Octatrack MK2 problems (particularly the screen)

So that there are two or more nauts living in the same contry and one has probs and the other one doesn’t? Okay then. That rules out any electricity format changes and suggest that it indeed is some sort of a QC issue.

Saying its “normal” sounds quite strange tbh… I thought usually this sort of batch inconsistencies are a sign of not strict enough variance toleration? At least with Chinese factories this is something I’ve read about…

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The problem is not all OLED screens are the same. The general consumer see the word OLED and automatically expects the level of quality attributed to cell phone screens. But screens differ, pixel density, resolution, etc are all varying factors.
I’ve seen this type of ghosting/dimming in all sorts of screens due to Improper contrasting. But that couldn’t be tested as elektron machines don’t really let you adjust screen contrast

No Issues on my Digitakt Screen, no Ghosting, lighting is very even too. Fith picture from the OP looks faulty to me! These Lines are weird - nothing like this on my Digitakt, like i said!

Also i had no Sticky Button issues … seems i had quite some luck with my unit in terms of production quality.

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Why is they say ghosting is normal, and than others have really normal screens (like no ghosting)? Is ghosting to be expected ? But no ghosting is better than ghosting. Like more normal ? :thinking:

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I paid 1450 euros. I thought the unit had problems. I posted here and got responses. I am not trying to find fault with the Octatrack. I am trying to find out if what I thought to be a problem is indeed a problem or just how the unit is built. I think I should have the right to “scrutinize” and I don’t do that out of nothing. So this being out of the way, I can continue:

When I heard back from Elektron, I was relieved and decided not to return the unit immediately. But then, after reading some of the posts here and seeing how inconsistent the experience with screen quality is, I am unsure about keeping the unit, especially with this very important fact in mind: Elektron reissued the Octatrack with one aim only: better hardware and better user interface (more buttons). The screen is a part of that. If the screen used is low-quality OLED and makes these ghostlines and coloration differences, then this tells me that the hardware was not entirely improved. I have no experience with the older model. Sure, the buttons, crossfader may have been improved. But, despite not having a deep idea of how screen technology has improved over the years, I am almost sure that an OLED screen should not behave like that.

So, dear Elektron team, can you please answer this question: Did you use an inferior OLED screen on the Octatracks? What you define as “normal” does not look normal to me. Sure, it may not be a malfunction but it may simply be a design fault or a bad choice of components.

And to those who say: if your unit works fine, don’t try to find faults. This must be the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard in my life. We are talking about a 1450€ device that is built with the sole claim of having better hardware than the original. A screen that displays weird lines when a pop-up window comes up is not better hardware, I think. Still, I’d like to hear what Elektron has to say about this. So far, their explanation was relieving on the surface, but was problematic at second thought.

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First of all my response was not directed to you, I replied to another comment in the thread. No need to attack.
I was not replying to you because someone from elektron already replied to you and told you your screen is normal. But it seems that your are not taking that as a proper response to your problem.

Hi Simon,

After spending the day outside away from this issue and then reading other people’s post in the thread, I have come to believe that Elektron’s explanation that a screen displaying weird lines is “normal” is not satisfactory, especially for a device that is designed and marketed as an improvement on the hardware side over the older model. And now I know the Digitakt has the same problem. So please give us a better explanation that “it’s normal”. :slight_smile:

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See my latest post to Simon. A unit that claims to have better hardware cannot claim that a screen that displays random lines (also on the Digitakt) cannot just say it’s normal. They could only say this if all other OLED screens on Earth had the same behavior. Do they?

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No because as I posted earlier if you bothered to read was that OLED screens vary in quality. Sure not all device have these that of ghosting etc but many do. To say the new screen is not an improvement over the old is wrong.
Also i believe I mentioned, maybe it’s a contrast issue because ive see this behavior on screens where the contrast ratio was funky and the contrast is not set properly. That is something that should be easily fixable in a firmware update if it is the problem.
Just because my opinion does not match yours does not mean I’m coming at you in anyway. It’s just a different opinion.

:alien:

I will simply wait for a better explanation from Elektron. Contrast was the first thing that came to my mind this morning and I did look for a contrast setting in the global menu, but it doesn’t exist.

Your statement “OLED screens vary in quality” kind of proves my fears: Elektron may have cut down on costs by using inferior OLED screens. The use of an OLED screen is certainly an improvement over the older screen, but an OLED screen with inferior quality (or simply a problem in OT’s operating system with the contrast) is not an improvement. Sure, it may not hinder the operation of the unit. But it makes me question the quality of manufacturing and parts.

CAn you please open a pop-up window on this screen? Any one will do. And then see if you see weird lines on the selected track indicator on the side (the one with the white background).

Elektrons opinion of ‘normal’ doesn’t seem to be ‘normal’ to the consumer.
Elektron should have sourced better screens. Simple as that.
Cost cutting can bite you in the butt sometimes

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It could still be a screen contrast issue, which can be remedied by firmware updates, I think. But yes, I find their one-word “normal” explanation also a bit customer-unfriendly. What worries me more is the differing experiences people have been reporting on the Digitakt, which has a similar screen.

Let’s wait and see what Elektron says beyond the “it’s normal” explanation.

If it bothers you then return it. There will be no firmware fix for a bad screen.
I agree that in this price range the build quality should meet certain standards.

I have waited for years to own an Octatrack and prefer to wait for a more detailed response from Elektron than just saying “it’s normal”. My initial fear was to have landed on a faulty unit. This is not the case. Now I am simply trying to determine two things:

  • if this screen issue is common to all OT MK2 owners
  • if this issue is a contrast issue or a hardware issue (lower quality component). If it’s a contrast issue, it can be fixed by firmware.

I’d like to believe that Elektron, makers of such amazing gear, would not use a lower quality component in a unit they market as having superior hardware to the predecessor.

In my opinion, it’s not an issue if it doesn’t impact the functionality of the instrument in any way. The screen still provides all the info that it’s supposed to. The particular oled model elektron chose has inconsistencies with regards to power regulation and brightness. It is unclear whether elektron can adjust this via firmware.

It appears to be related to how many pixels are lit up in each horizontal row. The more active pixels, the dimmer the row, noticable when the surrounding rows have less active pixels and are therefore brighter.

If you haven’t used mk1 how can you say it’s not an improvement? My digitakt screen exhibits the same behavior, but it’s still a huge improvement from mk1 lcd. Super bright and clear, readable from any angle. That ticks all my boxes for a screen on musical gear.

They could have used a more consistent screen, but would have easily added another 100€ to the consumer cost per unit. Maybe it’s worth it to you. But it’s a moot point because they are in production with the existing screen.

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I found a quote for an OP-1 replacement screen for €35,-, a device that‘s been introduced six(!) years ago. That screen sets the bar for what I expect from the one on a 1.5k machine.

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I think you have asked a valid question. I mean they have even listed as their main feature “Crisp OLED screen providing optimal feedback in dimly lit environments” that is 1 of 6 new highlighted features.

Here is a advertised vs reality.

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