Multi-Questions

Hi, I’d really appreciate some answers to these questions. I probably should read the manual again (I was looking quickly through it, while I typed this thread) and also do some searching online, but I’d like to hear current responses, since a lot has changed in the past couple years.

Help me understand.

*There’s 4 Parts. There’s 16 Patterns per Bank. There’s 16 different scenes for each Scene (A and B). You know, this is found by holding a Scene button and pressing a trig key. You can also turn off both or one scene.

*I’m confused as to what the Parts does differently and why couldn’t I accomplish it through multiple scenes. Is it as simple as… parts expand the amount (4 Parts x 16 Scenes) of parameter locks that I can do?

*Is there a way to change tempos and then undo tempo change back to the original? Could I set-up a slower tempo in one Part and the original tempo in another?

*Can I load different samples onto the 8 tracks in another Bank? This seems obvious that I should, but how do I do this? When I switched Banks, it had all the samples from Bank A. What happens when I switch from Pattern A01, for example, to Pattern B01? Are the effects cut-off during the switch, the decay ends automatically?

*Trig plus the level knob? Can someone help me understand this feature? There’s a sample slot list, am I able to add new samples that are not currently in use with one of the 8 tracks?

*Is there a way to set-up the 16 trigs to play multiple files (ie, one file per trig)? I know you can slice a sample and that’s workaround, given you have combined your files into one. Somewhat related and highlighted in my manual, COPY SELECTION will copy the selected section. It is also possible to copy the selection by pressing [FUNCTION] + [REC]. Note that it is possibe to copy a selection from one Flex sample and paste it to another Flex sample. Maybe this has answered my question.

*Assigning slices to crossfader?
*Recording directly or resampling to compact flash (bypassing ram and allowing recording time based on your CF card size)?
*Why are some effects only available on Effect slot 2?
*Can you assign different tempos for playback on each track?
B allows individual BPM settings for the arrangement rows. Any other ways?

*Any examples online of using the JUMP or HALT function? Can’t I also shorten the pattern, example, A01, from 16/16, to starting on the 6 step and ending on the 10/, (that is, 6/10) Wouldn’t that do something similar?

This is a great video that I saw before I had the Octrack. I’m still confused on how and what he’s doing.

Would someone explain what’s going on in this video:

Flex machine loaded with a popular song? Isn’t there a time constraint with Flex? Is it a short loop, it’s hard me to tell, once its time-stretched? Could I not do what he did with a Static machine?

How can I use recorded buffers to my advantage, when I want to sample spoken word, and not have the same segment repeat over and over? I’d imagine I need a pair of headphones to monitor the incoming signal, then sample the voice segments I like, and have them automatically be placed on the grid, to effect and everytime I sample it’s either overdubbed or the original is erased and the new is recorded? Yes? Or I could use a thru machine and turn up the volume when there’s something worth hearing?

How do I make sense of LFO? I’ve altered the LFO, but the sample responds unknowingly, it’s not the same as I first heard it, but goes back and forth between subtle and not-so-subtle differences? Is there a way to tame this? Some of the sounds I really like, and others not as much.

On page 139, use scenes and the corssfader to control multiple effect paratmers in real time. add parameter locks for rhymitical applications? Could someone show an example of the types of parameter locks (like Delay) that you use to change up the rhythm?

Delay effect for glitching? Is there a one-size fits all for this? How can I achieve this? I can’t do this if it’s a full song or a one-shot loop or can I? How would I be able to use the effect?

Thank you much for replying to any or all of the questions/confusion above!

Probably too much to address in a single post, but generally speaking I strongly recommend heading over to Elektron-Users.com. The search function isn’t the greatest, but it’s a trove of knowledge, and reading threads on particular topics as you encounter them in the manual will give you a better sense of what the OT’s current feature set is capable of.

There will also be a much larger user base reading your posts over there (this forum is still in beta) so after you’ve done a bit more research you’ll have a better shot at getting answers to what you can’t figure out or find.

Alright, I was thinking of asking over there. I’ll wait a couple days before duplicating the post.

I know it’s a lot of questions, but I’m hoping to hear a few replies even if one doesn’t address them all.

First batch of Q&A =)

Gotta go know.
Ciao

Second batch:

*Recording directly or resampling to compact flash (bypassing ram and allowing recording time based on your CF card size)?

It is not possible.

*Why are some effects only available on Effect slot 2?

Dont know really…maybe for some kind of internal processor calculations?

*Can you assign different tempos for playback on each track?

In a way you can…but not different BPMs
If you use TIMESTRETCH as RATE algorithm.
But what do you need this for?

Ballows individual BPM settings for the arrangement rows. Any other ways?

*Any examples online of using the JUMP or HALT function? Can’t I also shorten the pattern, example, A01, from 16/16, to starting on the 6 step and ending on the 10/, (that is, 6/10) Wouldn’t that do something similar?

This is a great video that I saw before I had the Octrack. I’m still confused on how and what he’s doing.

Yes it is…!!

Would someone explain what’s going on in this video:

Flex machine loaded with a popular song? Isn’t there a time constraint with Flex? Is it a short loop, it’s hard me to tell, once its time-stretched? Could I not do what he did with a Static machine?

