Octatrack out of the box

Elektron Gear Octatrack
#1

Hello all, new user here! Great forum from what I’ve read so far, keep up the good work!

As a recent convert to ‘the Electron way’ I have to admit to having moments of absolute frustration along with moments of absolute joy!

First buy was the AR MK2 closely followed by a blow out deal on the A4K and then a Digitone. Wow, of all the synths I own I’m completely in love with the Digitone. It’s my go to synth at the moment.

Anyway, as a glutton for punishment (and the need for another MIDI sequencer!) I just got an Octatrack MK2 delivered today. Excitedly I opened the box only to find the Quickstart guide missing but more importantly the factory CF card is AWOL too. I’ve contacted the shop here in the UK and I’m calling them back tomorrow once they’ve checked the others they have in stock. The seal on the box looked to be intact?

Have any of you guys ever come across this before? With the seal looking the way it does it’s looking like it came out of the factory that way?

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#2

Haven’t experienced this but if you’re getting it new, a couple weird things have been happening with their latest batches. Something as minor as a missing quickstart guide and card might happen out of every x amount. I know they’re hand built, hand inspected, not sure if they’re hand packed.

I got one and exchanged it for another and they’re basically identical, this one might even have more defects… The two main issues being hexagonal imprints all over the bottom housing of the OT MKII as well as bulging imprints from what looks to be the display connections. In four spots around the screen, two top, two bottom, there are protrusions in the housing (which is hard as hell) you can easily feel, and see when there’s a light to its side.

This was my experience with two separate and new OT MKIIs. I contacted Elektron, haven’t heard anything back about the display protrusions, but they told me the hexagonal imprints all over the bottom case are just something from the recent run of manufacturing and don’t affect the device.

I don’t mind those as much because they give it a bit of unique character. But the bulging around the screen I’m a bit concerned with.

Oh well, if it doesn’t mess up the display any time soon I don’t mind, hopefully it’s just another housing manufacturing issue and none of the internals pressed so hard against the casing it bent it in all those spots. I know I’ve seen someone else mention the protrusions on the forums, I think I recall soldering being mentioned as well? Can’t remember or find the thread.

Both my OTs have been from a March 2019 run.

#3

Well, I’ve just had a look at mine and its exactly the same as yours. Two bulges above the screen and the hex imprints on the base. Not having one of the older models I can’t compare directly but it looks like they’ve cut corners in the manufacture of the case, presumably to save money… They readily available at a ‘discounted’ price at the moment so it this batch built down to a price? My Digitone has two very feint hexagonals on the base but the paint is much thicker. They’re basically the bases of the stand-off’s that hold the PCB etc. Not impressed…

#4

The same happened to me about 2 months ago. The seal of the package was intact. Instead of contacting the seller I 've contacted Elektron support directly and they sent me a CF card a few days later.

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#5

You’re telling me… It’s by far my favorite electronic device to use but I have a bit of OCD…

Aside from my OCD there’s a chance it could affect resale which is pretty shitty IMO especially when the inevitable MKIII is released, or I’d be having a few months of downtime + down some cash for shipping sending it to Elektron for repair…

#6

Good plan. I’ve gone to the seller first but I never thought of that.

Question - Is it bricked until it can see a CF card? I’ve not had chance to plug it in yet.

#7

DEMO MODE

While in this mode the Octatrack will be able to play back a set of 16 demo patterns without
needing to have a Compact Flash card inserted. Demo mode is a great way to get
acquainted with the basics of the Octatrack. Note that you can not save any changes made
to the sounds or patterns while in demo mode.

1.

Make sure no Compact Flash card is inserted. Switch on the Octatrack while keeping the
[ENTER/YES] button pressed. The LCD screen will state that demo mode is being
entered.

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#8

Many thanks! I’ll be digging in after dinner!

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#9

No, it isn’t bricked until it a CF card is inserted.

Just hold [YES] and turn it on and it starts in demo mode where you can play around with a few patterns and samples.

You can find more details on Page 22 of the manual.

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#10

Don’t eat the Octatrack! I know it’s not in the manual but… don’t.

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#11

Eat the manual instead.

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#12

Nom Nom Nom…

#13

Well I just turned it on in demo mode, headphones on, volume up and pattern 1 selected. Pressed play and I’m in early 80’s Brit Jazz Funk heaven! That’s got to be some sort of good omen???

#14

It’s the fastest way of absorbing its content and becoming one with the Octatrack.

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#15

Being a Jazz Funk fan?:slightly_smiling_face:

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#16

I sleep with the OT manual under my pillow to learn through osmosis…

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#17

Remove the pillow for maximum effect :smiley:

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#18

I’ve thought about it but seems a bit dangerous… :grin:
Possible mental overload, worried I’ll only speak Octatrack and not be able to communicate about general living. Point to my stomach and mutter “amp vol at 0” when I’m hungry and stuff like that…:joy:

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#19

I sleep with my OT.

You do worth reading OT manual for the next jilted generation :slight_smile:

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#20

MKII demo also has also that drum loop?
You can begin to mangle it in demo mode…

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