Octatrack and MIDI files

ShittehKitteh · 2014-03-17T21:32:09.000Z

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?

license · 2014-03-17T23:31:38.000Z

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.

subq · 2014-03-18T01:06:53.000Z

""ShittehKitteh"":

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?

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)

ShittehKitteh · 2014-03-18T17:15:38.000Z

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.

the_dreammer · 2014-03-18T17:43:35.000Z

""ShittehKitteh"":

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.

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…

MikkelM · 2014-06-13T11:50:07.000Z

Does anybody have a suggestion for a small midifile player, know that the Octatrack lacks on anything above 4 bars. Smaller than an MPC500.

The Octatrack would be the star of backingtracks if it could eat midifiles.

johnny · 2014-06-13T12:36:45.000Z

I looked into this a while ago and came to the conclusion that the MPC500 is the best option. The only other interesting alternatives were the Yamaha QY series, but they are dated and not really in line with the Elektron & Akai performance ethos. Unless you go the iPad route, but the last time I checked the apps were not very solid alternatives to hardware sequencing.

MDM · 2014-06-13T15:58:28.000Z

there is a way:

Use the arranger mode.
First make an Arrangement with the amount of 4 bar Patterns you would need for the whole song. (Or just the different parts of the song)
Then play back your MIDI files (from your DAW) and let the channels come into the right channels of the Octatrack.
There is your MIDI file! I think you’ll need to record the tracks one by one, not sure, try.

Works on the A4, in Song mode or Chain Mode. On the A4 however you can record all 4 midi tracks at the same time.
Yes yes i know the A4 doesnt support MIDI OUT but it does support MIDI IN. I did it succesfully, will post some videos how to transfer MIDI files into Elektron gear soon (in two days)

Dogma · 2014-06-13T17:16:54.000Z

The ipad has come leaps and bounds and with the iconnect. Midi boxes it makes it a really good option for music making - here’s one I’m gonna check out

Dogma · 2014-06-13T17:19:43.000Z

The ipad has come leaps and bounds and with the iconnect. Midi boxes it makes it a really good option for music making - here’s one I’m gonna check out http://xynthesizr.com

MDM · 2014-06-13T17:42:57.000Z

""Dogma"":

The ipad has come leaps and bounds and with the iconnect. Midi boxes it makes it a really good option for music making - here’s one I’m gonna check out http://xynthesizr.com

the ipad’s trouble is the Latency. I can imagine that with MIDI it would have severe Latency, don’t you think?

Dogma · 2014-06-13T19:22:13.000Z

Of course three would be some latency and I would never try it over wifi - I’m just about to get an iconnect midi4 when they arrive in a couple of weeks. It’s going to solve about 4 problems for me. So everything will be routed through that and it’s got midi filtering and whatnot to keep everything clean. Best $200 you can spend at the mo

MikkelM · 2014-06-14T10:09:45.000Z

Hmm! I haven’t tried to record in arrange mode.
Currently I export my audiostems, then record all midi cut up to 4 bars, and then putting it all together in arrange.

But if I just could export a midi file for each midi track, together with the stems would make life much easier.

iPad on stage is a no go for me.

Cheers

Mikkel

Accent · 2014-06-14T17:31:58.000Z

Unless you’re talking about over Wifi, I’ve never noticed any latency with the iPad…certainly better than any experience I’ve had using a computer/DAW. But connected to hardware like anything else, it works fine.

MDM · 2014-06-15T05:09:55.000Z

why are we talking about Ipads and other solutions? Im telling you, it can be done in the Octatrack. Just arrange the amount of bars/patterns first in the Arranger, then record MIDI files into your Octatrack, playing them back from your DAW.

I have a Duet 2 with Ipad connection and I will never use it in a gig, for one, I just don’t like any of the sounds that come out of an Ipad, for two I just dislike the fiddly interface touchscreen, for three, I got an OCTATRACK which can do it.

Rusty · 2014-06-15T06:40:11.000Z

Because people expect that a “World Class” sequencer can import/export Midi files?

Because most people use patten mode as opposed to arranger mode?

Because the midi sequencing on Elektron gear is shite?

MDM · 2014-06-15T13:09:10.000Z

yeah i get that, it’s no ideal for playing back MIDI files, but it is not impossible, once you got it set up. I just got my A4 to play back a 4 voice Fuga from Bach, both in Polyphonic mode as well as in 4 separate mono tracks and it kicks ass. That’s by the way done in Chain mode, super easy once you get it.

MikkelM · 2014-06-15T15:30:37.000Z

I need to try recording in Arrange-mode.

But still dropping a file like you can do on a static machine would be top notch, so I could export my new stuff 10 minutes before I get out of the door.

I don’t do these crazy public tryouts with my Octatrack, because 10 minutes of exporting and 20 minutes of rigging and recording midi is just too much.

/Mikkel

MDM · 2014-06-15T15:48:24.000Z

""ShittehKitteh"":

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.

I just wanted to get back and answer your original question, which is about using the A4’s sounds, played back by a MIDI file: it’s super easy on the A4 - create a 4 bar pattern, you have to put a trig on an unused channel for example FX track, then copy empty 4 bar pattern X times (as long as your MIDI files are)
Then go in CHAIN MODE and make a chain of all those patterns. You will want to have one empty pattern in the front and have also 4 bars space in your DAW before the first notes hit.
Then just record that stuff into your A4. Yes, it record MIDI files, just like it records notes played by a keyboard.
Cheers. No need to sacrifice the Octatrack’s MIDI sequencer for sequencing your A4, do it straight from the A4.

novelrabbit · 2018-12-08T13:38:08.383Z

I use a Korg PadKontrol, turns the Octatrack into a Rytm.
Have fun!