I’m new to the Elektron world, I just bought a DT to learn the workflow but my plan is to move to an OT later but something still doesn’t fit.
My question is quite simple:
can I emulate the OT concept of transitioning between scenes (A-B) using the crossfader, simply by using an audio DJ mixer with some other machine that has 2 stereo outputs… for example: MPC… ?
Trying to explain this in another way:
Octratrack:
scene A = dry sequence
Transition using crossfader to a <---->
scene B = same dry sequence + FX + …
Back to scene A or other pattern…
Emulation:
X gear with 2 stereo outputs:
scene A = dry sequence routed to a stereo output 1 of your machine and connected to stereo channel 1 (Dj mixer )
Transition using AUDIO crossfader to <—>
scene B = same dry sequence + FX + … routed to stereo output 2 of your machine and connected to stereo channel 2 (Dj mixer )
back to scene A (or channel 1) using the audio crossfader
I hope you can understand the point…
I just cannot believe that other companies several years after the release of the OT have not tried to emulate this way of making transitions …
Yeah I was going to say this as well. If all you need is an FX send, there’s many boxes that can do that on their own without needing to have the DJ mixer there. Seems like you’re overcomplicating the idea of a dry/wet knob or FX send amount knob. The magic of the Octatrack fader is that it goes way beyond using it simply as an FX dry/wet control.
Yeah. If you want to buy a bunch of external effects and only apply them to the master out of your DT and you want to buy a separate looper, then go for it!
OP, think about this. The OT slider affects 8 tracks and their parameters. 16 fx and their parameters. Each track could be a different looper. On top of that you can also route cue out. And that’s just the beginning.
I understand your point, I didn’t want to go deeper than just the use of FX in the B-scene… . i understand that the OT has many more capabilities (LFO’S, P lock, etc…) but this topic is specifically about creative transitions with the crossfader and the possibility to monitor the processed signal before making a transition (which makes our life easier when playing live or creating your tracks with creative transitions).
You could split signal to OT and effects and route effects to c/d and use cue/headphones to monitor. Just like you would need to do with a basic dj mixer.
If you want to experiment with Octatrack crossfader style control, what you’re really after is a MIDI macro controller. There are a few of them around, and the one I wanted to recommend I’ve completely blanked on the name of and can’t find now unfortunately (I’ve suggested it before, so it’s somewhere a couple years back in my post history if you really want to dig). This USB-MIDI (EDIT: I read the full description and it actually has MIDI on TRS, one in and 3 out, so it’s actually significantly better than the one I was trying to remember - but it only controls 5 parameters max, the one I’m trying to remember could do at least 12), DIY one gives you the general idea, they’re essentially the Octatrack crossfader as a standalone MIDI controller:
The one I’m thinking of should have DIN MIDI (it might have been on TRS though) and wasn’t a kit or anything, so if you can figure out what it’s called or find something similar, that would be worth considering. What you’re describing with the DJ mixer is a simple audio crossfade, and while it’s technically possible to do that with the OT crossfader it’s actually a bit awkward and not the main use case. What you’re after is the ability to crossfade between two different parameter states, which sounds and feels completely different and is a lot more flexible. A macro controller like what I linked or the one I’m trying to remember the name of would let you add that functionality to your Digitakt, although it wouldn’t be as easy to set up scenes as it is in the Octatrack where it’s tightly integrated in the workflow.
Crossfading between dry and processed versions of the same audio on a DJ mixer can be useful, I used to do that live sometimes back when I had a DJ mixer and played live a lot, but it’s nothing like what the Octatrack crossfader. Different tools.
Also, something like MIDIhub or Axoloti in combination with a small MIDI controller could do this but that’s a lot more work and expense than it’s probably worth in most situations.
EDIT: the one I was thinking of was the Gibbon Digital Goliath, which was successfully crowdfunded in 2017 but it and the company appear to be gone now so the DIY variety I linked is probably the best currently available option for an all-hardware setup (if you add a computer into the mix there are a lot of very powerful ways to do this stuff, but also a lot of very powerful hassles).
Keep an eye out for the Goliath, they are probably hard to find but the last sale I see on Reverb was only $30USD (plus a completely insane shipping charge) so if you DO find one it might be really affordable.
" What you’re after is the ability to crossfade between two different parameter states, which sounds and feels completely different and is a lot more flexible".
… that’s exactly what I’m trying to emulate (without having to buy an OT) thanks for your reply, you hit the nail on the head… I’ll check the link.
Right, but just using a mixer is a simple crossfade between dry and wet, essentially the same as turning up the return level on your send effects. MIDI macro control is the same as the OT crossfader but less convenient to set up and more limited (because the OT crossfader can control dozens of parameters at the same time).
If you don’t mind using a computer, this looks powerful, easier than using Puredata or something, and it’s free:
There’s also this thing, basically a fader from the OT except with MIDI and CV control (that’s the pitfall of OT crossfader; you can’t change assign MIDI CCs to the fader).
. Thank you all for your time!