Octatrack a Must For Elektron Live Playing?

Dawid · 2014-04-09T11:24:35.000Z

Hello!

I plan to use an A4 and an AR for playing live. However, I see that pretty much everyone who play live who’re also using Elektron gear also have an Octatrack in there.

My question is if the OT is a must somehow for playing live, even if I’m not planning to use samples? Like, is it necessesary to have it for controlling other Elektron boxes in some fashion?

Thank you!

PS: Please tell me it’s not a must. My girlfriend will kill me if I buy more music gear, haha.

jaalmadakan · 2014-04-09T11:27:35.000Z

No it’s not necessary. You can play live with only a Machinedrum if you want to.

avantronica · 2014-04-09T11:33:02.000Z

it integrates with lots of gear very well, better than the other equipment due to its flexibility and ability to sample the other instruments, it extends their capabilities, that’s why it is used a lot like that and as a midi sequencer and also it does a whole lot more - it’s deep and powerful, typically the hub of an elektron rig - there’s lots of stories on here as testament to that, it’s very hand on in a live sense - whether it’s for anyone is not for me to guess, but it’s a whole lot of fun

Dawid · 2014-04-09T11:34:03.000Z

typically the hub of an elektron rig

Yeah. That’s what I’ve been hearing. Hmh…

But does it do something apart from sampling, and manipulating audio and adding effects?

rockreid · 2014-04-09T12:48:25.000Z

""Dawid"":

typically the hub of an elektron rig

Yeah. That’s what I’ve been hearing. Hmh…

But does it do something apart from sampling, and manipulating audio and adding effects?

yes, it is also an 8 track midi sequencer capable of 4 polyphonic notes for each step in a track. The midi sequencer can also send CC messages and program changes. This is hugely powerful as a central hub. This is how I use my Octatrack in my studio.
I no longer use my DAW for writing at all.

Dawid · 2014-04-09T13:04:17.000Z

[quote=““rockreid””]

Dawid:

typically the hub of an elektron rig

Yeah. That’s what I’ve been hearing. Hmh…

But does it do something apart from sampling, and manipulating audio and adding effects?

yes, it is also an 8 track midi sequencer capable of 4 polyphonic notes for each step in a track. The midi sequencer can also send CC messages and program changes. This is hugely powerful as a central hub. This is how I use my Octatrack in my studio.
I no longer use my DAW for writing at all.[/quote]
That was what I was wondering, thank you!

I must look into this…

tubman · 2014-04-09T13:28:03.000Z

of course it’s a MUST !
You can’t live without an OT.
There was no live concert on earth without an OT ever.
Tell your girl to look for another boyfriend. If you have the OT you don’t need sex anymore

tr

Dawid · 2014-04-09T14:07:12.000Z

Hahah, for sure I will!

virtual_flannel · 2014-04-09T14:24:22.000Z

It’s a must for live OP-1 playing!
Crossfader transition trick all day long!
I’ve never used it with other Elektrons.
It seems the A4 and RYTM are a bit more performance oriented than the MM and MD with “performance” mode. Still I can see how you could really benefit from Octa.

t · 2014-04-09T16:53:00.000Z

I think the answer should be “it depends on what you want to do”.

jaalmadakan · 2014-04-09T17:12:58.000Z

Tell your girl to look for another boyfriend. If you have the OT you don’t need sex anymore

It’s… a… well… I can relate to that!

MK7 · 2014-04-09T19:59:07.000Z

It’s all about what you want you don’t really need one. Lol, “even if I’m not planning to use samples”… that one would be a reason to contact your girlfriend.

When watching all those youtube videos, you should have a look at how often people touch their machines. With more than 2 machines, it’s usually not more than a mute here and there. Even Dataline usually focuses on one machine at a time and the others are passively playing in the background. What do you need a hub for? Are you going to create a playback show?

A4+AR will be totally sufficient for all you need, without knowing what kind of music you make. If you want to make a “reasonable” decision, buy an Akai MPX8 for just 100 bucks to add additional samples here and there. Crossfader transitions can be replaced by other transitions, so that isn’t a really reason either.

Btw, I focused on MD+A4 for gigs so far, great couple!

My OT can replace MD+A4 on stage. Playing all three at once doesn’t make sense to me except having more lights flashing and more gear to carry.

If you want one, buy one.

EDIT: As a side note, I think that the OT is THE techno machine! However, MD&A4 also, and AR for sure!

Allerian · 2014-04-10T01:01:58.000Z

Do you need an OT to perform with a MD/A4 combo? No, not at all. In fact you can even forget about needing a mixer if you set it up and get used to the setup.

For me the OT is essential live. It completely replaces a having a mixer and gives me a powerful final EQ. Even for situations where I am just playing the MD I use the OT to shape the sound.

