Hi Friends,
I want to share my newest Performance Template for the Octatrack MK1/MK2. You can find it here: EZBOT | Creating music and videos. | Patreon and here https://www.ko-fi.com/ezbot.
Here is a video demo of the sounds. I definitely had too much coffee.
The Octatrack Performance Mixer 3.0 Template is a game-changer for live electronic music performers, offering an intuitive and meticulously crafted toolkit for creating dynamic and immersive live performances with your favorite drum machines and synthesizers. There are 20 all new effects not seen in any previous performance templates. With an 8-bar or 4-bar structure (2 separate templates) that syncs seamlessly to the Octatrack’s clock or an external clocking source, this template provides a vast array of effects, including synced modulation, noise risers, comb filter risers, sidechain pumping, stutter effects, filters and more, all accessible with user-friendly controls. It empowers performers to build tension and deliver impactful drops effortlessly, while also offering the flexibility to customize compressors and fine-tune the sound to their liking. This template like the others before it is built around two input busses with discreet effects for both. Input A/B is your DRUM or PERCUSSION bus, and input C/D is your MELODIC bus. Each have their own separate compressor and freeze delays (beat repeats). Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting your journey in electronic music, this template offers an inspiring and versatile platform to elevate your live performances and captivate your audience with mesmerizing soundscapes.
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL
This project ships with 2 Templates, an 8-bar Template for longer FX build ups, and a 4-bar Template for faster turn arounds. Both are a blast to play with and both still have the 8-bar master looper.
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
Plug in the USB to your Octatrack -> On your Octatrack press PROJ to enter the Settings -> System -> USB Disk mode ->
Your Octatrack will mount as a disk on your computer. Open your Octatrack drive on your computer and find your set folder (typically called PRESETS MKII if you have a MKII).
Open your set folder on your Octatrack via your computer -> Drop the UNZIPPED project folder called PERF MIXER x.x in with your other project folders on your Octatrack.
Press NO on your Octatrack to leave disk mode.
Open the project file called “PERF MIXER x.x” on your Octatrack.
Octatrack Performance Mixer x.x Template Manual by EZBOT
All Banks and Patterns are populated with the Octatrack Performance Mixer Template at a default tempo of 120 BPM and a pattern scale of 128 steps (8 bars). The 4-bar template version’s effects reach their crescendo at the end of 4 bars while the 8-bar version completes its modulation at the end of 8-bars. I recommend that you try both.
***Clicks and pops can be caused by unstable BPM from external clocking sources. To avoid this use a stable clocking source such as the Octatrack itself.
***Audio MIDI Channels are disabled by default.
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Effects with an asterisk have FREEZE delays.
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“ALL” refers to effects that effect the entire mix with the same effect on both inputs A/B and C/D.
***Be sure RECORD QUICK MODE is enabled in your system settings. --> PROJECT --> SYSTEM --> PERSONALIZE --> RECORD QUICK MODE (ENABLE)
***Transport Send/Receive, Clock Send/Receive, and Program Change Send are all active by default and set to MIDI channel 10. Do not send the Octatrack a clock source when you want the Octatrack to be the master clock. FUNC + MIDI to enter MIDI clock settings, here you can disable or change MIDI clock settings.
AUDIO ROUTING: Insert your DRUMS/PERCUSSION into the A/B inputs of the Octatrack and insert your MELODIC instruments into the C/D inputs. This is important for the effects to sound as intended.
TO RECORD:
Method 1: Select Track 4 and PRESS REC-3 once, this will initiate a recording at the next 8 bars. Wait until you see the + (recording) symbol on track 4 and press REC-3 once. After the recording has finished and the + symbol is now a play arrow, cross fade to FX scene 16 with a swift motion (do not do this slowly) to switch to your recorded 8 bar loop.
On the Octatrack MK1 hold track 4 and press MIDI to initiate a recording and do it again after the recording starts to initiate the end of the recording.
Method 2: Press YES. Be sure you are not in step edit mode (no red record button). Select Track 4. Wait until you see the + (recording) symbol on track 4 and press REC-3 twice. After the recording has finished and the + symbol is now a play arrow, cross fade to FX scene 16 with a swift motion (do not do this slowly) to switch to your recorded 8 bar loop.
***Recording without record quick mode enabled will require you to hold track 4 and press REC-3 twice as opposed to just pressing REC-3 twice after the recording has initiated.
