The Softstep is supposed to be USB class compliant so it should in theory work with an iConnectMIDI box if you already have one of those ( and thus not require the KMI expander).

The Disaster Area solution interests me to a degree, but it is close in cost to a Softstep.

My use of the Octatrack continues to evolve, so I haven’t decided what parameters I would like under foot control - as opposed to manual control - other than Scene A<->Scene B crossfade and rates for the track LFOs. That’s what’s holding me back from considering the Disaster Area - I think you have to tell them exactly what MIDI CC to Octatrack mappings you want.