Routing (not strictly an OT thing, but I'm using OT!)

My set up was DN->OT(A B) on a thru track, with a neighbour machine. OT Cue out into NTS-1, and NTS-1 out in OT (C D). I could then cue the DN track and get a kind of send effect thing. I used the fader to slide the levels for the AB<->CD so that one scene it AB at level zero and CD at full, and vice-versa. Great. Happy. I had to add a LOAD of gain the CD in and the thru track for the NTS-1, because for some reason it really attenuates the signal.

However, now I have added a drum machine. I’ve run out of inputs to OT. I have some options as I see it, please suggest if you have more, better, etc

  1. DN -> NTS-1 -> OT (A B) and control the “mix” on the NTS-1, with drums into OT (C D)
  2. Add a mixer, DN -> Mixer -> Send to NTS-1 etc, mixer out to OT (A B), drums into OT (C D)
  3. As I have it now, with drums into DN (which means everything gets effected, right?)

I tried 1 and 2 but the gain loss on the wet NTS-1 signal is so bad. OT was really good for matching the dry/wet gains.

Is the answer “use a good effects unit”, like would an OTO BAM, or a Specular Tempus, or SA Collider not have this issue, so I could do either 1, or 2 with a better effects unit?

I was really happy with my original set up, but I do kind of need drums too…would love some advice if you have the time

Many thanks
Russell

Using a mixer and additional fx is more comfortable for sure.

Sending everything to OT is not an obligation, but maybe you want to control everything with OT master fx ? (Filter for example)

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Agreed. Get a mixer. Then your flexibilty opens up. If you have more than 2 machines, mixing with octatrack will always be a juggling game.
Having a mixer is much more satsifying. Sounds better too, depending on the mixer you choose.

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Thanks for replying. I really want to try and keep it as simple as I can, already there is too much stuff! I think I don’t want to involve a mixer too, unless it is the only way.

Ah for sure, but I have only two things, DN + drums. I want OT to sequence the drums, and I like to sample both, or either. It is all really simple really, except that i want to treat the DN with the external FX. Probably the simplest is to route the DN through the FX and into OT, and use the dry/wet mix of the external FX unit. Which I can also sequence from DN or OT.

I guess the problem then is that the signal from the external FX unit (NTS-1) is so weak.

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You could have the headphone output of the DN going to the NTS1, then patch that into the DN external inputs. Use the DN mixer page to bring up the level of the FX when you want them. Sample them etc.

That way you dont need extra gear, and can just run DN and drum machine straight into OT.

Might work?

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I like it. Nice. Will try. So the DN is kind of sending to itself.

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Yes. And if elektron are kind, you might find midi CCs for the external input levels… which would mean you could sequence NTS fx sends from the OT.

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