So I’ve just bought a second hand MK2 Octatrack. I’ve used an Octatrack before so I know how to get around the thing however this error has me scratching my head.
So I create a brand new project and put a flex track on track 1. I sample a 16s second sample into record buffer 1, I chop it up and then I save and assign to free flex slot.
When I do this I get an error- saying out of memory. To be clear this is a brand new empty project.
I’ve got a feeling that the ram might be bad but I’m hoping I’m wrong. Anybody have any idea on this?
Also just to confirm, static tracks work ok. It’s literally flex tracks. I understand that this suggests the memory is maxed out however this 16 second sample is the only thing that is on the device.
Have you factory reset the device? Is it possible there are still samples loaded in RAM from the previous owner?
I’ve factory reset the card but how do you actually reset the unit itself?
Can you check how much memory/second are dedicated to flex track ?
I don’t remember the default on « new project », but maybe it’s quite short
I believe it’s 16 seconds default but I have tried both fixed at 16s and with dynamic recorders on and 63 seconds. When the sample is in the recording buffer it is fine but when I save and assign is when there is a problem
The memory says I can record 387 seconds sample time
The other point is I’ve noticed it’s logging error codes on the CF card
Is it the elektron branded compact flash card?
If so there is a known problem with them being dodgy. Throw it in the bin, get a decent one. Sandisk are reliable.
Run test mode, make a note of any error messages, contact elektron and raise a ticket.
If you factory reset the machine you should be able to get it to work.
No you just reached the 85.5 MB limit.
Look at your 8 recordings : 10.5 MB each ? That corresponds to 84 MB…
0.76 MB free.
You have to save as Static and/or clear recording buffers slots.
With 16 bit, free RAM, the recording time limit is 8m28s.
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It says 67s, if you overwrite selected buffer.
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So I apologise, just to clarify, the recording buffers occupy the ram even if they are not being used?
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Right everyone, I think I should apologise for my mistake, so to answer my question, the record buffers do occupy ram memory if you set the maximum reserve time. If you set the minimum and set the dynamic record and I on then it won’t occupy it until there are actually samples in it.
If this is wrong please let me know.
The problem with the octatrack is that if you do move away from it for a while then you forget the nuisances.
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No apology necessary, friend…
We are all just walking eachother home.
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Do you believe you need 8 recordings buffer ?
On my side, I use 2 or 4 of them at max.
It might be possible that it allow you to save some ram doing that.
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I will generally sample to at least 7 of the 8 tracks so I’ve got a template where the buffers already assigned so if I do sample to those tracks there will at least be a buffer there without having to think about it. The problem is, I wanted th dynamic buffer with 0 reserved so they don’t take up ram without samples.
OT mk III will solve this problem.
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Man I didnt even spot that.
So obvious 
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You can save and assign your tracks to Static (Static don’t use RAM but card streaming). You can use only one recorder in order to limit RAM utilisation, or clear buffer slots…
Up to 8m28s recordings with 16 bit, free buffers and no Flex samples.
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On my side, I always do that, and I use the OT as some kind of fancy looper for 4, 8 16 bar sample.
I still can parameter lock the sample start of the sample in the static track without suffering of glitch. Static works fine for my use case for long sample.
And that usage allow me to reduce :
- my number of recorder
- my potential waste of usage of flex memory
- increase recorder length
- avoid loosing a sample by powering of the OT and … OMG I have not save my buffer… that was too common when I don’t commit to save/assign sample
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