Dawid · 2014-04-10T08:35:14.000Z

""Allerian"":

For me the OT is essential live. It completely replaces a having a mixer and gives me a powerful final EQ. Even for situations where I am just playing the MD I use the OT to shape the sound.

That’s what I was afraid of hearing…

Fuseball · 2014-04-10T08:47:41.000Z

If you’re not planning to use samples or sequence other external gear via MIDI then the OT seems like overkill. I think you would be better served by mastering the A4+AR combo. The performance mode of the A4 is great for pulling your sounds and sequences out of shape on-the-fly. I have every confidence that the AR will be equally well suited to performance.

Only if you hit restrictions on what you want to do should the OT be a consideration. Personally, I’d be more impressed and curious to see someone gigging with a combo that didn’t include an OT!

Dawid · 2014-04-10T09:16:21.000Z

""Fuseball"":

If you’re not planning to use samples or sequence other external gear via MIDI then the OT seems like overkill. I think you would be better served by mastering the A4+AR combo. The performance mode of the A4 is great for pulling your sounds and sequences out of shape on-the-fly. I have every confidence that the AR will be equally well suited to performance.

Only if you hit restrictions on what you want to do should the OT be a consideration. Personally, I’d be more impressed and curious to see someone gigging with a combo that didn’t include an OT!

Thanks for the input!

So if I want to like EQ everything in a master channel, both the AR and the A4, should I maybe simply buy some kind of mixer? It would also be cool if I could loop a section of what I have been playing with the AR+A4 and then have that play while I build a new song.
If I want stuff like this for playing live, what would you recommend I buy?

MK7 · 2014-04-10T09:30:04.000Z

""Dawid"":

So if I want to like EQ everything in a master channel, both the AR and the A4, should I maybe simply buy some kind of mixer? It would also be cool if I could loop a section of what I have been playing with the AR+A4 and then have that play while I build a new song.
If I want stuff like this for playing live, what would you recommend I buy?

Yes, EQ via a mixer and you can achieve smooth transitions also without sampling, in particular when 2 sequencers are involved. Reduce melodic elements on the A4, increase the amount of percussions on the AR, switch kit/pattern on the A4 while the AR is in focus (track volumes set to less than 50% on the A4 per default), fade new melody in on the A4, reduce percussions, make a build-up with lots of high-pass, delay, reverb, let the new drum kit punch in.

Dawid · 2014-04-10T10:45:52.000Z

[quote=“” MK7""]

Dawid:

So if I want to like EQ everything in a master channel, both the AR and the A4, should I maybe simply buy some kind of mixer? It would also be cool if I could loop a section of what I have been playing with the AR+A4 and then have that play while I build a new song.
If I want stuff like this for playing live, what would you recommend I buy?

Yes, EQ via a mixer and you can achieve smooth transitions also without sampling, in particular when 2 sequencers are involved. Reduce melodic elements on the A4, increase the amount of percussions on the AR, switch kit/pattern on the A4 while the AR is in focus (track volumes set to less than 50% on the A4 per default), fade new melody in on the A4, reduce percussions, make a build-up with lots of high-pass, delay, reverb, let the new drum kit punch in.[/quote]
Ooh! That is some excellent advice!

What kind of mixer would you recommend in my case? (I have a Volca Bass, Bass Station 2 and a Virus TI2 Desktop which I might like to use live, too.)

AikiGhost · 2014-04-10T11:08:32.000Z

Em not at all. For ages I played live minimal/noise with 2x korg ER1 drum machines and a mixer with a reverb effect.

Current setup is an Analog 4 and MonoMachine for electronica and an MPC1000 for the experimental shoegaze band I’m working with.

Going to be adding an Anlog Rythm soon to both setups I think.

wintermute · 2014-04-10T11:28:58.000Z

""Dawid"":

[quote=" MK7"][quote=“Dawid”]
So if I want to like EQ everything in a master channel, both the AR and the A4, should I maybe simply buy some kind of mixer? It would also be cool if I could loop a section of what I have been playing with the AR+A4 and then have that play while I build a new song.
If I want stuff like this for playing live, what would you recommend I buy?

Yes, EQ via a mixer and you can achieve smooth transitions also without sampling, in particular when 2 sequencers are involved. Reduce melodic elements on the A4, increase the amount of percussions on the AR, switch kit/pattern on the A4 while the AR is in focus (track volumes set to less than 50% on the A4 per default), fade new melody in on the A4, reduce percussions, make a build-up with lots of high-pass, delay, reverb, let the new drum kit punch in.[/quote]
Ooh! That is some excellent advice!

What kind of mixer would you recommend in my case? (I have a Volca Bass, Bass Station 2 and a Virus TI2 Desktop which I might like to use live, too.)[/quote]
Mackie. Make sure it’s the 14 channel version (smaller ones use pots not faders)
Allen and heath make some ok ones, but I wouldn’t request anything other than a Mackie VLZ1402 on my rider.