So far I’ve used a ‘thru’ track then ambled through the record buffers to retrieve the recorded loop. I’m finding the start is ambiguous and the playback erratic. All I want to do is record a bass loop, yet this is proving impossible…thanks G
What is the source? Is it sequenced or played live? Are you using MIDI clock? A click?
Are you using a record trig? Pushing the record button? If so, is that quantized?
Have you turned timestretch off? You should if not needed as that can affect playback in unwanted ways.
Have you got your FIN FOUT on rec menu 2 on 0.063?
Check the AMP envelopes are set to playback the full sound and check you do t have any FX active on the track you’re using for playback.
Try a flex track with the direct outs turned up in the MiX menu for monitoring it and record the inputs rather than the thru track.
Input meters flashing a bit red but not too much.
OT lolz, it’s like the really hot perfect girlfriend who’s actually mental 
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More info needed.
Assuming you are using a thru machine for your bass input (bass guitar or bass synth? Played live)
The track recorder for that same track ( the one the thru machine is on) can record the input (eg input A)
Set a recording length if desired. Make it a one shot trig if required. Eg 16 steps etcs. Use a fade in fade out if recquired.
Place a recorder trig. Use count in on the metronome if required. Hit play, play your bassline when its the right time. Bingo. Quantised loop captured.
You can also do this with quantised manual recording (thats how I do it)
Its all in the manual. @mpiecora aka EZbot has some in depth youtube tutorials on this.
Its not hard. The octatrack is complex. And takes some setting up.
To summarise. You need 2 tracks.
Track 1. Thru machine so you can hear your input sound. Track recorder on track 1 records the input signal.
Track 2. Flex machine playing the recorder buffer that captured the sample.
Done.
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You’re not wrong there… I tried this and left it while ago for good reason. I’m confused with the record mode, I currently have a Thru track for recording. I can hear the instrument and play along with the sequence.
This is me plugging my Bass guitar directly into Input A of the Octractack Mk2.
A MIDI clock is used for sychronisation.
I’m not sure if the monitoring is correct when recording. When I finally retrieved an audio file and dragged it into the AED, it was looping the blank lead in (my count-in as the metronome doesn’t work). I trimmed the loop but was very quickly out of sync. Other takes show no signal at all.
I see my error, I didn’t create the second track, was trying to import post recording.
If there’s a wrong way I’ll usually find it. I still can’t get the metronome to work, if you don’t mind me asking, it would be great to have a count-in. I’ve got it switched on but there’s no sound. Thanks G
Check metronome settings.
Where is it going? Main or cue.
And what is the level? Turn in up if set to 0.
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It is a complicated box!
I do think it is helpful to understand the architecture of Octatrack so you can get the most out of it. There’s a distinction between recording, audio machines, and MIDI … but all are numbered 1-8!
8 recording buffers - each can record any audio source - external inputs, audio tracks, cue, master. They just record, no playback.
8 audio tracks with machines - static for samples, flex for samples (including playing from recording buffers!), thru for external input, neighbor for processing adjacent tracks, the pickup machine
8 Midi tracks - for sequencing external MIDI devices
If you just want to capture a sample and save it, you can just use a buffer. If you want to hear it, then an audio machine has to get involved.
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t’s getting better all the time… Is it possible to route audio out of the Cue out, as well as the Main out? I would be very nice to have four channels output. ?
Yep. That’s “studio mode” in the project settings.
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Yes. You can do that.
Its a 4 in 4 out machine.
Inputs ABCD.
Outputs LR main LR cue (which can be used as either 2 stereo pairs or 4 mono, or a combination)
Ive said this so many times its not true-
Octatrack has 3 layers.
Recording
Audio
Midi.
All 3 layers have 8 tracks. All of which are independent, and available at all times, to configure how ever you want, regardless of what ever is happening on any other track, at any other level.
So really the OT is a 24 track machine. 3 sets of 8.
When that sinks in, you begin to understand the octatrack properly.
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Hang in there Graham, to some degree we’ve all been where you are with it. 
If you can, try and make OT master clock if it isn’t already. That’s likely to help.
Double tap SRC and make sure the loop option is set to off.
Use record trigs not button tap starts when recording during play.
Myself I I swear by saving a new sample via the REC3 menu as soon as it’s recorded. But that’s just me. I don’t know if you have to but that’s what worked for me on day one in your situation when i spent 2.5hrs tying to record and play back a sample without success 
Shift rec3 - save and assign to self or next free slot then double tap the track button, highlight the sample slot and yes.
It’s like this because if it’s customisability but you’ll get through this stage of ownership!
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Hi MT, I’ve tried this today. The OT is still behaving like a pig. I don’t know why this has to be so complicated. I had three results. 1 recorded but would not play back due to sample error. 2 Nothing recorded 3 No playback despite the sample being visibly present in the AED. I’m also finding it impossible to delete these files. Thanks G
My OT has a death wish. I’ve spent most of the day loving trying to get to record/sample my bass guitar. It hasn’t gone well. Following guidance, I’ve set up a Thru snd Flex track to accommodate rec and playback. This has either produced error files, blank files and files baring an audio signal that will not play. Is this normal? Thanks G
Can you please describe exactly what you’re hoping to achieve? Are you trying to capture the loop and save it as a file? Capture it and play it back live? Something else?
I’m trying to achieve a humble bass line played in by me into the OT. It’s not happening and I don’t know why.
I have:
Set up THRU and FLEX tracks.
Rec 1 Input A
RLEN 64
TRIG One
LOOP Off
Fin .063
Fout .063
AB 85
Yellow trig on FLEX to initiate recording.
Two bar count-in from metronome
It either records or doesn’t. Records to produce an error file or Records, is present in the AED screen but will not playback or shows a visual playback that passes very quickly. Far quicker than the 64 bar effort I tried to record.
Is your Flex track pointing to the Recording Buffer? Do you have a play trig on your Flex track?
I feel your frustration! My first day with the OT was …challenging.
Yes, I placed a play trig on the flex. Nothing happened.
Split the job into two halves. Get recording sorted first. Don’t worry about automatically trying to get playback working. Record, check it recorded ok, save the file… only then get it to play back with a flex or static machine. When recording and checking, make sure you’re opening the AED on the Record Buffer.
Get this process locked down before trying the fancy live record + playback workflows.
(IMO)
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The problem is it’s not recording or playing back.