Plz help me to decide purchasing OT (or not)

space_skeleton · 2022-11-08T20:13:18.807Z

I would argue that the Octatrack is much more “playable” than the Digitakt. I currently just use it as a stem player/stem mangler more than an FX box or some sort of drum machine, and just loading a bunch of bigger samples of pads + drum loops and “walking through the parameters” with the cross fader can create some instant jungle/drum and bass/odd ambient kind of stuff.

czesio · 2022-11-08T21:09:39.721Z

Thanks for all the replies! awesome community here.
I made a lot of research and I found a few deal makers:

it’s a sort of ‘modular’ system, it can be configured as you want. (drum machine, sampler, looper, fx processor, mixer, or anything in between…etc.)
it seems like the cross fader allows to transition between different amplitude settings of each tracks (I know it does much more, but that’s what I need the most)
it has Elektron sequencer and knobs/buttons are identical to DT
it does not process incoming audio like DT (normalization)
it’ll be hard to be bored with OT, as it seems to be really deep machine
it has 4 ins and 4 outs and midi through
it’s black and it looks very good
Surgeon used it
I can make youtube video

deal breakers are:

expensive
old (compact flash card?! xd) so probably I won’t experinece lightning speed of DT workflow
I’m not sure 100% but it seems like it’s not possible to stream audio which is over 4 bars ('cause audio tracks somewhat bound to the internal sequencer??)
it has no polyphony in midi seqeuncing

but anyway, f**k it. I’ll buy one. it’s already worth the cash just for scratching my itch of curiosity.

Nils · 2022-11-08T21:26:14.877Z

czesio:

it has no polyphony in midi seqeuncing

It’s got 4 notes polyphony pr midi track, x8 tracks. And fabulous midi arpeggiators.

Raskal.X · 2022-11-08T21:27:41.263Z

Expensive - Yes
Old CF Card - You probably won’t notice in any situation, except when importing/exporting
You can stream audio as long as you can store on the card - You can trigger the sample using a… I forget what they’re called, but the trigger only trigs once, the sample continues to play.
I thought that the Octatrack had 4 note polyphony?

czesio · 2022-11-08T21:28:49.349Z

my bad. somewhere was written ‘para phonic’ but I checked again and indeed it has 4 voice polyphony per midi track.

Raskal.X · 2022-11-08T21:30:01.664Z

Also, have you checked out SP404Mk2? Could fulfill your needs, for like 1/3 of the price.

Synthtastic · 2022-11-08T21:30:37.270Z

Get one with the intention of keeping it around until you know it inside and out. Once you know it reasonably well, you’ll likely want to keep it forever anyways. It is such a versatile piece of gear that has the potential to make any other gear you plug into it even better. Looping, FX, Midi LFOs, sequencing. Once you get it set up, and you’re comfortable with it, the scenes and live remixing make it super fun to play live.

Haha. Oh yeah, it’s a pretty great sampler too!

Raskal.X · 2022-11-08T21:40:16.970Z

The only lame part is that it doesn’t really work as a live looper.

czesio · 2022-11-08T22:08:53.788Z

I haven’t considered it yet. thanks for info, I will check out.

Octagonist · 2022-11-08T22:10:00.808Z

czesio:

my bad. somewhere was written ‘para phonic’ but I checked again and indeed it has 4 voice polyphony per midi track

“Paraphonic” isn’t completely wrong… Even in MIDI mode It’s a still a tracker/step sequencer. You lay down a single trig for each step you want a note. The trig can send up to 4 MIDI notes. If you put a new trig down, later on, the new trig will cause all the notes from the previous trig to stop. If you want to overlap notes (have a new note start before an old note/chord has finished) you need to use multiple tracks.

czesio · 2022-11-08T22:17:38.611Z

so it works similar to DT midi tracks. I can live with that.

Kraus · 2022-11-08T22:56:57.997Z

The Octatrack can be amazing as a live performance instrument. I’ve used it on it’s own to play shows, and in combination with a multitimbral synth module.

My way of performing with it is to build a lot of scenes for each song. Those form the structure of the composition, leaving a lot of room for improvising using the crossfader and encoders. This involves some work up front, but then if you practice it feels very intuitive and fluid to perform with.

The onboard FX I use (dark reverb, delay, filter, compressor, comb filter) are great. Filter and compressor are really outstanding I think.

The Octatrack is definitely a strange and wonderful animal. I usually start with an idea and the OT takes me somewhere I never expected. Somewhere very surprising and cool, that I would never have got to otherwise You have to collaborate with it, rather than order it around.

It’s an EXCELLENT MIDI sequencer too, I must say.

I think if you dedicate your time to learning and practicing with it, it’ll reward you like any true instrument.

sezare56 · 2022-11-08T23:28:50.420Z

czesio:

so it works similar to DT midi tracks

There are some differences. Notes can overlap on DT (notes are all stopped by a new trig on OT). Notes duration are easier to set on DT (step values), and can last longer (128 steps), unless set to infinite.

You can lock Program Changes on DT, on OT you have to change pattern (and part) to send a new one.

jxsh · 2022-11-08T23:58:03.834Z

Raskal.X:

The only lame part is that it doesn’t really work as a live looper.

I have to partially agree BUT the OT synced up to a looper like the Boss RC-505 is an absolutely beautiful combination

Raskal.X · 2022-11-09T00:18:46.171Z

Sorry, I meant the SP404 can’t really used as a looper. OT is all good for live looping.

jxsh · 2022-11-09T00:21:32.780Z

Raskal.X:

OT is all good for live looping.

Ah that makes sense. It certainly is with some caveats

Synthtastic · 2022-11-09T01:15:51.655Z

Man… it’s so close. Seems totally doable.

Francis · 2022-11-09T08:08:38.869Z

3 static Machine?

sezare56 · 2022-11-09T08:16:51.418Z

: 1ST trig condition or one shot trig.
(A:B trc and/or scale can be also used for loops longer than 64 steps)

Supercolor_T-120 · 2022-11-09T13:39:33.833Z

Q:

How much REALLY is OT playable in live situation?

A:
Yes.

But for real, the OT is very playable, more than most electronic instruments, but it takes time and practice to get there. Not as much time and practice as more traditional instruments but some time.