Octatrack Main Outs - sound issues

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

I’m sure this has probably been covered, but I’m not finding a specific thread - pre-emptive apology. Having issues figuring out the mixer. My configuration:

OT Main Out L + R (1/4" Mono cables) to my mixer any channel L + R.
Mixer L + R out to Apollo Audio Interface.

Some tracks cut out and sound muffled (even on the factory presets).

If I remove one of the Main Outs (either) it sounds great. However, if I only have one Main Out cable plugged in, then either my A and C inputs or B and D inputs don’t work for external synths plugged into OT depending on which Main Out is connected (even if my Direct is up to 127).

What am I doing wrong?

2

Welcome.
Sounds like phase cancelation.
Is sound completely cut with mono files?

What is you mixer?
What type of inputs?
Any phase invertion setting on it?
How do you listen?

3

Thanks, man. I don’t think sound is completely cut. For example, if I set kick drum on T2 I can hear it out of speaker but it is very muffled (sounds fine through headphones on the headphone out). Mixer is Xenyx 802. No phase inversion that I’m aware of. I have 2 1/4" mono cables coming out of each Main Out on the OT into one of the channels on the mixer. then two 1/4 mono to single stereo into channel 2 of the Apollo Arrow.

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4

Have you tried to save the project you are working on now and create a new project?

5

this also leads me to believe it’s phase cancellation.

Pull up your mixer settings on the Octatrack and turn the direct input of AB and CD to off OR mute your thru tracks instead. I was having similar issues.

Or really just play around with your thru tracks and mixer settings…I could be wrong about those exact specifics up above, but doing so will most likely solve your problem. My issue was I noticed my Analog Rytm plugged into CD sounded really phasey and weird, and this was because the sound was being “doubled” by me using a thru track and having direct monitoring on.

6

So the weird thing is that in the case of the main out issue, there are no Thrus. I was playing the factory presets (no synths attached). All tracks are flex except for T8 which is master. Same thing happens. Sounds fine in headphones and one main out connected - but add the second main out and it all goes to s*%t.

I will need to do a bit more research of phase cancellation. Haven’t experienced this with my other synths in the same mixer (i.e. Digitakt, Digitone, Minitaur, Minilogue XD)

7

Isn’t Appollo input a mono balanced input?
It would explain the behavior. If its the case you’d need 2 TRS jacks instead of Y cable.

If it sounds good with your mixer’s headphones out, diagnostic is almost done.

With phase cancelation, stereo signals are not completely cut.

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9

Will try this - thx so much!

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