Looking to Create Approachable Octatrack Videos

Elektron Gear Octatrack
21

EZ bots videos are great, but he assumes a far greater understanding of the machine and doesn’t explain what he’s doing and why a lot of the time.

A visible device / enlarged screen is fine, but approachable to me is a device screen zoom in when something is being done there. I want to see the numbers and follow the screens as they change.

But that’s a Tubedigga detailed tutorial style.

The other end of the scale is a Divkid style overview that covers “things” that you can do with the device, but in a bitesized chunk - 10 mins not 45 mins like his Mutable module overviews.

Enough explanation to understand what is being done and how, and some musical example of its implementation in a track. That’s an approachable style too.

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22

I think brevity is helpful. A shorter more focused video is better for me than a longer more broad one. As Jon just said, applied learning is really where it’s at. The longer videos, even when the content is valuable and solidly presented, just eat into my personal exploration/application time. It’s that personal time that builds the real knowledge and muscle memory.

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23

Making short focused videos doing practical things any newbie could digest.
For example, Turn on the OT, set up a midi track and an external synth, use Thru and Neighbor tracks to process the input, show how easy scenes and midi tracks are.
Make a follow up video with multiple synths.

Make an easy to follow, load up some samples, and use sample locks on static machines to play multiple samples per patter.
Don’t get caught up in explaining how the OT works, just demo it.
Do a follow up video on how Parts can be used in relation to the simple Static Machines.

Simple video on multiple neighbor tracks to maximize effects processing with scenes. Again don’t over explain how the OT works, just a quick demo.

Make as many simple videos as such, then try to make a straight forward video on resampling without over explaining why and how the OT is set up the way it is.

Short video on Project Management, useful Preference setting etc.

Short video setting up the OT controlling another Elektron box to follow pattern changes.

Quick demo of 1bar pattern using conditional trigs

Maybe something showing how you can copy and paste banks using the computer and folder files, or simply copy/paste across projects.

Just simple stuff without getting lost in explanations seems like a valuable way to approach it.
Maybe after all those are done, do a full video on hooking up multiple synths and doing some live processing as well as live resampling.

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24

Regarding general video feedback - and this is just my preference, not hating - the jumpy, zoom, pause for a one liner, text writing on the screen… it makes it hard to follow what’s going on.

It doesn’t pull me in, it makes me look for something with more focus. My brain is already busy trying to follow what’s happening.

My personal preference is for simpler, more continuous style - as @Annihilation_Squares says - brevity is helpful.

I like the approach that The Unperson has. He picks a concept, outlines it, shows what he means and applies it to a musical context. He still makes comments or jokes, but he doesn’t stop the flow, he weaves it in. Son Wu does similar, and I find it very appealing.

What I do like in your video above, is the closely zoomed in screen views and the overall presentation is clear and bright. I wish The Unperson did more of that.

Finally, and again, I must stress that this is no hating, just a personal preference, but we don’t need to see you face when you talk.

We dont need to see EZBOT’s face, Red Means Recording’s face or BoBeats face. Say hi at the start for 30 secs by all means, but then just keep the camera on the synth and say your thing, point at something, whatever. The continual switching back and forth is something I find jarring on “gear videos”, and the more often it cuts to the face, the less likely I will watch a video through.

But this is me, I may not be typical, and I may not be your audience. Plus, I can’t do any of what you’re doing here, I certainly can’t do better myself. I just wanted to respond the original post requesting feedback and in no way meant any offence, so please don’t take any! :heart:

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25

No offense taken, this is exactly why I’m here!

Believe me when I say I’m no narcissist. I dont need to have my face on screen for the sake of myself. But as an avid student of analytics I have to take into account what does and doesn’t work for retention. I agree some of the jump cuts may be a little too much but this is very much a phase of experimentation (we’ve been active since July and have only uploaded 10 videos). I’m currently doing research as to what styles and decisions are most effective to keep people watching. The longer they watch, the longer they consider the content. I also dont think this style is any better or worse than the more stable and longer shots of the channels you mentioned. Once I’ve done another 10 I’ll be able to settle on something surefire.

Jon

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26

Another way to think about it is to make a library of videos where people can go to and watch something very specific, and very short.
So they can go back and watch a 1-3min video on one particular function of the OT.

That way you dont have to sift through a video going over multiple things, long explanations, or over self promotion, just to find the one nugget of info your looking for.

Videos that someone brand new to the OT would find useful.
Understanding the basics well, is good for everyone.
Especially if you’re trying to demystify the OT.

I too find the OT very simple to understand for the most part. The idea that it’s complicated seems way over blown. However there are a few tricky parts to grasp.
Also the effects sound fantastic, I’d want to show that off too.
Those two things could help demystify much of it’s over exaggerated notoriety.

