Machines mysteriously changing from flex to static

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

Several times while working on projects with flex machines, something has happened which changes them to static. It has only happened when the OT is receiving midi notes from external sources i.e. BS2 and Fishman Triple Play midi guitar pickup.

It is maddening, and I have lost many hours of work on many occasions. I can find nothing in the manual that explains why this may happen.

I am able to safely control tracks and trigger recording with CC’s, via FCB1010, but I have stopped sending midi notes to the OT, which is a real bummer, as that is half of why I bought it.

Anybody have an idea what the problem could be?

2

had the same thing happeing to me… could not figure out why… looking forward to hearing from other users! … good thread!

3

That sounds like you have you failed to save ‘Part’ & then inadvertently recalled its previous incarnation with the ‘Function + Reload’ button combo?

I think midi CC /note mapping being responsible is unlikely, I don’t believe Parts or switching machine types are mapped. Looks like you’ve explored this area already tho!

My monies on the button combo but if you have stumbled on a way to do this via midi then it’s gonna open a lot of doors!
You’re not sending sysex chains are you?

Cheers

1 Like
4

hi, bluewolf … cool avatar pic… that comes from a real oscilloscope? …
fn+reload sounds like me with my clumsy fingers! … save part ftw! … cheers buddy

5

hi, bluewolf … cool avatar pic… that comes from a real oscilloscope? …
fn+reload sounds like me with my clumsy fingers! … save part ftw! … cheers buddy[/quote]
Hey TrabanT, yeah Lee from ‘Monster killed by Laser’ gave me an old scope he had lying around, perfect for my modular :slight_smile:
Avatar is a shot of that run several times thru ‘Snapseed’ to distress it!
Yes clumsy fingers will do it lol
Cheers man :slight_smile:

6

I understand your frustration. That’s no fun.

There is nothing in the documented OT MIDI spec for changing machine type like this.

What happens when the problem arises? Do you notice it immediately? Are you interacting with the front panel of the OT when it happens?

Do you see changes to Parts or Scenes? Is it just the machine assignments that change? Is it both or either the BS2 and guitar that cause the problem? Is any other gear connected?

Do you have a MIDI monitor software or hardware to record the messages that the gear is sending?

In the longer term, do you need to use flex machines or would static machines be sufficient?

7

First, I would like to echo someone else in thanking you, Peter, for your very helpful replies. You have gone above and beyond, my friend. That’s the Christmas Spirit! Answers are indented below.

What happens when the problem arises? Do you notice it immediately? Are you interacting with the front panel of the OT when it happens?

-It happens when I am not touching the front panel.

Do you see changes to Parts or Scenes?

-I have not noticed them, though I suspect parts as the culprit.

Is it just the machine assignments that change?

-As far as I know

Is it both or either the BS2 and guitar that cause the problem?

-I'm not entirely sure, as I have been flustered at each occurance and haven't done true troubleshooting, though that is next.

Is any other gear connected?

-BS2, Triple Play pickup, FCB1010 go to OT through iConnectmidi4+. They are the only input devices, though I plan to implement the Guitar Wing when I figure this out. A4 and AR only receive midi through ICM4+.

Do you have a MIDI monitor software or hardware to record the messages that the gear is sending?

-I have midi monitor and a midipal, though as I said, I have not yet given it a real troubleshoot. Hoping someone may have solved the problem already. Guess I should just get busy solving!

In the longer term, do you need to use flex machines or would static machines be sufficient?

-I do need flex machines. I use the OT mostly as a looper with sequences that are only heard when I fill the recording buffers. Different patterns (I use PC mssgs on FCB1010 to change) hold different sequences.
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8

My suspicion is that you might be changing patterns and the pattern has a different part assigned, thereby switching your machine types??
This actually gave me a good idea for pre-setting 4 different parts (maybe set up octatrack as 8 track fx unit) and being able to simulate midi switching of parts by midi switching patterns with those parts assigned…
Anyway, hope you figure it out!

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9

Genius!

@pxlxr, is it your patterns that are changing rather than your machines?

Are you changing patches on the BS2 or guitar pickup while you play?

Try deactivating PROG CH RECEIVE in the PROJECT > MIDI > SYNC menu on the OT, and report back.

10

Really!!!
I’d have thought someone capable of external control via CC would be unlikely to fall for such a schoolboy error? Having said that, sometimes it’s the simple things…:slight_smile:

11

Yep, parts aren’t really “part” of my workflow ATM, and I forgot that parts don’t follow patterns. I bet this is it. Thank you for your help. I will report back.

1 Like
12

Be interested to hear how you go with that.

One of the major issues for me when attempting to use two Octatracks together was the lack of some core midi features, such as Parts Send/Recevie midi, and sending multiple track mutes/unmutes.

Maybe your idea could get round it, but not ideal.