Hello !
So, I’ve read quite a lot of discussions here, went through a hell lot of videos, and I’m quite sure the octatrack can do what I’m looking for, but here’s a topic to make sure before burning my bank account
What I want to use the OT for is in a live set up, as both audio through/looper for DT & ST, and instrument on its own.
The idea is to have T1 to T4 set up as audiothrough and pick up machines to use it as a looper, and use the 4 remaining tracks for diverse sound elements throughout different songs.
Can anybody confirm ?
The Octatrack is the only Elektron (non-heat/effect) device that I haven’t owned. So others will need to confirm your ideas. However, if you haven’t seen them, check out EZ Bot’s videos. He does a lot with the Octa, and does a lot of thorough process tutorials etc. might help!
Yeah that would work. The OT is a tremendously versatile machine, so there will be many different ways to achieve the same kind of result. It might be worth looking at videos of how the pickup machine loopers work, because there’s some quirks that you might need to keep in mind and possibly work around depending on your preferred workflow. You can also use flex machines with record trigs to grab loops.
Thanks, that what I had seem to understand but needed someone that actually owns it to confirm cheers ! (and thx for the flex machines tip, I know I’ getting into quite the learning journey anyway)
Highly recommended for that purpose !
You can’t use plocks with Pickups, nor pre-slice recordings, you can’t disable timestretch (pitch shift), overdub can be aborted…
I think the main use for pickups is for quickly automatically setting a tempo based on a performed loop, and overdubbing/replacing audio in that loop. If you don’t need that then yeah flex is probably going to be better. You can overdub with a flex track but there’s a little more setup required.
Idea here is motly to be able to loop certain patterns in order to transition to a new song, so probably flex machines with plocks trigs on designated transition patterns will work best then !
OT will do that perfectly. I don’t think pickup machines are the best bet though as others have said.
If you can get away with only 2 tracks for samples and a track for looping (either 4 or 8 bars) to do the ‘transition trick) then I strongly suggest checking out Ezbots hybrid mixer template.
64 different FX, looper (other 4 or 8 bars) for transition and 2 free tracks for samples. I think it’s exactly what you need by the sounds of it.
Yep. We sure can.
Just echoing what others have said, use flex track playing a recorder buffer, use that buffer to capture loops.
Plenty of resources to look up the how to element.
Best thing about octatrack is it can be anything you want. However, its not for everyone. You either click with it or you dont. If you like the elektron way, and you used any of the pre digi boxes, chances are you will.
FWIW, the Mk1 OT will do exactly what you want and is quite a bit less expensive than a Mk2. But the Mk2’s extra buttons make recording a tiny bit easier. If the cost of a Mk2 doesn’t bother you, just get one of those. If cost does matter, then you just need to spend a little more effort learning the button combos for the Mk1.
(Instead of overdub, record several tracks, with a constant CUE recording. Change pattern : you got your “overdub” bounce on 1 track. Rince and repeat)
Here’s one thing I can recommend all people who thinking about buying an Octatrack.
Go get one and then pay a few bucks for a masterclass which covers all of the octatracks functions. Lock yourself in with the octa and the tutorial for a weekend and your good to go.
I did it and it was the best decision ever.
I can ABSOLUTELY recommend this guy, but it is in german. But probably there’s an English one out there.
…problems
