Midi Automation on Octatrack DAW-style

melodywhite · 2022-11-15T11:07:56.997Z

I want to write Parameter Locks, but not on a per trig basis, but on a pattern basis.

Say I have an external Synth, and it is supposed to play a Lead sound on one Pattern, and a bass line on the other. So I want to automate the Sub oscillator to be on for the entire pattern. I can do it for every note with p-locks, but thats obviously tedious.

The two conservative solutions are Program Change messages to change the preset on the synth. Or a different part on the octatrack with different cc values. Both solutions are fussy, implicate copying around, balancing, adjusting.

I’m looking for a way to p-lock daw-style. For one episode of my track I automate the sub osc on, and when it’s over, I automate it off again. Any ideas?

For Audio tracks, the scenes are a solid workaround. Where is my midi scene

sezare56 · 2022-11-15T11:44:37.204Z

melodywhite:

Any ideas?

Turn knobs in Live Recording, to record CC changes.

melodywhite:

Program Change messages to change the preset on the synth.

This also implies a Part change.

melodywhite:

p-lock daw-style

It don’t know what it means…

Supercolor_T-120 · 2022-11-15T12:06:37.085Z

sezare56:

Turn knobs in Live Recording, to record CC changes.

Sort of works, and seems like the solution for the OP’s examplke for sure, but to be clea rit’s not going to be like automation (or scenes) since it’s still recording parameter locks and limited to the OT’s sequencer resolution.

You can’t actually record a stream of CC data, but you can record plocks live like you’re describing, and for somethings that’s all you need.

If you want to, say, record pitch bends or a manual filter sweep the OT sequencer can’t do it.

EDIT: a partial workaround would be to record your plocks live and then add slide trigs manualy afterward to approximate a continuous recording of CC data, but I don’t remember off the top of my head if those are available on MIDI tracks or not.

melodywhite · 2022-11-15T12:15:39.403Z

sezare56:

This also implies a Part change.

true

sezare56:

It don’t know what it means…

Well imagine a DAW. You draw one of these nice red automation envelopes, and the automated parameter stays at that value until you enter another value. On the elektron sequencer on the other hand the value will jump back after the p-locked note has decayed.

sezare56 · 2022-11-15T12:22:54.289Z

Supercolor_T-120:

slide trigs

No slide trigs for midi tracks unfortunately.

melodywhite:

the automated parameter stays at that value until you enter another value

I see. Possible with scenes indeed, but not with midi tracks.

melodywhite · 2022-11-15T12:23:27.327Z

not sure if we are talking about the same thing. I’m not looking for a cc data stream (or parameter slide), but sort of the opposite. A p-lock, but independant of note trigs. So that a specific value will stay there, until i tell it to do otherwise. Like a new part, but only for a specific parameter. tell me if i misunderstood you.

melodywhite · 2022-11-15T12:23:47.545Z

sezare56:

I see. Possible with scenes indeed, but not with midi tracks.

yeah…

sezare56 · 2022-11-15T12:28:30.319Z

Ah, one solution : a dedicated track for CCs automation (disable concerned CCs on the other track, otherwise lower number track have priority).

Octagonist · 2022-11-15T12:45:52.232Z

Could you use a square wave LFO to control the CC or whatever else is driving the level of the sub-osc.

sezare56 · 2022-11-15T12:54:03.692Z

Octagonist:

Could you use a square wave LFO to control the CC

Good idea, to be tested but I’m not sure if it’d work. You’d need a SYNC TRIG mode, and on the 2nd pattern you’d probably need to plock Lfo’s depth…same problem…

Octagonist · 2022-11-15T13:02:51.958Z

sezare56:

Good idea, to be tested but I’m not sure if it’d work. You’d need a SYNC TRIG mode, and on the 2nd pattern you’d probably need to plock Lfo’s depth…same problem…

Good point.

Better to use two different tracks. Leads are not basses, anyway

Supercolor_T-120 · 2022-11-15T13:07:33.471Z

Oh I see what you mean, I did misread (or rather, I thought you were using that as one example of automation, but wanted a more general workaround for the OT being limited to the 4ppq + microtiming grid). That’s what I get for posting before I make coffee!

Seems like some good advice here, I think the dedicated control track is what I’d go with.

melodywhite · 2022-11-15T14:29:03.185Z

dedicated track it is. although quite a sacrifice.

melodywhite · 2022-11-15T14:30:20.267Z

thanks much for the thoughts