Octatrack only as a MIDI sequencer?

Elektron Gear Octatrack
68

If you enjoy stacking the arp sequencer with the note sequencer and enjoy generative or complex melodies, you might enjoy my favorite OT MIDI trick:

  1. Create a step sequence on the LFO designer (bonus: you can edit multiple trigs at once in this mode like you can on the AR, as well as invert and randomize the whole sequence)
  2. Route that designed LFO to Arp Transposition (NB: the arp doesn’t need to be on) on any MIDI track as LFO1, in SYNC TRIG mode at a speed that totals to 128 (e.g. 8x multiplier and 16 base speed)
  3. Route a second LFO to modulate LFO1’s speed
  4. Route a third LFO to modulate LFO1’s depth
  5. To quantize the notes to a tonal scale, choose one in the arp menu (likewise, the arp doesn’t need to be on for this to take effect)

Now you have a serial “theme” or “subject,” variations of whose musical expression can be quickly generated from LFO2 and LFO3. Also, since the sequence within the designed LFO is tied to the Part, you can tweak it into new shapes and then recall the original sequence by reloading the Part. (Like reloading patterns on the AR.)

Another trick with the arp and LFOs: if you route an LFO to NLEN while the arp is on, you can produce some interesting rhythmic modulations.

24 Likes