back I set up an ableton project dedicated to control the Octatrack Program change, along with Mutes, Scenes & Fader position.
It used around 12 midi channels & was fiddly to get perfect (using the limited cc editing tools in arrangement view) but worked for my purposes of tweaking a particular song where I didnt have enough hands to do live what I needed.

If you want the file let me know.
Cheers

alexdecker · 2013-11-07T09:21:55.000Z

Hey Ozone!

Yes please, I would like to peek a little around in that project, if you wouldn’t mind?

Alex

Ozone · 2013-11-07T11:53:55.000Z

""alexdecker"":

Hey Ozone!

Yes please, I would like to peek a little around in that project, if you wouldn’t mind?

Alex

OK Alex, I have pm’d you the dropbox link.
Cheers
Andrew

wascal · 2013-11-07T16:32:06.000Z

Hi, I’d definitely be interested in having a look at this too. I’ve been starting to create my own template so it would be good to compare notes before I go too far down the wrong path

Ozone · 2013-11-08T01:17:57.000Z

Might as well put it out in the public domain…

Dropbox

OCTATRACK SEQUENCER.als

Shared with Dropbox

Ableton 7 file…
cc’s listed in dummy clips on relevant channel
Adjust midi channels/midi device to suite your setup

Any suggestions or improvements dont be shy.

I always intended to expand this template for OT + Machinedrum & Monomachine … had the idea of recording down live performance midi data with ability to go back and tweak to taste. Been too lazy to upgrade Live because i would want collapsible folders for that amount of channels.

cykranosh · 2013-11-08T19:20:37.000Z

""Ozone"":

Might as well put it out in the public domain…

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pri37uyo3udnzj5/OCTATRACK%20SEQUENCER.als

Awesome, thanks man!