***The Octatrack can not guess the BPM of samples longer than 4 bars above 160BPM. If you plan to use the live looping functionality above 160BPM you have these options:
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Turn off time-stretch. In my templates you would do this on track 4 (On a per PART and per BANK basis) To do this double press the SRC page and with the E encoder change the settings to OFF.
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Manually change the bar length in the audio editors attributes page so that it reads 8-bars (after you have finished recording the sample/loop)
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Change to recording quantization to 4-bars by changing the RLEN (record length) in the REC 1 Edit page to 64 steps.
TO SAVE A RECORDING TO FILE: Press FUNC + REC 3 and choose “Save This Recording”. This is useful for creating stems to save and use in other projects or to transfer to your computer.
COMPRESSORS: Separate compressors are available on both stereo input sets A/B and C/D. By default, they apply mild tasteful compression to your whole mix.
SIDECHAIN PUMPING: Sidechain pumping is available on all patterns and all parts. By default the pattern is 4 on the floor. To use the sidechain pumping effect turn up LFO 1 depth on Track 5. To adjust where the ducking occurs copy and paste the BRIGHT GREEN TRIGS on Track 5. You can externally trigger SIDECHAIN PUMPING by sending a MIDI note to CHANNEL 5 on the Octatrack.
STUTTER FX: FREEZE DELAYS are available separately on Tracks 1 and 5. To use the the FREEZE DELAY hold FUNC + DOWN ARROW and select DELAY CONTROL. GREEN button 9 controls the FREEZE DELAY for inputs A/B and GREEN button 13 controls the freeze delay for inputs C/D. Press 9 + 13 to FREEZE the entire mix. FREEZE DELAYS occur before effects are applied so you can hold a frozen buffer and then apply effects.
NOISE SWEEPS: To change to an alternate less resonant noise sweep double press T8 and select FLEX slot 1. This is on a per PART basis and Per BANK basis. You may see a “!” on your Track 8 Flex track when you bring the tempo above 200 BPM, that means the Octatrack can not guess the BPM of the white noise sample. This is no problem and you can ignore that.
FX BLOCKS: Space, Build, Crush, Party
64 Scenes across 4 Parts. To move to a different set of 16 scenes/fx press PART and use the arrow keys to select a new SET OF 16 EFFECTS.
Part 1 - Space
- Hallway Riser
- Space Return
- 1/2 Note Filtered Looper (ALL) *
- Surco Riser V2 (All) *
- Space Drummer
- Acid Delay
- Delay Riser w/ Noise
- EZ Drummer *
- High Pass Filter
- Low Pass Filter
- Resonate High Pass (ALL)
- EZ Drummer + Noise Riser *
- Acid Delay + Noise Ripper Riser
- High Pass Noise Riser
- Noise Pump Riser
- Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)
Part 2: Build
- Chorus Riser *
- Big Stereo Riser *
- Stereo Drum Riser *
- Stereo Drum High Filter
- Modulated Chorus Filter
- Off World Filter
- Chorus and Smile Pass 1/2 Note Looper *
- Chorus and Smile Pass
- High Pass Filter
- Low Pass Filter
- Rhythmic Stutter (to customize the stutter rhythm open LFO menu 2 on track 5 and adjust the LFO designer)
- Chorus Pump + Noise Riser *
- High Sweep Stereo Riser + Noise *
- Hi-Chorus Noise Pump Riser
- Chorus Ripper Noise Riser *
- Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)
Part 3: Crush
- Crush Filter
- Burning Filter Mod
- Death Punk Filter *
- Ghost *
- Poltergeist *
- Boiler Room
- Walk Lightly
- Flanger Buildup
- High Pass Filter
- Low Pass Filter
- Dreamy Highpass
- EZ Drummer 2 + Noise Riser *
- Flanger Build Up + Noise Pump Riser *
- Poltergeist Noise Riser *
- Ghost Saw Noise Riser *
- Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)
Part 4: Party
- Echo Freeze (16th notes) (ALL) *
- Echo Breeze (ALL) *
- Daft Punk Effect Alternate Version (ALL) *
- Rhythm Ripper
- LFO Twist (ALL) *
- Synth Twister (Mutes Drums) *
- Lo-Fi Build
- Tape Stop (ALL)
- High Pass Filter
- Low Pass Filter
- Space Breaker
- Polybeat Comb Noise Riser *
- Rhythm Ripper Noise Riser
- Dirty Comb Noise Riser
- Tape Stop Comb Noise Riser *
- Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)