OctaEdit - Octatrack Software Editor and Librarian [ OSX / Windows ]

snugsound · 2024-12-04T20:55:10.045Z

Sadly, I only found out about this after it had been (seemingly) abandoned. It would have been an instant buy for me if it was still maintained!

Am I right in assuming that Rusty basically reverse engineered the Octatrack file format? Has any of this info been shared publicly, whether by him, or somebody else? I’m assuming the most recent OSes changed the file format and undid a bunch of his work? If so I can totally understand why he would have run out of steam.

I would consider making a (comparatively lightweight version) that solves my most common use cases, like rearranging patterns and parts within a project, but probably only if there was some existing info to use as a starting point.

shovelhead · 2024-12-04T22:02:37.140Z

It is my understanding that it was reverse engineered and there is no interest in sharing.

Cosmic · 2024-12-05T08:53:28.131Z

Rusty has gone AWOL, does not want to be found it seems.

Blasted_pingin · 2024-12-05T10:33:16.831Z

No economic interest you mean.

Burpy · 2024-12-05T10:54:19.852Z

We could do an open source attempt. For me at least rearranging banks would be a nice start and i guess not the hardest part (mainly renaming files).

snugsound · 2024-12-05T11:27:49.053Z

Yeah I was thinking something along the lines of a librarian as opposed to an editor: view the (high level) contents of a project, swap banks, and maybe eventually, swap parts, patterns and reorder samples.

I started poking around the bank files last night and the patterns and parts are pretty well delineated. The files also appear to be fixed length. Even without understanding all of the specifics of the format, swapping chunks between bank files should be relatively straight forward.

I also started doing some brainstorming on what a possible UI might look like and I’ve got some ideas.

mindexpansionpuzzles · 2024-12-05T11:48:13.757Z

Yeah, only a small group on here have access to it and they like to maintain that exclusivity. At least that’s what I was told…

snugsound · 2024-12-05T12:15:07.381Z

I would understand that mentality better if somebody was actively trying to make money from it (I guess they don’t want anyone else profiting from it…)

Honestly though this is such a niche tool for a niche product that I really can’t see it being profitable. If I make something I’m making it for myself, and I will gladly share whatever I find.

Burpy · 2024-12-05T12:37:03.600Z

Nice! Maybe start a github page to collect and share your findings?

rosiusyves · 2024-12-05T15:10:14.402Z

What code language do you write in?

snugsound · 2024-12-05T15:52:51.871Z

If I end up doing anything it’ll probably be C#. I’ll share whatever I do in case somebody wants to make an equivalent for Mac.

phading · 2024-12-05T15:54:35.904Z

I don’t think I have the skills to be of much help, but I would be very happy to see this going!

Starting just with project/bank/patterns swapping would already be a great first step that shouldn’t take much work.

And then I guess adding sample slot swapping/ordering would be the most popular request (?)

Karhide · 2024-12-05T16:21:36.606Z

I haven’t touched C# for years, but I’d be interested in seeing what you do. I could port it over to Python or use it as an excuse to learn more Node.

Burpy · 2024-12-05T16:46:02.273Z

The developer decides it’s tools so go for it!

(If would make it i would made it with electron and standard webtech so it is easier for more people to chime in.)

snugsound · 2024-12-05T17:04:53.016Z

Yeah I agree that C# is not the most cross-platform friendly but I figure I can prototype a lot faster using a language I know well.

I’ve started writing down some thoughts and initial findings–very, very preliminary:

github.com

GitHub - snugsound/OctaLib

Contribute to snugsound/OctaLib development by creating an account on GitHub.

My first step is to build a console app that just spits out basic info about projects (i.e. part names, which patterns are in use, which parts they use). Once I have that I can create a crude visualization of a project, and then look at adding an option to swap banks.

Karhide · 2024-12-05T17:06:51.728Z

These days I find Python really quick to prototype stuff but I’ve not used it to build and UIs.

snugsound · 2024-12-05T17:40:39.075Z

Progress!

Screenshot 2024-12-05 1339281920×1080 243 KB

Burpy · 2024-12-05T17:47:40.589Z

snugsound:

I can prototype a lot faster using a language I know well

Yes I know how it is

snugsound · 2024-12-05T18:32:42.265Z

I didn’t mean to hijack this thread, I will create a new dedicated thread shortly, hang tight.

snugsound · 2024-12-05T19:24:50.676Z

Moving over here:

OctaLib: A Simple Octatrack Librarian Octatrack

Following the apparent abandonment of OctaEdit, there is now a very clear need for a software editor for the Octatrack. As there seems to be nothing remotely similar out there, I’ve decided to look into doing something myself. To be clear, I have no plans to replicate OctaEdit. Although it was a little before my time as an Octatrack user, what I’ve seen and heard about it looks great. Hats off to Rusty for all his hard work! I’m mostly just interested in basic librarian functionality: viewing …

No disrespect meant to Rusty, I hope he’s okay