Octatrack and MIDI files

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

Hello all. I had an Octatrack back when the OS was pre 1.0 and ended up returning it. I’m wanting to get back into the Elektron world and have been thinking about buying an Octatrack and Analog Four to put in a small case for portable computer free jamming. My question is: Can the OT load MIDI files from the CF card? The A4 onboard keyboard is quite limiting and I could see a lot of benefit in having many pre-made polyphonic parts loaded up on the Octatrack’s MIDI tracks and then cycling through them while sampling the A4 back into the Octatrack.

Thank you for your help!

EDIT: After looking around a bit more it appears the OT does not handle standard MIDI files.

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No, the OT can’t do that. You’re going to have to make do with the step sequencers for this. Maybe an MPC or other sampler would work better for this.

1 Like
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As far as i know… the answer is no…
the octatrack will not eat midi-files in any form or way.

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Came back from editing my post and saw your replies. It’s really shame that the OT doesn’t work in this way but I can live with the limitation. An MPC wouldn’t do it for me as I already have Maschine and am wanting something different but that it also untethered from my computer.

Thanks!

5

U could always buy a very cheap small midi-keyboard… and plug that into your case
when your in your studio… program/record your patterns and wizardry.

and when your done programing/recording/writing… take away keyboard and play
just with your case full of toys…

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I have controllers that I could use in the studio. Was just looking for a quick and way to put files I already have on the card and output those to the A4. Now if only the OT and A4 were in stock in most places…

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You can record midi sequences into the OT (within the 4bar limits) in midi record mode. Otherwise a MPC500 can load full midi files apparently.

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An MPC500 would address that problem but would also add to the bulk of the setup which I’m trying to avoid. The OT, A4, and portable recorder in a case should either just barely meet the carry-on size requirements or be over by an inch or two which won’t get noticed. Thanks for the suggestion though!

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Naboo has a point…
you can record the mididata in your octa… instead of importing it.
playing with trackscale settings and all that. you should even be able to record much longer then just 4bars…

technically you do not need an mpc for it… just use your pc at home… record once be done with it…

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I understand that I can record the sequences into the OT but that’s also very time consuming. I’m thinking about maybe buying a MIDI I/O box for my iPad and using an app to feed MIDI into the A4 but, in the end, I’ll probably keep it simple and use the OT/A4 combo as self contained portable sketchpad. I’ll enjoy the extra flexibility when I’m around the rest of my gear.

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I have totally given up on the Elektron way of midi sequencing as it just doesn’t work for me either inputting/recording, or outputting.

Octatrack being able to load midi files was one of my three feature requests that I wanted since day one, none of which have ever transpired; when asked was basically told to go buy a standalone midi sequencer.

Personally I’ve gone with an Akai MPC-1000, which handles midi sequencing and some additionaly samples / polyphony to beef up where the Octatrack is lacking; and vice versa.

I think I would recommend going for the 1000 over the 500; as the benefits of the 1000 really outweigh the minimal beneifts of the more compact 500. YMMV.

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did you find one in stock anywhere? i ended up ordering one from GC but its backordered until 4/7.

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I haven’t found one yet. Given how long the shipping delays have been for some people, I may just wait to make sure that the quality is up to par on the upcoming batch. I know that a few of the early A4 units had issues with paint flaking and chipping.

14

you can record midi files to octatrack realtime from any software by midi-cables… but you need synth to manage it by octa…

15

live record mode with qunexus works fine for me…4 bar limitation is still there though…you can adjust the timing per track which helps a little

16

I was actually looking at the QuNExus to accompany the A4 last night so it’s funny you mentioned it. Presumably it can be used for step input too, right?

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As boring as the MPC1000 is as a sequencer and sampler, it’s pretty great for this and a lot of Octatrack users have found that they complement each other nicely. I haven’t been able to find a flow between the two but I haven’t tried very hard. The price has gone so low on these now too.

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yes, you can be in grid record mode, hold a trig, and hit a note for that trig on the qunexus (or even multiple notes if doing poly)

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I’ve really no interest at all in an MPC to accompany the Octatrack since my aim is to keep the setup as small as possible and able to to be taken as carry-on luggage when paired with an A4. When I’m ready to pull the trigger I’ll be ordering an OT, A4, QuNexus with the breakout box, and some sort of portable recorder that will be fitted into a custom case.

Edit: I should probably add that I use Maschine in the studio and definitely do not want an MPC. This is a portable setup that will weigh about 25 pounds and be roughly the size of a violin case.

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I got a zoom q3hd for my jams… its small, very portable, and has line-in. even has video to film your mug/audience… not sure my machinedrum and octatrack fit in my violin-case… but your right. should be “simular” in size. and very important for me… handluggage…