How vital is the crossfader on a Octrack and is it easy to replace? There is a cheap Mk1 ($450 or so )listed near me and I’m getting tempted. the seller also says the screen is showing signs of fading. I think I should look the other way lol.
Crossfader can be replaced relatively easily (unsrew faceplate, unscrew crossfader), have to check which exact model it is, maybe someone else knows…
Screen replacement of course isn’t so trivial, but it’s possible if you’re fit with soldering.
I’d recommend you ask Elektron or a local repairshop how much they’d charge or if you’re willing to do it all yourself, check parts prices.
Edit: OT has a test mode you can use to check for hardware and software issues. Maybe ask the seller to provide you with pictures of the test results.
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Crossfader is very important, but it can be controlled via midi, eventually with OT midi tracks.
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Crossfader for MK1 cost about 90£ at Elektron. No one found a third party replacement for it as long as I know, there was a thread on this forum about it. It failed once on one of my MK1s I’ve had in the past.
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Just to make that clear, yes it is, but you can do everything on OT without the crossfader. The crossfader is used to fade in/fade out scenes. Scenes are basically parameter macros.
For example, you’d want to open the filter on track 1, more delay feedback on track 2 and you’d want to add more reverb to track 6, change sample slices and longer amp release on track 7. You’d map those values to a scene and when you bring the crossfader to the side (A or B) which has this scene active, the filter, delay, reverb, slices and amp release all change to their set target values.
You could very well get to know your new OT even without a working crossfader. Don’t have to wait until the replacement arrives.
Btw, if you don’t buy it, someone here was looking for a cheap OT…
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Similarly you can do everything that the octatrack can do on a computer. I would argue that the actual physical interface of the crossfader+buttons for scenes is at least half of the enjoyment of using scenes.
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Thanks for all the replies. Think it’s just GAS taking over .
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There are many things I love about the octatrack and the crossfader is high on the list. Not vital as folks have said but for me, without it would make the OT less fun.
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It is vital. I move the crossfader every morning, even with power off. Otherwise I don’t feel alive.
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I’ve noticed that recently I don’t use the crossfader that much. Hadn’t thought of that until this thread… Still I don’t think I would want an OT without one.
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If you don’t end up buying it, maybe I can? I’ll do the repairs myself!
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I thought you wanted a haunted OT with spiders in it
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I just want one without feeling guilty/irresponsible/stupid for doing it a fifth goddamn time! Hahaha
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This does sound like a good candidate. It seems like the crossfader replacement on the mk1 isn’t all that difficult
As long as you can get the part it’s not. Just two screws and a clip to unplug. If it weren’t for the crossfader I’d still be using the DT.
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Yup. And I can solder a screen no problems.
Would you use it more if you get it for cheap ? 
I feel guilty when I don’t use a piece of gear, whatever its price.
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It’s going to be the brain for my modular rig.
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Ah, something planned apparently. 
Not exactly the same, but I received my 2nd DT today. 
2 little setups DT + ST, and OT + MPC500 as base.
I thought about a 2nd OT cheap / brocken for a while, not these days…
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I think the price is good. Maybe you can get a picture of the screen and the fading isn’t really a problem.