Ricky's Stem Prep for Octatrack

JonMakesBeats · 2022-12-08T15:32:50.729Z

I think it’s easy to get lost in the echo chamber of a community but I feel like some need the reminder that the Octatrack, in the big scheme, is a niche instrument.

The more approachable material regarding its capabilities, the better. Not all OT content is for those who are completely familiar. Ricky is doing a great job making one of the most enigmatic units on the market more approachable.

darenager · 2022-12-08T15:47:55.463Z

malus_mons:

the “first jam” videos are cringe.

They can be ok depending on the gear and the “jammer” - if fumbling around like a beginner and ending up with some lame crap, then yeah.

If after reading manual of the gear a little and giving a decent effort they can be a good overview about interface accessibility, at least.

malus_mons · 2022-12-08T17:48:12.512Z

To me, all these instruments we gab on and on about on the internet sound good. Every single one is designed to play in sync with each other. The bar is set so low for making music with electronic instruments, we’ve been pushing buttons and turning knobs since before we could walk. You and me just need to get the midi or cv cables in the right place. This is not challenging or difficult.

Also Enrique is an awesome guy and op is barking up the wrong tree

BassesAndPads · 2022-12-08T18:15:10.639Z

Yeah I like guys who actually produce music that is pretty good and then talk about how they used their gear to make it. That really slims down what I watch on YT because its either mindless jams or a hardcore gear pusher like BoBeats who seems to think quite highly of himself.

And now there is a glut of guys who talk about gear in a whispery voice while thanking you for kindly watching them, awkwardly shouting out other synth YT people and apparently trying to form some kind of youtube fraternity.while talking about their “fans”. A lot of them straight up just copied Ricky by buying his cameras and speaking softly without grasping that’s not really the reason people watch his vids.

Anyway, I started noticing that stuff and realized that YT is a pretty huge waste of time and a lot of these guys are high on themselves for no real reason. Be selective about who you watch, or just fire up killer DJ mixes to inspire your own music making. At the end of the day watching YT is generally a waste of time and a way to procrastinate.

Sternenlicht · 2022-12-08T19:13:40.354Z

I agree, i had some problem sorting out how much high end my basses should have, and watched a lot of tutorials how to layer bass sounds, but at the end, having a good listen to some sets revealed more than any tutorial which exaggerated the top layers. Some ckicky sound could already be enough to give some character.

Ryan · 2022-12-08T19:20:45.716Z

sezare56:

You can’t use OT without using parts

Whatever, nerd

exbio · 2022-12-08T19:54:06.787Z

BassesAndPads:

At the end of the day watching YT is generally a waste of time and a way to procrastinate.

I feel so seen!

sezare56 · 2022-12-08T20:10:31.209Z

Ryan:

Whatever, nerd

Just to be clear : I avoid part changes in a song, I use sample locks and arranger scene changes in priority.
Otherwise settings common to several parts are PITA to set.

And there are buggy behaviors related to part changes…

Probably seems a paradox, but I’d probably use parts more if they were 256, and usable in any bank.

Another paradox : I had fun with a 64 steps pattern divided in 2 steps chunks, 32 parts (arranger, pattern iterations).

Randomize pages, fx types, add scenes…crazy results.

Blasted_pingin · 2022-12-08T21:09:25.492Z

I like Ricky, the pace of his videos, smooth…

But let’s be honest: his music is pretty basic and he don’t need parts change.

From OT to Models, from Cenk to Ricky

captain8 · 2022-12-08T22:12:15.109Z

malus_mons:

Also Enrique is an awesome guy and op is barking up the wrong tree

what are you talking about, how am I barking up the wrong tree?

Supercolor_T-120 · 2022-12-09T03:05:04.090Z

min0nim:

Hmmm. After reading this thread I’m just disappointed that no one’s mentioned it’s possible to use the Octatrack despite its terrible audio quality.

…ducks…

But is it really possible, though?

EDIT: jokes aside, I’ve watched some of this video and the big takeaway for me so far is that apparently you need a plugin tobounce in place in Ableton? Coming from Reaper that’s just mindboggling, I’m used to bouncing in place being one keystroke or two mouse clicks away at all times.

Supercolor_T-120 · 2022-12-09T03:18:38.365Z

brian3kb:

I believe he said just to get a faster copy speed on the file transfer.

He also says it’s something he brought over from working on the MPC1000. The thing is, the MPC1000 is USB 1.0 so it really does save you a lot of time if you use an external card reader, but with the OT it doesn’t actually make much difference. I guess a USB 3.0 reader woul;d speed things up if you also have a fast card, but it’s only really going to save a few seconds (or a couple minutes if you’re transferring like 10gb of files or something).

palm · 2022-12-09T03:41:35.255Z

that’s a matter of taste man.

madronemec · 2022-12-09T17:28:00.065Z

He’s probably just assuming it’s slower due to being used the the MPC1k. It’s USB disk mode is 1.1 spec and incredibly slow. I switched from the 1k to the OT and was hesitant at first but quickly realized the disk mode is perfectly capable on the OT

edit: i see Supercolor already pointed this out

Kegeratorz · 2022-12-09T17:43:48.945Z

Anyone know how to prep stems for the OT?

chiasticon · 2022-12-09T17:56:49.728Z

muzka:

I think it just shows you can use the octatrack for years and it will fit your purpose without touching parts.

exactly. and this applies to many aspects of the OT (and other machines). that’s why my first advice to new users is always “don’t be intimidated, and don’t try to learn it all at once. learn what you need to, as and when you need it to accomplish something; you’ll understand and remember it better that way.” and that’s basically what Ricky has done here. his typical usage never needed multiple parts, so he’s never fully understood them. now he does.

captain8 · 2022-12-10T23:06:56.907Z

Blasted_pingin · 2022-12-11T18:48:17.720Z

I’m not saying his music is good or bad, just that it did not seem to need a Part change so far.

palm · 2022-12-11T19:58:07.332Z

the cool thing about music is you can make it the way you want….right?

how about those vids were someone is using 20 pieces of gear, for music that sounds like it could come out of one box. im not gonna tell them they shouldn’t do that. they’re having fun, that’s the whole point

captain8 · 2022-12-24T22:15:21.599Z