You can do this with a Static machine. It is not a loop. It’s the song going then he uses a Scene to change RATE (set on Timestretch) then a bit of pitching down, a delay opening, filter width reducing…and something more(?)

How can I use recorded buffers to my advantage, when I want to sample spoken word, and not have the same segment repeat over and over? I’d imagine I need a pair of headphones to monitor the incoming signal, then sample the voice segments I like, and have them automatically be placed on the grid, to effect and everytime I sample it’s either overdubbed or the original is erased and the new is recorded? Yes? Or I could use a thru machine and turn up the volume when there’s something worth hearing?

You can use a Flex machine loaded with Record Buffer of the same track number.
Then you can sample using HOLD and NO-Quantized recording triggering.
Furthermore, if you set the track to PLAYS FREE you can let the recorded sample to playback as soon as you need it to…

Overdubbing happens only on Pickup machines.
On a Flex Recorder Buffer it will overwrite everytime the recorder starts over.

How do I make sense of LFO? I’ve altered the LFO, but the sample responds unknowingly, it’s not the same as I first heard it, but goes back and forth between subtle and not-so-subtle differences? Is there a way to tame this? Some of the sounds I really like, and others not as much.

You can tame LFO ranges by using another lfo with a fixed small value.
You’ll find a lot of infos on Elektron-Users,

On page 139, use scenes and the corssfader to control multiple effect paratmers in real time. add parameter locks for rhymitical applications? Could someone show an example of the types of parameter locks (like Delay) that you use to change up the rhythm?

Dont have an example right now…i’ll try to make one asap.

Delay effect for glitching? Is there a one-size fits all for this? How can I achieve this? I can’t do this if it’s a full song or a one-shot loop or can I? How would I be able to use the effect?

What do you mean with “glitching”?
Something like fast repeating etc…
You can use Delay Ctrl (FUNCT+DOWN arrow till the function)
Then if you have, say, a full song loaded on a Static machine and FX2 loaded with DELAY. Then you’ll have to set the FX Setup in a way that suits your needings.

Parts allow you to change the machine, effect (actual block chosen), sample assigned to a track. The scenes allow you to change certain parameters of a part on the fly and over-ride P-locks.

Tempo control is handled by the arranger/song mode with all the elektron machines.

Load a new part.

Thanks sicijk for that reply!

Do you think this document written by Merlin for the MONOMACHINE will translate okay and help me tame the LFO in the Octatrack. If you know of another source that helped you understand LFO, let me know!

http://www.elektron-users.com/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=601&Itemid=30

Let me know if you do put together a Delay example as a glitching effect… Fast repeater… Hm, I guess.

I’ve used the FUNCTION + DOWN ARROW to navigate and select DELAY CONTROL, but if I recall correctly, it didn’t change things up noticeably. I don’t know if I have to dig into the DELAY settings screen for something? Or if I need multiple trigs on the sequencer in order to hear a difference… If I have one sample (ex. placed on 1 trig on the 1/64 step) will it be affected by the DELAY CONTROL as a fast repeater or only every time the sequencer runs past the trig at (1/64). Can I use one-shots or plays free for DELAY CONTROL?

Sorry…i was out for working…

so:

• thanks for the MM’s LFO document by Merlin…i think i have missed it somehow!

• about the LFO on OT…it is a bit more flexible since you can have offsets with the LFO Designer that can lead to interesting control of LFO depth’s range…think about one LFO that modulates another LFO depth…
you can take a look at this thread http://elektron-users.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=28&func=view&catid=9&id=222911

Also you can use LFO for creating arps (modulation of PITCH parameters)
Or micromodulation of DelayTime parameter…not tried…but might be useful for “glitching”

About the DELAY CTRL function…yes: you do have to change something in the DELAY SETUP MENU.
For example:

put LOCK to ON;
then SEND at max (actually any value greater than 0 will do the job, push it to max just for visual reference)
FEEDBACK at max;
TIME at 48/32/16…whatever you want;
DELAY VOLUME(encoder C) a bit lower than the default value;
You should not hear anything (through the delay) - just the “dry signal”
Now go to DELAY CTRL and the Tracks that have a DELAY in their FXs blocks
should be enlightened with steady green leds.
Press the corresponding trig for the Track you’re focusing on.
You should now hear only the “wet signal” that is the “BEAT REPEATER STYLE DELAY”.

If you go back in the setup menu and set PASS to ON.
You will hear the DRY+WET signal. The Volume will regulate the amount of effected signal.

You can use this technique with PlaysFree-set Tracks (as long as the triggered sample sounds).
What do you mean with one-shots?
• one shot samples, like a kickdrum sample?

yes, as long as the oneshot sample will be hearable…
• one shot trig?

no, you can’t program trigs that affect the DELAY CTRL. Access to it is only via its Menu, and it is funny play it live=)

Thanks for reply! I will look into following your instructions. Let’s see how it gooooes!

By the way, I did have a breakthrough with time stretch (rate must be set to timestretch, in its secondary menu) and the crossfader. Thanks for telling me about the rate setting change. Lots of interesting sounds can be found.