Ot effects

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

Hi everyone.

I try to do something with my effects, but only use my delay, djeq, and dark reverb. They are nice… just nice. I am experimenting with stutter fx by using the delay… but I am not really happy with it right now. Don’t know why, but I cannot rely on the result of my actions. Sometimes it just doesn’t sound correct, and I don’t know why. Next to this, I sometimes use the filter, but I must say the quality of the filter is really poor. Can’t be compared with A4 and AR filters.

Other effects just sound very poor to me. Am I doing something wrong? What do you with your effects, which ones do you use? Do you sometimes just use fx, or do you always use scenes?

I hope someone will help.

2

Me too find the effects not that great sonically, but they are fair enough and let you do some weird things…

I don’t have a specific to-go template.

I would suggest you to LFO-modulate not only the FX but also other parameters in order to disclose some pretty things when the FXs get fed.

(for stutters I suggest you also to modulate the VOL)

Regarding FILTER…it is not bad actually, but it’s digital and not even comparable to A4 and AR ones…

3

You can also get stutters using repeat and timestretch type Beat and reduce rate. The sampler section has more parameters for stutters than the effects section.

4

You could also try messing with the RTRIG parameter on the Playback page of a Flex machine track to get a stutter sound. You could do this manually or assign an LFO or p-lock or…

Similarly, try the RTIM param on the same page and machine.

We all have different tastes regarding filters. Classic example is the Curtis chip filter used on DSI synths up until the release of the Pro 2 - lot of haters on that filter, but it’s got its fans too. Another is the MS-20 filter - plenty of haters and lovers alike. I like the OT filter, but don’t use it on anything that already has a filter that I like (eg. Microbrute, MS-20, etc.).

Other FX I use on the OT a lot: Dark Reverb, LoFi (great for tremolo too). On occasion I use Phaser, Flanger, and Comb Filter (works best on unpitched sounds like drums, thumps, scratches, etc.).

5

Reverb and delay are great. The Spatializer deserves more love - it’s great for getting sounds to pop out in the mix.

6

I think the filter is outstanding. One thing that helped me get the most out of it is to NEVER put the Res above 60, and only to rarely put it above 40. Also the overdrive is nice when you need that.

The delay, DJ EQ, lofi (just for SRR), and all reverbs are perfectly serviceable.

I keep trying to get into the comb filter, and once in awhile it just magically clicks and I get a perfect sound. More often, I just can’t get anything from it. Highly dependent on the source material.

The phaser is the biggest disappointment to me. It just sounds awful. Too subtle or too tinny/drastic. I really wish there was a decent phaser in this box. The phaser from the EMU E4 line, please!

The lofi effect desperately needs a plockable master volume. When you turn up the overdrive, the volume is boosted so much, and there’s no way to bring it down at the plock or scene level, so you’re restricted to distorting everything in a part or nothing if you want to keep a reasonably even volume. I’ve been asking for that since day 1. Doesn’t seem like it could be a difficult thing to add. . .

7

i understand the idea about the fx in this threat. I looked at it on a different way… I have one thru channel, and two neighbours. I thought of creating breakdown , sweep and build up fx.

8

I would not use any kind of absolute adverbs…NEVER and similar, for me, doesn’t apply when it comes to freedom-machines!

If the RES of Filter goes to 127…well…I experienced that it can be used till there =)

9

IMO, the effects are the OT’s weakest link. Filter and delay are ok, others range from sometimes useable to horrible (flanger, chorus and phaser particularly).

Still hoping for an OS update with improved algorhithms!

10

We all go for different sounds.

I can’t stand the verbs or delays, but I’ll happily use the DIST and COMP. I use the chorus but I agree, there’s nothing stand-out about it at all!

I’m spoiled at home though, with an H3000 and space echo holding it down for now.

Mind you, those OTO boxes look AMAZING.

11

I recently got my own Eventide unit (H9 Max) and understand why the OT’s reverb and delay FX would pale in comparison. :wink:

Still, I like to use the OT delay for the few times (very few!) that I want the delay in sync with the sequencer, and the reverbs are convenient for use with, say, a master track. I use external FX units for live tweaking/mangling, like using an expression pedal to push an EHX DMM550TT into self-oscillation or muck with the delay time for weird dive bombs and such.

I admit to not using the OT’s modulation FX much because I use my OT a lot with my viola and I don’t like the sound of chorus/flange/phaser on viola - doesn’t matter if its analog or digital.

I do find the phaser on the OT to be bit too transparent on the OT well but it might be dependent on source material.

Anyway, no shame in using external FX with your OT - you’re hardly alone if you do that. I bought the OT for its sampling and sample processing (not FX processing) capability first and foremost, with the view that the FX were mainly a bonus/convenience.

12

Wow, I’ve never identified the filter or FX on OT as being particularly weak.

If so, my records are weak! LOL

But I’ve had the privilege of working with some real high end units, and while I prefer analog filters for cetain applications, and OT fx aren’t quite Eventide or DP-4 quality… I don’t really see a problem with them.

They sound boxy, and odd in places, and its perfectly quirky. I love that it has a distinct sonic signature, it makes it very easy to mix ITB, and get decent results.

Then again, I am weird. I don’t pay big prices for transparent machines, with ultra-pristine sound. That’s too much MEH, for my money. I want color, and personality, and I’ll even at times sacrifice on sonic quality.

That probably explains my long standing romance with my TB-303… expensive, but not a top-shelf, full feature experience. Just a sound like a choking duck, run thru a magic 3-pole until glory is attained.

But I’ll put my money where my mouth is, as I am putting out a long series of “1-take techno” on my new label. Most things will be OT and 1-2 other boxes, recorded in stereo direct from OT.

My ears might be full of mud, but I don’t think so?

I do have to agree with Barfunkel, that the phaser is particularly wonky. But I’ve yet to find a reasonably priced digital phaser that is any good at all? Always relied on guitar pedals for the real grit, there.

14

Just search for Coldfuture. I’m out there. I don’t feel comfortable spamming the thread, as I was a part of the original elektron-users and we frowned on that. What are the rules here? LOL I was kinda grandfathered in, and I never read the TOS.

The new label doesn’t start until April, I just finished up contacting the selected artists, and pitching the concept.

If you find me on beatport, itunes, soundcloud, whatever you find out there has the MD and OT as the centerpieces, with various cameos from a 909 or a 303, or some other analog thing for contrast.

I wish I had a better answer, with more organized examples. Alas, I am just back from a long break due to my personal life going haywire, losing dad to cancer… quite a terrible time, really.

16

I pretty much allways put a filter on every track to eq it. You can get the top end to sizle a bit with slight res, and /or tune in the bass to your likeing.

17

^heck yeah, now thats proper technique right there. And if you need your filter back, just resample post “eq-ing.”
Man I love this OT.

18

…unmusical results when using the freeze delay only happen if you perform it unmusical…

because that’s what it is…a music instrument that needs to be played tight and with the right timimg…

it took me a while to learn it properly…it only sounds right, if you do it right…

and all the ot fx are not comparable with the usual make up we’re used to in daw’s or dedicated hardware…

the ot fx are all just colour and they only shine if you keep them moving and let them talk to each other …in realtime…

keep in mind, they’re made to be constantly tweaked as hell, while still making “sense” at any time…