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27

I do a lot of computer animation and lighting for work.
There’s a guy who makes 1-3min videos on lighting with Arnold.
They are so useful because they are based around one technique.
Zero fat in the videos, he just quickly demos how to do something.
By following along, you start to retain it.
Too much verbal information just gets lost in the noise

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28

Like is said, I may not be your target audience. But beware of algorithm chasing.

People are drawn to an authentic take, whether the production value is top notch or dogshit. If you follow the algorithm, you will be aligning yourself with clickbaity, TikTok style vapid content that gets promoted a lot in people’s feeds but is essentially empty… and it’ll eat you up.

Be your own thing. People will watch if you’re genuine, passionate and focused.

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29

One thing that would probably be really useful is a creative way to simply show how to make a drum loop, or any loop, play as a loop.
That’s something almost everyone new to the OT expects to grasp.

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30

This is insightful, thanks for the advice.

I see what I’m doing as studying my audience. The Algorithm is just a boogey man. The way I see it, If I’m looking to create something for an audience I have to familiarize myself with them and meet them halfway. But this isn’t in exchange for my own values. Believe me, I’ve built my entire career on the idea that sticking to your own vision is the most important thing there is.

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31

I like tutorials that emphasize having a good grasp of the basics, … for some folks this can be boring but imo laying a good foundation and treating the viewer like they don’t know everything already is an important aspect that gets overlooked too often… when people have a good grasp of the basics it’s like turntablism they can put together the complex stuff on their own…

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32

Man, you have thrown so many great little nuggets into the thread and I’m taking every single one of these with me. I appreciate the time you’re taking to really consider what would be helpful for others!

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33

This is a great point that I have a hard time with at times. The drag being that laying the foundation down over and over is mind numbing a bit but really important in order to convey to others. Super helpful comment.

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34

I don’t have an octatrack yet myself but I’m constantly going over all of the videos repeatedly and the more foundational the more they stick after a while.

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35

Yo, I watch your videos and am a subscriber already.

I like you’re camera work. It’s perfect. And I love your enthusiasm when you get a nice chop.

NOW THIS IS ME, so don’t change. But sometimes you respect the original intention a bit much, and the finished beat doesn’t sound manipulated enough FOR ME!!! this is by no means a criticism… just a matter of taste.

I would love to see you get nasty with some beats. Like real chopped and screwed.

And maybe for content purposes, do some genres you don’t really fux with. Do you like DnB?

I would say, maybe do an intro with the finished beat, so people have some context from when you start. So they know where your going.

The one thing you do incredibly well, is explain everything plainly. I would assume that every video should be directed to someone who never chopped, rather than OT focused, because it’s in my opinion that most samplers have similar workflow in general, and the differences can be sorted by the viewer.

A pitfall with other content creators is that they are stuck with gear tutorials, and cannot mine content from that route forever, and they start stalling.

If you keep it focused on the production side, and follow the music, then you never have to worry about the end.

Stay on the path you are, and avoid doing anything anyone else is doing. I’ve been there seen that. You’re the fresh new one now.

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37

Another idea for a simple video, show how program changes work with external gear.
This would also demonstrate some of how Parts work.

BTW I watched your OT workflow video the other day.
They are great.

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38

I second this.

And this is production in general.

I don’t even have an OT, but his videos apply to the SP404 as well.

Show the drum pattern in grid form as a reference, like a piano roll in a DAW, then show how to program it as well.

You could also have a link in the description with the pdf of the beat.

It’s the layering and timing of the different parts that is the most valuable to people trying to learn to make beats.

And how to avoid repetition. I’m working on the muting of parts method, but would love to learn other ways to make a loop into a track.

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40

Yo this is a GREAT idea. Showing the process on a computer and how its applied in the OT interface is something I’m going to have to incorporate at some point.

I agree with the pitfall of gear tutorials, specifically. Your output will only reach until theres no “hacks” to be found. I might even consider looking at what I’m trying to do as “lifestyle” content, in an odd way. The tool is the tool but it’s not just about the tool. It’s about incorporating the human element.

Thanks for that computer suggestion its great.

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41

I hope you keep your videos hip hop beat focussed. Watching your workflow and progression to a final result (the finished beat) is fun and still educational.
You could incorporate different aspects of the OT into your beat making videos, like maybe sequence and sample an external synth, how to approach a little liveset, show the actual sample process when you sample some record, make a bassline with a single cycle wave. Stuff that would be useful in the context of the actual music you make

There is quite a lot rather technical content already out, that shows every single function of the OT…

I prefer watching how someone approaches actual music making with it, and who does not worry about using the OT to its full potential. Just how to have fun with it

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42

You mention going outside the vanilla use in the process of making something (I think a couple others have said the same, here) and that’s a great point. I’m already in the process of expanding the use cases and the next few videos are incorporating a couple other Elektron machines alongside (analog keys, rytm).

This video I have linked actually used an external synth that was programmed via MIDI to get the notes in the scale I wanted to then be implemented as audio slices but we decided to cut that out. Looking to keep the videos under 10 minutes…but some variety is definitely called for.

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